Here's what to order from their modern Neapolitan menu
By Mark Dy
It has been a couple of years since Salvatore Cuomo (SC) opened the doors of its Philippine flagship. Known as Salvatore Cuomo and Bar, it has been serving premium Neapolitan cuisine since 2016. The establishment has been withstanding Manila’s ever-changing dining scene.
Founded by and named after the culinary genius credited for being the pioneer of Neapolitan pizza in Japan, Chef Salvatore Cuomo’s culinary success resulted in numerous restaurants, and becoming a brand name in different parts of the world.
It was a rainy Saturday night when Manila Bulletin Lifestyle was invited to try the offerings of this seasoned establishment.
Located in one corner of the bustling Uptown Parade in the heart of Bonifacio Global City, the restaurant façade is lined with tall glass windows, giving it a very contemporary and industrial feel. The moment you enter, the open themed interiors continue as you are greeted by the sprawling dining hall. A fully-stocked free standing bar can be found on the left side, and an open kitchen concept on the right. This has got to be one of the most open kitchens in the metro. In fact, you can see each dish being prepared, and Salvatore Cuomo’s famous Neapolitan pizza oven, in front of you.
The night we came, the crowd was a mix. There were Gen Z’s on a Saturday night out, groups of expats, couples on a date night, and a lot of families—which is always a good sign of the great meal to come.
The moment you are seated, you will see SC's attention to detail through the cutlery wrapped in white cloth napkins.
Since it was a Saturday night, it was apt to start the meal with some cocktails. Not known to many, SC has a well-stocked bar and great mixes. What’s even greater is that select drinks are permanently priced half off. These include classics such as the Sangria (maybe one of the best in town), the Bellini, and Aperol Spritz.
The meal started off with a complimentary assorted bread basket. For appetizers, we had Prosciutto E Salame Con Crema Di Bufala—slices of prosciutto, salami, mozzarella, mascarpone, and cream. This was served on a board with a side of crisps to go with the salami and the various cheeses. Surprisingly, the flavors were light and fresh and very enjoyable.
They say that you haven’t been to SC until you’ve tried their pizza. For this course, the team picked the classic Margherita. True enough, it didn’t disappoint. The crust was crispy and flavorful, while the center was chewy and moist. The kind of pizza that definitely can be demolished, so to speak.
For the pasta, it was the Spaghetti Con Funghi E Pesto Di Tartufo Nero, which we all know as truffle cream pasta. The pasta, cooked al dente and full of the sauce’s flavor, was thinner than your usual spaghetti. Flecks of black truffle were generously spread throughout the dish, and the aroma was substantial but not overpowering. A definite “I’ll go back for this” dish.
For the secondo, the recommended Salmone El Burro Di Acciughe—salmon fillet in anchovy butter, capers, mixed herbs on a bed of sautéed spinach—was served. The sauce was indeed an amalgamation of the above flavors, which really complemented the salmon and spinach.
The Tagliata, or the grilled rib eye steak, was the recommended main course. It was cooked to specification, sliced, and served with just salt, pepper, lemon and a thick balsamic vinegar which highlights the flavor of the meat. SC only serves USDA Choice beef, including t-bone and tomahawk steaks.
No meal would be complete without coffee and dessert. Coffee lovers will enjoy SC’s extensive coffee menu, from their espressos to flavored lattes.
Ending the experience on a sweet note, the signature Chocolate Walnut Mousse encased in a thin chocolate sphere—the kind that you’ll enjoy cracking open to get to the delicious center—and the classic Tiramisu with Gelato were pure perfection. The restaurant also serves other classic Italian desserts such as Torta Caprese and Panna Cotta.
Salvatore Cuomo has been around a while now, but it still seems to be a new discovery. When people crave Italian, on the top of their list should be Salvatore Cuomo.
Photos by Rey Ilagan/MB