Enjoying the sweet life in Makati

By Diana Uy

While the rest of the world is practicing restraint and penny-pinching, La Dolce Vita is unapologetic in its extravagance.

La Dolce Vita is an Italian restaurant, so obvious not only because of its name but also in its overly imaginative design concept that is reflective of the Italian zest for life. It boasts of European-inspired interiors?a mish-mash of Venetian, Roman, and even Russian influences?first-time visitors can?t help but be overwhelmed. Unexpected details and characters just pop like the statues resembling either the Grinch or Dr. Seuss; a profusion of mirrors adding space and dimension to what could be a seemingly cramped venue; and glass windows, framing picturesque scenes outside like paintings, evoking charm to an otherwise ostentatious environment. The toilets and even the private room are by themselves showstoppers, one can just imagine No Reservation?s Anthony Bourdain grimace. Think naked Adonises, in all their golden splendor, holding gold-framed mirrors while you?re doing your thing.

All things considered, one can only imagine what the food would be like? gustatory presentation of authentic Italian dishes bursting with flavors that are as complex yet delightful and pleasing to the palate?the ingredients coming together just right. Chef Tiziano Cavallini makes sure of it.

Hailing from Modena Italy, Cavallini came to the Philippines 12 years ago, spending a year in Cebu before transferring to Manila and cooking for and opening restaurants along the way. Cavallini says he has been a chef for more than 35 years, graduating at Scoula Instituto Professionale Alberghiero Statale in Modena. He started his career at a 5-Michelin Star restaurant called Fini, eventually, working for the kitchens of Hotel Plaza Lucchesi in Firenze and in Casino, San Remo. He then moved on to Neuchatel, Switzerland, where he took up a two-year course specializing in seafood dishes.

Cavallini readily serves that specialty and all the other recipes he learned from school (Cavallini?s source of inspiration, he says) at La Dolce Vita. He also recommends his original rabbit and duck dishes, especially to those who have the stomach for it. The rest of us can try other traditional Italian fare that are equally filling and delicious.

For starters, Cavallini serves a mean selection of imported cold cuts and cheeses, you might want to sample each in bite sizes. He follows this up with sinfully, delectable baked oysters, brought in fresh for the day. The pizza Cebu, Cavallini?s sort of memorial to that part of the Philippines, is another must try. It is made Hawaiian-style complete with slices of mango and a dash of chocolate syrup. Pasta lovers are in for a heavy treat whether your prefer meat or seafood style. Cavallini?s secret is in the sauces that indulge the tongue with their strong, robust tastes. Try Cavallini?s tortellacci ai funghi porcini (pasta filled with porcini mushroom in cream sauce), gnocci trastevere (pasta made of potato with Italian sausage and porcini mushroom), or tagliatelle gamberoni (pasta with prawns in tomato cream sauce), to name a few. For the main course, make sure you still have room for either the filetto gorgonzola (tenderloin steak with gorgonzola cheese sauce) or the cotoletta di agnello al barolo (oven-cooked lamb rack with mashed potato and spinach). Every bite is just tender and juicy, it would be such a waste not to finish the whole plate. After such a heavy meal, reward yourself with a homemade tiramisu for that perfectly sweet ending.

If you find yourself still lounging around by 11 in the evening, stay awhile longer as La Dolce Vita clears all the dining tables to make way for the Piano Bar that serves cocktails until 3 in the morning. By this time, musicians gather at the red piano by the entrance, captivating guests with arias reminiscent of the Italian?s zest for the sweet life.

La Dolce Vita is located at 41 Polaris St. in Makati. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.