I’ve been hearing so many good things about this authentic Italian restaurant in Villa, but I never really found the time to visit with Kyle. Luckily, the opportunity finally came, and when I told my husband I was meeting friends for lunch at Trattoria D’Amore, he immediately got excited and even volunteered to drive me there. Of course, he ended up staying for lunch too. He ordered their pizza with burrata and finished the whole thing in one sitting — which already says a lot. He loved it so much that he’s already planning to come back just to try their Italian carbonara next time.
As for me and my friends, we got to try several dishes from their menu. Since I’m not very familiar with authentic Italian cuisine, this experience felt extra special. Most of the Italian food I’ve tried before had more of a local twist, so dining at a restaurant led by an actual Italian chef gave me a better appreciation of the flavors and techniques behind the dishes.
Among everything we ordered, there were definitely a few standouts. My personal favorite was the Risotto Di Frutti Di Mare E Zafferano. It somehow reminded me of our local Valenciana, but instead of the rich meaty flavor we’re used to in Filipino cuisine, this one had a deeper seafood flavor that made it unique and memorable. It was loaded with shellfish like prawns, squid, and mussels, all cooked beautifully with white wine and savory stock.
I also genuinely enjoyed their pasta dishes because they were very different from the Filipino-style spaghetti and creamy carbonara I usually eat. Their Spaghetti Bolognese had a more authentic taste. It has rich Italian beef sauce with minced onions and carefully balanced seasonings that highlighted the simplicity of the ingredients.
Another favorite from the table was the Bucatini Amatriciana, made with tomato sauce, guanciale, and pecorino cheese. Fun fact: guanciale comes from the Italian word “guancia,” meaning cheek, since it’s made from pork jowl. Despite having only a few ingredients, the dish was incredibly flavorful. Savory, salty, perfectly seasoned, and honestly the kind of pasta that keeps you coming back for another bite.
So if you’re craving authentic Italian food prepared by an Italian chef, make your way to Trattoria D’ Amore and try these dishes for yourself.
Sto. Niño Sur, Villa Arevalo, Iloilo City
Daily | 10 am to 10pm