I think it was because I could not swallow without water that my yaya fed me my first taste of spaghetti. I was two or three years old then, rather thin and sickly, and very difficult to feed. This was because I had fallen into the habit of following every spoonful with a gulp of water, too lazy, perhaps, of chewing on my food; too scared, indeed, to choke on any bones. Not only did it take me hours to finish my meal, I would also be full without having gotten any nutrition— the water would have satiated my little, finicky stomach.

And so, my yaya, wanting to plump me up on my father's orders, stumbled upon the idea of finally feeding me spaghetti, with its noodles not too difficult to chew or swallow. And with enough nutrition to jump-start my waning metabolism, it seemed to work. Thus, everyday day during my early childhood, I would get my diet of noodles and home made children's sauce of the sticky kind, with hotdogs, ketchup and even sugar, I believe.

Later on, and growing older, it was my mom— who herself enjoys a good Al Tinta and lots of parmagian cheese— who introduced me to the true Italian palette, bringing home pizza from work, or taking me out to eat at Italian restaurants. By the time I was a teen-ager, I was a certified spaghetti and pizza addict, never turning down an opportunity to sample the newest Italian restaurant or trattoria.

So comfortable was I to the taste of Italia that if I did not want the food served at home for a particular meal, I'd have it replaced by some trusty pasta, always on supply in our freezer. Anyone who's gone to my house will attest that there is always spaghetti— at times, even two types, Bolognese and Putanesca— ready to be served at a moment's notice. Whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the default food was spaghetti; or if any had been delivered, pizza from Shakey's or Pizza Hut, or Magoo's. In law school, spaghetti had even become my de facto comfort food. For the most of my four years there, spaghetti was regular fare at midnight, right before bedtime— this, of course, explains why one day, somewhat late in my study of law, I realized that I had suddenly grown a tummy! But the noodles, with the slight salty-sweetness of the sauce felt just right at the end of the day; it was difficult to resist such a simple joy.

Having gone to so many Italian restaurants, therefore, I have been able to form a good opinion of which among the many are actually worth visiting again and again. In reality, my tastes in Italian cuisine are rather really unsophisticated, and my choice of pasta somewhat even limited: I do not eat pesto, tinta or cream sauce. I do not like too much meat on my pasta, and I normally prefer spaghetti noodles over fetucinni, but sometimes, if I feel whimsical, I ask for fusilli, or angelhair, depending on the sauce. And always, always, I like my noodles aldente: there isn't anything like wet and soggy noodles to ruin a perfectly good sauce.

And so now, let me share with you my own discoveries— where the pizza is fresh and the pasta, delicious. These are the places where I enjoy my Italian food the most.

Therefore, dear friends, I now present: Peej's TopTen Pizza and Pasta Picks.


1. Burgho Pizza

We had just arrived at the Termini Station in Rome, after a Jesuit friend of our picked us up and brought us to the hotel. Immediately after checking in, he brought us around the major churches of that Eternal City. Of course, the last stop was St. Peter's. The Piazza di San Pietro was grand and imposing; but we had not had anything to eat for the whole day. Sensing our unease, the good Jesuit brought us to this small pizzeria off Bernini's Colonnade, out the Porta di Santa Anna, to this small place called Burgho Pizza.

My Jesuit friend ordered some slices of pizza— which, I had just then observed, they served by the weight and in little square pieces— and after only a couple of seconds, the first order had already been consumed. Perhaps it was because I was really hungry, or that it was my first taste of true Italian pizza, but that pizza was, by far, the best pizza I've tasted in my life. To think that it was only margarita and ham that we ate that morning!


2. Amici di Don Bosco

I had first heard about this restaurant sometime during the beginning of last year, from Fr. Catalino Arévalo, no less. But because law school was a more pressing concern, I did not have the time to travel all the way to Don Bosco, near Pasay Road, to find out what all the hoopla was about.

I was not to be disappointed. It was only during my cousin's birthday last November that I finally had the chance to go to Amici. Since then, I have become a regular customer (especially now that my office is just, at most, a ten minutes' walk away!). On hungry evenings, I'd finish a whole Pizza Al Funghi, which costs a mere P240! I'd normally also order their Spaghetti di Don Bosco, or their Spaghetti Mafioso. They say, however, that the Lasagna is worth every bite, but only if they are any left after the baking; they sell quite quickly.

And this wouldn't be complete without mentioning the gelato which they sell at only P35. There are over ten flavors to choose from; I normally ask for Pistachio or Strawberry Marble.

Antonio Arnaiz ave. corner Chino Roces ave., Makati City.
Restaurant hours are from 11 am to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday


3. Bellinni's

Belinni's used to occupy my favorite Italian restaurant before I began eating at Amici. Before Amici, it was the closest I could get to real Italian cuisine, and the prices were quite affordable. I think the atmosphere of the place also adds to the home-style character of the experience. It is a good place to have intimate conversation over tasty Italian pasta and pizza; and while the service is not that good, the freshly baked bread sticks, the tangy taste of the balsamic vinegar, and the complimentary after-meal ice-wine far make-up for any deficiencies. I even remember one or two times when I would invite some law school friends to a sudden lunch there, and we would take the MRT all the way from Rockwell to the Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao. I also remember having many memorable and comfortable dinners there, with people still present or now inadvertently absent.

Ever the creature of habit, I normally only order the Scampi Pasta (in spaghetti noodles, of course), and the Frutti di Mare pizza. They say that the Pasta Cartoccio is also good, but I haven't had the courage to stray from my regular menu. The prices, in general, are higher than those of Amici, but I think the ambience and privacy make the additional cost almost negligible. If you want an affordable, quiet Italian dinner, this is the place.

Marikina Shoe Expo Cubao, Quezon City
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.


