Galileo Enoteca an Italian Hideaway

I've always believed that a good restaurant shouldn't only be about good food -- it should have great ambiance to match. Galileo Enoteca in the Boni area is a fine example of this winning combination. The interiors are dimly lit and encased by brick walls. Long wooden tables and stools fill the place, capturing the essence of a cozy yet festive Italian family dinner. Rows and rows of wine bottles beckon you to drink to your heart's content, while a wall adorned with a large colorful mural brings life to the entire establishment. It's the kind of place that invites you to take your time and enjoy all the courses. I gladly did, starting with an assortment of cold cuts and cheeses. These items can be ordered a la carte, but there are set menus (P600 per head) that include them as well, along with a glass of the house wine selected accompany the platter perfectly. When my appetite had gotten the jumpstart it needed, I dove into the main courses, beginning with the Quattro Stagione. This pizza is bathed in tomato sauce and topped with ham, artichokes, mozzarella, mushrooms, and black olives. It was served very hot on the table so that when I pulled a slice, the cheese stretched into sticky strings--a clear indication of a freshly prepared pizza. Among all its notes, I best loved the dominant liquor-like taste of the olives. We also had a plate of Penne con Porcini Secchi and Tartufata, a pasta dish cooked with a delicious creamy mushroom sauce and drizzled with truffle oil. For amore robust main course, I pointed my dining companions to the Seared Chicken Piccata in Lemon Sauce. It's a generous chicken fillet served then infused with the flavors of herbs and lemon zest. I particularly admired how the meat was seared--the edges of the fillet were crunchy but the meat retained its moisture. Citrus flavors are lightly infused in the meat, but lemon lovers can opt to heighten the intensity by squeezing more juice from the lemon wedges served on the side. A word of caution. The chicken can be quite peppery. I hope you'll go and experience these authentic Italian dishes for yourself. Here are the must-order menu : Assorted cold Cuts (P150), Assorted Cheese (P190), Quattro Stagione Pizza (P190; P420 for sharing), Penne con Porcini Secchi and Tartufata (P330), Seared Chicken Piccata in Lemon Sauce (P320). Buon appetito! Address : G/F Reyes Gym, Calbayog Street corner Malinao Street, Mandaluyong City Tel : 552-0482 Rating : 3 star