Amado Fores is one of the most legit food persons I know. When you ask him for recommendations on where to eat in a particular country or city, he not only lists you the restaurants but the specific dishes that you MUST order. In fact, Amado has a “dish list” as in the best dishes in a city/ country (and where to find them) that anyone should be so lucky to get their hands on as they truly are the best of the best. Likewise, his memory is impeccable. He remembers everything he’s ever had in great detail.
This precision (coupled with serious passion) is enough to deduce that when he opens a restaurant, everything will have been carefully and thoughtfully planned out. And unlike some in the industry who are allergic to feedback, Amado is the opposite, wanting to ensure that he can do all he can to keep diners happy. When he invited a group of us food journalists and bloggers to try the dishes– it was not to post about it (there were specific instructions!); he sincerely just wanted us to give him constructive feedback so he could work on improving anything that was not. (We just couldn’t help ourselves, so we ended up posting, oops!)
But Amado has little to worry about as his first restaurant venture, a mano (which translates to “by hand” in Italian– which also sounds very much like his name– also, it’s all small letters!) has officially become a wonderful new place to enjoy delicious classic Italian food in the city. Located in Rockwell’s Powerplant Mall in Makati— along Lopez Drive, next to Barcino and Fireside, by the side mall entrance– it soft-opened to the public last week.
While Amado says he doesn’t cook, he has traveled extensively with his mom, Margarita Fores— Asia’s Best Female Chef 2016 and recently named the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) official Ambassador for Gastronomy Tourism— around Italy, and has learned all the rules in crafting handmade Italian dishes.
“We kept doing the classics over and over, and used what I’ve learned through the years… what I learned from my mom, Internet research, asking advice from other chefs… practice and repetition,” Amado shares. “Still not perfect but always aiming for it.”
And honestly, the food is very delicious! Pizzas are traditional Napoli-style (using Caputo flour) fired in Valoriani, the only commercial gas-fired oven certified by the Associazone Verace Pizza Napoletana; pastas are fresh and handmade, all cooked al dente, which means “firm but not hard to bite;” and yes, there are keto/ low-carb options, too in case anyone has dietary restrictions! As per the name, everything here is either handmade or sourced from artisan producers. I’m going to let my photos do the talking– everything I’m posting, I thoroughly enjoyed! And I’ve placed the prices for your reference, too. Congratulations, Amado! We are so proud of you!!!
a mano is open daily from 11:30AM to 3Pm and 5:30PM to 10PM. It is located at R1 Level, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati (near the side entrance of the mall, next to Barcino). For reservations, phone +63 917 552 6266.
