Michi Photostory: Lunch at Mama Lou’s Premio Ristorante

A few months ago, we had lunch at Mama Lou’s Premio Ristorante in Alabang West Parade. Our original plan was to dine at one of our favorite restaurants, but since it was closed that day, we decided to give Mama Lou’s Premio Ristorante a try instead.

Having previously dined at Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen, I was curious about what sets Premio Ristorante apart from the brand’s more familiar casual dining concept.

After doing a little research, I learned that Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen focuses on casual, family-style Italian dining, while Mama Lou’s Premio Ristorante offers a more premium and upscale experience. From the ambiance and interior design to the menu selection and pricing, everything is positioned at a higher level.

That immediately made sense when I started browsing the menu. The prices were noticeably higher than what I was used to at Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen. Still, we were already hungry and ready for lunch, so we went ahead and ordered.

For our meal, we chose the Mama Lou’s Special Pizza (PHP 775), Carbonara Bianca (PHP 535), and Truffle-Potato Gnocchi (PHP 520), plus the service charge.

The Mama Lou’s Special Pizza arrived loaded with generous toppings and had a nicely baked crust. It was flavorful and hearty, making it a great dish to share. The Carbonara Bianca was creamy and satisfying, with a rich sauce that coated the pasta well.

As for the Truffle-Potato Gnocchi, it was our least favorite among the dishes we ordered. While the gnocchi itself was soft and pillowy, the rich truffle flavor became overwhelming (nakakaumay) after a few bites.

We managed to finish both pasta dishes, but we couldn't finish the pizza. Since there were still several slices left, we simply had it packed for takeout.

Overall, our experience at Mama Lou’s Premio Ristorante was pleasant. The restaurant certainly delivers a more upscale dining atmosphere compared to the regular Mama Lou’s branches