The Gusto Trattoria Italiana Dining Experience

Italian artist Nino Quartana is often seen along with his wife Emanuela Adesini, cultural attaché of the Embassy of Italy during cultural events of various embassies and institutions. But of late, Nino has been conspicuously absent from these events as he is now busy at the kitchen of Gusto Trattoria Italiana, an Italian restaurant specializing in Sicilian cuisine located in the food hub of Parañaque.

For some months, Nino had cooking lessons held in Makati but I didn’t have the chance to take them or even drop by to see (and possibly taste) the food that he and his students have prepared. I did have a taste of some of his appetizers which he served during his Faces of Pinoy Rock exhibit some time ago but nothing beats trying a full meal. So on one lazy Saturday afternoon, Emanuela and I traveled down south of the metro so that I can finally try for myself Nino’s dishes. Thankfully, we didn’t encounter that much traffic or as Emanuela said: Per fortuna, oggi non c'e traffico.

Nino Quartana

Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were warmly welcomed by Nino who had been waiting for us. The first thing I noticed when I looked around was the prominently displayed painting of Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao by Nino that was done in his signature style of including volcanic ash in his works. And on the opposite wall, there was a collage of famous Italian personalities. Thankfully, I wasn’t quizzed about these personalities were since it was only legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti and Oscar Award winning actor Roberto Benigni whom I was able to identify from the lot. But what really pleased me was the shelf that had some CDs, books, magazines and comics in Italian. I browsed with much interest copies of Corto Maltese and Dylan Dog in their original language which surprised Emanuela since she wasn’t aware that I happen to know these Italian comicbook characters.

But I had to set these comics or fumetti aside since it was time for us to eat. I left the decision to Nino and Emanuela on what appetizers to have. As I’ve told Emanuela, it doesn’t matter what we have as long as it is good. Non importa se è buono. We were first served Agliata di zucca which was an appetizer of pumpkin slices drizzled with garlic oil.

Agliata di zucca

Next was a plate of Panelle which I truly enjoyed. The warmth of the chickpea fritters along with the sourness of freshly squeezed lemon made me want to eat this forever. But there was still the main course.

Panelle

I was asked which main course I wanted and it was a choice between Lasagna bolognese and Spaghetti al nero di seppia. Emanuela decided to have the lasagna while I tried to be adventurous and went for the spaghetti instead.

Lasagna bolognese

The decision to have the spaghetti might surprise people who know me since I’ve never developed a liking for squid ink particularly because of its unattractive color. Surprisingly, I found it to be a delectable dish since the squid, aside from having generous portions, was fresh and cooked just right. As someone who belongs to a family whose business involved seafood, I can distinguish between fresh ones and those that had been frozen and thawed prior to cooking. Of course, those freshly caught are superior in taste and in texture.

Spaghetti al nero di seppia

For dessert, we had Crespella alla Nutella which I think should be avoided by anyone who is on a strict diet. I joked to Emanuela that this posed a danger for those who are trying to lose weight since it was sinfully delightful. È pericoloso, I told her. This dish I enjoyed alongside a glass of Zibibbo, a sweet dessert wine.

Crespella alla Nutella

Dining at Gusto Trattoria Italiana was a very pleasant and casual experience. The atmosphere is very relaxed as befitting a trattoria. One could easily just chill while dining although Nino had to remind me several times not to let the food cool since they tasted a lot better when still hot. I did enjoy my time there for not only did I have a hearty meal, but I also learned a lot more about Italian culture specifically about Italian music and comics. People have said before that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, I think that a way for a man to learn Italian is through his stomach as well based on my dining experience.

Gusto Trattoria Italiana is located at 215 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes Parañaque.

Landings and Takeoff

Italian painter, stage designer and ceramist Nino Quartana welcomed guests at the San Agustin Museum as he opened his latest exhibit Landings and Takeoff. This exhibit, part of the Embassy of Italy’s celebrations of the 65^th anniversary of the Philippine-Italian diplomatic relations, consists of Quartana’s works depicting stylized urban/rural Philippine landscapes as if viewed from an aircraft window.

Having lived in the Philippines for five years now, he has developed a kinship with the country as he included the Mayon Volcano in some of the works at the exhibit. One earlier work also included at the exhibit is Bahala Na Si Batman that embodies the Filipinos’ carefree and relaxed attitude even in times of distress.

Emanuela Adesini, Nino Quartana and Madame Silvana Novelli-Fornari

One of the new works that caught my eye in this exhibit was Bon Voyage Jean Giraud – Homage to Jean Giraud (Moebius). It also showed a stylized Philippine landscape complete with the Mayon Volcano in the background but with a touch of Moebius that fit very well with the exhibit’s title Landings and Takeoff. Another interesting work is Mayon 2110 in which the fields surrounding the volcano has given way to urbanization.

