Pampanga Eats : The Famous "Panizza" of C' Italian Dining

We had a mid-week getaway to Angeles, Pampanga last Wednesday because we wanted to watch the opening of the 16th Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark. Our family decided it was best to stay overnight so we can catch the early morning flight of the balloons the next day. When we got there, we first dropped our bags at Enclave (residential apartments owned by the Lees of Pampanga - fortunately they are my dad's clients so they graciously offered a free night stay at one of their units!). We drove around Clark Air Base for a while and checked out of one of the Duty Free Shops. I didn't have much time to go around because the shops close at 7 pm and we got there around 6:30 already but I managed to grab some items I thought were cheaper there (namely Spam, Cereals, small stuff). Then we were ready for dinner. We headed to C' Italia already because we had 7:30 reservations. 

I've read a lot of reviews about this restaurant. Supposedly it is one of the hottest dining spots in Pampanga so I was curious to try it. It's owned by a friend of my Tito so it was easy for us to reserve for that night because apparently it gets packed even on weekdays. True enough, the parking outside was already full when we arrived. The hostess asked if we wanted to be seated inside or outside... We wanted some fresh air so we opted to dine al fresco.

I already knew what I wanted to try and it was their signature pizza called PANIZZA - fine crisp dough layered with a blend of different cheese and hers perfected with your favorite toppings. I asked our server what their bestseller is and it is this flavor called Kristina.

 Kristina Panizza (Php 810.00)

 Bacon, Ham, Caramelized Onions, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Mushrooms 

Voila! My rolled pizza ready for dipping

It was a thrill eating this dish because it had components into it. You had to get a long strip of the pizza, top it with arugula (which I really love!) and alfafa sprouts then dip in this olive oil, fresh pesto and parmesan mix.

Enjoying my panizza

Joel also wanted a meat entree and my Tito recommended that we try their Lamb offerings so we also ordered this dish.

Slow Roasted Lamb Ribs in Aromatic Spice Rub served with red wine reduction, oven roasted potatoes with baked pumpkin slices and Italian style broccoli (Php1,100.00)

I honestly wasn't impressed with this dish because although the lamb was really tender (from the slow cooking process of roasting) it was way under-seasoned. I asked for more red wine reduction which acts as basically the sauce but that too was a bit bland. In other words, it didn't help. Joel was actually more vulgar because he asked for steak sauce (Perrins). I hope that didn't reach the chef! gulp!

Over-all, I would only go back there for their signature Panizza because I have to admit the flavors blended perfectly and the whole experience (the folding, rolling and dipping in sauce) was quite a trip! No wonder Yellow Cab (Dear Darla Pizza) and Focaccia's Rolled Pizza copied it :)

C Italian Dining

1210 Don Juico Ave, Malabanas
Clarkview, Balibago
Angeles, Pampanga
Philippines
(6345) 892 4059
(6345) 982 6993
Open Tuesdays to Sundays
11:30 am to 12 midnight

 The family after the very satisfying Italian Dinner

We drove by this really cool (shaped like an igloo with a drive-thru counter) yogurt place called COLD SPOON near Enclave to get our healthy dessert :)