Italian Reality TV Show Little Big Italy Names L'Opera Ristorante Italiano Best Italian Restaurant In Manila

Since 1994, L'Opera Ristorante Italiano has been serving its traditional and rustic Tuscan and classic Italian cuisine and like fine wine, it just keeps getting better. Tradition, consistency and an unceasing passion for the freshest premium ingredients and meticulous execution continues to drive the enduring dining institution as it marks over three decades of memorable flavor-filled moments and experiences. Recently named by Italian reality TV show Little Big Italy as the Best Italian Restaurant in Manila, the recognition is validation for Chef Paolo Nesi and his team at L'Opera Ristorante Italiano. Few establishments reach that milestone tenth year of operations, and rarer still to find an institution continuously serving its specialty dishes for over three decades in the changing and constantly evolving local restaurant scene. And there's no secret or winning formula behind L'Opera Ristorante Italiano's longevity, just good food using the finest ingredients masterfully executed consistently through the years. Now widely acknowledged as a multi-generational institution where loyal patrons who visited the restaurant with their grandparents now bring their their own children, it's a testimony to the dining institution's commitment to its unwavering commitment to consistent quality cementing the rich culinary legacy of L'Opera Ristorante Italiano. Read on for L'Opera Ristorante Italiano's continuing story of flavorful moments, one intricately plated dish at a time...Inside L'Opera Ristorante Italiano, the rustic brick columns and earthy wood tones are accentuated by vibrant splashes of color as the perfect stage for a hearty Italian feast. L'Opera Ristorante Italiano is also one of the few local Italian restaurants recognized by the Italian Government with the prestigious Ospitalità Italiana Quality Certification for maintaining authentic recipes and traditional culinary standards. And on Sundays, L'Opera Ristorante Italiano hosts the popular Sunday Roast with its impressive selection of roasted meats at the carving station (for more on the Sunday Roast at L'Opera, see my previous posts Sunday Flavors: Book Your Table For The Sunday Roast At L'Opera Ristorante Italiano from early March this year and Sundays Mean Sunday Roast. At L'Opera Ristorante Italiano... from May this year). First aired in 2018 and now on its ninth season, Little Big Italy is a reality TV series hosted by Italian restaurateur Francesco Panella on the Italian channel Nove as well as Discovery+ and Netflix. The concept and format is simple and straightforward, Italian expats visit foreign cities in search of the best Italian restaurant for each episode. The recognition validates the selected restaurant's flavors and vibe as an "authentic piece of home" for Italians living abroad without adapting to local tastes and preferences. L'Opera Ristorante Italiano is Chef Paoo Nesi's home serving only the nostalgic flavors of his roots and family. For Chef Paolo Nesi, good food goes beyond craft. It's a lifelong commitment and romance built on passion, tradition and the simple joy of creating unforgettable moments through every dish. And each dish served becomes a reflection of Chef Paolo Nesi's own story. I first met Chef Paolo Nesi over thirteen years ago at Balducci Ristorante (see more on my post here at Classic Tuscan Cuisine At Balducci Ristorante from 2013) and I knew then he was on a serious mission to showcase the real flavors of his Italy. Currently closed for renovation, the much anticipated re-opening of Balducci Ristorante brings another page to Chef Paolo Nesi's continuing story. Then, there's the cuisine that has endeared L'Opera Ristorante Italiano to generations of loyal customers, classic dishes that have long defined the L'Opera Ristorante Italiano dining experience......like the Affettati Misti Italiani con Pizza Servita con Gorgonzola e Mascarpone, a hearty starter with assorted cold cuts and soft pizza puffs served with Gorgonzola and Mascarpone cheese sauce. It's the perfect starter before the sumptuous pizza, pasta and savory mains at L'Opera Ristorante Italiano......starting with the Pizza L'Opera loaded with spiced salami, anchovies, Blue Cheese, Pomodoro e Mozzarella on a rustic and beautifully charred and blistered crust fresh off the wood-fired oven. These are the flavors of Chef Paolo Nesi's home, served daily at L'Opera Ristorante Italiano. The Spaghetti Alla Napa with fresh and succulent clams and shrimps tossed in extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and chili is another tempting rendition of pure and fresh flavors with the briny sweetness of the seafood complemented by the indulgent richness of the extra virgin olive oil and nutty hints of garlic with the subtle soothing heat of the chilies completing the flavorful play. The elegant simplicity of the Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino con Crema di Burrata with perfectly al dente and soft yet firm noodles draped in garlic olive oil with chili and creamy Burrata becomes a masterful symphony of pure and unrestrained flavors orchestrated by Chef Paolo Nesi and his team making it a top and consistent bestseller through the years. In contrast, the Tubetti All' Amatriciana in Cestino di Parmigiano with short tube pasta topped with Guanciale bacon in a velvety smooth and rich tomato sauce brings deep, bold notes to the palate. The sharp tartness of the tomato sauce cuts through the savory richness of the Guanciale, with each bite of the large tube pasta releasing even more flavorful notes. It's pasta done the old-fashioned way, the way it always has been at L'Opera Ristorante Italiano. No longer on the regular menu but loyal customers can still enjoy this familiar rendition of the now legendary Spadellata di Mare, a warm seafood salad tossed in white wine, lemon and garlic if available at L'Opera Ristorante Italiano. It's a pure and hearty expression of freshness in a bowl, loved by generations of customers. If available, go and order this dish off the menu. For the savory mains, L'Opera Ristorante Italiano offers the impressive duo of Carré di Agnello all Romana with tender grilled lamb chops in a vinaigrette of balsamic and rosemary sauce in addition to their signature cuts of Fassona and Chianina beef dry-aged in-house......and the Duck Confit served with mashed potato ala Robuchon and creamy Porcini mushroom sauce. These are just some of the dishes that have long defined L'Opera Ristorante Italiano as the best Italian restaurant in Manila by Italian reality TV show Little Big Italy. But long-time customers already knew L'Opera Ristorante Italiano was in a class all its own, returning again and again through the years since 1994.And just in time for the holidays, L'Opera Ristorante Italiano will be offering tempting take-out and delivery options for the festive season like the Tramezzini with a variety of savory fillings like Porchetta, Caprese, Parma Ham e Bufala, Gravlax Frittata, Mortadella and more with its Sandwich In A Box... ...for the endless rounds of feasting and gift-giving. And there's more...You can also share their sumptuous Party Trays on your next holiday get-together with an assortment of Arancini and Meatballs. As the local culinary scene continues to change and evolve, L'Opera Ristorante Italiano remains steady on a course it set more than 32 years ago anchored on tradition and an uncompromising commitment to quality and consistency. Step inside for a comforting meal and experience why L'Opera Ristorante Italiano was named Best Italian Restaurant in Manila by Italian reality TV show Little Big Italy. And raise a toast to over three decades of flavorful and memorable moments at L'Opera Ristorante Italiano...L'Opera Ristorante Italiano is located at the Ground Floor, Seven Neo, 4th Avenue, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/loperamanila/ and https://www.instagram.com/lopera_ristorante/ for more information and updates or call 8889 2784 for inquiries. Dude for Food is now on Facebook and Instagram, check out the FB Page, IG Feed, Twitter and YouTube for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.