An Eventful Landing in the Kontea of Kokonino
- Homage to George Herriman

See the 19 lanscape paintings in the exhibition over at the San Agustin Museum located inside Intramuros. The exhibit Landings and Takeoff runs up to July 14, 2012. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the museum to fund the restoration of wooden sculptures and frescoes.

Faces of Pinoy Rock

I've never been a rocker. In fact, I’ve always liked to say that I am the typical classical music geek who usually gets beaten up by rock musicians. Well, I’ve never been beaten up by rockers but it’s just my way of saying that I’ve never been comfortable attending rock events. But a few months ago, the Embassy of Italy gave me my rock star moment and since then, I haven’t been as apprehensive as I was regarding rock events. Thankfully, their latest event was a fusion of rock music and visual art and not a full blown rock event so I had no problems going there. My knowledge about art specifically paintings are so minimal so I think that the exhibit Faces of Pinoy Rock by Nino Quartana (a Sicilian who has been based in Manila for five years) was another opportunity for me to learn more about visual art. And I’ve always liked seeing the people from the Italian Embassy and the Philippine-Italian Association since they’ve been so nice and kind to me.

Unfortunately, morning activities during this day finished a bit late and I wasn’t able to make it on time to see the formal opening of the exhibit at My Little Art Place. I missed the prepared programme, the speeches, the opening remarks, the messages and also Ambassador Fornari and Madame Silvana. But I still was able to make it and I arrived at the gallery already teeming with a good sized crowd. As I was making my way through the gallery and searching for people I know, I recognized Erwin Armovit aka Armo from the band Sponge Cola. And lo and behold, the rest of the band was also there.

Nino Quartana with Sponge Cola

It was only right then and there that I came to realize that Filipino rock musicians were the subjects of the paintings featured in the exhibit. I confess that I had no idea what the exhibit was all about coming in and I just went there since I was invited by the Italian Embassy. As expected, Sponge Cola was one of the artists/bands that had their portraits done. It was interesting to see that their painting, based on their Araw Oras Tagpuan CD cover, was done with bright aqua and hot pink colors reminding me of cotton candy. Based on my experience with the band during their Blogger’s Night, I can imagine lead singer Yael Yuzon eating cotton candy with delight especially now that the band recently got a Diamond Record certification.

Other artists/bands featured at the exhibit were Raimund Marasigan, Bamboo Mañalac, Arnel Pineda from Journey, Razorback, Wolfgang, Urbandub, Franco, Parokya ni Edgar, and Kamikazee. I was amazed to see how the works captured the character of the artists and bands like the playful and naughty nature of Kamikazee and Parokya ni Edgar. As an added experience, MP3 players were also attached to each of the paintings so that the viewers can hear the music of the artists while looking the art. And as I was examining the painting of Bamboo while listening to the music, I reminded myself that I need to get hold of a copy of his new CD as well.

Manila in the Night

Oddly, the one work that really spoke through me was part of an earlier series. The painting, entitled Manila in the Night, utilized volcanic ashes from Mayon volcano and it depicted a lone, colorful jeepney traversing an empty road while tall buildings stood in the background like sentinels. The juxtaposition of the quaint yet colorful and moving jeepney with the imposing yet immobile buildings really appealed to me and I kept looking at it throughout the afternoon/evening. If only I could afford it, I truly would be a happy camper.

I stayed at the gallery for a long time and enjoyed the food and drinks in the company of old friends and new acquaintances. And I also got the chance to know more about Nino and was quite surprised that he had a previous work based on the very popular Filipino axiom “Bahala na si Batman” which is what the locals say in times of helplessness and when a favorable resolution is in the hands of Batman, of all people. Nino, along with other people from the Italian Embassy (Isis, Giovanni and Antonio), some friends (Lorena and Patrick) and I still went out to have a bite and have some more drinks. And this was when we were able to discuss more about Italian music, literature and comics and also about the infamous Metro Manila traffic. Looking back, I guess that it served me well when I said to myself “bahala na si Batman” as well when I decided to go to the opening of this exhibit.

Nino, RAd and Isis

Faces of Pinoy Rock is a visual arts marketing promotion (vamp) project of GAPS, Inc. (Guia Acosta Publicity and Special projects) pioneering in the advocacy of arts, culture, education in cooperation with My Little Art Place and with the cultural participation of the Italian Embassy, the record companies and the artists’ management. The exhibit at My Little Art Place 222 Wilson St. Greenhills, San Juan runs until December 16, 2011. The gallery is open from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.