Business Lunch Promo at Va Bene

That non-descript restaurant at the 2nd floor of Petron Gas Station that serves authentic Italian cuisine is at it anew with its BUSINESS LUNCH PROMO.

Choose

1 Dish = P299 +

1 Appetizer + 1 Main Course = P499+

1 Dish + 1 Glass House Wine = P499+

Take advantage of this little window of opportunity to taste Chef Massimo Veronesi's freshly made pasta for a fraction of its original cost.

Business Lunch Menu

M-F 1130- 530 pm

Appetizer

(Choose one)

BRUSCHETTA roasted eggplant, stracciatella cheese, basil, Grana Padano

The presentation was rustic in keeping with the overall vibe of the restaurant. I loved the meaty texture of the roasted eggplant. Cheese-fiends like our piggery would enjoy this starter because of the two kinds of cheese incorporated in the dish.

Per Wiki, stracciatella cheese means "rag" from the word "strattore" meaning to stretch. Stracciatella cheese is know to be the soft and fresh center of burrata.

Grana Padano on the other hand is the hard , slow-ripened semi fat cheese from Italy comparable to Parmigiano Reggiano (Wiki)

INSALATA mixed lettuce, arugula, mangoes, parma ham, blue cheese, balsamic dressing

I loved the crispy greens. The combination of the fruity and succulent mangoes, the salty-sweet-moist Parma ham, the pungent-strong-flavored blue cheese and the balsamic dressing , was akin to an explosion of freshness and flavors in the mouth...scrumptious!

ZUPPA, tomato soup, mozzarella cheese, quadrucci pasta, basil pesto

What a happy color red is. This Zuppa just improved my sour disposition with its vibrant and delightful color. The tomato soup was sweet from long hours of simmering. I tasted the hint of pesto and enjoyed a little texture from the quadrucci pasta. That tinge of acidity prepared the palate for the main course.

Main Course

GNOCCHI Bolognese, parmesan fondue, fresh grated parmesan cheese

Pillowy and tender, Chef Massimo's Gnocchi are melt-in-your-mouth slathered in bolognese sauce , swimming in a pool of parmesan fondue.

What is Gnocchi? Per Wiki, Gnocchi are simple pasta made from potatoes, flour and egg yolk.

SALMON TORTELLINI bacon, vodka tomato cream sauce

Tortellini are small squares of pasta stuffed with cheese or meat then rolled into small rings. (wiki).

The dramatic contrast of the red sauce and the black pasta is so arresting, it drew the eye almost as soon as the plate landed on the table.

There were just 3 pieces of that black tortellini but boy that singular piece filled up and expanded in my stomach almost immediately after I demolished it in a few bites.

I must have that recipe for vodka tomato cream sauce so I can replicate at home... so good.

BLACK INK PAPARDELLE
extra virgin olive oil, anchovies, garlic, zucchini, octopus, clams

Tracing its origins in Tuscany, "papardelle" is derived from the word "pappare" meaning to gobble up. Pappardelle are large, very broad pasta similar to wide fettuccine.

Nothing beats pasta made from scratch. Chef Massimo's Black Ink Papardelle was subtly flavored by the squid ink it was made from. The extra virgin olive oil , anchovies, garlic , octopus and clams complemented the pasta quite nicely.

CHICKEN MILANESE roasted potatoes, mixed lettuce

Love protein but trying to veer away from beef or pork? Avoiding carbs? Here's a dish that is perfect for you.

Chicken Milanese is reminiscent of the Austrian Schnitzel. It is breaded chicken usually breast , then .deep fried.

I love that Chef Massimo's Chicken Milanese is paired with a side of salad and potatoes. The dish looks healthy already what with all the greens it was paired with.

Overall...

This budget-conscious mom of 4 is happy with Chef Massimo's business lunch. Delicious authentic Italian Cuisine for the fraction of its cost ? Check.

Va Bene Pasta Deli is located at the 2nd floor Petron Gas Station Arnaiz Ave. corner Edsa Dasmarinas Village Makati City