Eating our way through Manila : Food Review

Abe

2008-04-14T12:25:00.020+08:00

Original date: October 31, 2007

If you're craving for Filipino food and can no longer be satisfied by the numerous grills around (i.e. Gilligan's, Dencio's, Gerry's, etc.), then Abe is the place to go. It's usually hard to get a seat once 7pm hits, especially if you want to sit inside (it's too hot in the evening if you stay outside).. i really didn't like the venue as it was too noisy and the tables were so near each other.

Bicol Express - PhP 235 (vegetables simmered in coconut milk & chili peppers.. delicious! you could see that the sauce is already turning pink because of the chilis.. warning though, this will make you eat a lot of rice!)Pork Sisig - PhP 225 (this is by far the 2nd to the worst sisig i've ever had.. it was soooooo oily and was composed mainly of fat.. plus it was overpriced for the serving size.. no amount of soy sauce, calamansi and sili could save it.. btw, my #1 worst sisig would be of Padi's Point)Bamboo Rice - PhP 195 (rice cooked with shrimps, wood ear mushrooms and bamboo shoots.. the best we ordered that night.. super delicious! plus comes in an interesting packaging.. not recommended for people who don't like sticky rice though)
Abe Restaurant
Phone: 856-0526
Address: Serendra, Bonifacio Global City
Taguig City, Metro Manila

Texas Roadhouse Grill

2008-04-14T12:25:00.008+08:00

Original date: October 29, 2007

A good hangout place that's not too expensive is the Texas Roadhouse Grill in Bonifacio High Street. It is situated almost at the end of high street so there aren't as much people (except for people buying from starbucks). The crowd primarily composes of barkadas so i suggest not going there with children (almost everyone is drinking, and you can somewhat still smell the cigarette smoke inside the venue).

Santa Fe Nachos - PhP 220 (like most nachos, only the top part has the sauce and toppings.. after you finish with the upper layer, there is not much to taste as the chips aren't really flavorsome.)Crispy Chicken Tenders - PhP 195 (the fries are delicious, although i wasn't really impressed with the chicken.. for some reason, i kept forgetting that it was chicken and not fish i was having.. it somewhat tasted of bangus for me.. it was a big serving though, can be shared by 2 after having the appetizerGrilled Pork Chop - PhP 255 (the chop may seem big, but it's mostly bone.. it was a thick slice but still not enough for the rice.. the rice was good, nothing spectacular though.. the vegetables were a bit raw)Wrangler's Pork Steak - PhP 260 (very delicious!.. cooked to your preference.. the marinade seeps through the core.. very soft and juicy.. the sauce is also delicious.. but again, the vegetables were a bit raw)Boneless Barbeque Chicken - PhP 210 (there was not enough barbeque sauce.. but the meat was soft.. rice was the same as others.. vegetables still a bit raw)
Texas Roadhouse Grill
Phone: 856-1547
Address: Bonifacio High Street, Ground Level, Bldg. 1, McKinley Parkway, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila

Conti's

2008-04-13T21:32:00.025+08:00

Original date: September 8, 2007

One of the cheaper places to go to in Serendra is Conti's. Their specialty is really in the pastries (in my opinion) as the meals are really just so-so. When you go to Serendra, this is usually one of the packed places since the food's really cheap.

Chicken pie - PhP 22 (the most delicious empanada i've ever had.. then again, it's the only empanada i eat.. although i've noticed that the filling is lesser now compared when Conti's was just in BF.Fish and Chips w/ Salad - PhP 180 (the marinade of the chicken is delicious and it really goes deep into the meat.. fries were forgettable.. did not enjoy the salad, too much mayo..Pastel de Lengua w/ Paella Rice - PhP 195 (the meat was very tender.. although the serving size is small.. plus i felt that we were mislead by the "paella rice" since it was just like sticky rice with a bit of tomato paste)
Conti's Pastry Shop & Restaurant
Phone: 856-2352
Address: 1C-17 Serendra, Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig City, Metro Manila

A Veneto

2008-04-13T21:32:00.024+08:00

Original date: September 8, 2007

If you're craving for Italian food but don't have the budget for Italianni's, then A Veneto is the place to go. The food there is delicious and really cheap.. plus service is fast! just don't mind the manager/owner (?).. we once chanced upon her in the Glorietta branch and she was reprimanding her staff in front of customers! :p

Meatball Parmigiana - PhP 190 (if you like the filipino-style spaghetti, then this isn't for you.. it's not sweet, which i prefer! ..the meatballs are really big.. i think there were about 3 big ones.. also good to try is the hungarian sausage parmigiana for PhP 205.. pasta can serve 2-3 persons.)Bacon Cheeseburger Pie - PhP 85 (thin crust pizza with generous amounts of toppings! ..it's really cool that they serve it per slice.. very convenient if you're in a smaller group)
A Veneto Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante
Phone: 818-3090
Address: Gloreitta 3, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila

Tandoor King

2008-04-13T21:32:00.005+08:00

Original date: September 2, 2007

Indian food has always been one of my favorites. so when we saw Tandoor King in MOA, i didn't hesitate and forced my sister to eat here. the place is really nice and looks clean. the service is fast, and the food is cheap. UPDATE: i heard that it's Tandoor King no more.. it's now known as Tandooria sa MOA.. sad.

