The tale of two Bellinis

MANILA, Philippines - The saying “like father like son” holds true for Italian paparazzo cum restaurateur Roberto and son Daniele Bellini who share the same passion for photography, food, and yes, beautiful Filipina women.

As most foodies know, Roberto is the amiable owner of Bellini’s Ristorante Italiano, the authentic Italian restaurant tucked in Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao, Quezon City that has captured the hearts of food-loving Manileños with its delectable yet relatively affordable pizza and pasta fare.

It was 1986, during the EDSA People Power Revolution, when Roberto Bellini was assigned here in the Philippines to cover the historic event. He met his second wife Maria Luisa Junsay during one of his visits to Malacañang, where she was then working at the press office. Call it love at first sight, if you may, but 20 minutes after their first meeting, Roberto had mustered enough courage to pop the question to his lady love. Luisa called his bluff, but only if he would personally ask her parents’ permission.

“I didn’t pass up the opportunity. I immediately went to Luisa’s family in Montalban to ask for her hand in marriage,” recalls Roberto. Needless to say, the two got married and lived in Italy for 15 years then decided to come back to Manila and established Bellini’s.

FYI, Roberto’s first wife was also a Filipina who died of cancer in 1984 in Pisa, Italy. The couple was blessed with a baby boy named Daniele.

Roberto took Daniele with him when he first went to the Philippines. He was 16 then and accompanied his dad to his photo shoots.

“At 16, Daniele looked every inch a paparazzo. In fact, he was with me when the late Corazon Aquino was sworn in as president. He took really nice shots of President Aquino. Mana talaga sa akin,” says the proud dad with his thick Italian accent.

In no time, Daniele became a popular paparazzo in Italy. And just like his dad, he too, fell in love with a Filipina who he has been dating for over a year now.

From Pisa to Pinas

In 1999, Roberto gave up his 30-year career as a photographer to start a restaurant business here in the Philippines with his wife and their three children. The food business isn’t new to Roberto since his parents had a restaurant in Italy.

“I came from a foodie family. We take our food seriously. Luisa learned the art of Italian cooking straight from my mom. She also took up short culinary courses and trained in the best restos in Pisa,” enthuses Roberto.

Luisa, Roberto adds, also introduced him to the taste of Filipino cuisine.

“I love her monggo and adobo. Well, I just couldn’t take the smell of tuyo (dried fish). It’s so mabaho,” Roberto says.

In July 1999, Roberto and Luisa finally opened Bellini’s Ristorante Italiano in Cubao. Their first year at Bellini’s was tough.

“We barely had customers. But that didn’t dampen our spirits. We were confident with the taste and quality of our food. We knew that once they savored our dishes they would definitely come back for more,” recalls Roberto.

Roberto was right. By word of mouth, Bellini’s popularity grew. People who hadn’t been to Cubao in years started driving all the way from Parañaque, Makati and Las Piñas just to have a taste of Luisa’s authentic Italian dishes.

Bellini’s Goes to Marikina

On Dec. 16, 2008, Bellini’s opened its second branch at 267 J.P. Rizal St., Sta. Elena, Marikina City.

Bellini’s is welcome news to Marikenos, who need not go to Ortigas, Makati or Quezon City for that fine-dining experience.

The restaurant has the same food and décor (the mural and the Leaning Tower of Pisa replica) as the original branch in Cubao. The only difference is that the walls are now bedecked with famed photographs and newspaper clippings of, not Roberto’s, but Daniele’s photographic work.

When asked what took him so long to open Bellini’s second branch, Roberto hastily replied: “I couldn’t run two restaurants just by myself. Bellini’s Marikina was hatched because of Daniele.”

A paparazzo by profession, Daniele decided to once again carry on his father’s legacy… this time as a successful restaurateur.

“Being a paparazzo in Italy wasn’t as fun as before. Now, there are so many restrictions. I often get lawsuits for doing my job well,” relates Daniele.

Daniele now manages and operates Bellini’s Marikina and he’s enjoying every moment of it.

“My dad and I go to the market together at 6 a.m. every day to shop for fresh ingredients. We buy meat and seafood at Farmer’s Market in Cubao. For fruits and veggies, we go to Nepa Market here in Marikina,” notes Daniele.

At Bellini’s, everything is made from scratch. No shortcuts. They make their own pasta, while the bread and pizza are baked fresh daily in the resto’s built-in pugon (brick oven).

For starters, Daniele teased our palate with a serving of anchovies smothered in olive oil sprinkled with kinchay, and minced bell pepper; and salami misti con Parmigiano (salami with Parmesan cheese), which were flown in from Italy. The antipasti go well with the freshly baked focaccia bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip.

“The cold cuts, cheeses and wines we serve here are all from Italy. We don’t scrimp on ingredients. Our loyal clients can attest to that,” boasts Daniele.

Don’t leave the resto without sampling the Quttrorico Pasta, a huge platter with four kinds of pasta (Contadina, cartoccio, pomodoro and fresh fettuccini amatriciana) served al dente.

The Contadina tops the menu. This spicy spaghetti in olive oil, garlic and chili flakes goes for only P180.

There are over 50 pasta dishes and a number of pizza varieties to choose from here at Bellini’s Marikina. So diners won’t suffer from taste fatigue even if they dine here every day.

For dessert, we had Obama cake (moist chocolate cake with caramel) and orange cake with candied orange rind on top, which are original recipes of Roberto’s wife Luisa.

Aside from the great-tasting food, what makes dining at Bellini’s truly pleasurable is the personalized service that Roberto affords diners. The crazy paparazzo dashes from one table to another with a bottle of wine in one hand to fill up the empty glasses of his guests. Oftentimes, he’s seen serenading them with romantic Italian songs. His casual banter in broken English and Tagalog likewise endears him to his diners.

“Give Daniele time and he’ll also win the hearts of his customers,” Roberto adds.

* * *

Bellini’s Ristorante Italiano is at 267 J.P. Rizal St., Sta. Elena, Marikina City. For inquiries, call 425-0880 and 646-5412.