For southies, there's only one restaurant when it comes to hearty and rustic Italian cuisine. And the enduring restaurant has moved to a much bigger and grander place...
Villa Parmigiano is now open along Daang Hari Road in Alabang West serving the same comfortingly familiar Italian dishes in its biggest branch yet with its distinctive bright orange and brick faċade to its elegant and spacious interiors. One of the few establishments that remained open during the long days of the quarantine experience, loyal customers shifted to take-out and delivery to enjoy their favorite Italian dishes from their old location (for more on Parmigiano, see my previous post A Taste of Italy Down South at Parmigiano Ristorante Italiano in Alabang's Molito Lifestyle Center on their old location from 2021).
Bigger, grander and more elegant, Villa Parmigiano is firing up the kitchen once more for their bestselling specialties including exclusive dishes you'll only find at their new branch. Come on in and feel at home. At Villa Parmigiano...
Transitions and Evolving Stories
And you won't miss Villa Parmigiano, you can easily spot it along Daang Hari Road in Alabang West with its vibrant color palette drawing you in...
Inside, an impressive staircase leading to its mezzanine accentuates the impressive high ceiling design of Villa Parmigiano illuminated with ornate chandeliers giving the elegant space a warm glow.
Villa Parmigiano along Daang Hari Road in Alabang West is the most elegant and grandest expression of the brand since it was established back in 2015 gaining an intensely loyal following and still growing customer base. From its original home at Molito Commercial Complex along Madrigal Avenue in Ayala Alabang (more on my post here), the non-renewal of the lease contract last year forced Giulius Lapino and his father Tony to search for another location. When regular customers heard of the news, many volunteered to file a protest. It's this strong bond and connection with their loyal customers that drove the brand to reopen with a much bigger branch.
There is a more noticeably opulent and luxurious vibe setting Villa Parmigiano apart from its original location, yet one immediately feels at home the moment you step inside. And for many diners, this is home when it comes to authentic and rustic Italian cuisine.
Construction was fast-tracked and by late march, Villa Parmigiano re-opened at its new location serving its repertoire of comforting Italian cuisine to the delight of its customer base. Regular diners will find all their favorite bestsellers along with new dishes exclusive to the new branch. And that's all the reasons you need to drive down south to Villa Parmigiano.
A Roman in the Kitchen
At the helm of the kitchen at Villa Parmigiano, Chef Mario Angelai ensures only the finest ingredients and traditional culinary techniques are masterfully executed for each dish on the extensive menu. A proud native Roman, Chef Mario Angelai adds that unique and flamboyant Italian flair to your dining experience at Villa Parmigiano. Say hello to Chef Mario when you visit Villa Parmigiano, and he'll gladly take you on a flavorful ride to the old country with his specialty dishes.
The Right Stuff
At Villa Parmigiano, diners will find the little touches of mandatory elements to complete their classic Italian dining experience right on the table with a selection of chili flakes, premium Himalayan salt, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and peppercorns. It's what diners have come to expect at Villa Parmigiano.
Slices of crisp toast are served before your meal with sides of tomatoes and crushed garlic in olive oil...
...delivering a flavorful burst with each crunchy bite. The freshness of the ingredients brings all the flavors to open up the palate.
One more bite is soon followed by another...
...for that perfect start with the right stuff at Villa Parmigiano.
It's summer, and a refreshing drink is in order. The soothing Grape Shake at Villa Parmigiano cools you down in no time with just a few sips.
Feast The Italian Way
Fresh from the kitchen, your Italian feast at Villa Parmigiano is off to a great start with the Insalata Di Tortilla E Burrata (P 550), a medley of garden fresh mixed greens with cherry tomatoes topped with a whole burrata (all 120 grams) glazed with rich truffle cream and drizzled with balsamic laid on a crisp tortilla. The delectable play on textural contrasts and flavors tease the palate, with the sharp, fresh and clean notes of the mixed greens and cherry tomatoes elegantly smoothened by the silky soft burrata and truffle cream. The crisp tortilla adds that layer of crispness to complete the dish.
The Bistecca Alla Florentina (P 590 per 100 g, approximately 800g to 1 kilo per serving good for 2-4 persons) is one of Villa Parmigiano's all-time bestsellers and one bite tells you why.
Simply seasoned and sprinkled with fresh herbs with sides of cherry tomatoes, marble potatoes and asparagus, the bold beefy notes from the grilled Porterhouse Steak punches through with each bite. A pinch of Himalayan salt completes the flavors. Simple and uncluttered, the savory Bistecca Alla Florentina is high on my list of personal picks at Villa Parmigiano.
