Bellini's Itallian Restaurant, Bringing the Italian Taste at Marikina, Philippines

Bellini's brings back memories. I came to know the restaurant through a popular documentary program, out of curiosity I called them up, and chose it as good venue for a special date. I went to the main branch in Cubao, located at the Marikina Shoe Expo, where you don't expect to see a fine dining Italian restaurant.

Although it was quite hidden, still it was easier to locate, the landmarks were popular as well. Marikina Shoe Expo Cubao is just near the former COD Department Store (Now Save More Grocery) and a few steps across the former Rustan' Supermarket.

I haven't visited the place since 2003, but after a decade, I saw a familiar name in Marikina, and I wondered if it was the same Bellini's that I know. I consulted Google, and it confirmed my suspicion. The Bellini's Marikina opened in June 2012, and I was surprised to know that the one in Marikina Shoe Expo Cubao, still exist and survived the very stiff competition right after the building of Gateway Mall.

Unlike their branch in Cubao, Bellini's Marikina is more exposed. Located at Shoe Ave. Sto. Nino Marikina City, Cars, PUJ and FX going to Manila normally pass by the area, so it is very accessible. You will not have a hard time looking for It because of the popular landmarks that surrounded it, Yamaha Motorcycles on the right side, Save More Grocery on the left and across is Luyong Restaurant.

The Marikina Branch looks more spacious because of the open-air extension that can accommodate more group of customers. The interiors are colorful representation of what Italy is known for, one of which is the leaning tower of Piza. The dining tables and chair looks simple but elegant enough, the presence of the three pieces couch made me feel so at home that I think anyone who sits there will be encouraged to stay and order for more.

The moment you are seated on your preferred dining area, long bread sticks placed in a tall transparent glass will be served to you as appetizer. I am not sure if they served this the last time I went there but it seemed perfect while waiting for my orders.

For my pasta I chose the Spinach Stuff Ravioli in white truffle sauce. 10 years ago, I knew it was my favorite and I wanted to remember why I like this before. For my Pizza I ordered the Quattro Formagi or Four Cheese Pizza, the one I ordered the first time I went to their Cubao branch with my date. Indeed going to Bellini's brings back not only what I love to eat but memories that went with it.

The small size Pizza is not really that small, in fact it is good enough for 2 or 3 persons. Well the Ravioli can be good enough for 1 person but eating it with pizza made me feel really full. Will I say more about the taste? Bellini's won't last 10 years if they don't serve best tasting food. The Thin Crust Pizza is the best.... Ravioli is a must try....

A shot of red wine is served once you finished your meal, this is another give away when you dined it to Bellini's .The wine is specially made by the friendly Italian owner who approached all his customers like a long time friend even those who came to the place for the first. I always love that part when I dine in to Bellini's... I love the red wine really.

The Orange cake is something new to me. A friend recommended it to me via Facebook when she saw posting that I was in Bellini's. This is another "must try", I always love cake and this orange cake is an addition to my long list of delicious cakes, that are quite expensive but heavenly delicious. The topping or frosting of the cake is like a thin jelly that covered the seasoned and caramelized orange skin. The skin that we just throw away became edible and really delicious. The slice is quite big that depending on one's capacity to eat, one slice can be shared by two. P150 per slice, I think this one is reasonable.

Oh yes I enjoyed myself alone that night.. Pizza and Pasta were great. The orange cake is another discovery and the red wine is all that I need to complete my meal. But there are other things that I appreciate in Bellini's, while enjoying my food, there was a man who never stops playing the piano for the customers. I was one of the last to leave the place so I saw it when one waiter approached the man, it was time to for him to stop playing because the Cafe will be closed in a few minutes. It was then that I realized that the pianist was a blind man, and Bellini's hired him to play. I think that's a positive point for Bellini's.

Another thing I enjoyed the WIFI, so strong and quick I can easily open the Facebook and posted the photos of myself while enjoying the food.

My friends and I went to Bellini's Cubao two days after my visit at the Marikina Branch and we ordered the SeaFood Pasta in Linguini (yes they will let you choose the pasta that you like), we also ordered for Puttanesca and for our Pizza we chose Quattriza or 4 flavored pasta. All three are delicious and mouth watering but my friends both love the Seafood Pasta...They swear to return because of it.

One of my friends ordered the Orange Cake for take out, and her family like it too. Another reason for her to return to Bellini's.

The Bellini's Cubao Branch or the main branch has a colorful wall that talks about Italy, the chairs also caught our attention not because of its designs but because of the celebrity names at the back of those chairs. In our Table one of the chairs bears Regine Velasquez' name, probably the chair where the Song bird sat the first time she went to the place or probably that seat was offered to her each time she dines in with Ogie since her husband also has a chair named after him. Yes both chairs are in our table.

One of my friends like the red wine too. Before we left, Mr. Bellini's approached us and my friends were just so happy to meet him..