La Dolce Vita at La Vita Ristorante Italiano – A Taste of Italy

It was like being in Italy again. Not that I have been to the whole country.  Some years back , the handsome hubby and I  were in Rome for a few days , just enough to whet the appetite for more Italian sojourns in the future. But La Vita transported my taste buds to the Land of Pizza and Pasta and was a nagging reminder to return to la dolce vita presto. Anyway, here are the food we enjoyed a couple of days back. I am also including  some memorable dishes my foodie friends and I indulged in a week ago…

Z U P P E

Zuppa Alla Mantovana P220

Creamy pumpkin soup with Italian Sausage was really good. I can just have this for lunch and the resto’s freshly baked bread and I am good to go.

Crema di Funghi Selvatici P220

Among the 3 soups served, this is my favorite. Nothing beats classic creamy mushroom soup with wild dry porcini.

Caciucco Alla Livornese P240

Hearty, a little sweet from the tomato, with a bit of a kick, this mild spicy tomato soup  with mix seafood can grow on me. 

I N S A L A T E

“My Way” Salad

Easily my new favorite salad. I loved how simple the presentation was enhancing the crisp greenness of the romaine and the contrast of the black caviar and lemon zest. At first glance I thought I was looking at blackberries.

Chef’s way of Caesar salad home-made mayonnaise, anchovies, fresh dill and caviar. Amazing balance of flavors and textures. I recommend you eat it as soon as it lands on the table. The greens tend to get soggy after a while.

A N T I P A S T I

Carpaccio Di Polipo Alla Sarda P280

The handsome hubby loves his pulpo so this will be a hit with him. Cooked octopus with Italian Vinaigrette, garlic, chili and parsley

Beef Carpaccio Alla Cipriani P300

Sliced raw beef in olive oil, lemon, chili with shaved parmesan cheese hit the spot.


Charcuterie

I can not seem to find this in the menu but I think you can make your own. Just ask the server. All you need is a bottle of wine.

P A S T A

Pappardelle Alla Crema Di Tartufo P440

Specialty pasta with porcini cream and truffle oil

My pick for pasta. I am a sucker for porcini and truffle oil. So just a whiff of that truffle and Im sold. Papardelle was amazingly al dente and just the right thickness if I may add. Dont forget to soak all those wonderful sauce with your pizza crust. So good!

Linguini Allatavolara P400

Linguini with shrimps in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chili and  crab paste. Pasta was al dente. Sauce was rich with the crab paste. Shrimps were succulent. I shall order this again

P I Z Z A When this pizza came out, everyone just got all excited.

That was a show stopper , I tell you. After you ‘break open’ the burrata, slather it all over the pizza. You have to eat it while its hot. Buon appetito!

Pizza con Burrata Fresca P540

Fresh burrata, tomato sauce and arugula

Mortadella E Cacciofi P440

This one is a must try too.  That creamy sauce with mozzarella, artichoke and mortadella…sublime!

Pizza Quattro Formaggi with Chorrizo P440

Omg they just mentioned the magic words “4 cheese”. That’s it . Just the aroma of baked cheese is making me drool already. Think mozzarella, gorgonzola, cacio cavallo and fresh parmesan cheese. I just died and gone to cheese heaven

R I S O T T I

Risotti con Porcini P460

Creamy italian rice with dry porcini and parmigiano cheese. The piggery aka our kids would love this.

D E S S E R T S

Alas, I had to leave early so I missed the desserts huhu. Oh well reason enough to return for a third visit.

Pannacotta con miele All Profuo Di Tartufo P280

Tiramisu Affogato Al Bailey’s P280

Italian famous dessert with coffee liquor and mascarpone cream

Mousse di Cioccolato P280

Ultimate Chocolate fix

Overall? 

Everything was perfect. Freshly made pizza and pasta. Premium ingredients. Top notch service. Reasonable price point. Spacious dining area. Good location.  What’s not to love?

If you are lucky and the amiable and funny  Italian Chef  Owner  Maurizio Gibillini  is there, he might just be  inspired to create a special pizza for you just like what he did when the handsome hubby and I were there last October 9.

Here’s the pizza he made for us…

Made with speck , arugula and all kinds of cheese,  it tasted amazing!  Speck is an Italian cured, smoked meat native  to Alto-Adige in Norther Italy (Wiki)

I may have found a new go-to place in Ortigas  for the family when the craving for authentic Italian food hits.

Do call to reserve a table when you plan to go.  On the two occasions I was there during lunch on a weekday, the restaurant tends to get full  fast.

See you there!

Thank you @dearmarjsia. With foodie friends 🙂

La Vita Ristorante Italiano is located at the third floor The Podium Mall just beside Souv.