Cibo
I cannot recall when I first ate at Cibo’s cold steel chairs in Glorietta 3 but I do remember loving it for life. So much so that my friends knew to bring me my favorite Pate di Fegato the day after giving birth to my eldest son via C-section.
Well-known chef Margarita Fores opened Cibo more than 10 years ago and it now has about nine branches around the metro. In addition to that, she also now has the flourishing Cafe Bola and Pepato restaurants. It is no wonder that I go back regularly to the place that has nurtured my desire for truly delicious Italian cuisine.
Since I have been dining at Cibo for years and have only been blogging about food for just barely two years, I can only share with you my most recent dining experiences at this lovely place.
Spinaci Zola Php 200++
I mentioned earlier that my favorite antipasti is the Pate di Fegato. It is a chicken liver pate dip topped with fruity sauce and served with toast rounds. I am a fan of the local liver spread (Reno is the best!) but having tried pate has elevated my taste buds to seventh heaven. Even after my sister discouraged me from eating it as she says the creation of pate displays such cruelty to animals, I cannot help but have my favorite each time I visit Cibo.
Often during my visits, I order the cream based pasta’s as I can never have this at home. I can’t, mostly because none of the members of my family like cream or make a point to even avoid cream based dishes for fear of gaining on the pounds. My favorites from their menu include: Penne ‘il Magnifico which is penne pasta cooked with gorgonzola, porcini mushrooms and cream; Penne al Telefono which has stewed tomatoes, mozzarella, white cheese, basil and cream; Linguine alla Ghiotta which is served with mushrooms, bacon and cream.
Recently, I have turned to trying out their tomato based fare. Partly because I have eaten my regulars more times than I can remember, and also because I wanted to try out something new. I have also detached myself from the fruity pate and allowed myself to be convinced to order the Spinaci Zola. The waiter told us some sob story about someone who started eating it at a very young age and is still eating it years after. It was THAT good. And it was. The dip was made from a mix of spinach and gorgonzola cheese and served with toast rounds. Being made of cheese instead of minced liver meat made it more tasty.
Spaghettini alla Bolognese Php 220++
The Spaghettini alla Bolognese was indeed different from the many I have tried in various restaurants. First I do not really like spaghettini noodles as I feel it leaves me lacking in substance (too thin for my appetite hehe). The beef ragu sauce was more saucy than beefy so although I liked it, I doubt my hubby will.
Linguine di Valentino Php 300++
But the Linguine di Valentino was utterly delicious! It was made with crab meat, stewed tomatoes, chili peppers and cream. At first I was hesitant upon reading that it had chili peppers but my friends teased me about being such a coward so I gave in. I did not regret it. The sauce was full of flavor like it was slow cooked until all flavor was sucked out of the ingredients. It is at times like these that I sometimes wish Cibo had huge servings.
Oh and did I mention their fresh fruit shakes are to die for? Most famous of their offerings would be the Red Grape shake which I always order. But I was also able to try the Strawberry shake which is just as refreshing but not as yummy as the Red Grape. Now am salivating.
Cibo
2nd level, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center
Makati City
Tel. No: 892-3963
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I also love Cibo. But oddly enough, I haven’t eaten at Glorietta.
I think the one in Gateway has the best “feel.” Even Greenbelt 5 doesn’t feel too great.
Migs – I can say that the one in Glorietta is too dark and the one in Greenbelt 5 is too bright. Not sure why they changed the concept in Greenbelt 5 as the one in Rockwell has the same darkness. GB5 has some posh seats though.
Hi Apple! I love love their Red Grape Shake! I always forget to order the Strawberry Shake though! My favorite is the Ala Netuno! Hahaha…
Hope it’s okay if I link you up!!
Cheers!
wow…ganda ng site mo. nakakatakam talaga….
Hi Didi! Sure add me up!
batanggenyo – Salamat! That’s my goal actually to entice people to eat. hehe.
sure the spinach dip tastes reeeaaalllllyyyy good!!! i’ve already tried it and i like it very much.. sarap nung mixture ng spinach and gorgonzola.. plus the crisp toasts.. very healthy snack.. yummy!!
Cibo will always be one of the reliables:)
yah Cibo is definitely one the reliables.
Cibo in Shangri-La is very space and light. One of my favorits .
Yum spinaci zola ! I also love the bruschetta in Cibo with the olive oil and crisp potato chips on the side, so healthy!
Another really good Italian resto is Roma Mia at The Podium. I recently tried their lunch buffet, only P385 for salad, pizza, pasta, etc. Pretty good!
Go go Italian food!!!
i crush one of the waiters in shang!
been wanting to eat there with my family. so one night as i was strolling..
after having been to the appliance store beside the resto, i thought of trying to take a look at the menu to have an idea of the prices. since the place is too open enough that anyone could go inside i tried to pick the ‘postcard’ displayed on the tables thinking it was the menu then one of the waiters approached me..i asked for the menu..gave it to me…offered a seat.. he even assisted me as i sat.. and so it started.. i mean the feelings.. haha.
(im probably not used to it to the effect that it created such feelings..hehe)
then the story ..ended. toink.
everytime i pass nearby the resto it sent shivers to my spine. wahh..
probably would never eat there anymore..
rather eat out in some other branch perhaps.
bubbahls – why would you not eat there anymore? you never know? good food and good love.
I love Cibo and am hoping that it will stay consistent since God knows consistency is something most of our restaurants lack. I’m just hoping that all the franchises and the expansion doesn’t spell inconsistent food service as the newer branches I have eaten in lately don’t serve the same hearty and flavorful fair that I expect.
Cibo is one of my faves. Btw, have you tried dining at their branch in GB5?
[...] sauce cooked with some bacon and spices. I have always loved this dish especially the one served in Cibo, but this one was more spicy than I am used to. It did not diminish its flavorful goodness though. [...]
[...] and Artichoke Fondue – After my spinach experience at Cibo, I openly welcome the opportunity to try the different ways that spinach is used in dishes. [...]
i looooove penne magnifico! i order nothing but this & white grape shake (or red) everytime i am there. so much so that i haven’t tried any dish there
maybe i shud!
marianne – I also have favorites at Cibo that I order frequently but you should try other dishes as many are really really good.