
If you ask anyone with a penchant for food what their favorite Italian delicacy would be, no one would fail to recognize pizza being one of their all-time favorite foods.
And no one recognizes this penchant more than Ed Bustos, the owner of Amare La Cucina who started his business in Baguio, Philippines.
According to Ed, what initially started as his hobby became a full-blown business after he decided to build his own pizza parlor after years of eating mediocre pizza.
“Nagsimula po kami sa Baguio. Pangarap lang namin s'ya mula pagkabata,” he said.
“It just so happens na mahilig ako sa Italian food at mahilig ako sa pizza.
“Ang 'Amare La Cucina' meaning po niya is to love the kitchen. And luckily, combination na rin po ng pangalan naming magkakapatid. Very hands-on po kami nung nagsisimula. Kami na po yung naging waiter, dishwasher, doon po namin na-develop 'yung pagkain namin.”
Today, Amare La Cucina has six branches to date and is scattered in various locations in and outside the Metro, including San Juan, Kaiptolyo, Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay, Naic in Cavite, and of course, Baguio.
In an episode of Pop Talk, Tonipet Gaba takes renowned Filipino chef Mira Angelies to try Amare La Cucina's signature dishes to see if they will fare to the hearts and taste buds of many foodies.
1. Goat Cheese Pizza - ★★★★★
Price: PhP 815.00
What is it: Pizza made with goat cheese, mozzarella, and crushed tomatoes topped with sundried tomatoes.
Chef Mira's verdict: “So this is like an assembly of different flavors in your pizza. Tapos, ayun nga ang masaya dun, I love prosciutto tapos sinamahan pa niya ng sun-dried tomatoes.
"'Yung sun-dried tomatoes totoong binilad 'yan sa araw. So imagine 'yung dried tomatoes tapos its drizzled with olive oil na malambot lambot pa sya? The flavors are really concentrated inside the tomato tapos sasamahan pa siya ng prosciutto and then 'yung peppery flavor ng arugula."
2. Wood Fired Ribs with Orzo - ★★★★
Price PhP 365.00
What is it: Rice-shaped pasta with garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes, with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
Chef Mira's Verdict: “'Yung orzo, for Pinoys, hahanapan mo ng ribs with rice. So this one, the orzo that they did, it's like sauteed with garlic. Para siyang counterpart ng garlic fried rice, but it's actually pasta.”
3. Ultimate Cheesy Pasta - ★★★★
Price: PhP 585.00
What is it: Pasta with six types of cheeses, namely mozzarella, cheddar, parmigiano, raclette, gorgonzola, and goat cheese
Chef Mira's Verdict: “Wow! Sumasabog 'yung flavors n'ya lalo na 'yung cheese. If it's delivered, make sure you reheat it well. 'Yun 'yung clincher doon, para yung experience n'ya of having six different kinds of cheese, mas ma-experience mo siya ng matindi. Ngayon kasi malamig s'ya, malungkot na 'yan. Once na na-reheat mo, basta nag-melt 'yung cheese.”
Watch their full review below:
Amare La Cucina is open for dine-in, takeout, and delivery. To reserve, you may call any of their following branches: Baguio: 0916 332 1522, Kapitolyo: 0956 633 2771, La Union: 0917 721 2684, Sta. Rosa: 0967 783 8643, Cavite: 0977 390 2455
For more restaurant reviews, don't forget to watch Pop Talk every Saturday at 4:15 p.m. or check out GMA Network's Lifestyle Page!