It's a (lunch) date at Italianni's

MANILA, Philippines - Whether it’s a business meeting or a casual lunch with office mates, you might find yourself wondering what to order in a restaurant that offers 101 items on the menu. Sometimes, browsing the bestsellers’ list alone can take up so much time that before you know it, your lunch break is up!

To make dining out for lunch a breeze, Italianni’s brings back its most-loved signature lunch dishes that are flavorful, filling and, best of all, reasonably priced.

“Italianni’s has a separate menu to make it easier for diners to decide what to order come lunchtime. We also added two new premium items on the list — the Salmon Spumante and Steak a la Pomodoro — for variety,” enthuses Lisa Ronquillo, AVP for marketing, Bistro Group.

Well, let me tease your taste buds further. For a healthy and light fix, opt for Salmon Spumante. The Norwegian salmon is filleted and then pan-seared in Asti Spumante and cream sauce. It’s a complete meal in itself because it’s served with spaghetti aglio olio and slices of garlic Tuscan bread.

Meat-munchers, on the other hand, can steak their claim on steak ala pomodoro, a steak and pasta power lunch combination. The meat is tender, juicy, and flavorful because it is rubbed with garlic powder and anchovies prior to grilling.

According to Lisa, Italianni’s launched the lunch program last year primarily to give diners more reasons to dine out and build lunch guests.

“Compared to our regular meals, which are big enough to share, the lunch treats come in smaller portions so they’re more practical and affordable. It was such a big hit so we’ve decided to bring them back,” she explains.

Those who missed the meaty goodness of pork a la sarda can rejoice as this all-time bestseller is making a comeback. Marinated in barbecue sauce, the liempo is grilled and served with pesto rice and corn relish with pepper sauce on the side. It’s belly good!

Kids love Italianni’s, too: April Grace Elmedolan and Renee Baui share their “Magnificent Celebrazione” stories with their young foodie companions at Italianni’s.

The chicken & fish skewer is another delicious option. The fire-grilled dory and chicken fillet are alternately arranged on a skewer with red and green bell peppers and onions. The freshness of the fish is complemented by the nutty flavor of homemade pesto rice and spicy marinara sauce on the side.

As an added treat, diners can now bundle their lunch meals. Just add P75 for a choice of side Caesar salad or Soup of the Day.

“You can save almost half the price of a regular side serving,” Lisa adds.

For business execs and yuppies, eating out every day can put a pinch on the budget so they’re in constant search of a restaurant that’s not only near their workplace but offers reasonably priced meals as well. Thank goodness, Italianni’s deliciously fits the bill!

Italianni’s lunch meals are available daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Guests’ Corner

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Italianni’s has branches at Alabang Town Center, Gateway Mall, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Greenhills, Eastwood, Tomas Morato, SM Mall of Asia, Bonifacio High Street, TriNoma, Robinsons Midtown, Nuvali, Marquee Mall in Pampanga, and Abreeza Mall in Davao City.