Italianni's Restaurant: Bigger and Better in SM Mall of Asia

A few months ago, I got to visit the newly-renovated branch of Italianni's Restaurant in Gateway Mall. And this time, it's their SM Mall of Asia restaurant which got a make over!
Italianni's SM Mall of Asia

From a cramped Italian restaurant, Italianni's in SM Mall of Asia can now comfortably seat over 120 guests. Although the dining space can accommodate about 80 people prior to the renovation, the tables were so close to each other that it's hard to keep your conversations private. It was also very difficult to get a table before, especially during weekends when families and big groups of long-time friends flock the mall.

And while Italianni's Restaurant in SM Mall of Asia is now bigger and even offers a function room, there are things which I'm glad to have remained unchanged. Sticking to its theme, the restaurant still exudes elegance on top of a promise of comfort. Lighting is still pretty warm, complementing the browns and greens of the wide, cozy space.

Sicilian Chicken Salad Lunch P425 Regular P650

Of course, we didn't visit the restaurant just to look around, appreciate and talk about its renovation all night. We also had our evening meal starting with a serving of the bestselling Sicilian Chicken Salad (Lunch P425; Regular P650) which is a light, colorful and beautiful ensemble of chicken breast pieces on a bed of romaine lettuce, mangoes, red grapes and pine nuts in a lemon-mustard dressing.

Four Seasons Salad P595

Another salad item we had was the Four Seasons (P595) which is an enticing plate of crispy romaine lettuce, green apples, tomatoes, dried berries, grapes and peaches topped with caramelized walnuts, Parmesan flakes and honey shrimps, and then drenched with a four season dressing. While I enjoyed the previous savory salad, I liked how sharp and refreshing this ensemble was, truly a nice appetite whetter.

Angus Steak Pizza P575

We also had one of my favorite items in the restaurant, the Angus Steak Pizza (P575). Ever since I've tried this at the Gateway branch, I have been constantly craving for this carnivore pleaser packed with minced angus beef, mozzarella cheese, green bell peppers, caramelized onions and mushroom cream sauce on top of a chewy flat bread.

Seafood Mango Pizza P625

We also got to sample another pizza, the Seafood Mango Pizza (P625) which is loaded with assorted fresh seafood in a pesto cream sauce, heapings of mozzarella cheese, and bright mango slices. While I love the combination of seafood and mangoes in a salad, this is the first time I've tried it on a pizza. I loved the blend of flavors though since the earthy, savory seafood is highlighted by the sweet refreshing flavors of the mango.

Seafood Cioppino P395 Lunch; P595 Regular; P895 Abbondanza

We also had the Seafood Cioppino (Lunch P395; Regular P595; Abbondanza P895) which I ate as my main course. And just like the last time, I again fell in love with this sweet, tangy and slightly spicy plate of al dente-cooked pasta in red wine and basil pesto sauce which had loads of mussels, clams, shrimps and calamari. Simply delish!

Creamy Crab Spaghetti P425

Although I'm more of a red sauce kind of gal, my companions were all really digging this plate of Creamy Crab Spaghetti (P425), another al dente-cooked pasta pimped with Alaskan crab meat and fresh herbs and spices in a rich, thick and creamy white sauce.

Penne with Italian Sausage P495

For pesto and sausage lovers, there's also the Penne with Italian Sausage (P495), a really filling pasta dish of penne sautéed with caramelized onions and crispy pancetta in pesto sauce, and topped with slices of Italian sausage and Parmesan. I really love the smoky and earthy flavors of this pasta item, next to the Seafood Cioppino though.

Tartufo P450

To end on a sweet note, we had a serving of the Tartufo (P450), a three-layer chocolate cake made up of both dark and white chocolate mousse then covered with a super fudgy frosting. I know, price is expensive for just a slice of chocolate cake. But believe me, this order can be shared even by 3 people. It's that big when it comes to chocolatey flavors!

Limon de Cielo P225

We also got to try a pretty new sweet treat, the Limon de Cielo (P225) which is a soft and smooth baked custard dessert topped with caramel sauce and sugar-coated with lime zest. Although this may look like your ordinary leche flan, do not be fooled! In all honesty, this is one of my most favorite desserts so far. I just loved how sharp and creamy this item is without being overly sweet. The downside though is that I'll need one order just for myself. Not sharing this lovely dessert with anyone!

