Experiencing Italian food, art and music at Pavarotti Ristorante

Pavarotti’s new full restaurant boasts of Italian food, art and music. 

With their diverse background, it might be a wonder how artist Marcoroberto Ascione, businesswoman Olah Gray Padilla Brady, socialite and entrepreneur Jessie Vitor Maloles, and businessman Ralston Austin Dy all agreed to build Pavarotti Ristorante at Okada Manila five years ago.

But if one asks them, they would surely answer in unison, “It’s for the love of Italy!”

Brady, for one, recalled how a trip to Italy a few years back made her fall in love with Italian culture — its food, art and music.

“I thought to myself, I wish we have something in Manila that could bring this authentic experience. Sure we have many Italian restaurants here but I had a vision of a restaurant that mixes Italian food, art and classical music.”

Pavarotti owners Ralston Austin Dy, Olah Gray Padilla Brady, Jessie Vitor Maloles and Marcoroberto Ascione.

Pavarotti’s menu gets more extensive with addition of new items to its best-selling pizzas. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE 

It didn’t take her long to find like-minded entrepreneurs in Ascione, Maloles and Dy who have the same passion for Italian culture.

“Pavarotti started five years ago as a pop-up near the Okada fountain. We offer pizza and pasta dishes to families and groups who would watch the magical fountain show,” Brady recalled for The Manila Times.

This year, another exciting chapter opens for Pavarotti as the brand opens it full-scale restaurant near the pop-up store.

The exterior boasts of modern design but behind its double door is an interior that screams classic Italian — imposing Italian furniture pieces, Ascione’s masterpieces and a stage where Italian live music is being played several times a week.

“The outside part of the restaurant can be for the entire family or group of friends who want to chill while watching Okada’s fountain show. The inside, meanwhile, is more classical, perfect for intimate date nights,” Brady said.

From authentic pizzas and pasta, Brady said the new restaurant will boast of a bigger menu helmed by no less than chef Gino Amodio. He is credited for putting Aria Cucina Italiana in Boracay and Asmara in Cebu in every foodie’s culinary map.

At the time of The Manila Times and other local media’s visit, Pavarotti was still transitioning to a new menu by chef Amodio but Brady guaranteed that they will soon be ready to serve the chef’s creations.

“He is putting emphasis on using fresh and organic ingredients in creating traditional Italian dishes so that’s what our customers can definitely look forward too very soon,” Brady enthused.

Besides the well loved pizzas and pastas from their pop-up restaurant’s menu, Pavarotti will now offer an extensive main course menu, including Pollo al Mattone (lemony spiced chicken), Involtini di Pollo al Gorgonzola (chicken breast and veggie rolls in gorgonzola fondue), Braciola di Maiale al Fino Cchietto (pork loin with wild fennel), and Arrosticini di Agnello (lamb skewers with mint pesto), among many others.

Pavarotti is located at the Fountain Foyer, Crystal Corridor Wing of Okada Manila. For reservations, call or +639369390667.