Buona Festa della Repubblica! Italy in the Alley with Cibo di Strada...

When the Italian Embassy taps a local pioneer in Italian cuisine for its national day celebration, you can expect real, modern and vibrant Italian flavors from a familiar name that's been a favorite since 1997...

Cibo by Margarita Fores recently showcased their sumptuous Cibo di Strada, a flavorful take on Italian street food, at the Italian National Day celebration last June 2, 2018 at The Alley in Karrivin Plaza. A festive day of music, food and a whole lot of Prosecco, it's a grand celebration with that characteristic Italian flair...

Modern art, contemporary furniture, and inventive yet comforting cuisine, you'll find it all here at one of the metro's newest and hip lifestyle hubs with a warm neighborhood vibe. The Alley at Karrivin Plaza along Chino Roces Extension in Makati was also the venue for one of the coolest national day celebrations yet...

The Italian ambassador, His Excellency Giorgio Guglielmino (L), welcomed guests to the festive celebration of Italian National Day at The Alley as Asia's Best Female Chef for 2016, Margarita Fores (R), the culinary pioneer behind Cibo, ensured guests enjoyed hearty Italian street food during the event.

It was an event that offered treats for both the eye and the palate. Adding to the flamboyant Italian vibe at The Alley, the world renowned names in high-performance motorcyles and supercars were displayed as part of the Italian National Day celebrations. And leave it to the Italians for adding just a little more style in getting from Point A to Point B on two wheels...

...with the iconic name loved by motorcycle enthusiasts all over the world, Ducati. That day at The Alley, Ducati showcased the mean and sleek SuperSport in vibrant red and the Monster muscle bike with its distinct naked bike design exposing its powerful engine and robust frame. Grab your phone for that selfie...

And if you prefer four wheels with the legendary bull on its hood, the Lamborghini Huracan will get you there in no time at all drawing enviable stares along the way. Along with the other Italian mark with the legendary prancing horse with its own shade of red, no other supercar has captured the imagination of generations of automobile enthusiasts. And why not. Only Italians can make cars, and motorcyles, look fast even when parked. For sure, other European supercars provide equally impressive performance with a more functional and pragmatic design, but only the Italians can pull off a wickedly sensuous yet elegant contour and making it street legal. Maybe its that all-out, no holds barred love for life that drives the national identity to go beyond conformity, and you can see this in every layer of Italian expression, from fashion to food. And the Italians just do it so well.

Since its introduction in 2014, the Lamborghini Huracan has been named Supercar of the Year shortly after its debut. Inspired by a Spanish fighting bull with the same name, the Lamborghini Huracan also has a modified version used by the Italian Police. Try to outrun the Italian Carabinieri in a Lamborghini Huracan, and pray. 

A live band added to the festive air at the Italian National Day celebration, and sumptuous Italian street food selections from Cibo were served from several live stations to never ending queues (for more on Cibo di Strada, see my previous post, Street Food with Italian Flair: Takin' It To The Street with Cibo di Strada...). 

For over 21 years, Cibo has educated the local palate with its recreation of classic and authentic Italian flavors. For Italian National Day, Cibo offered Italian style street food that fit right in with the creative and casual indie and alternative feel of The Alley.

After a healthy dose of eye candy from the Ducati and Lamborghini displays, it was time to satisfy the palate at one of several live stations by Cibo. A tempting slab of Italian style Porchetta was the perfect first stop during the Italian National Day celebration at The Alley... 

The Panino Porchetta by Cibo is a savory Roman-style roast pork sandwich with slabs of porchetta in a grilled panini draped with apple and pear mostarda and fresh arugula. The richness of the pork is perfectly tempered by the tart mostarda and mildly spicy arugula, capped by the lightly crisp panini.

The Fritto Misto with deep-fried battered shrimps, squid, and eggplant served with a creamy aioli and sprinkled with fresh herbs delivered fresh and clean flavors with hints of briny sweetness lining your palate. Served in a rolled-up paper cone, it's hand-held tasty bites on-the-go. Each cone is served with seafood fresh from the fryer so you get it hot and crisp.

Over at another station, beef tenderloin on skewers are grilled releasing a fragrant aroma...

Cibo's Arrosticini with juicy grilled beef tenderloin richly seasoned with Italian spices was another tasty option at the Italian National Day celebration. Served with grilled bread and rolled in a paper cone, it's street food, Italian style. This one's another favorite from Cibo.

Another popular and tasty option served that day was Cibo's Pizza Fritta, a Neapolitan style fried pizza dough pocket with a savory filling. Each one prepared by hand and deep-fried to order, the queue at this station just never seemed to end. And the fryers kept on frying during Italian National Day at The Alley.

Filled with Smoked Ham, Bel Paese, Mozzarella and Fontina topped with Groviera Cream, one bite delivered an explosion of flavors. Seconds? Absolutely. 

But there's more. From hearty pasta dishes...

...to rustic and traditional pizza, Cibo just kept dishing out winners all day long during the Italian National Day celebration at The Alley. 

Another plate of Fritto Misto, this time with Cibo's Arancini, or Sicilian-style deep-fried rice balls with tomato, mozzarella, parmigiano, and basil. Rich and creamy, perfect with a dab of aioli.

Soft with lightly crisp outer layer, each bite of Cibo's Arancini brings both flavor and textural contrast. Street food Italian style by Cibo. And you can have a taste of Cibo di Strada at their SM Aura Premier branch. Catering needs? Go street style and give Cibo a call.

One of The Alley's several tenants, Poison Doughnuts by Chef Miko Aspiras, also served their exclusive Ricotta Chocolate Doughnut just for Italian National Day. Indulgently creamy with the deep notes of chocolate, it's another sweet reason to celebrate Italian National Day.  

No Italian feast is complete without Gelato, and that day, various flavors were served on soft brioche. Dessert on the go with some serious street cred.

At the Italian National Day celebration, guests were treated to endless cups of another Italian classic, fresh-brewed coffee from Lavazza.  Serving their exclusive and creamy Super Crema blend, an aromatic medium roast espresso with hints of honey and almonds, just what you need to keep up with the day-long celebration.

And when you're still craving for dessert, why not go for an Affogato?

The celebration continued well into the late afternoon, as heaping servings of Italian Prosciutto was served to guests...

...along with endless rounds of Prosecco. Celebrations are another Italian specialty.

And if the good nuns can't resist another round of indulgent gelato, give in and go for another scoop. It's Italian National Day, and you're in good company.

It was good to see old friends again, like Chef Philip Golding and so many others in one cool afternoon of good vibes...

...and for Margarita Fores of Cibo, it's another successful celebration of real, modern and Italian flavors. Buona Festa della Repubblica!

The Alley is located at Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Extension, Makati City. For more on The Alley, check out their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/thealleyatkarrivin.

For more on Cibo, check out their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/ciboPH/.

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