Sicilian Roast Celebrates 10 Years of Italian Dining with New Molito Branch

 After a decade of serving hearty pastas, handmade pizzas, and Italian comfort food, Sicilian Roast is celebrating a major milestone: the opening of its newest branch at Molito Lifestyle Center in Alabang. This expansion highlights its growth from a small neighborhood kitchen in Makati’s Legazpi Village to a beloved name in Manila’s Italian dining scene.

'Founded in 2015, Sicilian Roast started as a modest spot focused on honest, flavorful food. Over the years, it quietly built a loyal following, expanding to four Metro Manila locations: Makati (Legazpi Village), San Juan (Santolan Town Plaza by Rockwell), Quezon City (The Arton Strip by Rockwell), and now Alabang (Molito). Each branch blends the warmth of the original location with a refined touch earned over ten years.

“Especially in the last year, we’ve grown and refined every part of what we do, but our promise has never changed,” says Lorenzo Vega, CEO of Sicilian Roast. “We’ve always believed in serving honest food with soul and warmth. Ten years in, it’s still that passion that fuels us.”

At the heart of this evolution is Executive Chef Matt Navarro, whose two-decade career includes New York neighborhood gems, international five-star hotels, and upscale Manila restaurants. His expertise brings a balance of classic Italian flavors, modern techniques, and comforting, soul-filled dishes that define Sicilian Roast today.

The Molito branch features a fully refreshed menu, now available across all locations. Highlights include a fine-tuned pasta selection, an extensive steak menu, and a newly engineered pizza dough. These updates showcase Sicilian Roast’s signature approach: refined yet unpretentious, generous portions, bright flavors, and food that speaks for itself.

One standout dish is the Bottarga alla Carmen, created in memory of Lorenzo Vega’s late mother, Maria del Carmen Vega. This angel hair pasta with cured fish roe celebrates her love for simple, perfectly executed flavors. “She had a particular affinity for pasta and Aperol Spritz’s, and so we even created a signature one in her name,” Vega shares. A mural in Molito pays tribute to both his parents, whose love inspires the restaurant’s spirit.

Sicilian Roast continues to focus on quality ingredients, being one of the few restaurants in the Philippines certified to serve Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef, Japan’s “Queen of Wagyu,” through a partnership with Prime Cuts by Doubleday.

During a recent media preview, guests sampled the refreshed menu, enjoying generous portions paired with drinks from the updated bar program. The event offered a taste of Sicilian Roast’s next chapter: honoring its roots while evolving to meet the tastes of today’s diners.

With its updated kitchen, bar program, and welcoming design, Sicilian Roast Molito creates a space where excellent Italian food feels approachable and celebrations feel at home. As the restaurant enters its second decade, the team is focused on continuing its growth, refining the menu, and staying true to the values that built the brand: care, consistency, and food that brings people together.

For reservations and updates, visit sicilianroast.com.