Manila is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia-Pacific. Although frequently derided for its pollution (Seoul, Bangkok, Hong Kong are worse), traffic (Seoul, Jakarta, and Bangkok are about the same or even worse), floods (portions of Jakarta go underwater during a huge downpour) and not enough historical buildings (you’ve got to thank the Americans and the Japanese who bombed the crap out of Manila during the closing days of World War 2 to become the second most destroyed city in the world after Warsaw). 
# l- e/ U8 A w0 J1 J公仔箱論壇Photo by eehgow公仔箱論壇6 W* s+ C3 x) e# {7 C- V' r
For the uninitiated, Manila is the epitome of urban chaos – the image that is always projected on the world’s TV screens. But like the Philippines, Manila is a place that is meant to be discovered- its true beauty hidden under several thick layers of years of colonial rule, turbulent politics, and national self-doubt. For people like me who have lived in this great city for quite a significant amount of time, Manila will always be a place I hate and love as passionately as the other. A relationship that one can only tag as, well, complicated. When I say Manila here, I refer to the thriving metropolitan area of about 19 Million people scattered in 17 cities and municipalities that composes the National Capital Region.
* A$ |% ~6 A" g9 \5.39.217.76Being naturally at the crossroads of the East and the West, Manila offers one of the most vibrant, yet, underrated nightlife and the most varied cuisines in the entire Asia-Pacific. It does not come as a surprise that one can have a Filipino regional breakfast, a Malaysian lunch, and a German dinner in one day. The following list is just among one of my most favorite and highly recommended hidden gems for the traveling gourmand. x0 Y" I% R) B
Som’s Noodle House5921 Alger Street, r- n( i! k. _3 K
Poblacion, Makati City$ q' `7 B& K4 w, X7 |* r3 O$ O' Y
+ S; H) u0 \# U, K6 ZTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。This unassuming Thai eatery along the margins of the swanky Rockwell in Makati serves the most delectable, no-frills, cheapest and most authentic Thai dishes in Manila. Dining al-fresco or inside its tiny air-conditioned room – this is not a place where one needs to dress up for an evening date although the succession of diplomatic-plated cars and BMWs parked along the street reflects the level of Thai dishes served here. I was never a big fan of Thai cuisine, which I thought pretentious and overhyped and undeserving of the haute cuisine status that most people accord it to be. Som’s Green Curry and its Bagoong Rice – (Rice sautéed in shrimp paste and served with strips of scrambled eggs, slivers of green mango and tapas) tells like it is: simple and really good. I don’t need an orchid on my plate or a dancing katoey to serve my Thai food. TVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。$ K* r, w: u; v
Ziggurat CuisineCor. Tigris & Euphrates Streets
" E$ o# Y7 y3 `* R- BTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。Poblacion, Makatitvb now,tvbnow,bttvb5 a/ y7 V8 i. \
5.39.217.76- j8 z( J, |' ~" k+ G* W2 J2 F& z, d& b
Tucked in the seedy streets of Makati’s red light district is Ziggurat Cuisine – home to excellent Indian, Mediterranean, African and Middle Eastern cuisine. The streets’ names where it was located are quite uncanny (Tigris and Euphrates are the two main rivers of Iraq) and the acronym for the cuisines that they serve is IMAM – a reference to an Islamic holy man. From Ethiopian Breads to Afghani Rice and Chicken Tikka Masala – the menu is extensive with explanations to its origins and ample description of the dish itself. While we prefer to dine al-fresco but, Ziggurat has dreamy, harem-inspired interiors – the lush Mesopotamian décor complements the sinfully exotic and insane flavors of its food. For the unwelcome notoriety of its immediate vicinity where respect flies out of the window, Ziggurat establishes itself as a place of cuisine respectability as the food connoisseurs’ destination for quality international cuisine.* g* e$ L: t" c: I. J" ?4 z( z
