Aria is almost a landmark in Boracay. It’s situated along the row of beach front establishments and is at the forefront of the D’Mall compound. It’s got modern interiors which make it stand out from the rest, yet it seems to blend well with the Boracay beach scene with its earth-tone colors. It looks a bit high-end and intimidating, especially if you’re on a strict budget; but while the prices are a bit above the average, it is well prepared, tasty and more importantly, fulfilling.
The menu is composed of Italian dishes with names that are likewise in the same vernacular. Unfortunately, my Italian is only as good as my Spanish which is safe to say very poor, so I can’t remember the exact names of what we ordered. The taste, on the other hand, is as fresh in my memory as the day we went there. There’s a lot to choose from and it’s a welcome change from the usually pasta dishes such spaghetti or carbonara. The dining area is comfy enough so that you can take your time in deciding what to order and enjoying every bite of the meal you’ve chosen.
We ordered a pasta and a pizza dish which is pretty common in a place like this. The pasta had bacon in it, which surprisingly, wasn’t at all salty. It was actually sweet and very flavourful. The amount of sauce was just right to dress the pasta without drowning it. There other delectable pasta choices availablebut being the bacon-lover that I am, this was a no-brainer for us; and suffice to say, I didn’t regret it one bit. It may seem a bit small, but it actually was just right for two people or maybe just one, provided you have a hearty appetite.
Meanwhile, the pizza was a parade of flavors and toppings as the one we ordered featured four different pizzas all in one. There was a seafood variation, four-cheese combo, prosciutto, and I can’t seem to remember the last one. We ordered this one so that we can sample the variety of pizzas they have without blowing a hole in our wallet or feeling overly stuffed in the end. The toppings and flavors were fairly simple and you can taste each and every ingredient they put on it. It just goes to show that you don’t have to overload your pizza with toppings to make it taste good. The crust was also just right in thickness and was crunchy till the very end. Not at all oily, but so tasty and delicious.
They had the usual condiments such as salt and pepper at your disposal, and a choice of pepper flakes or chili oil for those who love the heat. A bit of a warning for the too adventurous, the chili oil is definietly hot so use in moderation.
Our two orders doesn’t give justice to the other available dishes they have, but it’s enough for us to want to come back again. I’ve been to other Italian restaurant before, but none so far as good as Aria. Their dishes aren’t overly complex. Simple yet pungent in flavor. It may cost more than the next door grillery, but it is money well spent. This is the closest thing you can get to authentic Italian cooking on the island of Boracay.
.
The Good:
Great food served in a comfortable dining area
The Bad:
Might be a bit pricey for those on a limited budget
i enjoyed both food and service. the panini bread was not properly pressed though…