Tandoor Grill Sampler - PhP 250+ (grilled chicken, pork, sausage, & fish served with atchara.. serving is good for 2.. great when partnered with pita.. the taste is very generic though.. it's not really indian since it was sweet and not really spicy)Mango Yogurt Drink - PhP 45+ (not really sure about the price.. this was actually just okay.. nothing spectacular.. although i expected more yogurt in the drink)Ice Tea - PhP 25 (just normal ice tea)Tandoor King
Phone:
Address: Unit 146 and 147, South Parking Bldg, SM Mall of Asia

California Pizza Kitchen

2007-11-04T19:36:00.012+08:00

Original date: August 31, 2007

I used to think that CPK is a no-go zone when it comes to restaurants. I've always had the notion that it's too expensive and the food is not worth its price. Well, I was right.. sort of. Although what we ordered this time around was forgettable, you can get lucky in ordering because not all of the dishes are as bad as I'm making them sound. :p

Clam Chowder - PhP 125 (clams, diced potatoes, sauteed bacon, onion leeks and celery with a touch of white wine.. generous serving of clams, onion flavor was very strong.. kind of expensive for soup that serves just 1 person.. was good but not outstanding.)Chipotle Chicken - PhP 395(grilled chipotle chicken, fire-roasted mild chillies, chipotle sauce, mozzarella and enchilado cheeses. topped with roasted corn & black bean salsa, cilantro and lime cream sauce.. must read descriptions more carefully next time.. i admit this one's my fault.. hate black beans and cilantro.. this one wasn't even spicy. wrong move.)Grilled Sausage & Pepper Penne - PhP 475 (penne with slices of grilled spicy Italian sausage, mild onions, red and yellow peppers and Parmesan cheese in Marinara sauce.. there wasn't enough sauce, and it was a little bland.. although it had a generous amount of sausage.)Tortilla Spring Rolls - PhP 345 (Mediterrenean, Baja chicken, and Thai chicken rolls.. perfect appetizer since you can sample 3 types of rolls.. this was the savior of our meal for the whole night.. delicious!)Strawberry Cheescake - PhP 275 (New York style, strawberry filled cheesecake on Graham crust.. served with fresh whipped cream.. super expensive for a slice of cake! although it was delicious, the price is really plain robbery.. i was just forced to order because it was a birthday celebration.. but nevertheless, it's so not worth the price!)California Pizza Kitchen
Phone: 687-7841 to 42
Address: 2nd Level Shangri-La Plaza Mall, EDSA cor Shaw Boulevard
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

Pancake House

2007-11-04T16:31:00.000+08:00

Original date: August 11, 2007

Pancake House is one of the restos i grew up with. i'd always be here, about twice a week but still its magic has not been lost in me. although the name speaks of pancakes, what i really love here is the chicken. the ambiance is also something to note, appealing to the homey feel of family and friends.

Mix & match combo 2 - PhP 170 (taco, spaghetti with garlic bread, 1 pc. pan chicken and iced tea..this is a good choice if you want to try all the best that pancake house has to offer. i love their spaghetti, although the sauce is a bit malabnaw)2 pc. pan chicken - PhP 120 (if you've got time to spare, i really recommend you try their chicken instead of those in fast food chains like jollibee or kfc. the price is about the same, although this one takes about 15 minutes before served. also, they actually allow you to pick the part of the chicken, even if both parts are big. super yummy!! the gravy is delicious too!)Pancake House
Phone: 818-8006
Address: Ground Level, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi St., Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila

Hossein's Persian Kebab

2007-11-04T16:06:00.001+08:00

Original date: August 11, 2007

Another restaurant that i've been dying to try is Hossein. i used to just see it at the fort strip, but never got the chance to eat there. so when they opened a branch in serendra, and since it was my sister's birthday, we decided to give it a shot. the service was impeccable, the ambiance soothing, the food..delicious..but the price *gulp* disastrous.. expensive!

Toasted papad - PhP 34 (spicy indian chips.. it's delicious specially if you dip it in curry sauce. mind you, it's PhP 34/pc, that's not for the whole plate!)Mixed Zabsi Curry - PhP 316 (mixed vegetables in curry sauce.. the serving size is so small! and you can barely see the vegetables.. but it was delicious! not the typical sweet curry you'd taste in other restaurants)Mix Kebab I - PhP 727 (one stick chicken kebab, one stick lamb shish, one stick of lamb kebab, tomatoes and onions.. delicious but was too expensive for its size and taste)Plain Biryani - PhP 212 (long grained yellow rice, with tomatoes and persian essence.. this one was really delicious, we even ordered a 2nd serving! although when i think about it now.. it's too expensive for the size)I forgot to take a picture of our drinks, but when you go there, try their lassi drinks.. it will help soothe your tongue from the spicy food

Hossein's Persian Kebab
Phone: 856-0632
Address: Unit C-201 Serendra, Fort Bonifacio
Taguig City, Metro Manila

Wham! Burgers

2007-11-04T16:02:00.000+08:00

Original date: August 10, 2007

I found out about this restaurant in a blog somewhere.. and since my office is just around shangrila, i decided to try it, and boy was i not disappointed! i do think this is the best burger in manila.. forget about brother's burger or hot shots, wham would totally beat them without a doubt.. plus it's cheaper! i'm telling you, you have to try it!

