Eat and Run
Philippine’s food and travel blog.
Bellini’s Italian Restaurant
In: Eat
7 Jan 2008
For the past couple of years, Cubao has undergone a lot of major changes. It was not long ago when I had to commute everyday, during those times Cubao is the most stressful place I had to go through every school day. Now there are better malls and improved transportation (LRT2). On one side of Cubao is Marikina Shoe Expo, a place filled with creativity and nostalgia. Its where some of the big names in shoe business has been founded, aside from that it is now occupied by antique stores, art galleries, and restaurants. One of these restaurants is Bellini’s authentic Italian Restaurant
A bit of history…
Bellini’s is run by Mr.Roberto Bellini a former Italian paparazzo. Roberto met his wife Maria Luisa here in the Philippines when he was sent here for an assignment to cover the EDSA revolution. They got married and went to Italy, after a more than a decade and 3 children, they went back to put up Bellini’s Italian Restaurant. The restaurant is featured a couple of times in print, television and recently in the movies. A scene from the movie “One more chance” by John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo was shot here, that was when we decided to have dinner together with friends in this nice hidden place.
The Ambiance
Our first time wasn’t really pleasant, it was around Christmas last year, we were waiting for our friends to arrive outside. As soon as they arrive they closed the establishment so we have to look for another place to held our “Christmas Party”. A couple of weeks later we finally had a chance to dine. As soon as we were seated, I ask permission if I can shoot around, the waiter politely said “Yes”.
 |
 |
 |
|
The whole place is adorned with paintings, even the ceiling on the main dining room has painting of a large family dining together, I can only think of how difficult it is for the painter to do that painting 
.
 |
 |
Aside from the main dining area, there are two function rooms good for private functions for around 18 guests. While shooting I noticed Roberto stared at me for a while, it was only later when I realized that he is a former lens man. 
Two walls were hanged with photos and newspaper clips, the photos were Roberto Bellini’s most proud work when he was still a paparazzo in Italy. I recognized a photo of the late Luciano Pavarotti hanged on one of the walls. The waiter offered us their Pasta Platter, mixed slices of Pan Pizza and a pitcher of Iced Tea, we have no idea what to pick in the Menu since they’re all Italian so we gave it a go. 
Shortly after, our pasta platter has arrived – a regular Italian spaghetti, seafood pasta, ravioli and our favorite spicy spaghetti with chili, garlic in olive oil. 
Mixed pizza. 
As a complementary, we are served with Bellini’s own concoction which he called “Vino Samto” wine. It tasted good but I’m no wine drinker. Overall, the food is truly great but its in a bit expensive side (Italian food is always expensive!), our total bill was around 2,000 pesos. But that doesn’t stop us from going back a few weeks later. 
We just couldn’t take our minds off the Contadina (spicy spaghetti in olive oil, garlic and chili P180) 
Pollo alla diavola (grilled chicken w/ herps and spices P200). I must say that its really hard to choose your order from the menu if you don’t have any idea since they’re in Italian.
How to find Bellinis
Bellini’s Italian Restaurant is inside the Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao, which is at the back of Shopwise in Cubao. Pay parking is available in front of the restaurant. Please share your ideas by leaving us with a comment.
Popularity: 59% [?]
No related posts.
Comment Form
Photostream
Categories
- angie orfano: gud pm ,just text your informations cellphone number .i just want to know if there is a increase you [...]
- Alex: Cook, nice itinerary dude. Thanks for sharing this really a great help to me. [...]
- KEVIN: Hi! first kudos to this blog it is indeed helpful, I just have an inquiry though is there a huge pos [...]
- KEVIN: Hi! first kudos to this blog it is indeed helpful, I just have an inquiry though is there a huge pos [...]
- butz: We’re planning to go there this 3rd week of marchl. I just wanna inquire about the rates of the Ro [...]
35 Responses to Bellini’s Italian Restaurant
Jasmine
June 21st, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Good thing I read about this. We’re planning to eat here on my birthday.
