Bistro Ravioli

There are only 4 words you need to know here: fresh, pasta, brick, oven.  I know what you’re thinking: I’ve had some pretty good pizza and pasta before, does it really make a difference?  Yes, it does, my friend. Yes. It. Does.

There are some advocates of dry pasta¹ out there and they have their own compelling arguments for it, but fresh pasta has that oomph in that bite that I just love.  For those who think brick ovens don’t make a difference?  They’re like vegetarians — they’re fucking insane and they don’t count.

If you want to start the meal right, go for the Pizza Frita with Boursin Cheese or Salsa Dip.  It’s basically fried pizza dough and it’s fucking awesome.  I personally love the salsa dip more and it’s great to know that the owner can actually make this sauce in her own home.

The Garlic Seafood Spaghetti was surprisingly good.   I do think there are better items on the menu, but you probably can’t go wrong with this.  And the fresh pasta really makes a difference.

I love the Chili Shrimp Spaghetti, though.  It doesn’t taste Italian² in the traditional sense, but still pretty good.  Could use a little more spicy kick to it, but that’s what chili flakes are for.  Just a beautiful dish.

If you want something simple, try their Quatro Formaggi or Four Cheese oven-baked pizza.  12″ of one of the best pizzas I’ve had here in Manila — the crust was fluffy and had that smokey charred taste to it.  Although Gino’s uses a brick oven as well, I find that they have a better pomodoro sauce to go along with a crust that is just as good.

Meat lovers (like me) can always go for the Pepperoni pizza.  It pisses me off that I now have to drive all the way to Makati for my favorite pizza.

And if you go to a place called “Bistro Ravioli” without ordering a ravioli, then you’re an idiot.  Go for the Spinach and Feta Cheese Ravioli in Pasta Sauce.  Love the pomodoro sauce and the saltiness of the feta really just balances everything out.

My absolute favorite dish here is the Italian Sausage Ravioli in Romesco Sauce.  Fresh Italian sausage wrapped in fresh ravioli wrap plus the sauce is just lick-off-the-plate good.

And for 35 bucks, you can’t go wrong with their Red Iced Tea.

Oh, and those prices are fairly reasonable, so now I’m really pissed.  Like Kobe must’ve felt when he found out he was playing with Kwame Brown³.  You go from getting something really good quality shit at affordable prices and now I feel like I have to settle… unless I drive all the way to Makati.  So will I ever brave the traffic and the parking fees of Makati just for this? I already have.

Bistro Ravioli 2011-06-02

here are only 4 words you need to know here: fresh, pasta, brick, oven.  I know what you’re thinking: I’ve had some pretty good pizza and pasta before, does it really make a difference?  Yes, it does, my friend. Yes. It. Does. There are some advocates of dry pasta out there and they have their …