Cantinetta in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell is one of the restaurants that’s perfect for quiet romantic dinners, business meals, or simply winding down with premium wines. Coming from a home-style chain of restaurants, Cantinetta is inspired by the wine cellars in the estates of Italian noblemen, serving Italian cuisine. A short distance away from the heart of the business district in Makati, Cantinetta can keep you away from the chaos of the city and give you satisfying dishes for a reasonable price.
Review of Cantinetta (Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City)
Ambiance: ★★★★☆
It did feel Italian when we entered Cantinetta. I could imagine Italian men in hats and cane conversing and sipping coffee while passing time playing cards here. Not a fast-food kind of environment, this place is impressively uncluttered, driving in quality-driven consumers. Fab tunes in the background complement the dining pleasure, while wooden furniture create a sense of history and casual warmth. Overall, Cantinetta’s interior was inviting and relaxing. It looked aged but well maintained. This place can be worth a support, provided it doesn’t get too crowded.
Service: ★★★★★
Other than good ambiance with slightly rustic feel, service was attentive and not overly intrusive. There was a certain air of easiness lingering somehow that would make you forget your troubles as you enjoy your meal. Wait time was fair, and the courses came out at an even pace. Severs were polite and treated us like we were guests in their home.
Food: ★★★★☆
For appetizers, we got some complementary bread served with liver patte and tomato, which I’m sure most hungry customers will appreciate. The bread was served warm. It was crunchy outside and had a chewy center.
For the main, not ordering the signature Cantinetta Classica (PhP 480) when in Cantinetta should not count as an option. Baked with a good crumb structure and a crust that’s light and fresh, Cantinetta Classica was topped with Italian sausage, pepperoni, and minced beef. Each slice of this pizza achieved a glorious harmony. The Italian sausage was juicy with a nice spring to it; the minced beef had a resilience that’s mildly bouncy; and the pepperoni oozed with flavor with its savory aroma. All in all, the pizza was absolutely a winner.
My dining partners of the night chose Fettucine Tartufo (PhP 550), which consisted of truffle cream sauce with parma ham. It’s both decadent and comforting. Even without eating the parma ham, I could taste its flavor in the pasta that’s for the record unquestionably delicious. It was like bacon, only without the oil.
Next, I loved every bite of the Ravioli Al Funghi Porcini (PhP 540) and I almost did not want it to end. Cantinetta’s ravioli stuffed with porcini mushroom with truffle oil sauce left a strong mushroom-y taste in my mouth and this I regard as a sure-fire sign of greatness. Giving out the final push to make the entree brilliant, the truffle oil sauce delivered a much-needed brightness and moisture to the dish. Yummy!
We thought our stomachs could not anymore accommodate desserts. But then one of us ordered Tiramisu (PhP 240), and we just could not say no! 😛 We shared the mascarpone coffee cake which came in a simple and balanced plating. Taste was excellent, like sponge cake soaked in espresso—moist and spongy. The slightly sweet cream cuts the richness, making it easier to eat without pause.
The Panna Cotta (PhP 240) looked like leche flan with a creamy and solid texture of cheesecake. This custard cream in the cake was thick and rich and indulgent yet mercifully tempered on sweetness. 🙂
Price for Value: ★★★☆☆
In English, “Cantinetta” means a place to get great wine, great food and have a great time. Cantinetta in Rockwell exemplified a good context to the translation. It can be seen as an upscale lunch or dinner spot that puts out some good food to the table. Food prices can be quite a splurge, but for a special occasion, they’re worth it. If ever you get the chance to visit, be sure to have desserts in the end. They may add a whole lot to the bill but trust me on this: they’re more than satisfactory. 🙂
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Operating hours: 7:30 am to 12am
Other branches:
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Bldg. 660 Camp John Hay, Baguio City, Benguet | (074) 442-4819
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