The journey begins in customizing your pasta to your own liking. The simple make-your-own menu lets you choose among twelve of its sauces also known as la salsa, twelve different pasta shapes also known as la pasta, and fourteen toppings also known as la alegria. And that’s not the best part yet. 

“Here at Trufa, we like to treat our customers—no, spoil them—with only the best. We want them to feel good with what they eat,” begins owner Tricia Espino. “That’s why we source our ingredients from only the best, we don’t do shortcuts, and we are very meticulous when it comes to food preparations. Our pastas and sauces are always made fresh,” she adds. 

Trufa favorites include the Tapastalog, which is similar to the famous Pinoy tapsilog but with pasta in place of rice; the Carbonara Filipina, which has fish instead of meat; and the Pastaella, a twist from the traditional Spanish paella. As for the appetizers, the Albondigas de Angelines is a family recipe of a Catalan friend of Tricia’s, who shares with her the same love for food; while the Croquetas are a restaurant specialty. Vegetarians will also find delectable, healthy meals on the menu. 

Alongside its signature pasta dishes, Trufa introduces the hamburguesa—a juicy, meaty burger that’s delicious like no other; and the coca, or the Spanish thin-crust pizza, which is a sumptuous delight with every bite! 

Trufa’s constantly updated wine selection is worth exploring, as well as its range of freshly baked cakes and cookies, best enjoyed with their coffee—a special brew from Bacolod. There is certainly something for everyone at Trufa Pasta Bar, from families and kids dining on a Sunday, to colleagues who prefer to stay for hours, and solo diners who simply want to treat themselves. 

Marking the pasta bar’s fourth year, with two branches in operation—one along Esteban Street in Legaspi Village and the newer branch in Valero Street corner Sedeno in Salcedo Village, Trufa still has more to offer. “Diners can look forward to new menu items that are guaranteed Filipino favorites,” says Tricia. “The two restaurants will each have unique offerings that customers will surely enjoy and keep coming back to.” 

Originally posted at hoppler.com.ph

Trufa Pasta Bar has always been known for their creative DIY pastas. Fun fact: they rounded up all the possible combinations you can make with their many variations of sauce, pasta, and toppings, and there’s actually 1,200 (one for every day of the week, maybe?). Now on their second year with two branches in tow, they’re switching up the gears to introduce a couple of new non-pasta dishes to their already vibrant menu.

The Hamburguesa is exclusive to their pilot branch in Legaspi. From its name alone, you can easily tell that these are burgers served the Spanish way. The perfect companion to an after-work drinking session, it has a runny sunny-side-up egg and luscious bacon strip sitting on top, along with succulent beef patty and the usual burger fixings, with a hefty one-two punch of kamote and potato chips on the side.

Meanwhile, the Coca is meant to complement the Salcedo branch’s laid-back atmosphere. The thin-crust Spanish pizza (a.k.a. flat bread) is available in two flavors. The Coca de Carne is tomato-based and has a generous amount of meat toppings, while the Coca de Trufa is a perfectly delightful combination of truffle and mushroom.

Whichever branch you visit, Trufa guarantees a memorable experience. Apart from its excellent fares, its welcoming ambiance will definitely make you come back for more.

Originally posted at breakfastmag.com

If you’re quite familiar with the restaurants around Legaspi Village, you must’ve heard of this Filipino-Spanish pasta bar located along Esteban Street. With an aim to be part of every community and to be present in every village, Trufa Pasta Bar has opened its doors at the friendly neighborhood of Salcedo Village, also in the city of Makati.

Trufa Pasta Bar is the brainchild of Ms. Patricia Espino. The restaurant started out as a school project and has now become the Barcelona city-inspired pasta place that lets you experiment and create your own pasta plate.

As she studied in Barcelona, she fell in love with the city, the culture, the people and the lifestyle—the reason why Espino wanted to bring home her experience to Manila by introducing Trufa Pasta Bar—a Marriage of Barcelona and Manila Flavors.

Trufa, a Spanish term for a truffle, is the owner’s favorite ingredient. She named the pasta bar after Truffle not only because it was her favorite but because she sees truffle as an interlock of everything. Truffles have many layers and with every single layer, it gives you a different touch, smell, and feeling—which is what they want people to experience at Trufa.