Double whammy - PhP 110 (2 pcs. of 1/3 pound all beef patties on a sesame kaiser bun with lettuce, tomato, catsup and mustard.. in the picture, the burger looks small, but it can actually be shared by 2, and you'd still be soo full)Bronco burger - PhP 118 (1/3 pound all beef patty on a sesame seed kaiser bun with lettuce, tomato, catsup, mustard raw onions, bacon, cheese slice and BBQ sauce.. descriptiomn pa lang, i'm salivating already! and even though you have a lot on the burger, it's not that messy to eat as the meat stays together, unlike burgers in hot shots or brother's. it doesn't look appealing, but believe me it's delicious and big!)Cross trax - PhP 50 (this is similar to mc donald's twister fries.. although this is more expensive i think. try their country style fries too, tastes like the fries of friday's.)
Wham! Burgers
Phone: 634-2093
Address: 5th Level Shangri-La Plaza Mall, EDSA cor Shaw Boulevard
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

T.G.I. Friday's

2007-11-04T00:24:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 27, 2007

Whenever i'm in a bad mood, friday's would always be my first choice to go to.. comfort food / happy food really is what this resto brings. the branch we went to was in bonifacio high street. if you plan to go there, make sure you're early or patient enough because so many people go there. the service, because of the number of people, is not so good. you'd have to practically lose your arm before a waiter pays any attention to you. also, in this branch, the serving is smaller.. but no matter the cons.. i still love friday's.

Fried Mozzarella - PhP 245 (we never go to friday's without ordering this..it has the right size and thickness, and the sauce is yummy, though bitin. i still find don henrico's version better, but this one's good too.)Cajun chicken fingers - PhP 255 (the serving is so small.. :( the fries, super sarap! what killed this was the coleslaw.. they've never even tried to improve it.. or at least i haven't noticed)Fish & Chips - PhP 300+ (the serving is big and can be shared by 2.. although the fish is *i think* bangus, so it's sort of sour..but still, it's delicious!)Chicken and Shrimp Diablo - PhP 325.00 (regular), PhP 480.00 (to share) (the waiter said it would be spicy, but there wasn't even a hint of spice..on the better side, the serving was big even though we only ordered regular, it was already good for 2..)Oreo Madness - PhP 165.00 (one piece), P285.00 (two pieces)(i think this is the most famous dessert in friday's..and for me it deserves its fame. the serving is good for about 2-3 people.)T.G.I.Friday's
Phone: 887-4998
Address: Bonifacio High Street, Ground Level, Bldg. 1, McKinley Parkway, Fort Bonifacio Global City
Taguig City, Metro Manila

Amici Di Don Bosco

2007-11-03T23:30:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 26, 2007

Hidden in a corner of don bosco makati is an italian restaurant worth discovering. the pasta varies, some bland, others exceptional.. the pizza you can never go wrong with.. the gelato, every single one delicious!

Al Quattro Formaggi - PhP 250 (four cheese pizza.. all pizzas are PhP 250 each..it may seem like a basic pizza, but this was really delicious with its thin crust, we also tried the margherita.. yummy too!)Cannelloni agli spinaci - PhP 165 (spinach lasagna.. yummy! had a generous serving of spinach and cheese! this one's my favorite in amici)Pasta Montanara - PhP 165 (meaty lasagna... wasn't really exceptional, but nonetheless, delicious.. red sauce here is not your typical filipino sweet blend, it's sour.. but that's the way i like it.. i apologize for the picture.. had a bite already! :D)Spaghetti Vongole e Gamberetti - PhP 180 (seafood pasta... my mom had this.. i don't think she enjoyed since she only finished about 1/4 of it, plus the clam shells were empty.. and no, they weren't mixed in the noodles)Linguine al Nero de Sepia - PhP 180 (squid ink pasta.. the sauce was quite salty, but it had a generous serving of squid, mussels and shrimp)Gelato - PhP 40 (for classic flavors) PhP 45 (for more special flavors) (it's my personal goal to taste all the flavors, but so far my favorite would be vanilla with nuts, strawberry and blueberry)Amici Di Don Bosco
Phone: 816-1170
Address: Don Bosco School, 1299 Pasay Road, San Lorenzo Village
Makati City, Metro Manila

Andok's

2007-11-03T23:05:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 22, 2007

if you're a Filipino, then i bet, at least once in your life you've tasted the goodness that is Andok's. i know i usually just blog about restaurants, but when we had this for dinner, i knew i just had to share my nostalgic experience. it still tastes the same, better even i think! the meat's so tender and juicy.. the skin.. no words can describe! really, for me it's the best lechon manok there is! they say it's overpriced, but for me.. it's worth every centavo.

