In English, it means "okay, you've convinced me."
As I was indeed convinced again. It has been years since I had something from Va Bene and I was happy to have finally visited again. Coming here at their branch in Dasmarinas, Makati made me remember my recent visit in Italy, where Chef Massimo Veronessi, the master behind the deli place came from.
This unpretentious dining place at the second floor of the busy Petron gas station along EDSA, never failed to prove its worthiness. Even after years of being in the market, they still serve very good Italian dishes, comparable to the ones we tried in Milan and Venice.
For a restaurant of this kind (gaining awards from different prestigious organizations), you'll be surprised how affordable their food are, good service is a plus!
When eating like the Italians, always begin with an Antipasto, you can actually choose fro a list, but might I suggest the bruschetta. The lovely slices of baguette were blanketed with a sauce made from ripened tomatoes, roasted eggplants, stracciatella cheese and basil with a hefty shavings of Grana Padano.
Since I am not in Italy, I rewarded myself with this colorful bowl of insalata (salad). Usually the vegetables are served together with the main course or what they call the secondo.
This garden salad has Parma ham, blue cheese and is sweetened with our very own mangoes, dressed in balsamic vinegar, of course, you can't go wrong with shavings of parmigiano.
Another trivia, did you know that in between the anitpasto and secondo, there is primo? Here is where pasta is served. If not pasta, soups, polenta or rissoto is served.
This zuppa, a tomato based soup is on the sour side, it has mozzarella cheese, pasta and a drizzle of basil pesto. When warm, it's very comforting and a good way to prepare your palate from the heavy dishes.
Next to these are the pasta...
When going to authentic Italian restos, always go for fancy pasta, I always do. Some of my favorites are stuffed pasta such as ravioli and tortellini. Got to try Salmon Tortellini this time. Salmon bits with bacon are enveloped in homemade pasta with the tomato cream sauce giving rich and heavy flavors to it.
If you don't like heavy huge pasta, you might want to give the Black Ink Pappardelle a second thought. This garlicky, olive oil-based pasta is just savory enough and compliments the seafood (anchovies, octopus, and clams) mixed in it. Don't forget to give it a squeeze of lemon to give it a little zing.
If, however, you want to have a complete meal in one plate then the Chicken Milanese is for you.
A big chicken breast is coated with crumbs and topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella good for the meat-lovers on you. The plate is complete with roast potatoes and salad greens.
Another dish you wouldn't want to miss is the Gnocchi. The gnocchi is delightfully served with two rich sauces - Bolognese and of creamy white sauce.
These makes for a good wine paring as well. I love their wide range of old world wines too, you can either order the whole bottle or by the glass.
I just hope foodies get to love them again and try these exciting dishes crafted by the acclaimed chef himself.
Hoping to visit soon, maybe after I give birth as I'm dying to try some of their other dishes.
Va Bene Paste Deli
Address: 2/F Petron Gas Station,
EDSA Corner A. Arnaiz Avenue,
Dasmariñas Village, Makati City
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