a bite of brownie

after a scenic stroll at montalvo arts center in saratoga and los gatos downtown, i was so looking forward to have a hearty dinner. a branch of this restaurant is very near to my place so it's funny that i get to try this branch which is farther from my place. i went with my vegetarian friend and i felt like doing family style. we decided on their "roasted vegetable california wood-fired pizza with homemade pesto sauce, burrata cheese, oven roasted tomatoes, cauliflower, zucchini and topped with arugula" and "mushroom pesto penne with mixed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes tossed in a pesto cream sauce garnished with fresh basil and parmesan". both were so good! the vegetables on the pizza were fresh and the burrata cheese was a perfect on the pizza. if i am to choose, the penne had more edge on the pizza. the pesto sauce with the sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms were so tasty! i could eat the entire plate!

even though i was full already, my mind was set on trying the famous gelato place which got some awards on being the best ice cream place. we were lucky to get in before the crowd. i took a taste sample on the pistachio and oreo. i decided on the white pistachio gelato on a cone. it was a very generous scoop. it was so yummy!





Verdict: 5/5

Willow Street Pizza
20 South Santa Cruz Avenue #218
Los Gatos, CA 95030


Verdict: 5/5

Dolce Spazio Gelato
221 N Santa Cruz Ave
Los Gatos, CA 95030

Soon after the arrival of our dearest mother, we came here one night to visit the newest branch of Italliani's at Ayala Center Cebu. Of course, I had class during that time so by the time I got there my mom and sis were already there.

As customary in every Italliani's branch, we were given a fresh basket of bread to be paired with a mixture of balsamic vinegar and olive oil as well as a few minutes to review the menu before we were attended to by someone from the staff. We ordered a pan of Quatro Staggiani (four seasons pizza: cheese, tomato, ham and vegetable) and a Country Combo platter comprised of a heap of smoked salmon spaghetti, roasted chicken, and roast pork (the package was supposed to be roast beef, but they ran out of beef, so we were asked if we'd like to opt for pork instead.) Before she left to relay our order, we were given another basket of fresh bread to pair with the dressing from earlier.
From what I read online and heard from people, Italliani's is known for its fresh food, their pasta and pizza, and last but not least, their steaks.


The four seasons pizza was delicious. Everything was freshly baked and the dough was no exception. The toppings didn't feel awkward unlike some haphazard pizza recipe out there. The smoked salmon could have been done better, though. The salmon was overcooked and became flaky as soon as we started dividing it among ourselves. The roasted fowl could have been done better too, something about makes me wish it could have done better. A little dry, maybe? Finally, the roast pork had its sauce interchanged with the chicken, who had its gravy placed beside the pork.




Italliani's
Ayala Center Cebu


Verdict:
A: 3.5/5.

Quite pricey. Service could still be improved. Food can be done better.