Then, there's the wide selection of pizza offerings that keeps Villa Parmigiano top-of-mind among diners...
...like the Pizza Della Nonna (P 545), a Neapolitan style pizza with grapes, Mortadella, Parma ham, marinated artichoke hearts, Mozzarella and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano on a rustic crust with charred blisters for that delicately crisp finish. Each topping brings its distinct notes with each slice and bite from the sweet grapes to the mildly salty hints of the Mortadella and Parma ham, the subtle sourness of the marinated artichokes and the creamy and sharp flavors from the silky smooth Mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano shavings. It's a complete package, all the way to the crust.
The Pepperoni E Burrata (P 620) is a savory tomato-based pizza topped with pepperoni, creamy Mozzarella and whole burrata on a crisp crust with rich flavors. The bold flavors of the pepperoni brings that savory burst mellowed by the Mozzarella and burrata with the tart tomato base adding depth. The pepperoni and burrata combo is a way more indulgent upgrade to the usual pepperoni pizza.
The Prosciutto E Stracchino (P 720) is another unique pizza offering from Villa Parmigiano, a flatbread pizza topped with prosciutto, fresh arugula and Stracciatella cheese. The pronounced and contrasting notes of the premium prosciutto and arugula are perfectly tempered by the Stracciatella for balanced flavors.
The different dishes served so far at Villa Parmigiano highlights the freshness and quality of the ingredients executed under the supervision of Chef Mario Angelai for pure, fresh and real flavors.
Pasta? The Ravioli Di Zucca E Ricotta (P 550) is a sumptuous pasta dish with homemade ravioli stuffed with sweet pumpkin and silky smooth Ricotta cheese draped in a rich Truffle and Ricotta cream sauce. The nutty sweetness from the pumpkin, the creamy Ricotta and earthy Truffle cream sauce combine for an elegant medley of flavors lingering long on the palate followed by the soft yet firm texture of the pasta. Rich yet comforting, the Ravioli Di Zucca E Ricotta is another tasty number from the extensive menu of Villa Parmigiano.
The master then takes the stage, preparing one of Villa Parmigiano's enduring pasta specialties by your tableside...
...with a massive wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano as the flavorful base for the pasta dish.
Flamed to soften the cheese, the ingredients for the pasta dish are then added directly to the Parmigiano Reggiano wheel and delicately stirred to absorb the flavors of the cheese...
...and served a la minute by Chef Mario Angelai. It's performances like this that makes dining at Villa Parmigiano special and memorable.
But Chef Mario Angelai has even more surprises from the kitchen of Villa Parmigiano...
The Cernia Al Forno (P 1,850 good for 4-5), a lavish whole roasted red snapper stuffed with garlic, spices and fresh herbs served with rich Prosecco Herb-Butter Sauce adds a festive vibe to your feast at Villa Parmigiano. The delicate notes of the red snapper drapes the palate with a subtle briny sweetness followed by a medley of flavors from the stuffing and butter sauce for another impressive dish.
It's been said many times that freshness is flavor, and this dish proves it.
It's easy to see why Villa Parmigiano is the go-to spot for southies. The wide selection of traditional Italian cuisine made with the finest and freshest ingredients makes Villa Parmigiano a dining destination down south. And the newest location solidifies the position of the enduring brand among its loyal customers and a growing base of new diners.
As the summer heat continues to rise, why not have a round or two of refreshing Sangria?
A soothing tipple...
...and a whole round of good vibes completes your dining experience at Villa Parmigiano. But wait, save room for dessert...
Villa Parmigiano offers an equally tempting selection of desserts for that perfect sweet ending...
...and satisfy all your sweet cravings in one place.
The aptly named Tsunami with layers of chocolate cake and mascarpone mousse sprinkled with pistachios and slathered with rich chocolate sauce is an indulgent triple dose of chocolate for all you chocoholics.
Good food always triggers a memory or an emotion transporting you to a different time and place. It's time for you to come home to the brand new location of Villa Parmigiano for hearty and comforting Italian cuisine, now open along Daang Hari Road in Alabang West.
Villa Parmigiano is located along Daang Hari Road, Alabang West, Las Piñas, Metro Manila. You can call 0927 884 7535 or 02 8242 5318 for inquiries. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/ParmigianoPH and https://www.instagram.com/parmigianoph/ for more updates.
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