At Trufa Pasta Bar, you don’t just get to customize your pasta. You may also have a taste of their unique pasta offers available on their menu like the ‘Tapastalog’ on organic fusilli pasta. It is their best-seller and it definitely embodies the flavors of both Barcelona and Manila.

If you’re looking for something that has a stronger taste, try their Chorizo Picante. It’s a pasta with Ilonggo chorizo and tomato sauce topped with red pepper flakes making it an extra fiery dish.

Trufa Pasta Bar takes pride in their recipes and ingredients. The Boloñesa, Spanish meatballs, and Chorizo are all hand-me-down recipes from the grandmother of Espino’s friend from Barcelona. The chorizo, on the other hand, is sourced from Iloilo, while the ravioli, sauces, and salsas are all homemade. 

How Does the DIY Pasta Bar Work?

• Choose Your Salsa

This is where it all starts. The sauce gives the flavor of the dish you want to eat. Depending on your preferred flavor, you can customize the sauce and choose from an array of different sauces they offer. Tip: Choose to be bold and daring. Mix and match flavors and you might find an interesting pasta combo.

• Choose Your Pasta

Pasta is like the main piece of art. It is the base and the soul of the dish. Trufa lets you choose from over 10 different pasta shapes with every pasta prepared al dente.

• Choose Your Alegria

After choosing your salsa and pasta, time to add a few more tweaks to your dish. A little tip: add some toppings to your pasta like chorizo, cheese, salmon, or mushrooms to add flavors to your dish.

The best part here in Trufa? It’s not just your usual selection of pasta. What makes this pasta bar even more interesting is that they also serve tapas, Pastaella (a combination of pasta and paella), and Ensaladas.

For appetizers, try their Gambas Al Ajillo, made of tiger prawns with spicy garlic olive oil and chili served with french bread. It’s a certified Trufa favorite that will definitely give you a spicy kick to jump-start your main course. For vegetarians, Quinoa consisting of quinoa, zucchini, black olives, and apple would be a good choice.

Aside from pasta, they also offer pastries and coffees, making this pasta bar an all in one stop for every single craving. For those who want to try different kinds of pastries, you can munch their cookie platter which includes a Chocolate Chip Cookie (Php 80), Trufa Cookie (Php 120), & Bocadillo Dulce (Php 80).

For coffee lovers, they also offer a wide range of bold coffee, freshly roasted from Bacolod. A cup of coffee typically ranges from Php 80 – Php 150 and you may have it in store or to-go.

Trufa Pasta Bar also offers not just coffee but they also have a wide variety of Italian wine and craft beers. They have an on-going promo of Unlimited Sangria Every Thursdays and a 20% off all alcoholic beverages from Monday to Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Trufa Pasta Bar is open, Mondays to Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m, Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 a.m, and weekends from 12 nn to 10:00 p.m.

Originally posted at primer.com.ph

Legazpi Village is always brewing with great new eats – many of them ending up on our Favorites and Must Try lists. (We’re sure you know what we’re talking about when we mention ‘Salmon Donburi‘ or even ‘Japanese-Peruvian‘ cuisine.)

While the area may be famous for Asian eateries and third-wave cafes, there’s a game-changer in town– and it’s bound to attract all the pasta-obsessed, or even bring out the pasta lover in you!

Trufa Pasta Bar – Legaspi Village

Trufa is a cozy Catalan-inspired pasta bar that creatively combines the best of Barcelona and Manila, a fusion of Spanish and Filipino cultures through the art of taste. Owners Tricia Espino and Gerard Lorenta built the concept stemming from their travels, creating an outlet of their love for the humble pasta dish.

Fun Fact: Trufa is Spanish for truffle.

With the spotlight on fresh pasta, Trufa gives its diners the liberty to customize their orders. Here, you decide on 3 elements:

Step # 1: Choose La Salsa

La Salsa, referring to the sauce, gives you 13 different choices. These include the well-loved Pesto, Ajillo, Cremosa, Pomodoro, and 4 Quesos.

Of course, their Trufa is the signature pick, but they have crazy flavors as well, like Tapastalog. It’s a combination of tapa, pasta, and egg– a dream come true for breakfast lovers.

Step # 2: Choose La Pasta

Next, you get to choose from 11 different shapes of La Pasta. There’s Tagliatelle, Penne, Rigatoni, Gnocchi, Pappardelle– you name it. You can pick the shape of your choice to suit the overall texture you want for your pasta.

