6.076
22 (Sun) March 2015
Osso Buco di Fattoria
1.25
at Italianni’s (Robinsons Place)
-Ermita, Manila-
with JR, TL, CT
For reasons unfathomable, CT really likes this place (see most recently 6.059 Parmesan & Garlic-Crusted Atlantic Cod).
Osso buco is an Italian beef dish. Consists of the shank, crosscut with the bone in. Traditionally braised in white wine, now more commonly with tomatoes and red wine. Traditionally veal, but older cow may be more common these days. In any case, the point of the dish is the bone marrow–“osso = bone” + “buco = hole”–which adds an extra layer of richness to the sauce. Maybe be served with risotto, polenta, potatoes, pasta. Specialty of Milano.
The Osso Buco di Fattoria at Italianni’s was extremely disappointing. For starters, the beef came in bits and pieces–likely assembled from other cuts–thus missing the textural integrity of the whole shank. Second, the meat was unforgivably dry. Third, the sauce was unbearably salty*. The accompanying veg and polenta were kinda crappy, too. Oh well.
*I’m wondering if my impression of saltiness could be attributed to exhaustion/dehydration (see generally 5.093 Anchovy Lovers Pizza; see for example 5.124 Tribeca Mushroom Pizza).
the photo of Tagaytay made me feel refreshing! i need a getaway place like this.
was it raining that day? or just foggy?
foggy and a bit rainy, which was better because it kept things cool, although we couldn’t see anything.