Panna Cotta P295

Another dessert we had was this beautiful plate of Panna Cotta (P295) which is a freshly-made Italian vanilla custard served with a choice of mango sauce, blueberry sauce, or honey with walnuts. For this trip, we decided to go for the mango sauce which made our panna cotta really colorful and pretty. And while I so love how this treat looks on the plate, I unfortunately found it too sweet for my palate.

Italianni's Mall of Asia Promo

The wide and cozy newly-renovated space of Italianni's Restaurant in SM Mall of Asia is already a sweet treat on its own. However, The Bistro Group gives us more reasons to visit this Italian food haven tomorrow, October 10, 2012, as they'll be slashing 50% off on every diner's total bill! And take note, no minimum order required to avail of the promo.

THE VERDICT

Even after several trips to Italianni's, I still stand by my verdict that this elegant and cozy restaurant offers great food, great service and great ambiance which The Bistro Group is widely known for. Yes, price tag is hefty, but you'll really get your money's worth every single time. A great tip to somehow lower the dining cost though is going here for lunch, or sharing orders with either your date or your friends. Or, why not get the most out of your dining experience for less by taking advantage of the 50% off the total bill promo?

To further help you decide which items to order, check out my previous post about Italianni's new dishes and old favorites during my visit to the renovated Gateway branch.

Taste - 4.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 2.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Italianni's Restaurant, SM Mall of Asia
2/F SM Mall of Asia, Entertainment Mall, South Wing,
Ocean Dr. Manila Bay Reclamation Area,
Pasay City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 556-0549
Official Website
Facebook Page

44 comments:

  1. The pizzas and desserts look divine!!! :) I should have gone pala. :P


    http://www.dekaphobe.com/

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  2. Yay for the pizzas and four seasons struck my eyes! I miss your foddy blog Sumi! :)

    -
    lalala <3
    http://www.lalalapatricia.info/2012/09/wake-me-up-when-september-ends.html

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  3. I love Italianni's! They treated us really well when we had a fiasco back in 2010.

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  4. I love Italian cuisine and I have heard Italianni's offers the best in town. I already drooling just looking at the salads... I want me some of that panna cotta...

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  5. I really like the food offering and ambiance of Italianni's. They also offer reasonable packages and attractive promos from time to time.

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  6. I enjoyed every dish from salad, appetizers, pasta, pizza and the memorable dessert time where chatting with you guys took place :)

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  7. I really miss their Sicilian Chicken Salad. That's what I used to order each time I dine there. I could even finish a whole plate.

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  8. Those are best taken with Iced-tea, don't you think? Anyways, your vivid pictures made the food all the more inviting. I am a pasta, pizza and sea food fan, so you know what my targets are, should I get the chance to go to Italianni's ^^

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  9. Italiani's is really making big strides in expanding their restaurants. They do have great food offerings and boost of excellent service.

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  10. The taste and exemplary customer service makes up for the hefty price of their food. I only eat once in Italiannis in KL, Malaysia and it was lucky to be served by the best in F&B industry, our kababaya, from service attendant to supervisors to chef.

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  11. I honestly cannot remember anymore that last time I visited Italianis... I honestly got a bot so good experience with them before. I will try to check them out again, soon.

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  12. wow it's been a while since i last visited a place like this...thanks!

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  13. It's a great news that the place is a much bigger now. The last time I was at this place was like ages ago! And I can no longer remember how it feels, or how the food tastes.. But I surely recall that it's a bit expensive place to dine.. :)

    Thank you for sharing this post.. As always, you photos makes me want to have a heavy meal as early as now.. :)

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  14. great salad and pasta dear! you are indeed very good in taking food photos! This is a big meal! i wud just order a pasta or maybe a slice of pizza hehe xx

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  15. "I've dine there twice beore noong maliit pa siya. It's a great news to hear na the place got renovated and got bigger. Yes the food there are great. Sulit din sa price.

