Spread Some Awesome

Budget : minimum of Php500 per person

Duration : ~1-2 hours

Bummers : very expensive, book a reservation for sure seats

C' Italian Dining

The Friendship Highway, which is actually Don Juico Avenue, in Pampanga is not only known for its “friendly” nightspots but also for this restaurant that serves authentic panizza and other Italian dishes – C’ Italian Dining. Though this resto doesn’t serve Kapampangan dishes, it has been hailed as one of the best Italian restos in the country. So, dropping it a visit when you’re in the area can be a great idea.

If you have been to Bellini’s in Cubao (the Italian resto where the guys in One More Chance used to hang out), the ambiance at C’ Italian Dining is almost like that. Brick walls, wooden chairs and tables, dim lights, and the smell of Italian food. The only difference is that C’ Italian Dining’s reception area is surrounded by plates signed by various celebrities who have been awestrucked with the food.

The Wall of Plates at C' Italian Dining

Me at C' Italian Dining

Since we didn’t have reservations, we were asked to wait for a while in the reception area. It took quite awhile, around 15 minutes before our table was prepared. So, I walked around the area and read the plate memoirs. Amazing how a lot of celebrities has already been here.

C’ Italian Dining also has a large selection of wines.

Wine Cabinet

Once we were seated, they served as with a complimentary bread basket. It came with a pesto dip – ground basil leaves in olive oil topped with cheese. The bread is so soft, probably freshly made and baked in their own kitchen.

Complimentary Bread and Pesto Dip

For starters, we ordered a salad called Insalata Catherina (Php 510). According to their menu, this salad is “a blend of artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, capers, caramelized onion, sun dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, arugula, and romaine lettuce with red wine vinaigrette”. But from the image, fresh tomatoes and alfalfa were also used.

Insalata Catherina

Being used to Caesar dressing in salads, I find the Insalata Catherina a little bland for my palate. I hoped there was a dash of sweetness or sourness, and it could’ve been perfect for me.

The Penne Roberto (Php 710) is the best-selling white sauce pasta. It is gorgonzola and cream sauce with chicken fillet, roasted garlic, and sun dried tomatoes. It’s a tasty pasta dish but I find it’s price really steep. The serving is only good for 2-3 people but if this isn’t the only dish you are eating.

Penne Roberto

Of course, we wouldn’t miss C’ Italian’s panizza. Panizza is a cross between panini and pizza, thus the name. We got the Rolls Royce (Php 845), which is panizza topped with salami, shrimp, US scallop flakes, and sun dried tomatoes.

Rolls Royce with Arugula and Alfalfa

Rolling the Rolls Royce

Rolls Royce Panizza

Undeniably, the food at C’ Italian Dining is good especially the panizza. But with it’s price, there should be a very special happening in my life to book a reservation. Also, being in Manila with Uncle Cheffy serving panizza and Amici serving awesome thin crust pizzas just around my neighborhood and for a cheaper price, I might resort with the latter.

By the way, thanks Tatia for the heads up!

Spread some awesome..ness..

Tags: Italian food, panizza, pasta, salad