Written by Jane Love | June 2015
If you are a lover of good Italian food, you can find some excellent restaurants in Marbella which specialise in pizzas, pastas and some of the most delicious Italian meat and fish dishes available in the region.
Pasta da Bruno is undoubtedly one of the best brands around, and the husband and wife team, Giuseppina and Bruno Filippone whose first restaurant opened in C/Ricardo Soriano, Marbella over 15 years ago, have gone from strength to strength over the years. There are now five Pasta da Bruno restaurants, in Marbella, Cabopino and San Pedro, plus a takeaway and delicatessen in Cabopino.
The name ´Da Bruno´ has become synonymous with superb food and service in a relaxed atmosphere, and they combine traditional recipes with trendy culinary know-how and great hospitality.
Last time we visited, we chose the home made Spaghetti Vongole (with fresh seafood), the Veal Escalope with Lemon and White Wine Sauce, the Prime Fillet Steak with Foie Gras and Madeira Wine Sauce and the Chicken Cordon Bleu – stuffed with Italian cheese and ham and served with a side order of fresh tomato sauce, plus Fresh Sole Meuniere with lemon and fresh herbs. Vegetables included sauteé potatoes and wilted spinach, courgettes and mange tout. Everything was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. After a twenty minute break, we decided to take a tentative look at the dessert menu and decided to share a couple of homemade puddings between us.
Keeping to an Italian theme we went for the home made Tiramisu – to call this just an Italian Trifle would be an injustice – it was light, creamy and drenched in Marsala Wine – a must for boozy dessert lovers. We also shared the Pannacotta with Raspberry Coulis – a delicious creation of subtle vanilla mousse combined with a fresh fruit sauce reduced with sugar. All in all – Pasta Da Bruno works because of three reasons. The food is excellent, the waiters are probably the best in Marbella and the owners are always very much in evidence.
The Da Bruno restaurant group began operating in Marbella in 1994 with the launch of Pasta Da Bruno this was followed by the opening of Da Bruno a Casa (1999), Da Bruno a Cabopino (2001), Da Bruno sul Mare (2002), Da Bruno a San Pedro (2005) Da Bruno Cabopino Take Away and Delicatessen (2008) and Da Bruno Mijas (2012).
Some of the house specialties we would recommend, include: Foie Gras, with caramelised apple and honey, Beef carpaccio with parmesan, Veal with tuna sauce, Endives with gorgonzola, pear and walnuts to start and Linguini with prawns, Fettucine with lobster, Beef cordon bleu with ham and cheese and double entrecote with bernaise sauce are also a delight.
Rosmarino de La Piazza, Elviria is another force to be reckoned with when it comes to superb Italian and international cuisine. This family run restaurant offers a choice of delicious dishes with Andalucian and Italian influences, combined with an excellent wine list and a superb location.
Some of the most delicious dishes we have tried here include: warm goat´s cheese with spinach and honey, perfumed with truffles, tagliatelle with king prawns, fresh tomato and rocket, foie gras lasagne, tournedos rossini with black truffles, foie gras and marsala wine sauce and roasted rack of lamb with provence herbs. For special occasions, try the fresh lobster salad. Home-made pannacotta and tiramisu are just some of the delights that await you if you still have room after your main course.