Dinner at Cantinetta

Cantinetta has been around for quite a while in Makati. I only got the chance to try it last September when we went to their Podium branch to celebrate my birthday.

There were very few people that night.

We were off to a good start. The complimentary bread was warm and crisp and the liver pate was yummy.

The asparagus soup was light yet creamy and had a very strong flavor.

asparagus soup P270

The picture doesn’t do justice to the dish. It was the best dish we had that night. The mushroom ravioli was al dente and there was a generous amount of mushrooms. The touch of truffle oil finished the pasta with a wonderful aroma. It was expensive but definitely worth it.

ravioli al funghi porcini P480

The vongole or pasta with clam sauce was very bland and disappointing. There wasn’t much clams nor sauce. I couldn’t help compare it with Amici’s version which I loved and was cheaper too.

vongole pasta P380

I wanted a simple pasta so I ordered one of my favorites, pasta with garlic, oil and red pepper flakes. The waiter offered to add sausages for free so why not? Not even the sausages could save this flat dish. Again I compare it to Amici’s aglio olio which I always order when I eat there. In Amici the pasta is robust, spicy and delicious.

aglio olio e pepperoncino P320

The fish was a bit firm but the flavors were pretty good. The fish baked in foil at Bellini’s is much more superior.

lapu-lapu al cartoccio P800

I’m sorry to say the pizza wasn’t to my liking. The crust was too thick and not crunchy at all.

It didn’t turn out to be a very happy birthday celebration. If you want good affordable Italian food you’re better off at Amici. For a more expensive and even better Italian fare go to La Nuova Pasteleria in Makati.

Cantinetta
Ground Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue Pasig City 
telephone: 477-2522