Veni, vidi, amavi.
We came. We saw. We loved.
If you’re reading about La Spezia for the first time, you’ve been missing out. Back in 2016, the Italian hole-in-the-wall earned a spot on our list of Metro Manila’s best new homegrown restaurants and is a recurring entry in our list of Top 10 Best Restaurants in Quezon City.
Also read: La Spezia, QC's best new Italian restaurant
The Italian countryside-inspired restaurant in Tomas Morato is both a playground and a passion project for owners, Sean Yuquimpo and Aaron Shiu. The two met over five years ago at Enderun College when they happened to sit next to each other during freshman orientation.
When La Spezia opened in November 2016, it promised an elevated yet approachable Italian dining experience. Shying away from fusion, they instead focus on serving timeless classics with an emphasis on simplicity and sensibility. “Everything you see on the plate is there for a reason – because it makes sense,” Sean says.
The two seem to have a profound understanding of what flavors go well together. They’re not too concerned about whether or not Filipino palates are ready for it, they’re confident that their dishes are delicious because they use only fresh produce from reliable suppliers. This is why, every three months or so, their menu changes to adjust to the seasonality and quality of ingredients.
Currently, their menu is very summer-oriented,
new dishes have been added to celebrate the bounty of vegetables
Caprese Insalata
For starters, try this traditional salad of Italian mozzarella, garden tomatoes, basil, pesto, and mixed greens.
Burrata
The owners of La Spezia have a deep respect for the level of craftsmanship that Italians have when it comes to their products. Rather than imitate, they pay their respects by sourcing mozzarella di Buffala from Italy. Even the balsamic vinegar they use in this dish is true aceto balsamico, protected by a consortium which awarded it DOP (Protect Origin Denomination) status.
Since they’ve opened, their burrata has undergone several reinventions. (Previous versions included one with beetroot and sea salt, and most recently melon leather, pistachios and almonds!)
This one is served with grilled local sweet corn and tomatoes. The char and sweetness from the vegetables pair well with the creamy and decadent burrata. The colors pop on the dark dish it’s served on.
Priced at ₱480, for an antipasto, it’s admittedly pricey. Not everyone will understand why a dish with so few ingredients should cost so much. But considering their attention to detail and the quality of ingredients, we’d say it’s justified. One bite is all you need to take to convince you that it’s worth it.
All their mains are good for sharing,
here’s what you should not miss
Pollo Impanato
The dish consists of sous-vides half chicken, couscous, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
Risotto Con Piselli e Pancetta
This one is a must try! This extremely savory risotto uses arborio rice, Italian pancetta and 18 month old Parmigiano-reggiano. It’s balanced with sweet summer peas which give it an added dimension of texture and sweetness.
But of course, a trip to little Italy would not be complete without a wine pairing. So go and try their European and French Bordeaux wines for just under P1,000.
Watch out for the weekend specials as well. From Friday to Sunday, La Spezia serves Bistecca alla Florentina— 800g of 30-day wet-aged, 150-day grain fed T-bone Angus beef, served medium rare with mixed salad. You can even ask for a shaving of Italian black truffle over your steak!
A bit too dolce vita for you? La Spezia now serves great value-for-money lunch specials! Don’t be afraid to ask your server for the special of the day.
View menu
View their Instagram account
90 Scout Dr Lascano St, Laging Handa near Tomas Morato, Quezon City
(0917) 317-8992
You can also view this restaurant on the app. Search for “LA SPEZIA” to view contact details, location and its menu.
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