Do you remember your first time at Italianni's? Known for their sumptuous Italian-American cuisine and hearty family-style servings, the enduring restaurant has been home to countless family milestones and celebrations. Decades later, Italianni's continues to be the perfect gathering spot for festive get-togethers with new dishes on the menu...
Loyal fans can always count on the comforting and hearty fare of the timeless and enduring Italian-American chain but if you think you've tried everything from the extensive menu of Italianni's, think again. Fresh from the kitchen, Italianni's introduces new menu items to add to your already long list of favorites. Read on for a tasty peek at everyone's all-time fave, Italianni's...
One of the country's largest and pioneering restaurant groups in the country, The Bistro Group's impressive portfolio includes popular brands that have become part of the local dining scene for decades. The continued success and longevity of the iconic brands are a testament to the group's philosophy anchored on an uncompromising commitment to quality and consistency for a memorable dining experience each time and all the time. One of these cherished brand's in The Bistro Group's portfolio is Italianni's (for more on Italianni's, see my post Mom's Day at Italianni's from 2012, Seeing A Pair of Old Friends at Italianni's from 2019, The Bistro Group Brings Italianni's to Robinsons Magnolia from 2022, Enjoying Bistecca Al Fresco and Other Specialty Dishes at Italianni's in Robinsons Magnolia Plus a Cool Deal from Bistro Delivers from two years ago and The Bistro Group Food Crawl at Robinsons Magnolia Part 2: At Home at Italianni's with the New Festival of Flavors Menu from last year). For many, Italianni's is home to comforting flavors and good times.
And with the recent unveiling of new dishes, Italianni's is once again at the top of your list for sumptuous Italian-American staples. Consistency in quality coupled with creative innovations continue to drive the beloved brand as it nears yet another milestone since it opened in Manila back in 1996. From starters and salad, antipasto and insalate, pizza, pasta and savory main dishes, Italianni's stays true to its tagline "Amore di Merrier" best shared with friends, family and loved ones.
One of the endearing features of dining at Italianni's is enjoying a basket of fresh baked Tuscan and Foccacia bread served with olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. Through the years, this has been the signature start before a sumptuous feast at Italianni's...
Behind the semi-open kitchen at the new One Ayala location, the magic begins for some of Italianni's well-loved dishes...
They say you never forget your first time. Like the classic Spaghetti and Meatballs (P 485/P 725/P 995) that just takes you back forever making Italianni's a part of your daily routine. Like many of the brands from The Bistro Group, Italianni's has become an integral part of your culinary adventures and memories. And the Spaghetti and Meatballs still hits the spot topped with massive meatballs on noodles lavishly draped in the rich tomato-based sauce with its deep and vibrant notes.
Italianni's begins your tasty adventure with their Creamy Clam Dip (P 465) from the new menu. Imagine lumps of succulent clams with cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise paired with warm and crisp garlic bread. That's right, clams and cheese combine for a winning combo at Italianni's.
Take a closer look and you'll find real clams delivering fresh, clean and briny notes smoothened by the creamy blend of cream cheese, mayo and sour cream. Each distinct note complements the other for a tasty seafood dip in the arsenal of comforting flavors at Italianni's.
Italianni's then draws inspiration from the traditional Italian doughnut with the Zeppole or soft and lightly crisp dough balls with a savory twist. Available in two variants, the Garlic & Cheese Zeppole (P 175/P 275) tossed in garlic butter, Parmesan and fresh parsley brings bold notes with each tasty bite. The Parmesan and parsley brings pronounced and upfront notes mellowed by the deep richness of the garlic butter for that balanced finish. In contrast, the Barbecue Zeppole (P 145/P 245) brings a smoky sweetness into play with the fresh tartness from the thick Marinara sauce. The savory fried doughnuts along with the new Creamy Clam Dip are just the opening acts in the festive medley of exciting new flavors at Italianni's.
The perfect start at Italianni's also includes a refreshing salad option with the Radicchio Salad (P P 495/P 795 available in selected branches). Also known as Italian chicory, the distinctive reddish and purple hues with white veins of the radicchio brings a delectable mildly bitter taste profile to the garden fresh salad with its mix of crisp Romaine, Lolorosa, spinach and arugula. Topping the salad and completing the cast are grilled tuna, celery, red onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, kani crab sticks and roasted sunflower seeds dressed in a sharp yet mildly sweet Mango Vinaigrette. The blend of unique and even contrasting notes and textures come together perfectly for a satisfying and flavorful salad.
In between bites, wash it all down with the refreshing new beverage selections at Italianni's like the tart and sweet Mango-Calamansi Black Tea (P 185). Italianni's offers a full repertoire of Mocktails like the Sparkling Basil Cranberry (P 185), Blushing Fizzy Tea (P 185), Three Citrus Combi (P 185) and Teas as well as Bottomless options too.
Italianni's also offers a tempting selection of new Iced Brews, like the White Mocha (P 155) with its creamy sweetness tempered by the deep and bold notes of coffee. Other equally refreshing options include the Rock Salt Cheese Coffee (P 195), Ube Rock Salt Cheese (P 195), Choco Caramel Latte (P 155), Caramel Macchiato (P 195), Matcha Espresso (P 220) and Choco Matcha (P 195). Italianni's is clearly bringing the iced brew game to the next level with creatively inventive Iced Brews selection.
