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: β β β β β
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: β β β β β
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: β β β β β
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! π We shared the mascarpone coffee cake which came in a simple and balanced plating. Taste was excellent, like sponge cake soaked in espressoβmoist 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. π
Price for Value: β β β ββ
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. π
Operating hours: 7:30 am to 12am
Other branches:
G/F The Podium Adb Avenue Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong | (02) 477-2522
Burgos Circle, Forbes Town Center, 29 St. Rizal Drive, The Fort, Taguig City | (02) 403-5220
Bldg. 660 Camp John Hay, Baguio City, Benguet | (074) 442-4819
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Interesting resto. The place reminds me of the Godfather movie. Hmmm the ravioli is enticing …. and could easily be my top pick!!!! , but is the price worth the lot? hmmm maybe it is a great place for those special occasions ^_^
I haven’t finished watching that movie but I get the general impression of the film and I agree that there’s a feel of The Godfather in Cantinetta’s ambiance. Prices are fair. The ravioli is really a must-try. π
I love a great pizza and the ravioli looks like it was really good too. The decor is perfect for a low key evening dinner with your significant other. I prefer a classic style to the modern restaurants that are very popular today.
The ravioli was my top pick. I initially ordered the spinach ravioli. Unfortunately it was not available and the waiter recommended us to try the one stuffed with porcini mushroom with truffle oil sauce instead.
Does panna cotta tastes like leche flan. I only see it on cooking shows but never tried making it. That’s a very interesting ravioli, the sauce looks so different.
The taste is similar but the texture is different. Leche flan is much softer, milkier, and sweeter. But then I guess it all depends on the quantity of ingredients and the process of making it. The ravioli was really nice. π
Oh I see. I would prefer our leche flan then lol. Funny that my husband knows how to make a great tasting leche flan but I always fail on my attepmts.
Well, practice makes perfect. π My mom also started making leche flan and failing to be consistent a couple of times. Now she makes excellent ones na. π
That decor looks very rustic and old school! Like, an old bar or tavern kind of look. All of the food looks really delicious, especially that ravioli. However, the panna cotta looks more like plain pudding or flan to me! Hopefully you enjoyed it though.
I can consider this ravioli being one of the best I’ve ever tried. The taste lingers in my mind! So yummy. π I brought the leftover home and my dad liked it as well.
This restaurant sounds delightful! There aren’t too many places near my home where I can get pate on the menu. The feuttuccini with truffle cream sounds very decadent! But the panna cotta is absolutely stunning, and while I might have difficulty choosing from so many delicious dinner options, I would definitely get that as dessert.
I’m sure you’ll love the food here. π Drop by if you have time! Yes, order that panna cotta!
I would have loved the bread! I always appreciate warm bread. This looks like a great restaurant. I don’t think I could have passed on dessert either as the tiramisu looks amazing! I’ve never had panna cotta before, but it looks delicious too.
The tiramisu may not look pleasing and sophisticated, but it surely tasted great. Get the panna cotta for yourself and you won’t regret it. π
All of the food looks absolutely amazing!!! This looks like a great place to get dinner with a friend or to go out on a date at! I love the look of the wood tables and the chairs!
I also love the vibe here. It makes me feel like being transported quickly to another place somewhere far. π
I got hungry just looking at the food. I love a good Italian resturant that has authentic style. From your review, sounds like Cantinetta achieves that.
Yes, it surely does! Sadly, I just took these photos with my mobile phone camera. The quality of the pictures could have been better.
It sounds like you had a pleasant experience. Quality service is hard to get anymore. Either the waiters are neglectful or bothersome … no balance between the two. I’m glad you scored a perfect balance.
Yup, this Italian restaurant in Makati is a good place to hang out and dine in. I love good service matched with good food.
oh wau.. this place seems to be so nice. i love tiramisu i made that just few days ago. i love italian cusine ravioli are really tasty and yammi.. you should try raviola alla parmigiana . these are so yammi
Hehe yeah everything was a delight. You should bring me your homemade tiramisu next time and let’s do a taste-testing on it. π
How yummy! I love Italian food, and it looks like this place had all the favorite dishes, served up in a cozy atmosphere. I’m glad you and your dining companions got to try so many entrees, and you wrote a fabulous review on each dish. That panna cotta looked so delicious, I think I’ll try to cook some up this week.
