Pizza and Pasta at the Aria.

Do you guys remember when I said I went to a press luncheon of the newest restaurant in the metro? And do you remember when I said this restaurant is very famous in Boracay, so we were asked to wear outfits in "colors of the beach"? Click here to see what I wore. Behold, the name of the restaurant is:

Aria Cucina Italiana

Aria is a modern and contemporary Italian restaurant that has a menu inspired by the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. First opened in 2003 by friends and restaurateurs Juan Elizalde and Paolo Occhionero in Boracay, one of the world's top beach destinations, Aria elevated the standards of restaurant designs in the beautiful island with its stylishly modern, tropical interiors and cozy ambiance and turned itself into one of the top destinations in the island.

Photo from ARC PR

Photo from ARC PR

They have kept the original menu in Boracay untouched except for adding a couple of "must try's" created by their Aria Cucina Italia-Manila Chef, Marino Leonardis, who hails from Leguria, Italy. "I always make sure to use only the best ingredients, always fresh. Plus I make everything by hand, from scratch Even the pesto, which originated from my region in Italy, is made the original way - with a mortar and pestle."

With these tidbits of information, I therefore conclude Aria Cucina Italiana couldn't be more Italian than it already is ;D And guys, guys, do you remember how I've always loved Italian food? Here are the different dishes served to us (please note that these are just sample servings):

Gran Misto Aria (P435)
a vegetarian mix of tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, grilled bell pepper salad, eggplant mash and deep fried zucchini, served with focaccia bread

Rotolino Marchigiano (P390)
wood fire oven baked pizza roll stuffed with either tomato sauce, mushroom, eggplant, and mozzarella or mushroom, mozzarella, and ham

Insalata Cocomero, Ruccola e Pinoli (P480)

organic arugula with fresh watermelon, feta cheese and pine nuts in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Insalata Tartufata con Parma Ham (P480)
a salad of grilled eggplant, lettuce, tomatoes, parma ham, and smoked scamorza cheese tossed in a truffle dressing

Spaghetti Marinara
a favorite seafood pasta of the Mediterranean coast. A choice of tomato or olive oil-based sauce

Risotto con Porcini, Mantecato al Mascarpone
risotto with porcini mushrooms whipped with mascarpone and aged parmesan cheese

Aria Pizza (P570)
tomato sauce, mozzarella, and parma ham
OR you could try Pizza al Metro (Capricciosa, Hawaiina, Rucola e Pinoli) (P1,300)
giant trio pizza -- choose 3 flavor combinations from any pizza toppings

Such a shame I had to leave before the main course and dessert were served because I had to go back to the office for a meeting. I can't wait to return to get what I missed out on! Photos from Kira:

Salmone al Pepe Verde (P650)
a fresh salmon fillet served with a creamy green pepper sauce 

Mousse ai due Cioccolati (P190)
layers of white and dark chocolate topped with ground hazelnuts 

My favorites are the Rotolino Marchigiano and Seafood Marinara. They were so gooooood! I wish they put up a QC branch soon so I could drop by more often!

I enjoyed the event with these lovely ladies ♥

With Kira, Alex, Julia, and Phoebe

Here's a map so you can find it easily:

Call 6320119 or 4047524 for reservations! You may also follow Aria Cucina on Twitter or like their Page for any updates.

Big thanks to Aria Cucina Italiana and ARC PR for a wonderful afternoon filled with friends and Italian food. Looking at the photos now makes me crave for some, ack!! I'll go back soon with my friends from the office so I'm really looking forward to that! :)