Two Brick-Oven Pizzas and a Surprise Doughnut

Posted by in Featured, Food, Thought Bubbles | 7 comments

 

It all began when the name came up during a recent dinner with friends — That there was this pizza place, Gino’s, along Katipunan.  As soon as Anthony heard the words “BRICK OVEN,” I caught him doing a specific head tilt that I’ve only seen in that one Youtube video featuring a couple of attentive pug puppies (Everyone, tilt your heads to the left THEN tilt to the right). Hahaha!

Anyway, this was followed by days (yes, DAYS) of begging and pleading that we go try their pizza, until I was left with no other choice than to give in, lest he begin to roll over while flashing puppy eyes at me.  So off to Gino’s we went…

Anthony was perusing the menu so intently, he didn't realize that I had gotten up to get us a surprise doughnut at Cello's Doughnuts and Dips, which shares restaurant space with Gino's.

I resisted the urge to get anything with peanut butter (which Anthony is not fond of, unless it comes with strawberry jelly) and returned instead with a doughnut that came loaded with chocolate icing and chocolate chips. He was THRILLED!

I reminded him, You're supposed to eat it, not wear it!

At Gino's, one is tutored in the proper way of eating a slice of pizza, New York-style. Imagine Anthony's horror — Yes, HORROR — when we first met in 2001, when I used to demurely eat my pizza with a fork and a knife. LOL!

Happy to report that we are both slowly moving away from diet sodas, and are now exploring the wonderful, healthy world of fruit juices.

Not only do I love pineapple (the fruit), I also thought this juice would look better against the pumpkin-colored walls of Gino's. It's all about color-coordination, people!

We learned that the Neapolitan style of enjoying pizza means having one pizza per diner, which we were happy to observe. (So, yes, we ordered TWO whole pizzas). The Margherita came first.

As soon as the second pizza arrived (Prosciutto), Anthony started doing his Dance of Joy, which, mind you, is only reserved for situations involving EXTREME excitement and involves a lot of hand-flapping from side to side.

For me, the beauty of the brick oven pizza is in its irregularity. And note how it is also perfectly charred!

Lately I've been going for a big sprinkle of cheese and a tiny sprinkle of chili flakes with my pizza, which turned out to be crispy AND juicy at the same time.

Don't you love how crisp greens give pizzas a good crunch?

How we wish we could reach out from the screen and offer you a nice, big bite.

Pausing for a photo op as we sadly toasted our last slices.

Let out clean plates prove how much we enjoyed our meal — We both gave Gino's an 8.5 out of 10.

Anthony jokingly considered a third pizza by raising his finger while mouthing the words, "May we see the menu again, please?" Thank God, none of the waitstaff saw him, coz I could sense he was actually half-serious.

I didn't realize there was a bottle of chili oil on our table, and told Anthony I'd love to try it if ever we came back. "Not IF, but WHEN," he snapped as he glared at me from across the table).

Happy with my meal, I thought a happy portrait was in order.

It didn't seem to faze Anthony that the building security guard was looking straight at us. He went ahead and — to my shock — HUGGED the restaurant's tarpaulin sign by the entrance…

…But also made it a point to communicate his slight suspicion over any BEFORE and AFTER photos of derm clinics. Hahaha!

We’ll end with the Youtube video of those adorable pugs I mentioned earlier — Check it out and see if you can imagine Anthony doing the same head tilt when he heard the words “BRICK OVEN.”

Happy eating, everyone! And don’t forget to start folding those slices!

 

  • Joy Ycasiano

    Love Anthony’s doughnut shot! Those pizzas look yummy! Please consider taking us along with you WHEN (not if!) you go back! :)

  • http://www.helloballoon.com Hello Balloon

    They’re right down the street from you on Katipunan! We should go! BTW, hope your appointment at the DFA turns out okay! Hope to see you soon! Are we getting together for Damien’s first? :)

  • Lori

    Bin has been wanting to visit this place and your photos provide the perfect reason to stick Gino’s at the top of our eating list.

  • http://www.helloballoon.com Hello Balloon

    Hey Lori! You should definitely go! It’s HIGHLY recommended (especially by Anthony). Oh, and make sure to leave room for a couple of doughnuts. :)

  • http://profiles.google.com/jenlaceda jennifer laceda

    oh no, you missed the chili oil?? next time, next time, right?

  • http://www.helloballoon.com Hello Balloon

    I know! Next time, definitely! For some reason, I’ve been spicing my meals lately. I think I’m enjoying the excitement of a little heat. :)

  • http://www.helloballoon.com Hello Balloon

    You know I’d love love love to go to Boracay, but it’s gonna be a busy February. But definitely, let’s celebrate Damien’s first with a merienda or dinner! I wanna hold his hand and walk with him!!!

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