Lechon Manok - 200+ (i'm not really sure about the price)Andok's
Address: Can be found almost anywhere in manila

Kitchen

2007-11-03T23:00:00.001+08:00

Original date: June 17, 2007

A default place my friends and i go to everytime we meet in greenbelt is Kitchen. it's a fairly small restaurant in the corner of greenbelt which serves acceptable food at a justifiable price. the food is not something to rave about, the service slow.. but i do think it's one of the cheaper places to eat in greenbelt. watch out though, the service charge (10%) and added vat (12%) will surprise you everytime.. well, at least that's what it does to us!

On Barbie's Cue - PhP 190 (a combination of meat and seafood kebab.. the taste is no where near its looks as it appears yummy..but is bland plus the chicken was raw)White Collar - PhP 150 (i'm not really sure about the price and the name, but i think this is the most "worth-it" dish in the resto.. pasta's a little too oily though)Kitchen
Phone: 757-4565 to 66
Address: 1st Level Greenbelt, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila

Zao Vietnamese Bistro

2007-11-03T22:03:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 16, 2007

A resto that doesn't receive much credit, but i think deserves to, would be Zao. the place is beautiful, with dim lights and a somewhat formal table setting. the waiters are very efficient and nice always attentive to their customers. the food varies from okay to really yummy plus, it's affordable considering the place.. so the ambiance + service + price make it worth your while

Vegetable rolls - PhP 150+ (i really don't remember the name or the price.. i'll change it as soon as i know, pero it's sarap!)Kangkong w/ pork - PhP 150+ (again, sorry i forgot the name and price.. but what i remember is that the serving is really big, even though it doesn't seem so in the picture, and it's deliciously sweet and salty at the same time)Vietnamese adobo - PhP 200+ (for the nth time i don't remember the name or price, but they said this was the vietnamese equivalent of our adobo... although this one was really close to asado than it was adobo.. still, it was delicious.. serving was somewhat small though)Zao Vietnamese Bistro
Phone: 856-2819
Address: Unit 1C16 Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Global City
Taguig City, Metro Manila

Cupcakes by Sonja

2007-11-03T21:39:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 11, 2007

If you have a sweet tooth like i do, then i'm telling you, you have to taste Sonja's cupcakes. At first i was hesitant to try it, thinking it was just hype and was overrated... but i'm telling you.. first bite.. heaven! you really have to try it at least once.. for all flavors that is! :D

Peppermint Patty - PhP 68 (valrhona dark chocolate cupcakes topped with the signature peppermint frosting)Vanilla Sunshine - PhP 48 (a classic and fluffy yellow cake topped with either vanilla or butter cream)Red Velvet Vixen - PhP 65 (traditional southern cake made with Belgian cocoa and cream cheese icing)Valrhona Milk Choco-Hazelnut Tart - PhP 65 (milk chocolate-hazelnut cream in a chocolate sweet tart crust topped dark chocolate glaze and caramelized hazelnut )Cupcakes by Sonja
Phone: 856-0308
Address: 1C03 Serendra Piazza, Bonifacio Global City
Taguig City, Metro Manila

Cucina Victoria

2007-08-09T22:04:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 11, 2007

One place that had delicious food, but i would never *or avoid to* go back to is Cucina Victoria. The place is so-so.. its interior similar to that of Dulcinea's.. the food is okay.. but if you're given as much choices as they have in powerplant.. definitely try somewhere else.

Salpicao Rice - PhP 265 (just the right slice.. was a bit cold though when they served it.. price is too much for the quantity)Crispy Fish Fillet with Cream of Parsley Sauce - PhP 265 (Mc Donalds' fish fillet would have been a better alternative.. the creamy sauce saved it from being a disappointment)Cucina Victoria
Phone: 898-1098
Address: Level P1, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive cor. Estrella St.
Makati City, Metro Manila

Gracielo's Inihaw

2007-08-09T21:09:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 10, 2007

One place in the metro that you should go to at least once is Tiendesitas. They divided the area into specialties like antiques, pets, fashion..etc..mind you, they offer it real cheap there. After shopping, there's no need to go far to eat because they also have a food court with numerous stalls..however, they basically sell the same viands. We chose Gracielo's because it was the nearest to where we came from.. lesson learned that we should sacrifice the walk to have something better.. unfortunately, there was no saving grace for them.. we didn't enjoy any one of the food.. never eating there again.

Grilled Squid - PhP 150+ (i don't really remember the price.. all i remember was how it wasn't worth it..the squid wasn't fresh and undercooked..malansa!)Sizzling Sisig - PhP 200+ (not sure about the price.. i'll recheck when i go back.. but this has got to be the worst sisig i've had. it's all pork fat.. ick.)
Gracielo's Sari-saring Inihaw
Phone: 807-8167
Address: Tiendesitas at Frontera Verde, Ortigas corner C5 Ugong
Pasig, Metro Manila

Sentro

2007-08-09T20:10:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 9, 2007

If you have balikbayans craving for filipino dishes and don't want to go to the usual choices such as Kamayan, Cabalen, etc.. or if you yourself want to eat filipino food but are too lazy to cook yourself *like me! :p* then Sentro is the place to go. The food tastes great, although the serving is quite small. It's definitely one, if not my favorite filipino restaurants in the metro.