Thanks, Nicci! This restaurant deserves all the raves. Hey, I would also love to taste your cooking. π
That Ravioli got my attention *_* But for a guy like me, I’m not pretty convinced with the serving size hahaha. But will definitely put Cantinetta on my bucket list.
Haha. I think that will be enough if you’re eating out alone. If not, then you can always order another one! π
Looks like a great place to have a low key dinner with a significant other or a meet up lunch with friends. That pizza look so delicious, I’m italian we can’t pass up a pizza that looks that good!
Wow, I’d like to taste your pizzas from Italy! I wonder how similar or different they taste with what we have here in the Philippines. π
Cantinetta sure looks wonderful! The Ravioli Al Funghi Porcini looks mouthwatering! And I’ll take one of each of their desserts please! π Thanks for sharing!
Sure, Cara! This resto is definitely up on my list and it would be great to come back here to try their other dishes (and of course, their desserts :P).
What a great review. What quite my eye was the alfredo. Boy that makes my tummy hungry! What a neat place!
Thanks, Cindy! The pasta was really good especially because the bacon wasn’t greasy at all. Their Fettucine Tartufo was just creamy and tasty enough to fit anyone’s satisfaction. π
I’d really like to try the Panna Cotta. I’d definitely give this restaurant a try!
Nice choice, Liz! This is certainly not your ordinary Italian restaurant with their unique and very delicious Italian cuisine dishes.
I love any place that gives me complimentary bread! The ambiance looks pretty awesome there too. Cantinetta looks fantastic!
Me too! I even feel like the bread is enough to make me feel satisfied with the resto because they always taste great with the dips and sauces (plus the unlimited refills). Haha!
The food looks good — and free bread, YUM! I like the look of the place too.
This is a good restaurant to try if you can’t decide which to go to when you’re in Rockwell. π The ambiance is so classy!
this is a really good review! That pizza looks yummy and I love tiramisu!!!
Thanks, Ricci! Their pizza and tiramisu tasted so good. You will love it, I’m sure. π
The Fettucine Tartufo and Raviolis sound like dishes I would enjoy. Tiramisu is my favorite dessert and this one looks delish! Sounds like you had a fulfilling dining experience!
Their take in tiramisu was super good. It was creamy and just enjoyable! You might not want to share with another person. π
This all looks very delicious! I love the Italian feel of the restaurant and the food all looks very authentic!
They use the best ingredients. Come and drop by if you have time, Echo. π
Italian food is my weakness!! This looks fantastic π
Well, it’s not my favorite cuisine but everything we had here was awesome. π
That pizza looks incredible! What a fun restaurant. Looked like a really fun time!
Yeah, you have to have the Cantinetta Classic on your table, especially if you’re dining at Cantinetta for the first time. π
That looks so delicious! I am a pasta lover and pictures like these makes me hungry!
All these food were rich, hearty, and filling. We went home very satisfied. π
That porcini ravioli looks amazing! And liver pate is one of my favorites starters. You did a great job of making me hungry!!
Haha. You’re welcome! π
This seems like a good resturant. I love the way it is set up.
Yup, Cantinetta is a great date place. Bring a girl/guy here and you get major points for the atmosphere and food. π
This place looks and sounds amazing! Some of my favorite dishes and desserts!
I want to have a return visit and try more of their pasta and pizza. π
Just the Fettucine Tartufo is enough to keep me satisfied! Yum!
Yes, it’s enough for one person to feel stuffed and satisfied. π
Loving the risotto and the pizza, they look so delicious. The restaurant does not look too bad, its relaxing and looks like has a calm feel at most.
It can get busy on most nights, but they do take reservations and accommodate large groups. Give it a shot – it’s a different experience but well worth it!