I must admit that Bigoli is my first choice when it comes to affordable Italian restaurant here in Manila. First encountered in 2008 with my close friends in college, situated near the TriNoma cinema. I can still remember how much we enjoyed their pizza-and-pasta-all-you can back then. It was superb! I know for a fact that the said promo instantly became a craze that even up to now is well embraced by many. A few days ago I was in Eastwood to grant the request of a dear blog mate so that we could try Ristorante Bigoli's dishes to restore my deep confidence to this brand. Everybody knows that the location where Bigoli now was once Fazoli's, another Italian restaurant.
Did you know that Ristorante Bigoli came from a Venetian roots? It took it name and inspirations from bigoli, a traditional pasta from the Veneto region of northeast Italy, named after the extrusion press made to create it. The press, called a bigolaro, dates back as far as the mid-1400s. Presently, Bigoli has found a life of its own, moving out of the old country into the new world.
I honestly like the branch in Eastwood as it is spacious, organized and tidy. Whenever peak time comes the line stays long yet orderly and staff are always functional. The filling station as I've noticed is always full, clean and steady. It allows you to do self-service and test your honesty as well. Pilferage has no room here of course.
Inside Ristorate Bigoli is an island or booth for coffee lovers. The restaurant offers Caffe Izzo beverages, the artisan-based coffee roastery that produces real Neapolitan espresso for over 25 years. The brand may ring a bell to you especially if you are a coffee addict. Meaning to say, you can taste real Italian coffee at Bigoli. They surely not offer nor settle anything less and true to its brand that they only serve the best for its guests. That day, I spoiled myself with a tall cup of Double Chocolate Freeze (PhP130). What can I say? It was absolute chocolate pleasure that you must try. It was double chocolate so I felt double happiness. Other choices for Caffe Izzo Freese are: Java Chip, Coffee Jelly, Cookies & Cream, Mocha Freeze and Caramel Freeze.
Breadstick, anyone? Oh how I love Bigoli's breadstick, so soft with subtle garlic flavor on it. I could finish tons and tons of this as it is totally addicting. Best way of course is to partner with any pasta dish. Have I told you it is free? You may ask the food server should you want one provided you have any order of pasta.Should you have not ordered (which I bet is unbecoming), you may buy a half dozen of breadstick for only PhP45.
Never leave the restaurant without ordering for a plate or two of Stromboli. They are best sellers! Options to choose from are Beef, Bacon, and Pepperoni. They have more flavors nowadays compared before. If you get tired of eating pizza because it is quite messy to eat particularly if it has too much topping on it, then you gotta try this one. All you have to do is pop and pop and pop. Imagine a pizza filled with different types of cheese, Italian meats and veggies that is rolled into a log and then baked. That is what stromboli is all about.
Pepperoni Stromboli is naturally made from dry sausages which could either be cured pork or beef. It was a tad spicy and garlicky in taste. Something you cannot easily resist particularly if you very well like Pepperoni Pizza. The red sauce goes well with the smoky flavor making it really similar with the pizza flavor that everybody loves.
For me this is the ultimate stromboli! You could just imagine how I like bacon- breakfast, lunch or dinner, I could really survive eating this as my viand. Bacon Stromboli may be salty for some but for me it is the best and will always be I guess. It has a special white sauce dip that is quite similar to the home-cooked carbonara sauce that I used to indulge.
Ristorante Bigoli uses only Kitayama Wagyu Beef for their Beef Stromboli. As a matter of fact, the cattle by which the meat was sourced, was raised in the foothills of Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon wherein they are only fed with grass (Kita) from the mountain (Yama). Hence, the type of high quality beef. No wonder, this stromboli is not just meaty but full of flavor too most especially when dipped in marinara sauce which suits the beefy flavor well. Not to mention it is considered healthy to eat due to its low fat content.
I learned to appreciate Italian filled pasta when my relatives from the USA regularly send assorted grocery items when I was still young. Our family used to eat reheated canned ravioli back then which I truly enjoyed. At a very young age, it was fun to discover a type of pasta that looks steamed mini empanada to me drenched in tomato sauce.
Ristorante Bigoli's Ravioli is a pasta dish that must be ordered should you want to escape fron the long strands of noodles for the mean time. Thoroughly soaked in a sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, onion. A plain dish that warms your heart sided with my favorite breadstick.
Italian Chicken is something worth raving. Many restaurants claimed that they were the very first to offer flavored chicken but it was actually Bigoli which first started the sensation. This was included on their menu since time immemorial, it just so happen that due to the influx of chicken stores, huge demand and very high competition, this restaurant was not able to keep up. Tender inside yet crispy on the outside even if chicken pieces are breaded and very much coated with strong yet special tomato and natural honey sauce. Honestly, I find it relatively cheap (PhP215 for 4 pcs; PhP345 for 6 pcs; and PhP500 for 10pcs). Just PhP135 for two pieces of Italian Chicken with Italian rice and you have the option to choose between Spaghetti Marinara, Fettuccine Carbonara or Spaghetti al Pesto instead of rice.
Have a love at first bite with this unique pasta dish called San Valentino Ravioli. Definitely fall in love with its freshly made pasta filled with cream cheese, mozzarella and bacon on top of rich marinara sauce. Also sided with breadstick. What so spectacular about this is obviously its heart-shaped filled pasta pieces that is bursting with impressively distinct taste. First time to have actually eaten a dish like this. Want to try? Can still be offered until the end of March so rush to the branch near you and be satisfied.
Ristorante Bigoli is proud not just to offer good and cheap Italian food, excellent service and comfortable, clean ambiance but also Italian-inspired music which is customized to every store. I highly suggest this restaurant for your first date, anniversary or just any meaningful celebration that is worth remembering. Find here those inexpensive Italian dishes that do not fall short on flavor always.
RISTORANTE BIGOLI
Ground Level, Eastwood Citywalk 1
E. Rodriguez Ave. (C-5), Bagumbayan, Libis
Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 421-0416 / (02) 421-0453
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