Butong Pakwan - free (they might as well not have served this..it looked old, tried one.. and stopped.)Boneless Crispy Trotter - PhP 390 (super super yummy!! the skin's really crispy and the meat so soft! it's less the hassle because it's boneless already! sarap talaga!)Lamb Caldereta - PhP 390 (the meat was surprisingly soft..although i would've liked it more if it were spicier..and the serving was so little for the price)**Also try their Corned Beef in Tamarind Soup.. i've heard so much rave about it.. will definitely try it when i go back.

Sentro 1771
Phone: 757-3940
Address: Greenbelt 3 2nd Level, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila

Bubba Gump

2007-08-08T23:05:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 8, 2007

Another fun place to dine is Bubba Gump. It only has one branch in the metro which is located in Greenbelt. It's good for hanging out with friends or family. The environment is somewhat like in Friday's. The prices are quite steep, but you'll surely enjoy here!

Speckled Lemonade - PhP 110 (unlike other strawberry lemonades, this one has a generous amount of crushed strawberries in it.. too bad it isn't refillable)
Frozen Lemon-Ups - PhP 90 (too sweet.. lemonade shake with blue syrup which i'm not familiar with)Calamari Rings - PhP 270 (squid was not rubbery and not that oily.. although the price is too much for a small serving)Bucket of Boat Trash - PhP 610 (deep fried shrimp, lobster, mahi-mahi & fries.. just for kids! :p this will probably hike up old people's cholesterol! but really yummy)Salmon and Veggie Skillet - PhP 460 (too much butter! the salmon was fresh but the jasmin rice was swimming in oil & butter.. plus i don't really like capers)Name plate game - (a fun and innovative way bubba gump has thought of to call waiters.. you flip the plates to red if you want them to stop, and blue if you don't need them)
Bubba Gump
Phone: 757-5154
Address: 2nd Level Greenbelt 3 Paseo de Roxas corner Legaspi St., Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila

Cyma

2007-08-08T22:39:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 3, 2007

Becoming more and more popular, Cyma is definitely one restaurant you should try. Bombarded with Japanese, Chinese and American cuisine all over the metro, Greek specialties offered by Cyma is a wonderful surprise to your palette. The ambiance is very informal. Wooden stools and servers in jeans are examples to how casual it is in Cyma, making me believe that they focus on the food more than on the aesthetics. Well, i don't have a problem with that because they do serve great dishes!

Lamb Gyros - PhP 150 (the waiter had to correct me as it is pronounced "gyro".. tasted really good! although it's hard to eat because the fillings keep falling out. it's like our local shawarma, but with a lot more fillings)Garides mi Feta Spaghetti - PhP 230 (sour to the taste unlike what filipinos are used to which is mildly sweet. i really liked this one.. the shrimp was fresh, feta cheese was the right size and the serving was generous)Hirine Brizola PhP 350 (tastes like the pork chops of italianni's.. really yummy, tender and juicy.. salivating now! :p served with potatoes or bellpeppers stuffed with rice)Flaming Mangoes - PhP 180 (this is a must try! served while flaming, and you get to hear all the waiters shout "Opa!"..taste is yummy depending on the sweetness of the mango.. we got a somewhat sour mango.. good thing it's served with the vanilla ice cream and the mango had cinnamon making it interesting)
Cyma
Phone: 729-4837
Address: G/F Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila

Dulcinea

2007-08-08T21:52:00.000+08:00

Original date: June 2, 2007

It's fun eating in Power Plant in Rockwell because the restaurants are so diverse..japanese, chinese, indian, greek.. they have it. Unluckily, of all the choices available to us, we decided to eat in Dulcinea. We thought that since their pastries were so good, then their dishes would probably do good as well.. we were so wrong.

Soup - around PhP 90 (seriously, would you eat something that looks like this? i gave it a shot and.. ick. dropped the spoon)Spaghetti A Lasagna - PhP 110 (very bland.. not worth 110.. not even worth half its price. utterly disappointed in this one)Steak A La Pobre - PhP 300 (didn't personally taste this one, but my bf tells me it's good.. but i don't think it's worth its price)Fruitshake - around PhP 110 (mixture of mangoes, bananas, syrup, etc. the life saver of our meal in Dulcinea. Generous in the fruits, really refreshing!)
Dulcinea
Phone: 756-5043
Address: Concourse Level Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive cor. Estrella St.
Makati City, Metro Manila

National Sports Grill

2007-08-08T20:25:00.000+08:00

Original date: May 20, 2007

It's best to visit National Sports Grill or NSG for short if there are sports games you wanna watch where you don't have tickets to. This place gets jam packed specially during ADMU-DLSU games or any sports finals. The prices are quite steep.. but i guess it's tolerable if you plan to stay for a whole sports event which usually lasts for hours.

