The Great Eatscape at SM Aura Premier: Italian Classics at Cibo

When it comes to rustic Italian flavors, there's always one name that comes top-of-mind...

Since 1997, the name Cibo has been synonymous to authentic Italian cuisine and with chef and owner Gaita Fores at the helm, Asia's Best Female Chef for 2016, you just know you're in for a special dining experience. The freshest and finest ingredients, masterfully prepared dishes, and decades of consistency in quality matched with excellent service, it's one of the metro's many inspiring culinary stories that continue to impress and satisfy any craving for authentic Italian flavors. And now, you can savor Cibo's signature dishes at SM Aura Premier...

SM Aura Premier at Bonifacio Global City is a culinary destination in itself with a wide variety of flavors and dining experiences, and on my second food crawl with The Great Eatscape at SM Aura Premier, it was great to see Cibo, an old favorite, on the list.  At Cibo, it's all about starting right, and the light yet flavorful Spinaci Zola (P 270) gets you on the right track. The fresh and clean notes of the spinach are complemented by the nutty hints of the olive oil and garlic, pairing well with the crisp crostini for a delightful crunch with every bite.

You can also opt to start with Cibo's Crema di Zucca Pancetta (P 225), a hearty summer squash soup with cream and a slab of pancetta. The natural sweetness of the summer squash is enhanced by the cream for a comforting richness tempered by the bold, salty notes of the pancetta for contrasting flavors. It's simple dishes like these, with fresh and vibrant flavors, that propelled Cibo as one of the metro's popular restaurants. And it just keeps getting better...

No dining experience at Cibo is complete without one of their signature pasta dishes, like the Penne Al Telefono (P 375), a rustic penne pasta dish with stewed tomatoes, mozzarella, white cheese, basil, and cream. The bright and sunny notes of the tart stewed tomatoes add that flavorful kick to the dish, capped by the creamy mozzarella and white cheese to round out the flavors.

And here's the beef. Cibo's Tagliata di Manzo (P 510) should satisfy any serious craving for beef, with roasted and sliced beef tenderloin topped with Aglio Rosmarino, sprigs of fresh rosemary drizzled with olive oil. The thinly-sliced fork-tender beef releases rich and juicy flavors, followed by layers of distinct notes from the Aglio Rosmarino without overpowering the beef. The flavors are uncomplicated and uncluttered, allowing you to enjoy more of the beefy notes. Other toppings include Fontina Pomodoro (cheese and tomatoes), Melanzane Alla Griglia Parmigiano (grilled eggplant with parmesan cheese), and Funghi Trifolati Rucola (mushrooms with arugula).

But diners at Cibo's location at SM Aura Premier get a special treat. Cibo has a new menu highlighting premium Burrata, a fresh Italian cheese made with mozzarella and cream, adding that indulgent touch exclusive to SM Aura Premier...

...like the new Penne Al Telefono Burrata (P 415/740), with stewed tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, white cheese, and cream topped with fresh burrata. The generous mounds of burrata takes this pasta dish to the next level, with each noodle draped with the velvety smooth fresh cheese imported from Italy delivering distinctly rich flavors.

Why not enjoy a fresh salad with that extra layer of creamy flavors with burrata? Cibo's new La Burrata Prosciutto (P 565), with arugula and garden-fresh greens topped with parma ham, tomato, and burrata drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette, is one salad with intense yet refreshing notes. It's another must-try dish exclusive to Cibo's SM Aura branch.

Beef and burrata is another winning combination not to be missed at Cibo in SM Aura Premier. The Tagliata di Manzo Burrata (P 565) is a flavorful upgrade to their popular signature dish with beef tenderloin topped with burrata and served with focaccia. The savory beef and creamy burrata combine for a double dose of richness you can only find at Cibo in SM Aura Premier.

But save room for dessert...

Cibo's Tiramisu Crocante (P 310) is a creative spin on the classic Italian dessert, incorporating texture for a refreshingly new flavor experience. The creamy notes of the indulgent dessert contrast with the crunchy texture of the middle layer, capped by the shards of chocolate to complete another memorable dining experience at Cibo. Nineteen years later, Cibo continues to impress. And it's time revisit your old favorite, with its exciting new menu exclusive to SM Aura Premier...

Cibo is located at the Upper Ground Floor, SM Aura Premier, C5 corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

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