Bright pink and white interiors greet you once you enter La Ragazza, the hot and trendy new Italian restaurant in Glorietta that is so IG-worthy with its colorful posters, moody lighting, and groovy music. La Ragazza, which means “The Girl,” is the Italian sister of La Picara, the BGC spot known for Spanish cuisine with Asian influences.

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Isabel Calvo, one of its owners, aka The Girl, reveals how the restaurant concept stemmed from her frustration with finding proper, authentic Italian food at affordable prices in the city. Faced with this dilemma, she decided to learn how to make pizza. Except, she didn’t know how, and it was challenging to learn. But she persevered, taking online classes, learning from videos upon videos all about fermentation, kneading dough, gluten stretches, and the proper oven for achieving that perfect Neapolitan crust.

Isabel’s passion for good food shines through her stories, and translates exceptionally well through each dish. Take the 12-inch fresh pizzas, for example, that arrive at your table with perfect Neapolitan-style thin crust. Clearly, those long hours of classes and videos did not go for naught, as the dough of this crust is soft, with beautiful texture, and just the right amount of chew and char from the oven.

Look at that pizza! La Ragazza

The Tartufata is a fresh cream pizza with mushrooms, basil, authentic Italian mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano, but the star of the show is the truffle infused extra virgin olive oil, which is used so delicately it doesn’t overpower the other components.

The Tartufata CJ Reyes

Also look out for the Spinach & Bechamel Pizza with its creamy sauce topped with mozzarella and pecorino cheese, not too oily and has the perfect ratio of greens to cheese.

The Spinach & Bechamel Pizza CJ Reyes

Isabel reveals how she wanted this Italian restaurant to stand out by making the interiors fun and trendy. With a few people advised her that pink would be risky, she says that it now actually contributes to the lively night scene, when the pink lights shine, upbeat music is played, and the diners arrive to wine and dine to their heart’s content.

Loving the vibe here La Ragazza

La Ragazza may have moved away from the traditional Italian restaurant interiors we have become familiar with, but it stays true to the use of authentic Italian ingredients, from their flour to the cheeses to Marzano tomatoes used in its spicy hot sauces.

Every component was considered to provide diners with authentic dishes made with authentic ingredients, all made fresh every day. Aside from their dough, their pasta is also rolled in-store.

The Amori al Tartufo is a comforting truffle cream and mushroom pasta dish topped with gratineéd bechamel sauce and Mozzarella.

Amori al Tartufo CJ Reyes

The antipasti, Arancini al Tartufo, which are crispy and delectable truffle risotto balls, is not worth a miss.

Arancini al Tartufo CJ Reyes

The Burrata Salad, with simple ingredients of tomatoes, olive oil, and basil, allows the Burrata cheese to shine. Crispy, toasted bread is served alongside it.

The fresh, simple Burrata Salad CJ Reyes

Doubling as a café, La Ragazza also serves coffee and yummy pastries, from cronuts to croissants, and healthy drinks, such as the Beetroot Detox. The ambiance is perfect for getting work done during the day, and hanging out with friends in the evenings.

La Ragazza is the perfect day-to-evening hangout. CJ Reyes

There’s definitely so much to enjoy at this trendy spot, and as the name suggests, La Ragazza is The Girl to watch out for with authentic Italian flavors that don’t break the bank, making for a fun experience to try.

Are you ready to wine and dine? La Ragazza

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La Ragazza | Call 0927 494 2136 | Glorietta 4, Main Entrance Drop-off | FB: @laragazzaph | IG: @laragazzaph

Writer: Maxene Geronimo