Basilio's... Gastronomic Feast, Unique Treats

So you think you've been to all the yummy restaurants in Koronadal city? Well I say good for you.. but have you ever chanced a trip to one of Koronadal's top emerging restaurants?  Basilio's - Based Basil Pasta and Resto is arguably one of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of having lunch in one weekend in the city.

As you enter the restaurant, it exudes the warmth and coziness of a home as it is previously the home of owner/entrepreneurs Mr. El and Ms. Nenette Basilio. There are a number of nooks and crannies in the restaurant that you can engage your guests not only to enjoy a delicious meal but a perfect place to catch up,  swapping of stories among friends, conversations with family members or a staff meeting among colleagues.

Or.. if you want to impress a date and/or want to engage in a deep conversation about your futures (*wink *wink), why not bring him or her upstairs? They have Japanese style dining facilities at the 2nd floor of the restaurant where tables are surrounded by cushions laid out for a relaxing dining experience.  The only catch is, since the floors are squeaky clean and laid out with banig, shoes are not allowed upstairs. But not to worry,  the restaurant provides slippers for you and your guests once you get upstairs. :)

Basilio's culinary fare specializes in pasta. You have a number of pastas and sauces to choose from. And of course, almost all of them include their favorite herb - the Basil. For our 1st luncheon experience there, we tried their Carbonara Pasta (the pic on the right), a fettuccine pasta which has the right amount of creaminess and non of that evap milk taste common in other restaurants. It has the right amount of saltiness from the bacon and butter.

For myself, I ordered the Seafood Twist in white sauce (since I'm a sucker for creamy dishes..evident in my bulging waist line.. sigh! :)). It has a mix of squid, shrimp and fish -- i'm guessing Dory fish, in thick creamy white sauce with a hint of Basil. They also serve the Seafood Twist in red sauce if you want non of that fattening cream and butter concoction. 

My personal favorite however (and Mr. OSGs as well), is the Gambas Pasta. It is a tomato based fettuccine pasta with shrimps topped with chili flakes. I was surprised at the pinch of spiciness brought about by the chili flakes, which makes this the signature dish  of Basilio's . And a favorite among its loyal customers. And I just know I will be ordering this fare next time I visit!

What is impressive with Basilio's is not just the succulent taste of the gastronomic feasts that you will grow to love, but that the prices are really quite reasonable. Imagine a plate of their scrumptious pasta will only cost you around P95 per single serving.. now that won't break the bank  or burn a hole in your pockets! :)

And for those who are not pasta-lovers, they also have main dishes served with rice and vegetables on the side. Such as the Pork Belly w/ rice and sidings (pic on the left) and the Beef Tapa (pic on the right) served with white onions and shallots. 

For starter meals or side dishes, we love their Calamares (left). The Teriyaki Shrimp on the right is served with fried rice and egg  - another must try dish that is uniquely Basilio's. 

For those who want after dinner food with beer or gin tonic (which they also serve), you can try their original Tuna Kinilaw which is a combination of fresh Tuna, green mangoes, tomatoes, raddish on a bed of lettuce leaves and topped with salted eggs. This enticing dish will leave your taste buds screaming for more. I can totally vouch for the yummy-ness of this fare. Totally different and yet familiar in its simplicity.

To end the meal, we ordered their Fresh Fruit Platter. A mix of all the ripe fruits in season. If you are on a diet, then maybe you can just order this and pass away the time while your friends devour the other appetizing dishes at Basilio's. Only problem would be...is how you can prevent yourself from sticking to eating just the fruits in your platter.. hehe. :)

Basilio's - Based Basil Pasta and Resto is located at 72 MH Del Pilar St., Korondal city. From Gensan drive, turn left at the round bowl, and   once you reach Notre Dame of Marbel university, turn right and left again at MH Del Pilar St. For bookings or reservations, you can call them at +63 83 228 2878. Business hours is from 10AM til 10PM daily.