Insider Tip: Not sure how to tell Pappardelle from Tagliatelle? Don't worry, their menu will guide you through it.

Insider Tip: They now offer whole wheat pasta and their unique creation, "pastaella" - Trufa's version of paella made of orzo pasta

Step # 3: Choose La Algeria

Lastly, you get a choice of 14 different toppings or La Algeria– and no, that doesn’t just include “Extra Cheese”. They have unique choices such as the Huevo de Pato (Freshly Poached Duck Egg) and Chorizo de Ana (Crispy Ilongo Chorizo). If you’re not feeling too adventurous, you can’t go wrong with extra servings of their secret truffle sauce.

Plus, if you’re one of those people who hate themselves don’t enjoy carbs, you can skip the pasta and go for their Ensaladas. Out of their four salads, the Asiática is the biggest standout: a bright combination of red cabbage, romaine lettuce, mango, queso de bola, and crispy fish.

Don’t forget to check out their tapas selection as well.

We’ve heard their coffee and desserts are good, too!

Insider Tip: If you plan on checking them out on a weekend, take note that they're only open Mondays to Saturdays.

If you’r heading to Trufa after work, why not treat yourself to a refreshing smoothie or hell, why not a cocktail? Every Thursday, you can even enjoy unlimited red or white sangria for just ₱499, from 4 to 8PM.

Originally posted at Booky.com

Trufa Pasta Bar is the brainchild of a cocky Catalan guy and a true-blue Filipina who both share the same passion for pasta. Trufa means “truffle” in Spanish, and the reason behind the name of the restaurant is that it is the favorite ingredient of the owner. But more than that, she likes how this ingredient makes everything special.

Smooth and earthy with a hint of nuttiness in the end – this is how one aptly describes the flavor of truffle. Indulging in truffle is an experience in itself; at first bite, you’re hit with an indescribable rich flavor that tells you that, “Hey, this is something special.” The second says, “This taste amazing.”

“What we want is that every time they’re here (the customers), they’ll have a completely new memorable experience; just like the truffle – it gives you new experiences every time, and that’s what we want here,” says Patricia Espino, one of the owners of Trufa Pasta Bar.

Aside from the luscious taste and quality of the food they serve, what makes this pasta bar even more special is how they give diners complete freedom by allowing them to actually create their own pasta in just three easy steps: choose La Salsa, choose La Pasta, and choose La Alegria.

Better set aside your indecisiveness first because there are 12 sauces, 11 kinds of pasta, and 13 toppings to choose from – for over 2,000 mixes that can be crafted! The price range is also surprisingly reasonable, given the fact that they use only quality and fresh ingredients to ensure the scrumptious taste of their food.

Owner Patricia Espino, who’s very hands-on and passionate about her craft, introduced us to two pasta mixes that she customized herself for us. Topping the list of their never-to-be-missed La Salsa or pasta sauce is the 4 Quesos – a classic sauce with mozzarella, parmesan, stracchino, and one that is very similar to blue cheese with Farfalle as its La Pasta, topped with Crispy Dilis (anchovy) as La Alegria. This one’s bursting with flavor. Definitely a must-try!

Try also their Bolonesa de Casa sauce with Penne as its pasta topped with their own Chorizo de Ana.

Under their “Tapas” menu, try their Huevos Estrellado, a classic Spanish snack with a local twist.

If you like seafood delicacies, their Montadito de Salmon, smoked salmon bites and crème cheese on a crispy baguette will definitely satisfy your in-the-deep cravings!

For a crispy treat, try their Las Fritas – Trufa’s own selection of crisps with sweet truffle sauce.

Aside from being a full-time gastronome and being able to manage her own business at a very young age, Patricia is also a strong advocate of progressive education, thus the Trufa Water – for every bottle sold, part of the proceeds will go to MoveED foundation to give underprivileged children the best ingredient they need for a better life.

“I really believe in investing in the children’s future. If there’s one thing in life I would spend on, it’s the quality of education for children,” said Patricia. “As much as possible I really try to encourage the people to buy a bottle of water because there’s a reason for that bottle of water.” 

Trufa Pasta Bar also offers a wide variety of Italian wine and craft beer. They also accept reservations for private events and celebration.

