Gino's Brick Oven Pizza

In all honesty - two of my favorite food in the world!  Pizza and doughnuts, and yes they're housed in the same spot along Katipunan in Quezon City.

I knew of Cello's doughnuts from way back in 2006 - I was gifted by my friend Kim a box of their assorted mini doughnuts for Christmas.  I especially loved the cheese doughnut - I think it was called ensaymada doughnut before.  As for Gino's Brick Oven Pizza, I've been hearing about it from my friend Kath and Fran, but I never got the chance to try it.

Early this year, I learned that my good friends Brian and his wife invested into the company.  I was very excited because I love pizzas and doughnuts!  Here's a preview of what we ordered:

Burata

When I posted this on my IG, I got a LOT of reactions!

Brian says that their Burata run out fast!  As in really really fast! 

So come in early to be able to order this!

I loved the texture and taste of this simple yet very flavorful appetizer, I think I can munch down one whole order by myself!  hahaha... 

 BOMB

Balsamic Onions Mushroom & Blue Cheese

Who would have thought that caramelized balsamic onions will work as a pizza topping?

Well, I didn't!  Hahaha...  The sweetness of the caramelized balsamic onions, the strange but good taste of the blue cheese and the mushroom, these toppings blended well together and it was delicious! 

 SMEGG

Sausage (homemade), Mushroom and Egg

This was the most different pizza that I have ever encountered!

A runny sunny side up egg on top of a pizza?

What would that taste like?  Well - it tasted very very good!

 Classic Carbonara

Who doesn't love Carbonara?  My Kailee loved it to bits!  And so did we!

 Salted Egg Pasta

I loved the combination of this - the flavor plus the chewy pasta!

But it might be too rich for others.

I say 'Bring it on!'

 Lemon Mushroom Pasta

For those who appreciate a hint of citrus-y in their pasta, this dish is for you!

I was honestly surprised that the flavors worked well together.  I don't know if it was just me, but I am starting to appreciate  hints of lemon here and there in my food!  This is really good too!

 Bianca Verde Pizza

This is one of my favorites!  A simple yet very flavorful pizza.  

I think I like my pizzas simple and clean (looking and tasting)

We ordered this last because we were still hungy!

 Crack Pie

This one passed the standards of my Panget's sweet tooth!

And man, was it addicting!!

We enjoyed our meal very much and I think I enjoyed it the most since I love pizzas!  I liked the fact that their pizza doughs and pasta noodles are homemade and fresh.  I would have loved to order more, but my companions were already full.  I would definitely go back to try the other dishes that they have.  They also have this Spicy Honey concoction - I initially, rebuffed it, but when I tried it (poured on the pizza) it brought on so many unexplained flavors in very bite.  I wanted to put more and more, but I had to control myself as I didn't want to look all sweaty in front of friends!  Hahaha..  They sell this concoction, by the way!

What I liked the most about Gino's Brick Oven Pizza is the simplicity of the menu.  They didn't go overboard and created something so bizarre to impress its diners, instead they played with what was available, combined toppings here and there and what they created was deadly appetizing and packed so much punch in every bite of the pizza and pasta.  The menu is honest and straightforward - no pretense and usage of highfalutin or fancy foreign words for their dishes.  Its simple and that I think is why I like them more.  The food speaks for itself.

So to Brian and his partners - Congratulations!!  Here's to more branches all over the metro!!

Do come early as seating is limited and for big groups, I suggest you call in ahead to reserve. 

Gino's Brick Oven Pizza - Quezon City
Katipunan Avenue
(landmark is - Gino's is right above Mercury Drugstore)

Gino's Brick Oven Pizza - Makati
G/F Finman Bldg. Bautista cor. Tordesillas St.,
Salcedo Village, Makati