A Mano is an Italian restaurant in Makati that brings real Italian food to Metro Manila. The place is near Rockwell Center and the business district. The restaurant opened to give people actual Italian cooking made by hand. Fresh ingredients come in daily for the menu.

Key highlights:

,- Handmade pasta and pizza made daily using traditional Italian methods - Burrata gelato soft serve with olive oil and sea salt topping - Open kitchen design so guests can watch chefs prepare food

PROFILE

A Mano sits on Lopez Drive inside Power Plant Mall at Rockwell Center. The restaurant name means by hand in Italian. AF Hospitality Group runs the place and opened it to bring honest Italian food to the city. The team makes everything fresh each day. Chefs use imported Italian equipment and ingredients from local farms. The menu shows dishes from different regions across Italy. The restaurant got listed in the 50 Top Pizza Asia Pacific 2022. This brought more attention to their pizza program. Now the place has expanded to multiple locations around Manila.

AMBIENCE

The dining room has glass walls so people walking by can see inside. Modern furniture fills the space with clean lines. The open kitchen sits near the main dining area so guests can watch food being made. Tables spread across the indoor section and outside on the terrace. Bar seating runs along one wall for solo diners or quick meals. The space stays bright during the day from natural light. Music plays at a level where conversations still work fine. Air conditioning keeps the temperature comfortable year-round.

MUST-TRY

The Prosciutto e Rucola pizza has tomato sauce and mozzarella di bufala topped with prosciutto di parma and arugula. The crust gets crispy from the wood-fired oven. This pizza costs 990 pesos and feeds two people easily. Spaghetti alla Giapponese uses Japanese uni on top of the pasta. The dish tastes rich and creamy without heavy sauce. Staff recommend eating this one first while the uni stays fresh. Pollo al Burro is Tuscan butter chicken that comes with roasted potatoes. The chicken gets braised until tender and the skin stays crispy. Customers order this main dish often. Burrata gelato soft serve comes with three topping choices. The olive oil and maldon sea salt version surprises people who try it. The sweet cream base balances the savory toppings really well.

FOOD

The kitchen makes pasta dough every morning before service starts. Ravioli gets filled with ricotta and spinach or other seasonal ingredients. Sauces use San Marzano tomatoes imported from Italy. Pizza dough ferments for at least 24 hours before use. The oven reaches high temperatures to cook each pie in under two minutes. Toppings include mozzarella di bufala and Italian cured meats. Starters like fiori di zucca ripieni di ricotta feature squash flowers stuffed with cheese. The fritto misto has fried mixed seafood served with lemon. Main courses include osso buco and bistecca a mano which is their signature steak. Desserts feature tiramisu and panna cotta made fresh each day. The affogato combines burrata gelato with Passalacqua espresso. Coffee comes from Italian roasters and baristas make drinks to order.

SERVICE

Staff members greet guests at the entrance and show them to tables. Servers ask about dietary restrictions before taking orders. The team knows the menu well and gives honest recommendations. Food arrives within 20 minutes for most dishes. Servers check on tables without hovering too much. Staff can modify dishes for allergies or preferences. The team handles reservations through their website and phone line. Walk-ins get seated based on availability. During peak hours the wait time runs about 30 minutes.

PRICING

Starters range from 350 to 870 pesos per dish. Pasta plates cost between 590 and 990 pesos. Pizza prices go from 790 to 1570 pesos depending on toppings. Main courses start at 1250 pesos and reach 2950 pesos for the roast rack of lamb. Desserts cost 260 to 320 pesos. Coffee and drinks range from 130 to 260 pesos. The restaurant falls in the mid to high price range for Manila. Portions work well for sharing between two people. The bill for two people with appetizer and mains averages 2500 to 3500 pesos before drinks.

SUMMARY

A Mano delivers actual Italian cooking without trying too hard to be fancy. The food tastes fresh and the portions make sense for the price. Service stays professional without being stiff. The restaurant works for date nights and family dinners equally well. Reservations help during weekends and dinner service. The place has become a regular spot for people who want Italian food done right. Staff take care of guests properly and the kitchen turns out consistent dishes. The multiple locations around Manila make it easier to visit. A Mano proves that good Italian food can exist outside of Italy when people care about doing it correctly.

FAQs

Does A Mano take reservations

Yes the restaurant accepts reservations through their website at afhospitality.com and by phone. Call or text +63 917 712 9952 to book a table at the BGC location. The Rockwell branch also takes reservations through the same system.

What are the operating hours

The Rockwell branch opens from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Sundays and 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM on weekdays. The BGC location runs from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday to Sunday hours extend to 10:00 PM at the BGC branch.

Is there parking available

Power Plant Mall at Rockwell has parking facilities for restaurant guests. The BGC location at One Bonifacio High Street also has mall parking. Both locations validate parking for diners so ask the staff about the validation process.