Pastorelli, Pontefino Hotel's Signature Restaurant is a must try dining experience in Batangas City

Pastorelli is Pontefino Hotel's signature restaurant that is located within Pastor Village in Batangas City. The hotel is a 10 minute walk from SM Batangas, and serves Batangas' well-loved local dishes alongside international cuisines, complemented by refreshing drinks and delectable desserts. Positioned at the hotel entrance, this refreshed culinary destination invites guests to savor an extraordinary dining experience, all while enjoying views of PonteFino's newly renovated swimming pool.

Sunset dining at Pastorelli 

I was invited to sample their offerings during their soft opening last week as part of the media. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own. When we arrived, we got a chance to relax a bit by the pool, and come sunset, I was already refreshed and ready to eat. We were doing a dinner set up, and the view of the poolside from sunset to night time is really relaxing, as you see the poolside transform with the fountain and lights being on. Inside the restaurant are a mish mash of tables and chairs, some with Azulejo-inspired panels on the tables and a mix of contemporary chairs and traditional solihiya lined ones. Along with this, the cozy but bright space of Pastorelli really set the mood that PonteFino's new gem is reminiscent for feelings of being home for family gatherings and Sunday dinners. 

Pastorelli is named after Atty. Antonio Pastor, a member of a prominent Batangas City family from whom PonteFino acquired the land where the hotel now stands. Aside from his legal profession, Atty. Pastor is also a musician. During his younger years, he enjoyed a vibrant career as a pianist and singer at a famous Italian restaurant in New York. It was there that he got the nickname "Pastorelli" from the Italian restaurant owner.

Executive Chef Stephen George Bustamante, gave us a menu that served the best of what Pastorelli offers. While he over 20 years of illustrious culinary experience from the U.S.A. to Pastorelli, he also served as executive sous chef at Sentro 1771 from 2017 to 2020, and as corporate executive chef at One World Deli from 2021 to 2023. 

Fun Fact, he was also a former executive chef of George Lucas, the founder of Lucasfilms Productions. Which coincidentally houses the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. *Insert starwars theme here*

We had Chicharon for starters. This one is pretty much a sensory overload. I smelled the aroma of freshly made chicharon, and the taste is not too salty but not too oily as well. It is light, airy, and utterly addictive.

Then we had Batangas Bulalo for our soup. This alongside the Sinainng na Tulingan were my top favorites. They were very comforting dishes to me, with the Bulalo having a touch of sweetness from the abundance of corn, and much like the chicharon, this Bulalo is so light despite it being known as a hearty soup. No lip gloss feels with this one, and its one of the reasons why I am gonna keep coming back here.

The Sinaing na Tulingan is a classic. Pastorelli did not stray away from the traditional with this one. I was touched because this dish was not originally on his menu for the night, but Chef Stephen still prepared the dish for us, which was actually a good call because the only thing that remained in the plate were the banana leaves and a bit of the kamias after we had it. Traditionally, it is prepared in a claypot, braised low and slow with salt, some pork fat, vinegar and kamias until the flesh and bones are tender and infused with subtle tangy flavors. You also get a bit of patis or fish sauce of sorts after the braising, which goes great on rice, especially if you fry up the fish after braising it. You get a different flavor profile with the frying, but still have that sour notes within the fish itself, kinda similar to a daing na bangus.

A fine dining experience also awaits as they have premium offerings like Ribeye Steak Au Poivre, Lamb Rack with Mint Jelly, and Tuscan Salmon, among others. For our dinner menu though, we had  Lamb Adobo and Wagyu Kare Kare, which married Filipino and International cuisine so well. I was floored with the treatment of Lamb Adobo, as it had no gamey taste. It had a good lamb flavor, sure, and it was really extra tender but you can also taste the garlic, salt and vinegar that takes you back to classic adobo. 

The Wagyu Kare Kare is kind of an unusual pairing for me because when  you hear wagyu, you automatically think of it having light side dishes to pair with, not the creamy peanut sauce that we have. The tender beef gave a bit more give, and it was an interesting and exciting dish. 

Their desserts are also great, with the Leche Flan being my favorite, as it takes me back to fiestas and weddings in Batangas where you are served this dish in a Llanera. The caramel is what gave it for me, as well as how rich the flan part is. The ones I have here in Manila now are kind of on the airy side. Pastorelli really captured that Batangan taste with this dessert as well as the Bulalo and Sinaing na Tulingan.

BusinessMirror Wine and Dine

I have also written about Pastorelli in my story in BusinessMirror Wine and Dine section if you want my in-depth thoughts on the restaurant and the dishes we got served. 

Some of their other must-tries are their Margherita Pizza, and Crispy Chicken Sandwich which we had upon arriving at PonteFino Hotel. They also serve this decadent Lasagna with a rich bechamel and mozzarella sauce, fresh Lumpiang Sariwa, and Pork Binagoongan served with Pastorelli's home-made shrimp paste.

If you find yourself on a straight drive from Manila to Batangas City, or you're near the port and is looking for a place that serves great food, Pastorelli is where you should go. You can feel and taste the comfort of your favorite flavors in every bite and is served with a mastery that elevates even the most simple of dishes. 

Pastorelli is open for breakfast from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, and dinner from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The restaurant is also available for private functions.


For reservations and more information, you may visit www.pontefinohotel.com, follow its Facebook page PonteFino Hotel, or call +639159641026.