Home Run Sampler - PhP 585 (a wrong choice as lunch! :p but really tastes yummy good for snacking when watching games)Sauces (different sauces for the sampler.. but the best was the sour cream!)Half Mile Chicken - PhP 285 (the description says it's juicy.. well.. it's not. quite disappointing.. jollibee's chickenjoy is definitely better than this)
National Sports Grill
Phone: 893-3617
Address: 3rd Level, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Paseo de Roxas corner Legaspi Street
Makati City, Metro Manila

Tong Yang

2007-08-08T17:28:00.000+08:00

Original date: May 19, 2007

If you enjoy eating in yakiniku or shabu-shabu types of restaurants, then you'll enjoy tong yang in jupiter. It's eat all you can for a very cheap price. Here, you cook your own food over a choice of either grill or pan. I suggest choosing the grill for health reasons.. since you plan to eat a lot.. at least cut back on the oil! :p The price, if i can remember it correctly is PhP 300+/person..cheap ehh?

Assortment of seafood and meat (the seafood wasn't really that fresh anymore.. i suggest just getting the meat or if you really want fish, just cook it really well)Assortment of veggies (veggies can be cooked on the stock provided.. need to balance all the cholesterol with some veggies! :p) Meat! Meat! Meat! (the grill cooks the food real fast so don't worry that you'll be hungry! :p and they change the grill quite often so you don't get stuck with the burnt taste)Veggies in stock (you can choose from a variety of stock to get.. and you can even have 2 kinds at a time like we did. We didn't really experiment on the stock and just chose sinigang and chicken.. the others were to expensive to try)
Tong Yang Restaurant
Phone: 899-3388
Address: 34 Jupiter cor. Planet St. near EDSA Bel-Air
Makati City, Metro Manila

Italianni's Restaurant

2007-07-03T13:34:00.000+08:00

Original date: May 12, 2007

A safe place to go when you don't know where to eat is Italianni's. It's a good place if you want to laugh at the top of your lungs and spend hours on end with your friends. The atmosphere of the restaurant exudes that comfortable feeling which makes people not seem to mind the noise. I can't say much about the food.. for me, it's the ambiance and the length of time you're staying there that you're paying for... food is just so-so. But still, it is money well spent if you're with great company, and the place is as welcoming as it is in Italianni's.

Bread served with balsamic vinegar, mixed with olive oil - free! (a good starter... request for the bread to be heated to soften it.. sometimes it's better letting the waiters mix the dip, but adjust as pleased. unlimited serving)Grape shake - PhP 150 (too sweet for my taste)Set Meal - PhP 850 (during the time we ate, they had a promo where you can choose 2 pastas and 1 meat dish for a cheaper price but lesser in size.)To be honest the food was not appealing at all! the food was just dumped into the plate without any consideration of its aesthetic appeal. Also, i have the weirdest pet peeve with my food touching each other! :pFrom left to right
Lasagna ala Ravina - PhP 360 (was just so-so... amici's lasagna is a better pick)
Grilled Pork Chops Au Poivre - PhP 570 (the fried spinach was definitely the umpf in this dish. the meat was soft and juicy. by far my favorite in italianni's)
Penne Verdure - PhP 295 (not enough sauce giving it a bland taste. if you can avoid ordering this, do so)

Italianni's Restaurant
Phone: 728-0283
Address: Ground Level, Greenbelt 2, Estrella St., Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila

Fuzion Smoothie Cafe

2007-07-02T14:58:00.000+08:00

Original date: May 12, 2007

If you're tired of coffee and want to try something else, you should consider going to fuzion in greenbelt 3. It's in the 3rd floor and you won't miss it with its bright and colorful interior. They serve smoothies *doi*, pasta, sandwiches, chips and more. But when I go there I only order the smoothies *i should try the others some time*. The place is hip & young, a perfect hangout place for young people.

Flamango - PhP120 (mangoes, peaches & bananas..their smoothies have a very silky texture.. so yummy!)Show Me the Monkey - PhP 120 (mangoes & bananas, a good combination! *photos look the same, haha!*)Fuzion Smoothie Cafe
Phone: 729-6071
Address: 3rd Level, Greenbelt 3,
Ayala Land, Makati City

Gerry's Grill

2007-07-01T23:38:00.000+08:00

Original date: April 9, 2007

It's really hard to avoid Filipino grill types of restaurants because of their overwhelming number in the metro. It's even harder when you've got balikbayans craving for our native dishes. Personally, I don't really believe in eating food you can cook at home *shows how little cooking i know :p* but for my parents' sake, we went ahead and ate in Gerry's grill.

