Food Review: IL PONTICELLO, A Hidden Fine Dining Spot in Makati City

Located at the 2nd level of Antel Building along Valero Street in Makati City is a restaurant-bar that is both romantic in theme and cozy at the same time.  This Italian themed restaurant is also a place for fine whiskey and rum drinking.  This is Il Ponticello.

Il Ponticello, which means little bridge in English, is a restaurant bar that specializes in whiskey and Italian dishes with a twist.  From appetizers to desserts, they have something that would capture your taste and heart.

The interior is designed to be a saloon with a modern touch.  Lights are set with dimmers that help set the mood of the place.  Since it is situated inside a building, they have created a space for their whiskey and smokers too.  With marble table tops, comfy chairs to sit on and attentive staff, they make sure that your dining experience would be worth your time and money.

The Food:

 Portobello Alla Griglia (490)

It is slices of Portobello mushrooms grilled lightly to release its earthy flavor, combined with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, grilled cherry tomatoes and drizzled with virgin olive oil and basil oil.

It is light and flavorful which stimulates the palate to other dishes that they have.  The combination of mozzarella and ricotta with the grilled cherry tomatoes, gives you that flavor that we are familiar with Italian dishes. The basil oil gives this dish added flavor, giving it its own signature.

Seared Spice Tuna Loin (490)

Slices of tuna crusted and seared lightly and seasoned with wasabi aioli.

The wasabi aioli is a perfect match to this seared crusted tuna slices!  The oil of the tuna combined with the flavored crust, makes it a delightfully light dish perfect for the malt or whiskey that is available in the house.

Rotolo Originale (480)

Signature rolled pizza with Italian meat and cheese from the famed Emilia-Romagna region.

The dough is hand rolled and is baked to a crisp. The dollop of pesto on top adds flavor to this classic Italian treat.  Before Yellow Cab came out with their Dear Darla, this is something that has been going on in the stretch of Italy.

Pizza Valdostana (520)

Chef’s signature recipe!  This is a union of North and South Italian flavors; Parma ham, gorgonzola cream, Mozzarella and arugula.

Looks simple but it definitely packs a punch in flavor!  The gorgonzola is a strong flavor that goes well with the light salty flavor of the ham.  If you think the cream is strong for you then you should add the arugula.  The slight bitterness of the arugula controls the strong flavor of the gorgonzola making it bearable for those not into strong cheese flavor.

Lasagna Carbonara

If there is any pasta creation that is worth repeating again and again, then this is it!  It is your basic lasagna but instead of tomato sauce, they have made use of heavy cream sauce typical of a carbonara.  The egg on top, when broken and mixed with the sauce and pasta, transforms this dish to a whole new level in pasta goodness.

How do I describe this dish?  Think of a white pizza goodness minus the crust.  The creaminess is both light and heavy at the same time.  Light because you taste the different flavor dimension of the dish; heavy because the dish is filling.

Makers Edition 4-Cheese Waagyu Burger (360)

1/3 lbs pound of beef, smothered with their homemade cheese sauce served on top of a buttery brioche bun with ale-battered French fries.

The beef patty is juicy and sweet!  The cheese is a question that I have regarding this dish.  Where is the other cheese flavor??  I find it one level and simply has a strong cheddar taste.  The brioche is good and the flavor goes well with the beef and cheese.

Cheesecake Caramel Panna Cotta (290)

This is creamy vanilla cream cooked to perfection!  Served with cheesecake bits, caramel drop sauce and muscovado bits, this is one dulce worth sinking your mouth into.  The panna cotta is soft and smooth!  Combined with the caramel sauce then what you have is one sweet creation. Have it with the cheesecake and muscovado and what you have is a dulce that has different textures and flavor dimension.

Tennessee Marble Chocolate French Toast and Butter Maple Bourbon Milkshake

The French toast is ok. It is buttery good but not soggy.  The flavor is there but not that absorbed that I have a taste of dry bread but it also made the toast not oily, which is good.

The Butter Maple Bourbon Milkshake is heaven!!  The smooth creaminess of the butter with the maple is sooo good that when mixed with the bourbon, it is brought into new heights!  The kick that the bourbon has blends well with the buttery flavor and the maple unifies them into one heavenly drink!  This is one near to what an ambrosia may have taste like.

As a whole, the dining experience – provided by Zomato, was a pleasing experience!  The bourbon milkshake totally capped it right and served as perfect ender to a night of dining wonder.

Il Ponticello is one place that you can bring your love one and have a night of wonderful dining moment.  The place is designed to be cozy and near romantic.  If you wish to dine with friends, away from all the noise and fuzz of the city, then this is a good place to go too.  The prices may be a bit high but it is worth the expense with the flavors that they will serve you, dish after dish.

Il Ponticello is located at the 2^nd level of Antel Building at Valero Street in Makati City.