Article by Desa Desiree Tayting (@dsdsrtytng) | Photos by Eunick Nobe (@eunicknobe)
Despite many goodbyes from our favorite restaurants this year, we say hello to new and upcoming ones that will fulfill our undying cravings. One of them is the Baguio homegrown pizza place, Amare La Cucina. 2017 has brought us a lot of good news here in Manila and one of them is having a branch of Amare right in the middle of the bustling Kapitolyo district.
This place is just across the Kapitolyo Church
You read that right: you can now get your favorite spare ribs and traditionally-cooked pizza – which Amare is well-known for – just minutes away from your home here in Manila!
The iconic Amare mural
(READ: Our Top 5 Favorite Pizzas in Metro Manila That You Should Try)
For four years now, Amare La Cucina (which was named after the founder Edmark Bustos and his siblings) has been one of the to-go Italian pizza places in Baguio. We should feel blessed, Manila, because Amare came closer to us, giving the same homey vibe it has always been loved for. They basically serve the same menu as the Baguio branch, and here’s even better news: you can also make your own brick-oven pizza here with no additional charge!
The pizza should come out 12-13 inches in size
We tried making our own pizza and I must admit: it was both fun and challenging. You got to experience everything – from flatting out the dough, tossing it, putting all the toppings on it, all the way to getting it inside the oven! If your kids want to try this, they are very welcome to, as well. The chefs will all be glad to assist you and help you with your choices.
They will demonstrate how to toss the pizza to achieve the right size.
Try your best not to make a hole in your pizza!
You can choose a pizza on the menu and they will help you make it or you can choose a flavor and then just add your toppings of choice. Apparently, Margherita and Sausage Pepperoni are the patrons’ favorites; but if you’re feeling adventurous, try out the Foie Gras Pizza, which is made of mozzarella, basil, white truffle oil, and foie gras (duck liver). Turn your gastronomic adventure to an exciting one and order Superoni, which has an overload of pepperoni, plum tomatoes, mozzarella, cheddar cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and a dash of oregano on it!
To achieve the traditional taste of pizza, they cook it only using fruit-berry trees.
For our pizzas, we started with the basic Margherita because it has only has tomatoes and cheese on it. Then we began picking add-ons like goat cheese, mozzarella, bacon, basil and more. Our first pizza looked like this:
Ladies and gentlemen, Pizza ala WIMtern!
Of course, the finished product will all depend on the ingredients you put on it. Our first pizza tasted awesome! We opted to put four kinds of cheese on it along with some ham and pepperoni topped with basil leaves. We loved it!
On the second pizza, my newbie skills became a bit more obvious. The pizza ended up having an oblong shape! It was so fun, though. This time, we chose to put wagyu ground meat and bacon with truffle oil and a dash of oregano on it! They went perfectly together.
Wagyu Pizza ala Wimtern
For every pizza, we only waited for about 2-3 minutes. Edmark shared that they usually make everything in around 15 minutes upon receiving an order to ensure that the pizza is fresh and hot when they get to the customers’ table.
Aside from that, here are Amare’s other favorites that caught our tastebuds’ attention:
Al Arrabiata – Php285
This pasta is made of spicy tomato sauce with bacon, garlic, parsley and Parmigiano Reggiano. Oh, and, did I mention that you can choose the noodles for your pasta? Yes, that’s right. You can choose from spaghetti, fusilli, penne, or linguini.
Marianne’s Special – Php335
Veggie lovers don’t need worry when they visit Amare with their family or friends because they serve this house salad, which was named after the founder’s sister, Marianne. This salad has arugula leaves, caramelized walnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with a special dressing.
Wood-Fired Ribs with Veggies – Php395
When someone mentions Amare, you’ll probably think about their pizza and ribs – and we now know why! They have some of the best in Manila! Taste this family recipe, pair it with their special sauce, and find out why for yourself, too.
Chicke Skewers – Php340
Amare’s skewers are the bomb! The chicken’s well-done and the dish also comes with their special dip.
Roasted Mallow Speculoos Pizza – Php280
Do not leave the place without trying out their new offering: the roasted mallow speculoos pizza with ice cream on top. It will make your heart and tummy glad. Like us, you’ll also wonder how roasted mallows could go so perfectly with cold vanilla ice cream.
As for the drinks, try out their Mint Iced Tea (Php85), a cold refreshing offering as you enjoy the pizzas you made or any smoothie on the menu such as the Basil Smoothie, one of their healthy smoothies and slushes. This is perfect for those who want to try something different!
Complete that Italian food trip with any wine from their bar.
AMARE LA CUCINA KAPITOLYO
https://www.facebook.com/amarelacucinakapitolyo/
