Cantinetta is Open in Global City

Cantinetta just opened their third branch at Global City. Since someone is craving for good wine we headed there. The original plan was to walk from high street but alas, the rain poured, and poured and poured...

Drenched, cold and hungry we just went to Cantinetta by car.  Burgos Circle is unimpressive, but immediately seeing the restaurants around will make you want to park as fast as you can.

We didn't call to reserve, but the restaurant wasn't full so we were immediately accommodated.  As we weren't too hungry, we just ordered the Cantinetta Insalata, Mushroom Soup, Veal Osso Bucco, and Panna Cotta for desert.

Cantinetta Insalatta

Appetizer would be the Cantinetta Insalatta. I forgot how much it is exactly, but if i'm not mistaken it should be about Php280.  Since we like grilled vegetables, this serving is a hit.  The vegetable layers of zucchini, eggplant, and carrot were grilled just fine -- just enough to wilt it and bring out the flavours without making it soggy and mushy.  The layers of grilled vegetables was topped by two slices of fresh mozarella de buffala.  I really like how they have the authentic fresh mozarella, and not those cheapass types that's more runny than cheesy.  The 'creation' was drizzled with just enough balsamic vinegar sauce.

Crema di Fungi

I was disappointed that Cantinetta didn't have pumpkin soup, I have this habit of craving for pumpkin soap when it's raining, I opted to order the crema di funghi, instead.  The crema di fungi (Php 230) is not astounding or anything, neither good nor particularly bad.  The serving has enough mushroom to it, but not enough texture.  The serving was not runny either but one thing that really stands out with the soup is how salty it is!  It's such a shame since the saltiness detracts you from appreciating the taste.

Veal Osso Bucco

The Osso Bucco, at Php920, was really good! The veal is tender and cooked just fine.  The vegetable sidings was good too just steamed enough, retaining its crispy vegetable texture.  I particularly like the sidings for the fact that it was simple -- no butter, or anything. It was a bit disappointing that no waiter came offering some pepper, which I realised just now, would make it better.  The only falling grace of this dish was the risotto.  It's too creamy and a bit tasteless.  Other than that, this meal is particularly satisfying.  My best veal was still at L'incontro, before Chef Gino left it, but this one doesn't fail.

panna cotta

I like their panna cotta.  I have very sensitive sweet tastebuds, so I really don't like my dessert sweet.  This one is not sweet at all and just enough creaminess.  I particularly like how consistent and firm the texture is.  It is a bit heavy so if you don't have a particularly sweet tooth, I would suggest that this be shared.

Sharing is caring. :)

Full menu at munchpunch.

One really irritating thing though is the parking.  Parking at the roadside would cost you a flatrate of Php50.00. They don't do any validation, so it wouldn't make any difference if you ate at the area. Worse Megaworld, who owns the buildings, doesn't even issue an OR for the parking. ><