Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.

Aside from Japanese ramen, I love Italian pizza and pasta!

Because “mi piacciono molto la pizza e la pasta”…

As a child, I was then a very picky eater. I remember my parents scolding at ke whenever I’d refuse to eat or even take a bite of the food they’d prepare. But as I grew older, my palate amd I became more adventurous.

From just confining myself with the usual food at home amd in school, I became more open to try a variety of food/cuisine. And traveling, probably, made one of the biggest influences in my tastes’ evolution.

So because of this, I’ve come to love food (i think I have mentioned this in most of my food-related blogs). And choosing a favorite has become a challenge and confusion to my palate. I love ramen for the comfort it brings, I love any dessert especially glutinous ones because of the nostalgia of my childhood, I love seafood dishes because of the exquisite gastronomic experience they impart, AMD I love pizza and pasta because these food I find comfort-nostalgia-exquisitness and palatine orgasm rolled into one. From my pop’s home-cooked spaghetti, to Jollibee’s to Como Italy’s authentic and ultra aldente pasta bdishes; from various Pinoy town’s pizza to Milan’s and Rome’s aromatic, gooey, crispy pizza — I’d say my taste buds having really come along way.

Today, I’d feel extremely delighted whenever I get to discover food places that cook and serve great, palatine-satisfying dishes especially pizza and pasta. Basing on my own experience, The Philippines is gem when it comes to finding restaurants or any eatery for that matter, that serves foreign dishes that are close to the original. Case in point are Italian dishes being offered by food places like Mangiamo Ristorante in Baguio City, and Luca’s Cucina in Puerto Galera.

I’ve eaten at various Italian restaurants during my travels – across Southeast Asia, Middle East, North Africa and even some parts of Europe, with a couple of them in Italy. And I’d say that the quality of Italian food in some restaurants in The Philippines is pretty exceptional. The squid ink pasta of Curo in San Juan La Union, the gamberrheti at Pesce (a pescetarian resto at The Farm in Batangas), to the brick-oven Pizza like the Smegg of Gino’s in Makati), enjoying Italian dishes is “more fun” in The Philippines.

To top that, only in places like The Philippines can you find such food that would cost you $30-40 per dish in other countries, served up for as little as $5-10. Tet these low/cheaper price isn’t an indication of low (or compromised )quality, but rather a reflection of the local economy.

MANGIAMO RISTORANTE, Baguio City: Mangiamo, it means “let’s eat”. Such a lovely gastronomic experience dining here. Because finally, there’s an Italian ristorante in Baguii City that serves authentic pizza and pasta close to what I’ve tasted in Milano, Como, and Roma.

Food:l I’ve tries: a carbonara that’s no ot blasphemous to Italian cooking, ragu, and the uber delizioso Mangiamo pizzaaaa!

LUCA’S CHCINA, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. Luca’s is a simple beachfront Italian resto at a secluded beach in Puerto Galera.

CThe half-opened pizza they serve has a very tasty dough, it’s thin-crust, with an unforgettable aroma, brings to my mind scents from my Italy trips.

So if you ever get the chance, visit some of these Italian food spots in the country.