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  16. kainis we were planning to avail their 50%fof promo kya lg nagkasakit ako :( Hopefully they'll have another one hehe :) The Sicilian chicken salad is our favorite! :)

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  17. Ah, Italiani's. My last visit there in Robinson's Place was so spacial that Italiani's instantly became my favorite. I plan to eat there whenever I can (and whenever I can afford lol)

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  18. This resto is out of my league and out of my pocket's reach... of course, if you have the money to burn then go ahead and indulge yourselves... ;)

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  19. I have yet to try more of Italliana's.. I mean, whenever I dine there, I always get the usual.. I actually fail to try the others. Anyway, from all the other food that you tried, I'd probably start with the Angus Steak Pizza and Penne with Italian Sausage.. I'm passing up a chance on the seafood stuff.. I might die from my allergy! Lol!

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  20. Love the way how they presented some of the dishes. Much, much better than what we got when my best friend and I ate at their branch at Araneta. I'm really curious about their serving size. For some reason, it's been getting slightly smaller from when I started eating in their different branches back in the early 2000s

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  21. Its been 3 years since the last time we've dined at Italianni's (I was single then). Though pricey, I believe it would satisfy even the hungriest stomach. ^_^

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  22. wow. its a really nice place. i think i will try to drop by when i will be back on manila this december.

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  23. I love their welcome breads, so yummy and a fill in the tummy! although I must admit they are a bit pricey but it is worth it though!

    Reading your posts is always a prob to me since it makes me hungry

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  24. I enjoyed every dish presented before us. Everything delectable and worth the wait!

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  25. Italianni's specialty dishes are worth the spending. I'm sure hey will absolutely satisfy our cravings.

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  26. I miss Italiannis! my last visit was at gateway, the old resto pa hehe. im craving for italian dishes now!

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  27. one of the best fine dining restaurants in the country, I think.
    Would love to try that Seafood Cioppino pasta,too very inviting. =)

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  28. You know what, looking at your first photo along transported me to Rome :) Love the design.

    And as always, great place and photos! Kung ganyan din naman talaga ang dessert talagang mabibitin ako hehe.

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  29. OMG the PIZZA!!!! I am craving now. ITALIANNI'S make it SUPERB from their location now so cozy and bigger. And the food they served so yummy.

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  30. wow I love the way they presented their servings although its kinda pricey but I think 1 order of pizza can serve 5 persons already

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  31. Italiannis is one of my favorite restaurant and its great that they opened last year here in Davao City =)

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  32. Wow this place is huge! Hmm maybe 2.5 out of 5.0 for the price isn't very fair, since "it was worth it" right? :P It's like eating anywhere at High Street, BGC: if you don't want to get wallet-shock, just share something :)

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    1. Hi Jason, I rate the other factors separately and the overall value is my rating for "is it worth it?" :) Although I find Italianni's food good, there's always this hesitation to dine again and again because of the price.

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  33. My family loves pizza and pasta, we usually dine in a restaurant which serve these kind of food when we go out to stroll. Sayang, I just read your article right now, we could have availed the 50% price off during their opening.

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  34. We just ate there last friday. But I didn't like the pasta that my aunt ordered for me.

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  35. Anything Italian. . i love. I havent been to Italiannis since my budget wouldnt usually cut it. But maybe on Valentines day perhaps? Id like to bring along my partner. weee. . .

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  36. OMG!!! Looks so yummers!!:) I would love to try this resto out once I got my first salary!:)

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  37. I love italiannis especially their desert chocolate cake Tartufo ! To die for!

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  38. Everything at Italianni's is delicious. Good thing I have a privilege card so I get plenty of savings.

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  39. Everything looks yummy! I would love to try their pizza and pasta. :))

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  40. i love italian food , the best pizza and pasta and the cheese.

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  41. I just passed by Italianni's tonight and didn't notice the change (of course we were trying to find some place else to eat). Haha. Their food offerings are no doubt all delicious but quite hefty on the price.

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  42. Looks like a great list, several of these are my favorites as well. Excited to try some dishes which i have never tried.

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  43. Absolutely amazing photography - I really, really like all the colorful pictures that you took of the delicious looking food and the restaurant - it looks like it is certainly worth more than one visit!

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