Da Gianni Cucina Italiana Manila — Restaurant in Muntinlupa

My wife wanted to check out Da Gianni to see how it stacks up against another nearby 'authentic' Italian place, Nonna's. We checked reviews before going and frankly, I was a bit turned off by gushing and seemingly over exaggerated positive reviews. It was as if people were reporting some sort of culinary epiphany or out of body experience.

Ang corny naman, I thought.

But we tried the quatro formaggi pizza and a pasta dish. I was expecting to be let down. After all, there was so much hype about this place.

Well, I'm happy to report one very rare instance where reality actually lives up to the hype. Not only was their pizza spot on - complete with nice charring and bubbles, their pasta was al dente with the right melding of flavors. I've been to Italy before and have enjoyed authentic pizza. Da Gianni's pizza is the real deal.

The clincher? What really made me respect the staff's dedication to customer satisfaction and realize this place is a true gem involved hot sauce. I love hot sauce on my pizza. Normally, I'd be given some Tabasco in other Italian places in the Philippines. This seems to be the standard.

Not Da Gianni. The chef actually came up with a fresh batch of slowly heated dried chili in olive oil.. just for me. Not only did this fresh chili oil hit the right taste buds and make the already delicious pasta and pizza even more intense, I was floored by the Da Gianni staff's commitment to customer satisfaction. Talk about commitment to culinary excellence! Obviously, "pwede na' is a foreign concept at this restaurant.

Thank you, Matteo Gudicelli and family for coming up with this gem.

You have just gotten yourself a customer for life! Our meal was DIRT CHEAP when I factor in the TASTE, TEXTURE, and AMAZING STAFF. I pay for experience and Da Gianni is the COMPLETE PACKAGE. It delivers an experience worth paying for!

If you're looking for REAL excellent Italian cuisine in the South Metro, this place is it.

A...

Their 4 cheese pizza was excellent, a must try! Everything else were okay. Pasta servings were a bit small so if your going for that make sure you order something else to go with it or you'll still be hungry after. Food takes bit of time before it got served so don't go there very hungry already.

Staff were very friendly and they give give suggestions if you're not sure of what to order.

Confirming a reservation takes 4 days to confirm. Went thier directly but the person I spoke with said the one who handles the reservations was not here so he just got my details and said I'll get a confirmation later that day or tomorrow. End of business day the next day no call or anything yet called them person who answered said will forward the reservation details to the one handling it and the then asked for the same details I gave the person the day before. The next day someone finally contacted me asking to make deposit for the reservation and wants me to go to the restaurant right away to make the deposit or deposit to thier bank account. If I didn't already went there the first day I was trying to do the reservation, it would have been okay for me to go there. So I made the deposit the next day.

Getting the bill took them 30 mins, we had to follow up twice. One said it was taking long because of the deposit I made, I mean how long does it take to calculate all our orders that they already punched in their computer and then deduct the deposit to the total? Then when the bill arrived they still didn't deduct the deposit.

The only thing that would make me go back there is if I'm craving for the yummy cheese pizza, other than that I don't think I'd be coming back or recommending the...

A gem for Italian restaurants in Alabang, probably even North Luzon.

The food is great, Italian chef. Great selection in the menu for everyone, plenty of vegetarian and vegan options from salads to mains. The pizza is authentic, far from the likes of Italianis or other local restaurants. Robust flavours in every bite and great crusts. Salads are good too with fresh fruits and vegetables, the octopus that cam with it was also well cooked. The potatoes are probably the most well done I've seen added to an Italian dish here. Pastas are also excellent, great sauces and cooked Al dente. The pasta I ordered came with salmon and caviar, great quality from both. Although the pasta isn't made from fresh dough (my assumption at least) it is excellent. My counterpart had a bacon and mushroom rigatoni which was also good.

The wine selection is great however for avid wine drinkers the best selling white wine was drinkable but not so for 950php, the beer selection lacks but Italian beers are few and far between anyways so best to stick with San Miguel. Pricing overall is reasonable for the quality of food.

Atmosphere is great inside and as well decorated as outside however it can be a bit dark due to the actual mall lights not being on. However there is still music and service is as fast as inside. The service overall was great, very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Serving times are quite quick even for a Saturday night and can help you with anything you ask.

Overall a great Italian restaurant in the Alabang area, if not the best I've been to so far. Great food, great service and a good atmosphere. I can safely say I will be coming back and adjusting any info...