4. AmoRoma

I first ate here during one of those lunches which a law partner tendered for me after my interview in their firm. The prices were rather steep, because it was fine dining right down to the tableware, and I was glad that I was not footing the bill. I don't really recall what I had that day— perhaps I was too nervous to appreciate what I had ordered. It was not until last November, when I was invited to have dinner there by a law school buddy and her good friend that I finally became aware of the menu. We had ordered wine, Salissia Pizza, and Ragù in Ravioli Spinaci. The meal was pretty satistying, and I could tell, they were gourmet powers involved.

Ground floor, Valuepoint Executive Apartments.
227 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village, 1229 Makati City.


5. Bravo's

Bravo's is a perfect place to eat after shopping in ATC or at the Festival Mall, in Alabang. I know that there's another branch somewhere in Malate, but we never had the chance to seek it out. The ambience is pretty good too; it's a nice place to have a quiet dinner in. Their Spaghetti Pomodoro is pretty tasty, but the pizzas, I think, are their specialty. The crusts are freshly made; expect flour to cover your hands when you pick the slices up from the tray— indeed, the best way to eat pizza! They say that their tomato dip is also pretty good, and you can order it out in bottles, to be enjoyed at home with freshly toasted panini.

Bravo's was our favorite Italian restaurant. Good memories.

Festival Supermall, 2nd Level
Corporate Ave. cor. Civic Drive
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City


6. The Old Spaghetti House

I first discovered TOSH while taking one of my long drives at the Ateneo, in Loyola. Where Full House used to be, there was this new pasta place that seemed to spring up from nowhere. At first, I was somewhat disappointed, because I really liked Full House's cheap and delicious food, especially their chicken crepe. But because it was a new pasta place, I resolved to try it out. And so on my next visit to the Ateneo, I had merienda at TOSH.

The place was pretty cozy and well-apportioned, I thought, but what surprised me more was that the prices were not that steep. While it certainly was not fine dining, I felt that it was a good place for students to have lunch/dinner/merienda following classes at the Ateneo. And the food was tasty enough: I normally have the Spaghetti Pizzaiola, and an order of Margherita Pizza. The preparation is somewhat commercial, but for merienda or a filling dinner, TOSH is always a good alternative.

319 A. Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Q.C. 1108
http://www.theoldspaghettihouse.com/


7. Cibo

Of course, who hasn't heard of Cibo? The first time I ate there, I thought it was one of those restaurants where you go because you wanted to be seen (I remember, it was still in Glorietta, in the middle of a busy corridor-- they did not yet have their own space; they just cordoned-off the corridor). Certainly the place had that nouveau cuisine, uppity-up feel to it. But the food, as I'm sure you will agree, is worth the added pretense.

When there, I usually have the Spaghetti La Foresta or Spaghetti Pescatore, depending on the mood of the day. But I also always order the Spinach dip and iced tea. If I'm extra hungry, I get their Pumpkin Soup. Delicious and filling, Cibo is best for me when I want to have a quiet meal with myself.

Power Plant Mall, 1st Level,
Rockwell Drive cor. Estrella St.
Makati City


8. A Venetto Pizzeria Ristorante

I first ate at A Venetto in fourth year college. I came with a big crown then, and I was just somewhat tagging along, focused on another agenda then at hand. But what caught my attention were the long lines that queued-up for a table that evening. It was a scene that I would witness, even up to now, whenever I go out and have dinner at A Venetto.

It was a New-York style Italian restaurant, with thick crusts and big servings. When I learned that their original branch was along Visayas Avenue, I wasted no time in trying out their menu. My favorite is the Eggplant Parmigiana or the Chicken Parmigiana, which they serve over spaghetti noodles. Because the servings are big, spaghetti and a small pizza will be enough to feed two people, with some left-overs still to take home. And precisely because it is dining, family style, it is a perfect place for barkada foodtrips, where you can get loud, rowdy, and very, very full.

26 Visayas Ave., Project 6, Quezon City
Open from 11am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday;
open from 5pm to 11pm, Sunday


9. Caffein/Cost U Less

Tin Reyes had invited me to Caffein a week after I took the Bar. It had become a popular wateringhole for the group because the beer was cheap, the place was out of the way, and they were practically the only people who would be there.

They would normally order chips and fries, because Caffein was a place you'd go to for drinks, but because I was particularly hungry that evening, I opted for some dinner of Seafood Pasta. I wasn't expecting much, knowing that the place was just another hole-in-the-wall, but the spaghetti proved to be a pleasant surprise!

Afterwards, they suggested that we get some after-drinks pizzas at Cost-U-Less (Caffein closes quite early), along Libis, near the fly-over. Following the herd, we ordered slices of Combination and Peperroni pizzas which turned out to be the perfect after-gimmik food. The best thing about it was that Cost-U-Less was open 24-hours a day! And so, from then on, whenever I'd be driving home from a party or some gathering, I would almost always pass by for pizza at Cost-U-Less, and have a midnight snack before retiring for the day.


10. Magoo's Pizza

I don't know why I found myself regularly ordering Magoo's Pizza on Friday nights, when I craved for something Italian. Maybe it was because I had grown tired of the taste of Shakey's Manager's Choice, thin crust, or because Pizza Hut's pizzas were just too greasy or that Yellow Cab's manu was just too expensive. I think it was it was also because Magoo's Pizzas taste unique from all the others, with their heavy garlic and cheese flavor. And the fact that they were cut into little square pieces added to the novelty of the experience. For a quick pizza fix at home, therefore, Magoo's Pizza is the way to go.

http://www.magoos.com/


And so, here's to all of us pizza and pasta lovers out there! If anyone has any new gastronomic discoveries, do let me know. Perhaps we can even meet up for a meal there. My treat!