Midweek Food Trip at: La Vita

I love a good pasta and a good pizza. 

And when I travel 2 hours one way to a restaurant, I pray to the food Gods it must be worth it!

Thankfully, La Vita restaurant located at Podium Mall did not fail!  

I was lucky enough to be invited for a small gathering with fellow Blogging friends.  Our schedules were all different but I am glad we made it to this gathering and we are even more fortunate enough to meet Chef Maurizio Gibillini - Chef of La Vita Restaurant.  This man is a character, full of stories to tell and ingredients to share!  I love how he was able to establish authentic and modern Italian cuisine on every single plate that was served that night.

We were told by Chef Bibillini that all the main ingredients such as tomatoes, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and pasta are imported from Italy while other food components such as vegetables, fish and clams are sourced locally to guarantee freshness.

And here's a funny anecdote from Chef that note: "If you go to any Italian restaurant, NEVER order hot water, coffee or tea - that is very Asian!  Europeans meditate on a beautiful bottle of wine after lunch or dinner!"  

And we were indeed served with Italian wine best paired with the dishes served that night.

Though I was salivating for pizza upon seated, we were first served with Marj's favorite Clam Soup and I understood wholly why she returns to La Vita for this particular soup!



If you crave for mild spicy tomato soup with mixed seafood, order Caciucco Alla Livornese Php240.00, it has that refreshing taste!



My favorite would be the Crema De Funghi Selvatici (Php220.00).  This is a classic mushroom soup with wild dry porcini.



And let's not forget to order Pizza when you visit La Vita!  A must-try is Pizza con Burrata Fresca Php540.00, it has a soft, almost doughy fresh cream made of Italian Cheese perched in the middle of the pizza!  I love to cut it in half and spread everything!



And if like me, you are a cheese pizza lover, go for Pizza 4 Formaggi Php440.00 and you can easily add Php60.00 for an oomph of Chorizo.  This is my favorite from the bunch because --- CHEESE LOVER HERE!



Unsure of the name of this pizza but loved the fresh Arugola on every single slice!  This has a nice kick of salty and bitter (from Arugola) which is perfect if you wanted something unconventional.



Pizza Ala Napoletana Php450.00 if you are capers and black olives lover!  This gives a nice kick to the whole pizza experience as they are all fresh ingredients that seems to melt perfectly with each other inside your mouth on every single bite!

We also tried fresh pasta made from scratch!  

I can't seem to find this dish from the menu but will definitely keep this picture and ask them!  A white pasta with truffle sauce, flavorful, rich and extremely delicious.



If you want something unique and very filling, try La Vita's Spaghetti Al Nero Di Seppia Php400.00 .  This pasta dish uses squid ink, garlic and chilli!  Better wipe off your teeth after eating this dish if you are on a date! :)



Rigatoni Con Crema DI4 Formaggi Php420.00.  I can't believe I'm picking this out as my favorite, isn't it obvious I love cheese?  A simple pasta with a huge serving of fresh shrimp cooked in 4 kinds of cheeses.  MAGNIFICO!



If you want to steer clear from the usual pizza and pasta, fret not, La Vita offers a wide array of unique Italian dishes! 

Carpaccio Di Polipo Alla Sarda Php280.00 is thinly slice cooked octopus served with parsley, Italian vinaigrette, garlic and chili!

Beef Carpaccio Ala Cipriani Php300.00 is a nice way to cool off your tongue with something refreshing.  Sliced raw beef in olive oil, lemon, chili and shaved parmesan cheese.

And if you want something "heavy" or something that fills up your tummy, bring out that Italian wine and order these!

Chef Gibillini includes family, food, passion, and love into one amalgamation of elements, therestaurant, with its 110 to 150 seating capacity ideal for gatherings of friends and families, embodies its name well as the chef christens it La Vita or The Life.The good news is that you don’t have to be willing to spend a fortune to eat well in La Vita having an average spend per head of Php700.00.

La Vita Ristorante Italiano is located at 3rd Level, The Podium Mall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City. For reservations, call (02) 285 1486.

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!