Every once in awhile I like to escape for a “Ladies Night Out.”
What does that mean?
Usually, it means we are celebrating someone’s birthday. Or someone’s promotion. Or someone has some great news they want to share. Sometimes we don’t need much of a reason…and then sometimes it’s to see someone off as they begin a new chapter of their lives…
Il Ponticello (from what I hear) was a popular place to visit EVEN before it had been revamped and reinvented. Apparently, it is a popular place to meet up for drinks and to grab a bite to eat. But after some of the new partners had come in, and changed up the scene a little, it has been enjoying a reinvention of sorts. On some nights they have a DJ that you can hang out in the lounge and listen to. If you prefer a more restaurant feel, you can just sit at one of the tables in the dining room and order the Italian specialties complete with an Italian Manager running the place which has a new swanky vibe.
I was able to try out the resto with The SoMoms to see one of our Mommas off. She is leaving Manila (again), but this time embarking on a new adventure for her family in Los Angeles. I’m super sad to see her go because I feel like we were just starting to get to know each other, but her leaving also gives me another reason (besides my sister) to visit the west coast.
So, watch out Jenny! I’m gonna come visit!
Visiting a new place with the SoMoms is fun no matter the reason. We get to catch up on one another’s lives, share milestones, and sometimes even share our own troubles and burdens. We all know that burdens become a lot more manageable when we share the load…even if that means just letting someone else know how much we are carrying. Most of the time we are sharing ourselves and in the process…learning from one another. I love how much I learn from hanging out with these ladies!
The minestrone had chunks of vegetables and lots of cheesy goodness. I liked this take on this Italian vegetarian soup because it was not tomato based.
By the time I arrived the girls had already had some drinks and appetizers and were well on their way to enjoying dinner. Nino was curious about the restaurant too, so instead of leaving and meeting up with his cousin, he decided to sit at another table and in the process made friends with the manager Guilio.
Pasta is LOVE. I love a good pasta dish. You can really tell if the restaurant knows their Italian dishes by ordering the simplest pasta dish on the menu. By doing this you can see if they know their tomatoes, (Ponti does) and if the pasta is al dente (and it was).
Since Nino wasn’t sitting with us, I kept visiting him at his table to snap pics of his order. He started with the Grilled Portobello as an appetizer, and unfortunately, I wasn’t able to snap a pic or take a bite, but I did make it in time for his Flat Iron Steak. This dish is a steal at around four hundred bucks!
The Flat Iron Steak comes with a Parmigiano Reggiano topped salad and Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
Of course, Nino enjoyed his red wine with his red meat. It was fun to glance over every now and then seeing Nino and Giulio exchanging stories of the beautiful places we all have visited in Italy. In fact, it turns out that Giulio knows of the town where my Great Grandmother comes from, Catania, Sicily.
The STAR of the NIGHT was the Porchetta…
OH MY…The Porchetta…
Because Candy and I arrived a little late, we were able to ask the servers to heat up the Porchetta for us. It was a beautiful piece of tender, yet crunchy, piece of pork that was packed with flavor. When topped with the delicious sauce that comes as a condiment, it was even more balanced. I wished I could eat more than one piece.
Let’s not forget that Ponti is also known for serving up some really great drinks. While I don’t drink every night of the week…I sure do enjoy a nice cocktail. I tried three drinks that I would definitely order again.
The Ponti Spritz was light, fruity, and effervescent. It has a touch of Aperol and Prosecco. Perfect drink to start the night!
I also loved the Nutellino. This one had Nutella, Cream, Milk and Vodka. You can have it with Grappa too if you like. It reminded me of a White Russian but even yummier.
This was a creamy shot of Frangelico with a touch of maraschino cherry juice. I liked the whipped cream on top…it reminded me of the shots I used to make back when I was in college.
Desserts served were the Tiramisu, Bread Pudding, and Panacotta with cheesecake bites, caramel and crumb topping.
The Panacotta was my favorite. LOOK at the bits of vanilla!!!
Of course we loved the drinks, we loved the food, and we loved the company. While it was a fun celebration it was also bittersweet because we knew that it might be a long time before we get to see Jenny again.
Thank you Steve for hosting The SoMoms “send-off” for one of our Mommas- Jenny Reyes.
We all know that Italians like to eat “Family Style.” If you think this post is interesting and you would like to try Ponti out, this might be the perfect opportunity. August 21 is a holiday and as a special treat they are doing a “Family Style” menu! Did you see that dessert? If it’s family style, I wonder if I can have more than one Zeppole? I haven’t had a Zeppole in years….
Looking forward to the next “Ladies Night Out” with the SoMoms…I wonder when we can tear ourselves away from house, home, kiddos again? I hope it’s soon!
Il Ponticello
Unit 203 2F Antel Corporate Center
121 Valero Street,
Salcedo Village, Makait
(02) 553-9971
Mon-Thurs: 11am-2:30pm 5pm-12:00am
Fri: 11am-2:30pm 5pm-2:00am
Sun: 5pm-2am
Candy of The Corporate Housewife Mom, Jackie of Go Jackie Go, Tin of Manila Fashion Observer, Cai of Apples and Dumplings, Neva of Manila Mommy, Jenny of My Mommyology, Moi :-), Conci of The Blair Bitch Bunny, Fleur of Mommy Fleur and Kris of OC Mom in Manila.
Wow! Definitely will pay this place a visit!
The food is really good Dad. Plus the manager is from the same town as our family in Sicily!