Salcedo Weekend MarketSalcedo Village Carpark (inside Jaime Velasquez Park)
- x$ S# h2 J( A; W! H8 l5 o1 c3 r( qSalcedo Village, Makati
9 s+ a; ]6 G! N: t7 S$ X
' M7 S' J. D3 S: q8 a5 JSalcedo Village Carpark is ground zero for international cuisine and organic produce in Makati. Started in 2004 with a few stalls, the Salcedo Weekend Market grew to become an exciting destination for budding cosmopolitan culinary adventurers. Once a hush-hush secret amongst Makati’s well-heeled from the nearby posh villages of Bel-Air and Urdaneta- the Salcedo Weekend Market became a place to find the most authentic international and mostly homemade dishes that you can find in the entire Philippines. From Portuguese seafood delights, to Turkish baklavas, to French crepes made by a chef from Bretagne, France to tasty Spanish Paellas and German wursts to name a few from the Eurozone. Asian staples such as satays, rendang and laksa from Indonesia and Malaysia, Kimchi from Korea, Hong-Kong style dimsum, Indian shawarmas are not to be left out, also a decent sushi and maki spread represents the Japanese. Homemade traditional Filipino recipes from the different regions of the country are well-represented – the Lechon Cebu that food guru Anthony Bourdain loves, the extra-spicy Bicol Express and fresh seafood flown the same day from the waters of Roxas City are just a few of what’s on display. Salcedo Weekend Market is held on Saturdays, a similar, albeit smaller version happens in Legazpi Carpark in Legazpi Village, Makati. You want kefir to go with your wagyu burger? Like Obama said, yes you can.1 y& a% o- S8 ^- o7 O
Stone Lion Food HausCarvajal Streettvb now,tvbnow,bttvb. u7 `" [- P/ r
Binondo, Manila! L! R5 e6 O U7 M
5.39.217.767 s6 a( W- v1 p( W# Z+ u3 F
 Binondo – Carvajal Street
; B Z. @3 d; F& H5 E9 w) SPhoto by webzer
0 O/ `1 j" h2 u# j0 Y6 L公仔箱論壇3 s, \0 [5 J: J2 R1 H/ W; W2 J# |2 m
: E* M. K. z$ @7 w6 k: |7 i% OAt its best, the tiny alley where this restaurant is located is dirty, aged and daunting – but teeming with good Chinese restaurants that are usually conspicuously hard to find in a metropolis with a sizable ethnic Chinese population. Called Ho-Sua-Hang, Hookien for Umbrella Alley, by the Filipino-Chinese community – the street does have an intimate appeal and gritty charm. The street is actually one of the little known streets of Binondo – Manila’s Chinatown. The more famous street is Escolta which is Manila’s former financial district (and where young Imelda Marcos worked as a saleslady) and of course, Ongpin – the busier main street of the area. Binondo is recognized as the oldest Chinatown in the world – established in 1594. Aside from the traditional Filipino cuisine that’s being offered at Stone Lion Food Haus – one should try the spicy salt and pepper squid (a definite must-try), beef broccoli and their own version Yang-chow fried rice. One should not miss Eng Bee Tin for their yummy hopia and tikoy and their restaurant – Mr. Ube in Ongpin for a very good bowl of Laksa. Part of the earnings from your meal goes to supporting the local fire volunteer brigade. Ube is Tagalog for purple yam – which explains in part that while the rest of Manila had red fire trucks, Chinatown has a purple one – donated by the owner of Mr. Ube.