Edz
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
Thank you for visiting EatAndRun Jasmine! Advance Happy Birthday to you!
God bless!
Jasmine
June 26th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Thanks!
By the way do they have lasagna in their menu? I would like to eat my favorite food so far in Bellini’s.
nori
June 26th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
best panacotta ive tasted.
Dan Amistad
June 28th, 2008 at 8:27 am
The real authentic Italian resto in the Philippines… I heard that Signore Roberto will be opening its branch soon… highly recommended… Ciao…
Dan Amistad
June 28th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Try the seafood pasta… spaghetti al cartoccio… its seafood pasta baked in aluminun foil…
Happy 08/08/08! « Life’s a journey
August 8th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
[...] we’ll just treat tonight as any other Friday night. Pizza night tonight at none other than Bellini’s! [...]
siopas
August 26th, 2008 at 9:38 am
When’s the best time to go here? what foods do you recommend for first timers?
edcy
September 14th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
hi..juz wanna ask 2 mr.ROBERTO Bellini if pwde po zha ma interview regarding with his restaurant..im a HRM dtudent and one of our task for this coming week is to find the best restaurant.and i think ur the one which met the requirements that can possible help and give more knowledge on how restaurant operated..thanx ..GODBLESS more powers
mitch
September 21st, 2008 at 1:13 am
saw this in the movie.. actually got really curious so we’re gonna try it out on friday, its my boyfriend’s bday.. we both love italian cuisine! looking forward!
jennifaye
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
i’m not sure if it’s still in the menu… but i remember having a delicious serving of tinapa ravioli there.
i like the sweet wine too.
marylou
October 21st, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I love the place, from past to pizza and cakes, especially the chili extra virgin olive oil- to die for!
cyandie
October 27th, 2008 at 10:59 am
a MUST try!!!! the food, place, and service is great. The owners of the resto were also there welcoming and thanking their customers when they come and go.
babalik-balikan mo tlga….
~~nad~~
SABRINA JANE
January 25th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Bellini’s Italian Restaurant has open its branch last Dec.16 2008 in JP Rizl St. brgy. Sta Elena, Marikina City(646-5412).Hope you can try their pastas and their pizzas baked in pugon.
yuan
January 29th, 2009 at 12:28 am
you can visit our branch in marikina
just call 6465412
kennethvc
February 1st, 2009 at 4:05 am
I love the vongole. Never had it as well as it was served at Bellini’s. Most restos serve it with too much parmesian or gorgonzolla, that’s where they think the dish should kick. But at Bellini’s it is the salty broth of the white clams that make it stand out. Honest to goodness no frills, no fuss. They really know how to make the dishes turn out well with just the bare ingredients.
Pumpkin
February 15th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
perfect for a date place. the food is great the ambience is magnificent.. if you enter the place you can smell the old wood around. typical italian scent.!!! 4 1/2 spoon for you mr. Roberto.!
figlio di merda
February 18th, 2009 at 12:21 am
ciao sa lahat masarap at mabait si sir daniel!!!GRAZIE SIGNOR DANIEL!!!VON OF MARIKINA CITY
happy
April 13th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
ambiance was great!
ps: i grabbed one of the photo’s po ha and acknowledge you as well in my blog, di ko kasi nakuhanang yung area namen eh..
joseph b.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:21 am
i heard about this place from a friend. and now read it and saw some pictures. only one thing is not done yet.. experience bellini’s! me and my girlfirend will definitely have our cubao-expo-dinner-date at bellini’s!
Jim
July 11th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
If anyone puts gorgonzola or parmesan anywhere near vongole, then leave the restaurant immediately – its certainly not italian cuisine!
Just came back from there. Food was all good, and the prices were excellent compared to Makati restaurants at least. Five of us dined for 1700 pesos. Definitely worth a go.
