With my heart set on travelling and my stomach set on eating, one of my most fervent dreams is to be able to visit Italy. My mouth waters just at the thought of pizza, penne, ravioli, risotto, gnocchi, and the list can go on and on!

Unfortunately, both time and budget constraints have pushed the feasibility of this dream to 2012. But that doesn’t mean I have to wait two years to experience fine Italian cuisine. Just an hour’s drive to Clark, Pampanga and I am transported to an authentic Italian kitchen, complete with cozy brick walls, interesting art pieces, sumptuous smells and of course, rich flavors. 

Italian Soda in Strawberry, Peach, Watermelon and Kiwi

C Italian Dining has been the top destination spot for foodies craving for Italian food for more than six years. Just a bite of their signature panizza is enough to make the drive worth it. A sip of the strawberry flavored Italian soda seals the deal- this is my version of heaven.

C’s Chef Chris warmly welcomed us into his dining area, just as the lunch crowd starts to arrive. Chef Chris gladly developed a couple of dishes especially for us, using our trusted Anchor ingredients. We started with Egmont in Carrozza, a version of a classic dish from Southern Italy. Although it had a complicated-sounding name, it is simple to make (according to the chef!). Just bake french bread slices, with Egmont cheese, and breaded with breadcrumbs, flour egg and olive oil. It was served with mushrooms, fresh herbs and the best pomodoro sauce I have tasted this year. I am cheese’s biggest fan, and this is definitely one of my favorite cheese dishes. The sharpness of the cheese, the earthy flavors of the mushroom and the rich tomato taste of the pomodoro sauce make this a definite winner. And this was only the starter!

Egmont in Carrozza

The C signature panizza is in itself the perfect pizza for me, very thin crust with crisp edges that snap when bitten into. The bacon stands out among the toppings, because of the thicker pieces and yummy flavor. Add to that the freshest arugula and alfalfa sprouts that almost crunch with every bite, it’s no wonder we finished the whole panizza in a matter of minutes!

Panizza Cristina – served with arugula and alfalfa sprouts

Another thing I love about C is that the servings are good for sharing. Aside for this being value for money, it also encourages everyone to eat family style rather than order separate meals- thus allowing each person to eat a variety of dishes without having to spend or eat too much. It also results in heartwarming moments of the big sister giving the last piece to her kid brother, or funny moments like me and my friend reaching for the same slice at the same time!

It seems that Chef has saved the best for last though, as the penne in chicken and bacon parmesan cream sauce was phenomenal. The pasta was cooked al dente, the chicken was tender and the sauce had the perfect taste and texture. Now I can say I will definitely make the drive again if only to have this pasta again- it’s that delish!

Penne in chicken and bacon  parmesan cream sauce

With bellies stuffed with fabulous Italian cooking, we head back Manila with big smiles. C is truly a spectacular restaurant, one that is perfect for graduation celebrations, a romantic weekend getaway or just to turn an ordinary lunch into something extra-special. Just make sure to make a reservation before heading out, the place is popular among people from all over!

Egmont in Carrozza was prepared using Anchor Egmont Cheese

Penne in chicken and bacon parmesan cream sauce was prepares with Anchor culinary cream