| Potato chips-topped bacon and cheese pizza called Patata E Pancetta |
| Penne Salmone, a healthy pasta dish that foodies on a diet can appreciate |
From leather shoes to clean neighborhoods, Marikina City is known for a lot of things. For the past decade, it has also seen a rise in consumers who dine out. Whether they're residents or foodies from neighboring cities, the visits continue, especially now that the types of restaurants operating in the area have diversified a lot. Grissini Ristorante is one such dining place that attracts hungry customers regardless of the day, rain or shine. For the past two years, diners here have appreciated the presence of a casual dining restaurant that serves delicious Italian food at reasonable prices. As one of its Facebook review states: "Love the food and the authenticity in which it was prepared. The ambiance of the place is quaint and laid-back. Really good dishes with the right amount of flavor to them."
Top-notch Service
Service at Grissini Ristorante is top-notch from the time that one orders because every table is served a complimentary grissini and focaccia bread. The dining area is spacious enough to accommodate couples, families and groups of friends. They even have al fresco dining which can be romantic on a chilly night or perfect for those who smoke.
| Capriciosa |
| The easy-to-spot restaurant facade |
| Farfalle Tartufo |
| Green Apple-flavored Italian Soda |
Fresh Bread and Hand-rolled Pizza Dough
They have an in-store bakery that serves freshly made and baked goods. Choose from a panoply of bread varieties like Carrot and Herb, Walnut, and Honey Oat. This also guarantees that your pizza order at the restaurant has freshly made dough that's hand-rolled. Diners can also spot at the side of the restaurant a garden wall that supplies the kitchen with fresh garnishes and herbs which makes any dining experience unique and healthy.
This also guarantees that your Pizza order at the restaurant has freshly made dough that's hand-rolled.
Totally Tiramisu
The restaurant also offers a variety of cakes and other desserts to make your meals extra-fulfilling because anything that's ended on a sweet note is always memorable.
| Tiramisu |
| Tiramisu |
To test this out, I culminated my meal of Grissini Ristorante one weekend afternoon with a slice of tiramisu. The dessert is a fitting order to have an authentic taste of Italian cheese because it's where the classic tiramisu's mascarpone historically originated, particularly in Lombardy which is a region in Northern Italy. The slice is a creamy perfection of such cheese, chocolate sponge, honey-made lady fingers and the infusion of marsala, a sought-after wine in Sicilly.
The slice is a creamy perfection of such cheese, chocolate sponge, honey-made lady fingers and the infusion of marsala...
Appetizing Salad
What I started my meal with was a hefty salad plate of Insalata Dello Chef, an appetizing set of mixed greens, fresh fruits and roasted nuts. Perfect for the health-conscious. Normally raspberry vinaigrette is used, but during my visit I opted for the strawberry since the former was not available.
| The spacious dining area |
| Insalata Dello Chef |
| Penne Salmone |
| Farfalle Tartufo |
Truffle and Salmon-based Pasta
For pasta, I made sure I tried the new truffle dish called Farfalle Tartufo. It's a long plate of bow-tie pasta with mushrooms in truffle cream sauce. Any truffle dish is usually unattractive both in pictures and on site and this one's no exemption. However, they are always a must-order when available because of their remarkable taste that's almost intoxicating. It's no wonder why a comune in Italy (Acqualagna) has its own truffle festival. The revered ingredient is that unique and delicious!
It's no wonder why a comune in Italy (Acqualagna) has its own truffle festival.
I also had the Penne Salmone, a healthy pasta dish that foodies on a diet can appreciate. For sure, any seafood lover will have a hoot tasting its sauteed salmon.
| Capriciosa |
| Patata E Pancetta |
No Ordinary Pizza
For pizza, I ordered one of the restaurant's best-sellers -- the Capriciosa. The thin crust pizza is loaded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, bacon, bell pepper, onions, anchovies, capers, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. After having a couple of slices of it, I can definitely recommend it to pizza lovers who have long graduated from abusing their lips with fast food pizza because this specific flavor absolutely tastes good as it looks. It's worth finishing even to the last rolled up dough edge.
It's worth finishing even to the last rolled up dough edge.
Since I was having fun already, I went all the way with second my pizza order. I tried the thin crust Patata E Pancetta, a thin crust pizza that's loaded with bacon, onions, cream and mozzarella and topped with the restaurant's homemade potato chips. You can tear into the pizza and toss the chips in your mouth separately or you can try it like I did -- eating the potato chips-topped pizza slice altogether for that cheesy and crunchy mix.
| Porchetta Con Patate |
| Insalata Dello Chef |
| Porchetta Con Patate |
| Green Apple-flavored Italian Soda |
Filling Roast Pork Loin
Lastly, I also had the Porchetta Con Patate which I recommend to anyone who's game for a roast pork loin. This one's stuffed with basil and served in a creamy plate of herbed gravy and marble potatoes. Definitely filling and something that hardworking adults on a cheat day will love.
Grissini Ristorante may have started in Bicol almost a decade ago, but it's definitely making its mark in Metro Manila via its Marikina City branch. Go ahead and taste what it has to offer and you'll find yourself revisiting it every week.
2nd Anniversary Promo on Facebook
To celebrate Grissini Ristorante's 2nd anniversary in Marikina City, the restaurant has an ongoing promo. You can enjoy one (1) 14” pizza (choice of Quattro Formaggio or Alla Diavola) and one (1) Spaghetti Maremonte for only Php499. Simply "like" Grissini Ristorante Marikina on Facebook and show its promo post when you dine-in from July 12 to 16, 2017 at the restaurant.
Join the Grissini Ristorante Marikina GC Giveaway:
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Grissini Ristorante
Official Facebook fan page of Grissini Ristorante
Address: Mayor Gil Fernando Ave., Marikina City, Philippines
Hours of Operation: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Phone: (02) 275-8578
