Villa Parmigiano invited Zeen & Tasted to experience its take on Italian dining, bringing together familiar Italian comfort food with subtle Filipino influences. Rather than leaning into fusion for novelty, the menu plays with familiar flavors through an Italian lens, creating dishes that feel both unexpected and approachable.

The experience starts with the ambience. With its warm, Tuscan-inspired space, Villa Parmigiano feels like a little countryside escape from the city.

We started with the Polpo Tiepido Con Patate, featuring tender octopus with a savory, slightly tangy profile. I expected a stronger seafood flavor, but the octopus was surprisingly delicate, making it an easy and refreshing starter.

The Panzanella All’Aceto Balsamico was another standout. Fresh ingredients, contrasting textures, and balsamic acidity made the salad much more satisfying than your usual side dish.

Then came the Pizza Viola Con Prosciutto Cotto, easily the dish I was most curious about. Ube and pizza might sound like an unlikely pairing, but the sweet, smooth ube worked surprisingly well with the savory prosciutto cotto. The cherry tomatoes added a little acidity, while the soft, pillowy dough brought everything together. Personally, I would have loved a subtle hint of queso de bola just to pay homage to the Filipino classic ube and cheese pairing, but even without it, this was my favorite of the tasting.

The squid ink pasta also caught me by surprise. The dramatic black color of the Spaghetti Al Nero Di Seppia initially felt intimidating, but the savory depth and kick made it incredibly approachable. It wasn’t a dish I expected to love going in, but I could have easily finished the entire plate.

Overall, Villa Parmigiano’s Italian-Filipino approach feels thoughtful rather than novelty-driven. The menu keeps the foundations of Italian cooking while giving familiar flavors room to surprise you.

From the Tuscan-inspired interiors to the dishes themselves, the experience feels like a countryside escape with a familiar touch. And if there’s one dish we’d come back for? It’s definitely the Pizza Viola Con Prosciutto Cotto.