Kinilaw - PhP 130 (the fish tasted fresh and was cut at the right size..could've been spicier in my opinion)Pinakbet - PhP 110 (with pork rinds on top.. vegetables were still crunchy even with the sauce.. this one i liked!)Crispy Pata - PhP 385 (tasted burnt and i felt like it was all bones, i'd rather go to Sentro & have their boneless crispy pata) Sizzling Sisig - PhP 155 (very forgettable.. i like Giligan's sisig more) Baked Scallops - PhP 165 (the scallops were fresh & big.. it was okay but it would've been better without the margarine.. it made it sweet)Halaan - PhP 130 (hmmm.. hmm.. hehe.. pass. don't order.)Grilled Tuna Belly - PhP 75/100grams (the fish was not fresh..it was overcooked & dry)

Gerry's Grill
Phone: 556-0172
Address: SM Mall of Asia, Entertainment Center

Cold Rock Ice Creamery

2007-07-01T22:46:00.000+08:00

Original date: March 29, 2007

Unlike many people, I don't have a sweet tooth. I'd rather munch through pringles, doritos, etc. rather than having to eat a chocolate bar. So when my sweet tooth does decide to kick in, I'm very hard to please.

If you have money to spare, Cold Rock is really a nice ice cream place to try. They present their ice cream differently because after you've chosen your ice cream flavor and toppings, they smash and mix it together with spatulas. Don't be threatened by the numerous flavors and toppings they offer. The servers are more than willing to give you suggestions on the perfect mix, and even let you try the different ice cream flavors for free. A little warning though, it's kind of expensive for a little cup of ice cream... but if you don't think about the price, it's really really sinfully delicious.

My own creation - PhP 200+ (ice cream: aussie vanilla, toppings: cookie dough, maltesers.. very sweet! but aussie vanilla was so delicious.. so creamy!)They don't allow pictures to be taken inside.. so I cheated & took one from outside. :p (also try ice cream: cheesecake, toppings: strawberries, graham crackers)
Cold Rock Ice Creamery
Phone: 818 96 80
Address: The Fort Strip Building
Bonifacio Center, Fort Bonifacio

Zong

2007-07-01T09:33:00.001+08:00

Original date: March 29, 2007

Zong has been around for a while now, but I only had the chance to experience it a few months back. It's in Taguig, in the Fort Strip. It's very easy to find because of the bright lights and glass walls that the restaurant has. I wasn't disappointed by the reviews my friends gave me and the ones I read online. It's a family place, very casual, you'd really feel comfortable even in your first visit. The servings are big so I suggest that you don't go alone *besides, it's sad to eat alone*. Bring 5 people at the least so you can order numerous viands to try. If you plan to go on a weekend for lunch, be there early because it becomes jam packed a little past 12. Definitely order the crispy noodles... really yummy!

Roasted nuts - free (roasted just right, hopefully it's clean :p)
Some vegetable (sorry.. i forgot the name.. but this was really yummy!)
Etc. (here i go again eating before taking the pictures)
Crispy Noodles with Mixed Seafood - PhP 228 (super yummy! stays crispy for a long time, good for 4)
Deep Fried Pork Ribs with Spicy Salt - PhP 198 (not all fat like in other restaurants, not that oily, just the right amount of chili)

Zong
Phone: 889-0472 or 79
Address: The Fort Strip, Global City, Taguig

Mongkok

2007-06-30T22:02:00.000+08:00

Original date: March 26, 2007

If you're craving for good dimsum, Mongkok is definitely the place to go. It serves Chinese cuisine *hehe..obvious from the name* with cheap prices to boot. They'll give you a menu with the dimsum & main dishes, but waiters also go around and offer you their dimsum in a cart. Once they open the lid, you'll be mesmerized by the delicious smell coming from the steam. I was so excited to eat, I didn't even get to picture the food one by one. *yup, it's that good!*. Only fault here is the seats seem to have been taken from a canteen, and some branches don't accept credit cards.

Mongkok Siomai - PhP 65 (really meaty, but not the best among the 40 types of dimsum they offer..yep, 40!)Seaweed & Crabstick Roll - PhP 65 (for me this is the best dumpling that they're offering. just looking at it makes me want to go there)Etc. (told you I didn't have a chance to take a picture of the others.. bawas na nga yung isa o! hehe)From left to right; top to bottom
Seafood Roll - PhP 85 (soft fish with crabstick pulled together by a noodle strand)
Mongkok Siomai - PhP 65 (already mentioned above)
Sharskfin Dumpling - PhP 65 (ick. don't order this.)
Seaweed & Crabstick Roll - PhP 65 (already mentioned above)
Yang Chow Fried Rice - PhP 90 (big serving considering the price.. it can even be eaten on its own!)
Steamed Fish Fillet with Garlic - PhP 180 (just ordinary..but goes well with soy sauce, calamansi & lots of chili! Mmm..)

Mongkok
Phone: (02) 756-5112
Address:Concourse Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive corner Estrella St.
Makati City, Metro Manila

Don Henrico's

2007-06-30T20:36:00.000+08:00

Original date: March 24, 2007

Originally from Baguio, Don Henrico's has crawled into the Metro Manila scene... well, that was a few years back.. today the hubbub is gone, but the taste is still the same. We visited Don Henrico's in ATC *sorry it's almost always in ATC, we're from the south*. The place, surprisingly, was packed; hence we were seated near the wash room. :S The place was dimly lit, which to me goes against their aimed reputation as a family place. If not for their yummy mozarella sticks & buffalo chicken, I wouldn't go back to this place anymore. No prices in the pictures... will update it as soon as I remember. Hihi.

