Discover Chef Paolo Nesi’s newest culinary venture and feast on food made with love and flair
I do not serve anything that my mother would not eat!” Chef Paolo Nesi always says of the food that he offers at any of his renowned restaurants. In fact, a plaque of this motto hangs in the kitchens of his dining establishments.
The saying is at once the crux of his food philosophy as well as the apex of his expert culinary flair. You see, Chef Paolo – as any truly talented, self-respecting Italian chef would – cooks with skill, love, and passion. He cooks from his heart, to the delight and utter enjoyment of his Mama – and of foodies across the metro.
Chef Paolo’s newest gastronomic venture, Prego Trattoria & Cicchetteria at SM Aura’s Sky Park, is no exception to this simple yet staunch standard.
Prego? Prego!
First things first, one should know that the word Prego carries a wealth of meaning and interesting nuances. As a question, it asks “Can I help you?” and as an exclamation, it declares “Yes, you may!” It is a word for “Cheers!” as well as for “You’re welcome!”
Prego is the embodiment of the Italian way of life, which is vibrant, vivid, and vivacious. One should know this, because such is the spirit that pervades Prego Trattoria & Cicchetteria.
The restaurant, which opened in December 2017 and was officially launched in February of this year, is the perfect venue for intimate dinners with loved ones, as well as for joyful family celebrations or nights out with friends. It also works for all your no-occasion “I just want good food!” moments. After all, between the cozy ambiance, mouthwatering Italian fare, and extensive selection of wines and spirits, the restaurant easily provides the perfect setting for reveling in special moments, as well as for relishing the daily pleasures of life.
Home-style Italian cooking
When speaking of Italian cuisine, the concept of a trattoria embraces a more casual and homey feel to dining. A cicchetteria, on the other hand, refers to small plates. As Chef Paolo explains: “Trattoria means ‘casual restaurant’ focused on home-style healthy meals with a large offering of different Italian Salamis, Cured Hams and marinated vegetables served on wooden plates with homemade bread. Customers can design the composition of their gastronomy platter by selecting the different cold cuts and vegetables from the display or from the menu. Cicchetteria is for Venice what a Tapas bar is for Barcelona. Prego Trattoria takes inspiration from it and offers most of the dishes in bite sizes as well, promoting a dining experience that focuses on sharing and variety.”

Since the restaurant’s opening, the influx of diners has been steadily increasing. More and more lovers of Chef Paolo’s trademark lightly prepared, yet perfectly balanced dishes are coming in for favorites such as the delectable array of home-made ravioli pastas in smooth, savory sauces, or for the scrumptious 20-egg yolk Tajerin al Tartufo white truffle pasta. Succulent and flavorful rich rib-eye steak is likewise a must-try, along with the trattoria’s appetite-opening antipasto platters, and the cured ham degustacion platter.

And what’s a lovely meal without an equally irresistible dessert to top it off? Heed some good advice and leave room for the Tartufo Nero cake and the affogato gelato – you won’t be sorry you indulged in these Italian sweet treats.
Making Mama proud
Simply put, a visit to Prego Trattoria & Cicchetteria is a foray into the robust and delicious Italian way of life. Plus, you can choose how you wish to savor your slice of Italy – aside from its small plates, the restaurant also offers large, family-style platters and bespoke deli platters, which make for perfect wine pairings. And, since the restaurant has two separate areas, you can opt to have your meal in the deli-style section, or at the casual dining and al fresco side across the hall. Moreover, dishes are reasonably priced and won’t burn through your “dine-out” budget.
Perhaps best of all, though, is that when you sit to eat at Prego Trattoria & Cicchetteria, it is as though you sit to eat at the Nesi family table, sampling food that might very well be served in Chef Paolo’s own household.
Once again, Chef Paolo has made his Mama proud, to the benefit of those with a hankering for all things delicious.
Prego Trattoria & Cicchetteria is located at Sky Park Dining, 5th Level of SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway, Taguig.
 
By ANGIE DUARTE