Originally posted at primer.com.ph

(SPOT.ph) Think of the highest level on Diner Dash—two hours of nothing but tables being filled and refilled. At two days old, the restaurant barely broken in, this is already the lunch scene at Trufa Pasta Bar.

Trufa is co-owner Patricia Espino‘s love letter to Barcelona. Her sojourn in Spain had such an impact on her that she decided to share her love for the city through food. Together with her business partner Gerard Lorente, a Spaniard who now shuttles back and forth between Manila and Barcelona, she cooked up a menu of hearty pasta with nods to Spain as well as her family’s native Bacolod.

The self-service pasta bar is located along the heavily tree-lined Esteban Street, right across Your Local and Yardstick. The interiors are reminiscent of a Kinfolk spread: wooden tables against black chairs, chalkboard menus, pristine white plates, and slate serving boards. The menu is split into tapas (appetizers), ensalada (salads), desserts, drinks, and the main star, pasta your way. 

You start by picking from 12 different sauces, pairing it with a pasta type (currently, there are 11), then picking from 14 different toppings that you can mix and match. 

“We named the place Trufa not just because our signature dish is a truffle pasta, but because when you take a black truffle and slice through it, each cut yields a different experience. Each time you dine here will give you a completely different experience,” says Patricia. And though Trufa was designed to be a place for the Makati office crowd to grab a quick lunch, it also turns into a relaxed wine-and-dine place in the evening. 

If you’re a Trufa virgin, we’ve come up with the perfect meal that would make you want to come back again and again.

The Huevos Estrellados (P195) shouldn’t be difficult to love. This classic Spanish dish of fried eggs over potatoes gets a Pinoy twist with the addition of crispy Ilonggo chorizo and tapa flakes. Think tapsilog, but minus the “si.” The crisp and delicious potato wedges will solve your carb craving.

The trusty Croquetas de Chorizo (P185) is a staple in many Spanish tapas bars, but not all restaurants get it right. At Trufa, their croquetas are muy perfecto: The outside is pale golden, breaded just right, and deliciously crispy, while the inside is creamy with the chorizo’s flavors taking center stage. 

There are some salads that will have you playing favorites with the ingredients, devouring some, but skipping others. Trufa’s Ensalada Asiatica (P190) is a light dish that deliciously blends red cabbage, romaine lettuce, mango, quezo de bola, and crispy fish bits for a satisfying crunch. You’ll surely be wiping your plate clean. 

Even the Ensalada Barcelona (P200) is hard to resist. This is the quintessential Pinoy salad: healthy greens with a little unhealthy thrown in (it’s crunchy chicharon, if you must know). If you’re trying to knock off some pounds, but don’t want to deprive yourself, this is the ideal compromise. 

To know a restaurant intimately, one must always order the signature dish—that’s the Trufa with Penne and Setas (P380) for Trufa. The restaurant’s eponymous sauce is so good on its own that Patricia recommends only setas (their mushroom selection) to go with it. Indeed, this pasta dish is a showstopper, especially for those who are obsessed with all things truffle. 

The Boloñesa de Casa (P260) is yet another winner. The sauce takes five hours to prepare, with the meats prepared with the same level of care —slow-cooked for over four hours. This is a secret family recipe passed on to Gerard by his dad. We’re only glad that they decided to make it public. If you’re looking for something meaty and “tomatoey,” look no further because this bolognese sauce aims only to please. 

Another “tapsilog” minus the “si“is the Tapastalog (P290). This dish eschews rice in favor of pasta (we paired this with fusili to still get that rice-esque feel). The tapa is sweet, spicy, and savory, while the egg is gooey and mixes well with the pasta. Who knew this combination would work amazingly without the sinangag? But we’ve seen the light and this is a great dish to nosh when you’re looking for a little breakfast for lunch. 

You’ll need a sweet end when you dine at Trufa. There’s no better way to go about it than with the Trufa cookie (P120). This magical cookie sandwich pairs buttery shortbread with dulce de leche, chocolate, and a dash of truffle salt for a sweet, salty bite that will have you buying an extra one—to stash in your office drawer for future snacking purposes. We doubt it’ll take you long to make a return trip to Trufa, but it’s always nice to have a piece of it handy.

Photos by Majoy Siason

Originally posted at Spot.ph