Then, there's the new Pizzeta or small individual sized servings for times when you're craving for a pizza but don't plan on ordering a whole pie. The 2.5 inch creations are the perfect option for that pizza fix without going for the whole pie. And the best part? You can try all the flavors in a platter...
...like Pepperoni, Mushroom and Artichokes, Shrimps and Black Olives and Quattro Formaggi. The smaller Pizzeta (P 155 per piece/P 495 for four pieces) also means you get more of that lightly crisp and delicately blistered charred crust you love with every bite. Perfect, right? From the sharp savory notes of the Pepperoni to the creamy Quattro Formaggi, the nutty earthy hints of mushrooms and just a whisper of sweetness from the artichokes of the Mushroom and Artichokes to the succulent briny sweetness and pronounced flavors of the Shrimps and Black Olives, there's one Pizzeta with your name on it.
And when there's pizza, you just got to have some pasta. And Italianni's new pasta creations has you covered for the perfect pizza and pasta combo.
The new pasta creations at Italianni's include the Bacon Spinach Ravioli (P 395/P 595/P 795) stuffed with creamy and sharp Parmesan filling loaded with bacon, spinach and mushroom. Each bite of the soft filled pasta pocket releases a savory burst of richness from the bacon and Parmesan made even richer with the spinach and mushroom for another solid pasta dish.
The Caserece Tuna Peas (P 425/P 625/P 775) with briny tuna flakes, cherry tomatoes and green peas is another winner from the pasta play list of Italianni's. The uniquely shaped pasta from Sicily resembling a rolled up scroll is firm to the bite, adding to the hearty finish of the new dish. The fresh flavors of the tuna, sweetness of the peas and tart bursts from the cherry tomatoes combine seamlessly for hearty flavors. It's a whole new pasta experience in terms of both flavor and texture at Italianni's.
A tasty quartet or rigatoni dishes complete the line-up of new pasta dishes at Italianni's like the Country Rigatoni (P 465/P 675/P 845) with Pancetta, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cannelini beans, Italian sausage, tender chicken strips and Parmesan. Each large tube of soft yet firm rigatoni is evenly covered with the savory mix of ingredients delivering full-on flavors. Rich, hearty and comforting, the Country Rigatoni is one more sumptuous pasta dish for those days that demand a hearty pasta fix. Other rigatoni variants include the Rigatoni Amatriciana (P 415/P 605/P 775), Pesto Rigatoni (P 445/P 605/P 775) and Four Cheese Rigatoni (P 465/P 665/P825).
And don't forget the value-packed Bundles good for 2-3 that's perfect for sharing and Executive Lunch offerings too. Bundle A includes the new Creamy Clam Dip, Margherita Pizza and a regular sized Chicken Parmigiana Pasta for P 1,695 and Bundle B with regular sized Four Cheese Rigatoni, Seafood Stew and Crispy Pork Ribs priced at P 1,895. Priced at P 495, you can enjoy a a hearty meal with the Executive Lunch deal with garden fresh and crisp Caesar Salad paired with Spaghetti with Meatballs, Chicken Milanese or Salmon Pesto. That's two good deals you just can't pass up.
And when your cravings call for a seriously savory fix, Italianni's now offers two new oxtail dishes and a comforting stew on the menu. The deep red hues of the Oxtail Rosso (P 1,595) with fork-tender and fall-off-the-bone beef braised in a rich aromatic mirepoix with chorizo simmered in tart tomatoes is one of those comforting dishes you'll come back to again and again. The savory richness of the dish is tempered by the bold and vibrant tartness of the tomatoes for a satisfyingly balanced finish. And this dish is just in time too for the coming holidays.
Other new savory options include the Oxtail Marrone (P 1,595) with sausages braised in carrots, onions, parsley and potatoes and the Sausage Mushroom Stew (P 495).
For dessert, the Zeppole makes its return in its indulgent form with the Zeppole Blueberry (P 145.P 270) with custard filled doughnuts, blueberry and chocolate ganache for the perfect sweet ending at Italianni's.
The soft doughnuts are the perfect vessel for a decadent dessert. The Zeppole Custard (P 145/P 270) filled with custard cream, chocolate ganache and dusted with chocolate powder is another temptingly sweet option.
Paired with the White Mocha, you have a winning pair at Italianni's. Or better yet...
...enjoy an after meal tipple with the Negroni (P 395). Through the years, Italianni's has been home to countless memorable meals with its comforting repertoire of Italian-American fare. The new dishes reinforces the signature Amore di Merrier character of Italianni's with even more new reasons to visit. I've always maintained that consistency in quality and continuous innovation goes a long way rather than relying on short-term trends and Italianni's has proven this time and again. Since 1996. It's time to come home to the comforting flavors you love and discover new dishes in that familiar Italianni's style...
Italianni's is located at the Level Three Al Fresco area of One Ayala, Ayala Avenue Makati City. You can visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/italiannisph/ and https://www.instagram.com/italiannisph/ for more information and updates or call 0976 043 5694 and 0917 144 9944 for inquiries.
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