A Symphony of Classic Italian Flavors at Caruso Ristorante Italiano

Each distinct flavor blends seamlessly with the next, like different notes in a harmonious musical piece, delivering the rustic and old-world flavors of traditional Italian cuisine. Each successive dish builds up with bolder notes, as you go through the wide repertoire of Italian dishes at Caruso Ristorante Italiano...    

Caruso Ristorante Italiano serves up a lavish Italian seafood feast just in time for Lent, from starters to pasta dishes, in a culinary performance using the very best and finest ingredients imported from Italy for a unique dining experience. 

Named after the famous Italian tenor, Caruso Ristorante Italiano serves up a symphony of classic Italian flavors, each made from scratch for that rustic and traditional vibe. Inside, the elegant interiors are highlighted by an open kitchen set-up with a copper-lined wood-fired brick oven in full view.

Start your meal with a glass of Italian Prosecco, a dry white sparkling wine that's not too sweet, just right to open up your palate for the authentic Italian dishes about to be served...

Start your dining experience with the fresh and clean flavors of Caruso Ristorante Italiano's Tritico Carpacci di Pesce e Insalata Mare (P 1,630 good for two), with fresh salmon, tuna, lapu-lapu carpaccio and seafood salad in a light vinaigrette with sharp and zesty lemons and mild, nutty olive oil, topped with tomatoes, capers and fresh greens. The distinct buttery texture and flavor of the fresh salmon is perfectly complemented by the capers, rounded out by the lemon and olive oil for rich yet balanced flavors. The thin slices of tuna, drizzled with olive oil and topped with fresh greens, deliver sublte yet pure flavors, and the seafood salad, with shrimps and squid in a mesclun of fresh greens complete the dish. It's a fresh and light seafood trifecta to start your seafood feast at Caruso Ristorante Italiano.    

Freshly baked Ciabatta with the traditional dip made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and parmesan cheese, is served with every meal at Caruso Ristorante Italiano. The warm and soft ciabatta, fresh from the wood-fired brick oven, is perfect for soaking up the rich sauces from the next round of dishes...

The first pasta dish is served, Garganelli in Salsa di Pomodoro e Gamberi (P 590), homemade garganelli with shrimps in a rich tomato-based pomodoro sauce. The freshly made and hand-rolled garganelli, a tubular and flat pasta, is soft yet chewy, bursting with the rich flavors of the thick sauce, as it releases the sauce from its inner crevices. The fresh and plump shrimps add a fresh briny sweetness to the dish, with complex layers of different notes from the blend of spices and seasonings of the traditional pomodoro.  

This is then followed by another classic pasta dish, the creamy Tagliolini Portofino con Salmone e Caviale (P 680), with fresh homemade tagliolini,  premium salmon and and indulgent caviar in a white cream sauce. The thin, chewy and flavorful noodles are coated in a thick cream sauce, delivering a smooth richness kicked up a notch higher by the salmon and caviar. The sharp, salty notes of the caviar balances the richness the sauce and buttery texture of the salmon for another dish with bold and complex yet balanced flavors.   

But just in case you're looking for the robust flavors of protein, you can always go for the Ossobuco di Vitello alla Milanese (P 1,620), a hefty veal shank in Milanese style served with Saffron Rice. A hearty and comforting dish, the tender veal shank is fork-tender, draped in a thick and rich sauce. 

The side of Saffron Risotto is moist and fluffy, pairing well with the tender veal shank with its buttery richness. And just like a well-executed musical piece, each dish brings it own distinct flavors for a memorable dining experience at Caruso Ristorante Italiano.

But save room for dessert. Sampler portions of the Tiramisu (P 320 for regular portion) and Panna Cotta (P 320) topped with cashews and drizzled with a sweet and thick caramel sauce, capped an authentic and indulgent Italian feast on a high note at Caruso Ristorante Italiano. 

Pair your dessert with a cup of Cappuccino to complete the experience. The experience leaves you fulfilled and satisfied, the same feeling you get after an entertaining musical performance. And that's just the way it is at Caruso Ristorante Italiano, with its rustic and traditional dishes capturing that innate Italian love for food, music and the arts. And the arts remain one of the passionate advocacies of the owners behind Caruso Ristorante Italiano, as it launches its Food and Art Caruso Awards, a local art competition to promote emerging young artists, which culminate on May 28, 2015.    

Have a chat with one of Caruso Ristorante Italiano's partners, Emilio Mina, next time you drop by, or simply find out what's new and fresh at the kitchen, or even the latest in the local art scene. At Caruso Ristorante Italiano, you can always expect a masterful culinary experience.

Caruso Ristorante Italiano is located at 210 Nicanor Garcia Street (formerly Reposo Street), Bel-Air Village, Makati City or call 895-2451 for inquiries and reservations.

Dude for Food is now on Facebook, check out the FB Page for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB "Like" widget on the right sidebar.