2 w* m: m8 N* e3 j5.39.217.76Mang Jimmy’sBalara (Near University of the Philippines-Diliman),TVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。) x; c/ M9 b: }9 {$ B- p, ~
Quezon City
3 v4 y' ^' O2 d8 \TVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb, B( V# _4 }7 @
I could not remember when the last time I went to Mang Jimmy’s was, but I could still vividly remember how succulent and amazing the food was. If you are on a tight budget and around the University of the Philippines-Diliman area – head to this stark and down-to-earth grill place. For people who are unabashedly addicted to rice- the restaurant offers refillable rice. If there are three of you, three dishes gets you another dish for free! Sizzling sisig (that famous dish from Pampanga) and Sizzling Squid are the best amongst the bunch. The place can be quite crowded and parking can be a problem during lunch as students from UP, Miriam and Ateneo de Manila University check out this place./ k9 `/ @4 t5 X
Travel CafeGreenbelt 5, Legazpi Street
4 V. f& U0 v' p: q cTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。Legazpi Village, Makati公仔箱論壇8 f! x5 {1 u( @9 d
5 X% r, D. }# M( x* Ptvb now,tvbnow,bttvbBooking your tickets and learning about the different Philippine destinations has never felt this haute. Designed as a Travel Shop which provides up-to-date information about the Philippines with onsite travel bookings assistance and an attached a restaurant come café that serves Filipino fusion cuisine in its menu – the Travel Café provides a more relaxed, highly internationalized concept of the Philippines. An active supporter of the Fair Philippine trade organic coffee, it lists down the Philippine Civet Coffee (Kape Alamid) – one of the rarest and the most expensive coffees in the world, as one of its core beverages, served with the traditional Filipino breakfast bread- the pan de sal. The Philippine Civet Coffee is a blend of the country’s finest Arabica, Exelsa, and Liberica beans and can fetch as much as $600 a pound in the world market. This type of coffee comes from sweetest coffee cherries that are precisely chosen by free-roaming civets in the deepest part of the Philippine forests. This is then fermented inside the civet’s digestive tracts and excreted as whole beans. The coffee is smooth, clear and sweet-tasting. After a cup of this coffee, I walked past by Starbucks, and I could not help but felt sorry for those people lining up and buying crap coffee. Travel Café also promotes North Luzon Arabica from Mt. Province and Benguet, Liberica Barako from Bulacan and Batangas, and South Mindanao Arabica from South Cotabato.
1 R% @" E7 z1 }; E- |) U5.39.217.76Rufo’s4736 Kalayaan Avenue cor. Salamanca Street
5 m# W" h' F/ i/ U$ F3 J8 {5.39.217.76Poblacion, MakatiTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。: G. x( v/ x, j9 w, n! o
This is the place to go to after a hard night of partying, conveniently tucked in an almost secluded area; the place offers rest and somewhere for sobering up- forget Embassy’s overpriced cafeteria. Sizzling sisig, fried danggit and of course the tapas are the piece-de-resistance. The service is amiable and fast, and the food, what can I say… hmm… after a night of finishing almost a bottle of vodka, throw your diet out of the window because the garlic rice, tapas and danggit and sisig just feel heaven. It was so good I almost had an orgasm. (Just thinking of it, just makes me shiver!) Price wise, they are priced wisely. Just perfect, no complaints there! If you are tired of the usual McDonald’s fare after parties, Rufo’s is the best place to be, before hitting your bed or someone else’s! (Just make sure you gargle Listerine to take away that garlicky breath!). Rufo’s does delivery, but I’d recommend you just head to the restaurant itself – the quality of delivered food is quite inferior compared to the one fresh from their kitchens.