Imay
July 18th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
i’d like to know if they serve black pasta? I haven’t eaten a good one lately. Last I ate was at Cappriciosa but it was kinda rich. I’m looking for the kind the way the defunct resto Season’s served it.
rebie
July 24th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Hi, this article is very helpful i love it. :_) just saw the pic of ambeth ocampo and said about bellini’s. since i am such a fan of italian food i would like to give it a try and so googled for it. good thing i came to your site. thank you so much. i like it when people write exactly the info that i need. the food, the price, the location, and with pictures. :_)
yoshee
August 15th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
me and my partner had breakfast here two days ago after fixing his flight schedule to Singapore. i must say, i was blown away by the place..not that big…but that small just perfect spacing for each tables and i love the decorations and collections of wines (though I’m not into wines..LOL) be back here soon…
yoshee
August 15th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
me and my partner had breakfast here two days ago after fixing his flight schedule to Singapore. i must say, i was blown away by the place..not that big…but not that small just perfect spacing for each tables and i love the decorations and collections of wines (though I’m not into wines..LOL) be back here soon…
kryshia
October 17th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
amazing place and good food.
) well now hope magdate ulit kme d2 with our son..
hope i can visit again.
it was 2yrs ago where me and my hubby been here.
sobrang sarap ng carbonara ata ung kinain q and dyan lang aq nakatikim ng pizza na may eggplant hahaha..(naglilihi na pla aq that time dq alam)
ram
October 25th, 2009 at 6:15 am
looking forward to visit the place with my date..she loves pasta daw..from the comments i read..must try talaga cguro.
Livin high and takin it easy » Blog Archive » Bellini’s in Marikina
January 18th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
[...] For more on this Italian restaurant, read what this blogger had to say. [...]
a.buenaventura
January 30th, 2010 at 9:14 am
@yuan
hi!i would like to ask kung pwede magpareserve for feb 13, 2009.i would to celebrate our prevalentine in your place.a surprise date for my wife.thanks
my contact 09228400159
Chen10
January 31st, 2010 at 8:29 am
Guys you should try their örange cake”,its superb!:D
Jhen
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:53 pm
soooo proud…i had my resto practicum here back when i was in college! and during that time puro artista guests nmn kapuso man o kapamilya
a must try guys!
melvin
February 16th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
First of all, I would like to apologize because this will be a long comment.
I was impressed by the reviews in Bellini’s that is why i chose to go here on valentines 2010. However, I am really disappointed at the food and the service.
First, we we’re served with the mixed appetizers of breadsticks, bread with something like liver spread and eggplant with cheese, ham and tomato. The eggplant appetizer looked and tasted like it was cooked 4 hours before we order it!
The first plate of pasta was good. I got the ravioli with spinach inside and it was perfect. My GF got the fettucine that I forgot what’s in it but also it was good but nothing extravagant about it.
For the second plate, I got the chicken with white sauce, forgot also the name. It was also good, but my GF got the seafood something, which only has a single prawn, 2 clams and 2 mussels..,the serving is really small, a kid might not even appreciate it, like the first one, it’s just a mediocre dish.
Then the waiter suddenly told us that the dessert that we ordered was already out of stock! After eating everything! Why didn’t he told us in the first place?! Waiters are shouting at each other while attending to customers. I need to get their attention twice just to get the bill, and received it after 15 minutes!
The price on the set menu didn’t justify at all the food and service. P1,700 plus service charge. All in all almost P1,900. The price is way too high for this kind of service and food.
Our date was perfect except for the food and service.
I wont be coming again in this place…so much for all the raves about this place.
Casey John
February 19th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
hey, melvin? you ate at bellini’s mkna branch?
ringgo lecumberri
February 24th, 2010 at 9:26 am
hi guys! alam nyo ba email add ni sir daniele? naka indicate yun sa calling card niya, kaso nawala ko….pwede bang malaman sainyo e-mail address niya?mas prefer ko email for reservation.
melvin
March 16th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
No casey, we went to cubao expo branch