Friuli Trattoria — Restaurant in Quezon City

Friuli Trattoria is one of the institutions along the Maginhawa strip, already being a popular destination when I was a student in UP Diliman nearly twenty years ago. Oddly enough, I've never been here before and I thought this was a good place as any to begin my plan to go to more restaurants in the area.

I went here with family after checking out exhibits at the UP Vargas Museum and got seated quickly.

Buffalo Wings (P290) 3/5 There were about five pieces of chicken in buffalo sauce with what seemed like a mayo-based dip on the side. The chicken was not plump and a bit dry. This is typical of buffalo chicken that I've had in other restaurants and I don't consider this better or worse than others. The buffalo sauce only had a mild spiciness and I would like the dipping sauce to taste closer to ranch/tartar sauce.

This seems like a fairly popular options since three other tables ordered this as well.

I would say try this if you're a buffalo wings completist but skip this otherwise and order another pizza instead.

Aligue Pasta (P370) 3.5/5 This is aligue paste cooked with thin, almost angel hair pasta, and topped with shrimp.This was, like the buffalo wings, fine. I'm not the biggest fan of thin pasta and I would have preferred to have crab meat as protein instead. I thought this could have used a bit more salt (a shaker is provided in each table) and I also recommend adding pepperoncino (also available on the table).

Pizza Marinara (P320) 4/5 The pizza only comes in one size and is good enough for two people to share. If there are more in your group, I would suggest ordering an additional dish (1 per person) unless you eat very small servings.

The crust is not what you would call neapolitan pizza but is also not the doughy crust that some local restaurants have. This is pretty okay.

I'm a fan of seafood in pasta and this has anchovies, capers, tuna, and onions. You do get toppings in clumps so you'll be surprised by salt bombs here and there. That being said, the restaurant did not scrimp on toppings and there was a more than fair amount for the price. I would have liked the sauce/cheese to be a little sharper/forward. The toppings were definitely highlighted.

I would order this again and I think it's very competitive against the puttanesca offerings of other restaurants.

Service is reasonably prompt but not honed-in. Water is self-service (a positive for me). Cashless payment is available but their payment device does not...

The venue is located just beside the Maginhawa Street. The place was a bit small and can accommodate around 10 sets of guests at a time. My sister and I ordered BASIL LEMON SALAD, FRIED RAVIOLI, PUTANESCA PASTA, and CHEESEBURGER PIZZA.

FOOD: Our favourite was the CHEESEBURGER PIZZA cuz of it's cheese-pull and it's addition of pickled relish and mustard, making it taste just like a cheeseburger. The PUTANESCA PASTA noodles are cooked to perfection and is a great vehicle for the sauce to cling to, however the sauce could use more flavor. The FRIED RAVIOLI is basically just fried dumplings with giniling meat inside. Not worth it but the tomato sauce makes the dish much better. The BASIL LEMON SALAD is very refreshing and the orange slices are so sweet, however the croutons are mushy and soft so it has an unpleasant mouth-feel whenever I eat them.

SERVICE: The staff are friendly and accomodating. However one server made an error of our order and gave us CHEESE PIZZA instead of CHEESEBURGER PIZZA. The server who took our order didn't repeat our orders so this miscommunication happened. Then the same server accidentally dropped the garlic bread of the pasta dish on the table as she was about the place the dish to the table. She hurriedly apologized and offer to give us a new one.

ATMOSPHERE: The place looks a bit run-down with it's simple plastic chairs and uncomfortable wooden pew seats. The venue can use a bit of more...

Friuli Trattoria is a hidden gem for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine. I recently visited this charming restaurant, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations in every way.

The menu offers a delightful variety of classic Italian dishes, from wood-fired pizzas to creamy pastas and hearty mains. I tried their signature Carbonara and Margherita Pizza, both of which were cooked to perfection. The flavors were rich, fresh, and authentically Italian, showcasing the chef's expertise in traditional recipes.

What stood out the most was the price. For the quality of food and generous portions, the prices are very reasonable. It’s rare to find such a perfect balance of affordability and quality, making it a great spot for casual dining or even special occasions.

The ambiance of the restaurant is cozy and inviting, with warm lighting and tasteful décor that transports you to a little corner of Italy. The staff were attentive and friendly, ensuring a pleasant dining experience from start to finish.

Whether you’re a fan of Italian cuisine or just looking for a great dining experience that won’t break the bank, Friuli Trattoria is worth a visit. I’ll definitely be coming back to explore more...