Salutti’s Italian Restaurant

Last Saturday I was lucky again to join the Davao Bloggers Food trip at Salutti, an Italian Restaurant in Casa de Habana compound on Rizal St., next to Caude’s Le Cafe de Ville, and just before Someplace Else.

Salutti, which means cheers in Italian is yet one of the best restaurants in Davao I’ve been to. The place is quite small but very charming, with good lighting fixtures, clean lines, a bar, and a patio where you can dine al fresco. Salutti’s owner Tricie Arcenas graciously treated us to an afternoon of gastronomic delights that came in five sets: spuntini, insalate, panini, pasta, and dolci.

For spuntini we had crostini with spinach dip and chicken fingers with honey mustard dip. I was a bit apprehensive of the spinach because it reminded me too much of popeye, but after tasting the crostini the spinach dip I changed my mind. No wonder popeye liked eating the green stuff. I declare myself a convert. lol. The chicken fingers were also divine, even without the honey mustard dip. I tried both. The verdict? Chicken fingers taste better when topped with a big dollop of honey mustard dip.

Crostini with Spinach Dip (P125)

Chicken fingers with Honey Mustard Dip (P150)

Insalate was composed of kani (crab sticks) salad doused with japanese dressing. There simply was no escaping it. I fell in love with the dressing. The best dressing I’ve tasted so far. I’m no big fan of veggies but with this dressing I munched my way till there was no leaf left.hehe.

kani salad with japanese dressing (P140)

The next dish we tried was the beef salpicao, spicy gambas (shrimp), and chicken in mushroom  It was my first time actually to try the salpicao, and at first I thought it looked a lot like well…beefsteak or bistek. This one’s tastier though, and the meat is very tender and not hard to chew at all. I skipped the shrimp although it looked yummy…I was tempted but I opted not to give in because of my allergies. grr. I vented out my shrimp frustrations on the chicken dish instead, and I wasn’t disappointed. The chicken was soft and full of flavor I can probably finish one whole plate by myself.

Beef Salpicao (P195)

Gambas (P165)

Chicken in mushroom cream sauce

Then came the paninis. Salutti offers a mean vegetarian panini for only a hundred and twenty bucks. The vegetables were grilled but still crisp, and the ciabatta bread absorbed the juices, making the dish a whole lot tastier.  Kim, a vegetarian really enjoyed this dish and finished the plate by herself. hehe. For the meat lovers they also have Asian beef panini, but I didn’t get to taste this because it got stuck on the other side of the table. That could only mean one thing–they loved it so much they didn’t want to share. lol. just kidding.

Asian Beef Panini (P140)

Vegetarian panini (P120)

Pasta was next and we all got to try the tomato, garlic and basil dish and the Alfredo with Shitake mushrooms and roasted garlic. The tomato, garlic, and basil was a bit sour, probably because of the tomatoes. The Alfredo with Shitake mushrooms and roasted garlic is a must try for everyone who loves carbonara. The dish proves that Salutti does not scrimp on ingredients. I could taste the mushroom and the garlic in every bite.

Tomato, garlic, and basil (P125)

Alfredo with Shitake mushrooms and roasted garlic (P145)

Dolci came in the form of chocolote cake and cheesecake with strawberry jam. I am a chocolate lover through and through and Salutti’s version takes the cake, literally. The cheesecake, in all fairness, was equally delicious. But if I were to choose one, I’d still go for the yummy chocolate cake.

Chocolate Cake (P85)

Cheesecake (P115)

Salutti maybe small, but it delivers big time. The food is great and so is the service. And I have to admit I really do find the place charming. Thanks to Ms. Tricie Arcenas for a wonderful meal.

Salutti Italian Restaurant

Casa de Habana Compound

Rizal St., Davao City

*Photos by Andrew and Migs