Discover Good Italian Food at Tuscano in Burgos Circle Bonifacio Global City

Ever since I saw the movie Only You starring Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei many years ago, Italy has become a dream destination for me. But while I wait for the perfect timing as to when I'd be able to travel to that beautiful place, I'd happily settle for Italian food served in some of the nicest restaurants in Metro Manila.

Last weekend, I discovered a new place called Tuscano Italian Wood Oven Pizza and Restaurant. It serves Italian cuisine and, according to its owner Mr. Reagan Tan, they prepare food the Italian way. "The Italians have only one cooking secret -- freshness of ingredients. Here at Tuscano ... pastas are handmade and always fresh, sauces are made everyday, the pizza dough is also handmade and cooked in a wood oven."

Mr. Tan turned out to hold a Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts from Dubrulle Culinary School, Vancouver and worked in hotels in Canada. So, it wasn't surprising that he was very much involved in developing Tuscano's recipes together with his team of chefs who have experienced working in Italy.

Wild Mushroom and Mozzarella Risotto Ball - P360

Caprese Salad - P275

Tuscano Signature Salad - P280

I love the place's ambiance. It is very cozy and accommodates groups of friends comfortably. Seating capacity is 60 inside and 12 outside. The interior design is contemporary Italian, a mix of traditional and modern. It has a touch of Tuscany's typical home-garden which represents fresh ingredients that are being grown by families. Guests can also view the wood oven to see how their pizza is being cooked.

Clockwise from upper left: Gamberreto - P 480, Asparagus and Egg - P495,
Pepperoni and Cheese - P480, Sweet Pear and Gorgonzola - P425

Tuscano opened just last December 2011 and its name came from the word Tuscany (pronounced as Toscana), a region in Italy with Florence as its regional capital. (Trivia: one of my favorite pianists, Suzanne Ciani, has a piece called Tuscany which I love listening to whenever I want to unwind. Thus, the mere mention of the word evokes a warm feeling of contentment for me).

Fisherman's Seafood with Black Ink Pasta - P425

Truffled Wild Mushrooms Cream Linguini - P395

Italian Sausage and Bolognese - P365

My friends and I got to try some of Tuscano's best sellers including the Aranci (Risotto Ball), Wild Mushrooms Cream Linguini, Crisp Baked Norwegian Salmon and Risotto, and the Beef Stew Casserole with Chocolate.

Grilled Balsamic Glazed Bone-In Porkchop - P450

Beef Stew Casserole with Chocolate - P585

Crisp-Baked Norwegian Salmon and Risotto - P675

Among the dishes served to us, my favorites would have to be the Fisherman's Seafood with Black Ink Pasta, the Mushrooms Cream Linguini, Gamberetto Pizza, and Sweet Canoli. The serving portions are generous so you have to bring a friend or two when you visit Tuscano. According to Mr. Tan, Tuscano will be offering specials on a quarterly basis but they also prepare special menus on special occasions like Valentine's Lent, Mother's Day, etc.

Sweet Cannoli - P115

In case you want to book the restaurant for exclusive use, just give them two weeks notice. Furthermore, Tuscano provides valet parking and delivery within the BGC area. They are open from 11AM to 1AM daily. Visit them at Unit 3 G/F Fort Residences Bldg. 30th St. cor. 2nd Ave. and Padre Burgos Circle, BGC.

For more info, visit www.tuscanowoodovenpizza.com, call 478-7503, and Like TuscanoPhilippines on Facebook.