Petite Mozarella Stick (not really petite.. :p just the right size, just eat it right away..it's not delicious cold)Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza (didn't like the coleslaw & tomatoes on top of the pizza, it made it soggy)Buffalo Chicken (super yummy.. right amount of sauce, still juicy in the inside and crunchy outside.. perfect with the sour cream dip)
Don Henrico's
Phone: 850-3915 to 17
Address:2nd Level Festival Mall, near Bridgeway Entrance Filinvest, Alabang
Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila

Tempura Japanese Grill

2007-06-30T19:09:00.001+08:00

Original date: March 17, 2007

One of the more famous cuisines Filipinos love is Japanese. Personally, I haven't tried a lot of the Japanese restaurants around. Whenever I'm craving for it, automatically, it's Saisaki for me. But since Saisaki's buffet is aimed to be mass produced, the quality of the food you're getting isn't really at its best. Good thing my bf told me about Tempura Japanese Grill.

The place is very casual and the prices are just right. The branch we visited was at ATC near the cinemas. The service was okay and the waiters were nice. What's also nice about them is that they serve house tea which isn't like the free tea in other restaurants. It wasn't just "essence of tea" but actually really good tasting green tea. The ebi tempura is their specialty and can be ordered in 3's, 6's & 9's *if i remember it correctly*.

Sake Sashimi - PhP 140 (tasted fresh and cut at just the right size & width)California Maki - PhP 100 (very cheap considering they didn't scrimp on the ingredients)Gomoku Chahan (similar to Yang Chow) - PhP 41 (funny because the only shrimp it had was the one displayed on top, but all in all, it was yummy)Ebi Tempura - PhP 135 (super yummy! crunchy but not all flour.. you can really taste the shrimp inside.. unlike in Tokyo Tokyo where you can't even see it :p)
Tempura Japanese Grill
Phone: 751-2140, 751-12-89
Address: Alabang Town Center
Alabang Commercial Corporation

Brothers Burger

2007-06-30T17:40:00.000+08:00

Original date: February 18, 2007

Nowadays it's hard to find a fast-food type of burger that you can actually taste the meat. Have you noticed that Wendy's & Mc Donald's patties are now so thin it can cut your tongue? *okay I may be exaggerating a little* Point is, Brothers Burger offers these sandwiches with meat thick enough to give you a heart attack. :p The burger is really yummy with all of its juices coming out. The bun is not your ordinary bun because it's not all air inside and it has oatmeal instead of sesame seeds on top. One order is good enough for 2 people *unless it's your first time, I suggest having 1 whole for yourself*. Even the side dishes are great, onion rings or fries... *downfall is they don't offer much side dishes*. The only flaw I saw (I went to the Magallanes branch) is that the place is poorly maintained. The airconditioning is bad, there were some flies flying around, and worst of all, it smelled of a toilet disinfectant. My suggestion, have it delivered to your place.

Brothers Pounder Burger - PhP 202

Brothers Burger
Phone: (632) 854-9180 854-3701
Address: Unit 103 & 105, Oakridge Plaza,
Paseo De Magallanes, Makati City

Giligan's Island

2007-06-30T16:23:00.000+08:00

Original date: February 17, 2007

It seems like more and more grill type of restaurants are popping out of Manila. I for one get confused between Gerry's, Dencio's, Congo Grill, Giligan's Island, Pier One, etc. They seem to be offering the same type of food. You can even take a menu of just one of these, and order in the other. Maybe it's the affordability of the prices that makes pinoys just go back for more, and for these restos to popup everywhere.

Of all the restos mentioned, I have to say that my favorite is Giligan's. Ambiance wise, I think they have the best compared to their other contenders. The prices really don't differ much, but the serving is definitely bigger compared to Dencio's *Dencio's is the worst for me in terms of everything.. sorry!*. Giligan's is a good place to hangout with friends and drink, specially if you're treating a lot of people! For this trip, we went to Giligan's in Alabang... in front of Alabang Town Center. It's fairly new which means not much people! yey!

Sinigang na Baboy - PhP 140 (too sour for my taste but my bf loved it)
Tenderloin Salpicao - PhP 195 (Just the right type of slice...so juicy.. love it!)

Pinakbet - PhP 80 (Yummy.. except that it had too many ampalaya.. blech.)

Sizzling Pork Sisig - PhP 145 (has pork rinds and mayo which makes it different from other sisigs)

Giligan's Island Restaurant
Phone: (+632) 850-4443 to 44
Address: In front of Alabang Town Center

First Serving

2007-06-30T15:52:00.000+08:00

After much thought if I should start a blog, I've finally decided to do it. I've never really been into writing... it's the eating I'm good at. :p So inspired by Anton *reading his blogs really made me go out and try the restaurants he has suggested*, & Wysgal *who has, for me, a younger taste in food*, here's the first serving of my blog.

All of the food places that I'm gonna post are restaurants found here in our beautiful capital of Metro Manila. So here we go... my first take at foodtripmanila. :D