Italian Lunch at Gotti's Ristorante

 It was already lunch time and we are heading at SM Megamall that day to watch a movie and meet up with my old friends. I ask my sister if she already had a place in mind where we can have our lunch. She told me that we will be having lunch at Gotti’s Ristorante at the 4^th floor of the Atrium in SM Megamall.

My sister’s choice was the Dirty Fingers – chicken strips deep fried until golden brown partnered with a dip. I wanted to have a salad so I ordered for a Caesare Salad. We decided both to have pasta instead for a pizza since it is just the two of us. I choose the Frutti de Mare – pasta filled with sea foods. We also both ordered for a glass of lemonade.

We did not wait long for the orders to be served. They first serve the lemonade on tall glasses. When you hold the glass it wasn’t cold although there was ice. You can also see the lemon and lemon’s pulp into the glass. I took a sip of the lemonade and since it was not cold I can taste the zest of the lemon that tickled my throat.

Then next is the Caesare Salad. The salad was a simple mixture of lettuces, croutons and bacon bits covered with dressings. It is not a big serving but the lack of size was compensated by the rich taste of the ingredients with the dressing.

The Dirty Fingers came in next with the Frutti de Mare. I was actually surprised to see the Dirty Fingers. I thought it would be thin strips of chicken with one to three inches long but I was wrong. The strips were big and go along very well with the honey mustard dip.   

We ordered a large size of the Frutti de Mare since we will be sharing the pasta, but when all the foods were served my sister and I knew that the food we ordered is more than what we can eat. A first sight the pasta looks very simple but when you tossed it all the seafood are hidden below except for the mussels that are aligned at the corner of the bowl. Aside from the sea foods, the pasta also has a lot of sauce, just what every Filipino wants with a pasta.

All in all me and my sister loved the food at Gotti’s. The serving was just right and it also very affordable if you will compare it to other Italian restaurant. 

Enjoying Dinner at Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina

At long last I was able to experience eating at one of the famous restaurants at Kapitolyo, Pasig. Anna was the one who mentioned that she wanted to try eating at Kapitolyo, Ronald was our planner who chose the place and date, since he is the one more familiar with the place. It was then decided to have dinner at Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina on April 1, Holy Wednesday, to start off with the long vacation.

We arrived at past eight in the evening since the three of us will be coming from Taguig. And true to the various reviews that I have read, the place is always packed with people that you need to be wait-listed. We were tenth on the list of waiting people. Anna was already hungry, that we decided to take some walk to try and buy something that will ease her hunger. When we return, my sister has just also arrived at Silantro from work. We were already fifth in the list and one of the waiters handed us the menu so we can make an advanced order. My sister and Ronald are the one who decided on what to eat since they are a regular customer of Silantro. Both Ronald and my sister suggested the beef nachos and quesadillas. I told them that I want the chicken and Ronald added an order of burger.

I think we waited for thirty to forty minutes before we were seated inside. The place looks like a carinderia with pictures and poster about Mexico and some wrestlers. It’s a little hot inside since the place was crowded. The food did not take long to be served. Me and Anna were surprised when the plate of nachos was put in our table. There was melted cheese on top with chops of beef, diced tomato and sprinkled with herbs. Next in our order is the five pieces chicken wings known as Calliente Wings which is topped with shredded cabbage (I think) with a not so spicy sauce. Then the quesadillas oozing with cheese and mushroom filling topped with fries was served. We were more surprised when the Pancholon’s burger with a very huge patty and fries were served. Due to the large serving it looks as though we ordered more than we can eat.

Aside from the good food and affordable price, I think the other factor that Silantro became popular is because of the quality of service they gave to the customers. The manager on duty, who was previously a waiter, knows the regular customers and will acknowledge you whenever you return. The service was also quick despite having a huge crowd of people. They are also alert and attentive to the needs of the customers that you would not need to call on them.

Silantro is located at 75 East Capitol Dr., Pasig and is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. but don’t worry if you are still eating there by midnight because they will wait until you finish your meal.