For Princess Pilarta, her husband Chuck and her brother-in-law chef Raymond Pilarta, running their restaurants is more than just a business. It’s a mission: to make fresh and delicious Italian fare accessible to Filipinos. “We really want people to enjoy good Italian food,” said Princess.
They’ve been doing it for years with Bistro Ravioli, which started as a foodcourt stall and now has branches in Glorietta, Greenbelt and SM Mall of Asia. “Our menu is very concise but anything you order is good. Everyone will find something they’ll like,” said Princess.
They make everything fresh—from their pasta and their pizza dough to their sausages and their salsa. And the prices are surprisingly affordable. “We don’t scrimp on quality. We make sure our customers get their money’s worth. Hindi siya harang.”
No wonder they have a lot of loyal customers who keep coming back for more of their food. (We at Super have been obsessed with Bistro Ravioli for years—that’s where we always eat when there’s a concert at the MOA Arena or an event at the SMX. And even my grandmother loves the place.)
And now the team behind Bistro Ravioli has opened Pizzeria Amore in UP Town Center—a delightful little place that serves traditional brick oven pizza. “We use a traditional dome oven. It’s really big. And we cook the pizza with wood fire. The heat comes up to 600-800 degrees, giving the pizza that chewy and crunchy crust,” said Princess.
Found at UP Town Center’s cinema level, Pizzeria Amore has become a favorite prescreening meal of students and families. On the day we were there, we heard a grandma say, “We’re always here, my grandsons love this place.”
“Bistro Ravioli and Pizzeria Amore serve different kinds of pizza,” said Princess. Yes, the two places do serve a unique experience but they have a number of things in common: The food is great, the service commendable, the prices affordable (The most expensive pizzas on Pizzeria Amore’s menu just cost P355.) and they’re worth a visit—or a hundred.
BISTRO RAVIOLI, @bistroravioli
Glorietta, Greenbelt, SM Mall of Asia
What we ate: We’re Bistro Ravioli regulars and we have our all-time favorites: Pizza Frita with Boursin Cheese or Salsa Dip, Diablo Wings (chicken wings coated with a spicy barbecue sauce and served with garlic ranch dressing), the Spinach and Feta Cheese Ravioli in Pesto Sauce, Three-Cheese Ravioli, Italian Sausage and Bacon Pizza, Shrimp and Basil Pizza. The Rosticciana (Italian-style ribs) is a must-try, too—even the potatoes served on the side are so good. And we always end every meal at Bistro Ravioli with the Choco Lava Cake (and sometimes, when we still have room, also the Panna Cotta).
If you’re a first timer, order: “The ravioli, they have to order that, the Spinach and Feta Cheese Ravioli in Pesto Sauce and Italian Sausage Ravioli in Romesco Sauce,” said Princess. “And the other fresh pasta. Don’t miss the Seafood Spaghetti, Chicken Pesto Spaghetti and Puttanesca with Sun-Dried Tomato.” The pizzas are a must, too. “Try Garlic Clam Supreme and also Fennel Sausage Pizza.”
Bestsellers: Spinach and Feta Cheese Ravioli, Garlic Seafood Pasta, Quattro Formaggi Pizza and Margherita Pizza, Diablo Wings and Rosticciana
Other favorites: They have a meatball pizza that we’re very excited to try.
Super tip: Instead of choosing just one dip for your Pizza Frita, ask them to serve half a serving of the Boursin cheese and half a serving of the salsa. They’re perfect when eaten together.
PIZZERIA AMORE, @pizzeriaamore
UP Town Center
What we ate: So much pizza—Prosciutto and Arugula (our fave), Bacon and Jalapeño (deliciously spicy) and Mediterranean Beef (a symphony of flavors). And the addictive Chili Wings! And Tiramisu!
Bestsellers: 3 Cheese Pizza (“Kids love this one,” said Princess), Mediterranean Beef Pizza, Shrimp and Scallion
If you’re a first timer, order: Mediterranean Beef Pizza, Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza (which will become available starting Easter Sunday)
Other favorites: The crunchy wings which come in two flavors—garlic pepper and chili.
Super tip: Pizzeria Amore delivers to the UP Town Center cinemas. Next time you watch a movie, maybe skip the popcorn and dig into a fresh brick oven pizza instead? Or get popcorn and pizza. We would. In fact, that sounds like heaven.
