I am honestly a sucker for romantic, candle-lit dinner dates. Whenever there’s a special occasion that the Cupcake and I want to celebrate, be it our anniversary, good news from work, or either one’s birthday, we always make it a point to wine and dine, and enjoy each other’s company.
My favorites or usual go-to’s are Goose Station, Stockton Place, and 2nd’s.
But last Friday, to celebrate the Cupcake’s 27th birthday, we decided to dine in a restaurant that we’ve both never tried but I happen to encounter every time I have a shoot in Artisano Studio, which is inside the same building.Caruso Ristorante Italiano, located on the ground floor of LRI Design Plaza along Nicanor Garcia Street in Bel-Air, Makati has the kind of ambiance that’s friendly and homey yet still upscale. The lighting is warm but not too dim, which the Cupcake appreciated (he’s not a fan of dimly-lit restaurants).
When we arrived for our reservation at 8pm, there were about three other tables occupied—which was really nice, because we got to take advantage of the quiet scene. The waiters were cordial and attentive, and made it easy for me to order—especially because I was torn between the Home-Made Ravioloni with Spinach, Ricotta Cheese in Butter and Sage (Php 660), and Porcini Mushroom Risotto (Php 670). In the end, I went for the risotto and I’m so glad I did because it was absolutely delicious. The texture was light and creamy, and the serving was so generous that I enjoyed bite after bite after bite.
The Cupcake ordered Slices of Beef Tenderloin (Php 780), which was such a good choice. The beef was so tender and bursts with flavor—I kept asking him to cut me a piece. It was complemented really well by the roasted baby potatoes. We also shared Mozzarella di Bufala e Prosciutto di Parma or Assorted Plate with Bufala Cheese and Parma Ham (Php 760) for appetizer and Home-Made Vanilla Ice Cream (Php 290) for dessert.
Overall, I’m glad I discovered Caruso Ristorante Italiano. I highly recommend this place for a nice and quiet dinner date. I love the charm and authenticity of the place, and how it sets a very pleasant mood. It’s definitely a restaurant worth coming back to, and it’s convenient that the Cupcake and I both work nearby! Next time, I intend to order the ravioloni so I can finally be at peace with myself.