Il Lupino Prime Is Home to Standout Pizza + Pasta and the Juiciest Steaks
This is the third branch of Peter Zwiener's Italian dining spot.
Il Lupino Prime Trattoria & Wine Bar
1/F Opus Mall, Quezon City
+63 2 8260 2450
Instagram: www.instagram.com/illupinoprime_manila
(SPOT.ph) We've long loved Italian fare in these parts, and in the past years we've been happy to see more sophisticated takes on the cuisine come our way in Manila. Now, from the man behind the renowned Wolfgang’s Steakhouse comes Il Lupino Prime Trattoria & Wine Bar in the freshly minted Opus Mall. The restaurant, which also has an outlet in Japan, aims to deliver “a modern, sophisticated take on Italian cuisine”—so if you’re one who’s particularly taken with pasta, pizza, and succulent steaks, then this new dining spot is worth a try. Il Lupino Prime opens its doors to the public on Thursday, November 28.
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Il Lupino in Opus Mall
The latest culinary venture of renowned restaurateur Peter Zwiener, Il Lupino translates directly to “little wolf” in Italian, an homage to his father Wolfang Zwiener. Both spent considerable time in Italy throughout their lives, their palates shaped by the fresh, seasonal dishes in the country. For Il Lupino, Peter collaborated with Chef Alessio Loddo from Sardinia to take on the food side of things.
The first Il Lupino branch sprung on the shores of Waikiki, Hawaii. Although this pioneer branch has since ceased operations, the second one remains thriving in Tokyo. And now, the Philippines is getting the third-ever Il Lupino.
“I've been here now for close to 10 years, and I can see that, first of all, the Filipino palate is very complex, and [Filipinos] enjoy good cuisine,” Peter says during an intimate preview dinner just a week before Il Lupino opens to the public. “I think bringing something like this, which is true international food, in a high-end setting will work very well with the Filipino market.”
A peek at Il Lupino Prime in Manila
First, the space: Il Lupino sits on the ground floor of Opus Mall, a sophisticated setting perfect for a romantic date or a girls’ (or guys’) night out. As you step inside, the sprawling bar will be the first thing to catch your eye, tempting you to a pre-meal glass of wine or yummy cocktail. Deeper into the restaurant is a more intimate dining area.
Not unexpectedly, the food is exceptional. SPOT.ph got to try several of Il Lupino’s best-selling dishes during the media preview. Fresh and vibrant flavors were all around, with the restaurant using premium ingredients—some sourced directly from Italy. From the first dish of the night (the light and very refreshing Carpaccio di Mazzo—a personal favorite) to the last (the sinful and delish combo of Tiramisu and Cannoli Siciliani), the course takes diners on a journey of traditional and modern Italian food.
Pizza and pasta lovers will be happy to note that Il Lupino has an extensive selection of both. Favorites will vary, depending on the preferences of each person, but it’s hard to go wrong with any of the choices. For pasta, consider the Linguine alle Vongole Veraci (linguine with Veraci clams, a coveted variety of the shellfish from the Mediterranean Sea) for a classic bite, or the Trofie, Speck Pomodorini e Pesto Genovese (speck or cured ham, cherry tomatoes, and pesto with trofie—a kind of short thin twisted pasta noodle from northern Italy). For pasta, they've got a solid take on classic Margherita; or for those looking to go big, the Sette Formaggi with Ubriaco, Pecorino sardo, Buffala, 36-month Parmigiano, Asiago, Gorgonzola dolce, and provolone cheeses (that's seven kinds right there!).
And of course, with the same man behind Wolfgang’s Steakhouse at the helm, we expect nothing less than the most premium steaks around. Fortunately, Il Lupino doesn’t disappoint. Each flavorful bite of the Costada di Manzo (USDA Prime Ribeye Steak), with its perfectly seared crust, had everyone raving. But if you’re not in the mood for ribeye, the restaurant offers a variety of other meats and mains, including Ossobuco alla Milanese (braised veal shank served with saffron risotto and gremolata); Astice alla Griglia (grilled Boston lobster); and Maialetto al Forno (roasted suckling pig).
“When something is very good and it goes well, I love expanding my brand. You can see with the Wolfgang brand, in just 20 years we have already expanded to 12 different countries, 40 different locations,” Peter says. “We'll see what happens with Il Lupino. This is the third location and we'll see if we can grow it.”
Il Lupino is located in Opus Mall, Quezon City. For more information, visit Il Lupino Prime Manila on Facebook and Instagram.