9 ?6 C& y Y- mBarcino’s
4 v6 W! n. q, r/ k5 h! @ a5.39.217.76Unit 101, Forbeswood Heights, Rizal Drive,tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb% ]# ?: x2 D7 M) G
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
6 Z! Y& F; _/ @# q5.39.217.76
8 f8 ?# Q* H- i' M7 V7 C5.39.217.76Chic and comfortable with distinct Iberian undertones, Barcino’s is my ultimate choice for real after-dinner conversations over decently priced, yet excellent Spanish wines (priced between PhP450-PhP900). Similar bottles of the same vintage would be priced triple in another wine place nearby. The wine bar is a two-story affair in a newish apartment building block in one of the fast rising modern residential and business districts in the country – The Fort. The tapas are quite lovely and just right and a heady night with good company as well as the affable Spaniards who run the place and their equally-friendly staff makes Barcino’s one of the most charming and trés elegant wine bars in Manila.公仔箱論壇3 j: v0 N3 |. k( y
M Café Greenbelt 4 (across Ayala Museum)tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb3 U9 a! M5 Q9 ^" _5 u7 t) R
Makati City$ ~0 S& B; X! m
tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb" Q- H6 A% a u6 G5 `7 O; _$ I
Popular with the lunch crowd from the nearby offices of multinational companies off Ayala Avenue, M Café (Museum Café) has steadily built a reputation as a very important nightspot for the hip expat crowd of Makati. Off from the busy areas of Greenbelt 2 and 3, M Café boasts of excellent fusion dishes and cocktails. The Roti sampler wasn’t too bad at all, and unfortunately, they had to take out my favorite Adobo with Foie Gras off their menu. The desserts are equally as sinful – one should not leave M Café without trying their crème brûlée in imaginative flavors – of which chili and garlic are my favorites. Without flinching a single facial muscle, I can definitely proclaim that M Café has the best Lychee Martini in the entire country. They also offer nice champagne brunches every Sunday at very affordable price. And before I forget, prostitutes from nearby Club Havana in Greenbelt 3 are given the coldest shoulders here. Photo by santos
) s2 p2 }- s: J- k# @/ [, _9 U5.39.217.76Swagat Indian Cuisine119 FCC Building
3 h2 A h# h# c1 i/ yTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。Rada Street, Legazpi Village; A- C! R$ f. a9 w' X
Makati City
. W4 O1 L% d( _+ C, PProbably the single most authentic Indian restaurant in the Philippines, Swagat, has created a very loyal following since it started its restaurant business in a basement of my apartment building over 5-6 years ago. After the persistent nagging from their customers, Mr and Mrs. Sanjay and Komal Khanchandani, finally moved Swagat to its current location. The restaurant is small but clean, and all the dishes are exclusively prepared by Mrs. Khanchandani herself, in an almost auteur-like fashion (although her husband sometimes takes over in extremely rare occasions). True to its Indian roots, the restaurant has an extensive Indian menu (a mix of all the different regions of India). I would go for Chicken Tikka Masala (I guess by now, you would have noticed that I am addicted to Masala), or Murgh Tikka (Tender skinless boneless chicken marinated in a blend of ginger, garlic, yogurt & various spices , toasted & sautéed w/ butter & cream.) matched with Vegetable Biryani. A cool glass of lassi made out of rosewater is perfect to balance the spiciness of the Indian dishes and their mouthwatering and famous- kulfi (chunky and super-creamy homemade pistachio ice-cream) to cap the night of delicious debauchery on my tastebuds.
C% b8 {) L% A4 H: WTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。The Runners-up• Mandarin Oriental Hotel – Best Breakfast Buffet
# M5 G& A6 ^& e3 A% L) b- u) Q' A• The Shang Palace, Shangri-la Makati – Best Peking Duck
# L* l; {, d; ^ `5 q& V- }• The Spiral, Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza – Best Views of Manila Bay5.39.217.76# S& ?6 D7 B# m( Q$ o+ k
• Le Souffle, Top of the Citi – Best Makati Skyline ViewTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。2 z7 D3 {# d* Q* h0 I& P/ N' }
• Café Caruso – Best Authentic Italian Fine Dining
1 O- V/ G/ ?1 Y' l% g& b5.39.217.76• Handle Bar – Best Value off-the grill steakstvb now,tvbnow,bttvb9 c( ^" L3 }3 K, v: h5 H, ~# S
• Max Brenner – Best Chocolate-inspired BarTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。4 b: e! o8 }! g+ u
• Cyma – Best Greek Restaurant |
發表於 2011-8-26 06:37 PM
| 