Best-kept (not so secret) secrets - foodie gems! - Manila forum

Best-kept (not so secret) secrets - foodie gems!

81POSTS

12 years ago

In my time here I have eaten out more than a lifetime in Oz! I really enjoy finding the local gems and avoiding the Western generic type restaurants.

1. Cafe Ysabelle
OMG! Located in San Juan this place requires reservation if you want to be sure. Avoid weekends as it is packed and you cant get a parking slot! Best times to go are weekdays, its nice and quiet. It is a beautiful old house re-transformed, and the service is top class. Prices are a little high compared to filipine dining, but well worth it! They also have their on culinary school and now have started producing products in supermarkets. One-of-a-kind fusion dining!

2. North Park.
This is a franchise, however the service and food is amazing! Serving Chinese food to die for, fast efficent delivery and service.The ones I have been to are in Taguig and San Juan.

3. Mom & Tinas
I became so addicted we were at one point going there 3 times a day! No Lie!
They offer combination of traditonal food and also western. I recommend the Chicken Lasagne, the apple pie, the cheesecake, the milkshakes... lol! everything (including the lasgne sheets/sauce) is handmade, and you can taste it!
These guys are opposite SM Hypermarket / Tendisitas in Pasig.

4. Buerre Blanc
Labelled as a French/ Mediterran (???) the food is to die for! Go for their buffet option and feast away on everything!They are in Resorts World, Newport Mall.

5. The Fort has alot of places to eat, some of my fave's:
New Bombay (Indian)
Conti's Bakeshop (deeeeevvvine desserts!)
Agaves (mexican)
Cupcakes by Sonya (must do!)
Hossein's Persian Kebab
Aubergine's Restaurants and Patisserie

6. Handlebars
To all my fellow Australians: genuine good old Aussie tucker! and after some time here in Manila you will want this for sure! Located in Makati it is also a bar, best to go there for their lunches during the week. (Owned and run by an Aussie)

The ultimate buffet experience is no doubt, the Shangri-la, but its pricey. Certainly a good place for a speacial occasion.

Looking for home delivery? I use munchpunch.com huge range of choices and Ive found their service to be good. First time you order through them I recommend calling in, once your account is running with them then online orders are usually fine.

Looking to try some traditional food?
For those who like to play it safe start with lechon (roast pig)
Other dishes that have wide appeal:
Adobe
Tapas
Caldareta
(all served w rice of course!)
Now trying bulit...thats another thing...

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Guest7983 Guest

0POSTS

12 years ago

Why? Is everything good only in Manila? What about Cebu?
Manila is one large "Dust Bowl".

garyww Contributor

182POSTS

12 years ago

Perhaps she is only paid to write about Manila restaurants.

dhnindc Serial expat

583POSTS

12 years ago

Funny thing is that all the restaurants that she list, no Pinoy foods. All international.聽 If in the Fort, I do like Abe's and Sentro. They are more Pinoy fusion and I think they all belong to the same franchiser. But reasonably priced and good. Try the Lamb adobo at Abes.

Handlebar is not owned by an Aussie. Majority owned by Pinoys.

morefuninthephilippines Active member

81POSTS

12 years ago

I wrote about Manila restraunts as my blog was under Manila lesuire.. not paid, sorry buddy just trying to share the good experience. My whole reason for starting to write on this blog was to help others avoid the hits and misses I've had. Cafe Ysabelle isnt intertnational,nor Mom and Tinas -聽 but yes,my taste does go that way seeing thats the food I enjoy the most

Maybe checkout my post on Shopping, you will find plenty about Philippine business there!

morefuninthephilippines Active member

81POSTS

12 years ago

arty5987 wrote:
Why? Is everything good only in Manila? What about Cebu?
Manila is one large "Dust Bowl".

Arty perhaps you can share your experiences with us about Cebu?

AuzzieAbroard Member

12POSTS

12 years ago

Maybe her post about Manila is because that's where she is duh

@morefuninthephilippines dont mind these ignorant peepz... they obvioulsy just have nothing better to do than share negativity... I really love cafe Ysabelle it is one fine restaurant which are very hard to find in this country... I think the fact that they have a culinary school there really shows in their foods taste and presentaton. I will also check out the others you have listed... thanks for sharing!

morefuninthephilippines Active member

81POSTS

12 years ago

so, aside from smart-arse comments, does anyone else have some favourite places they would like to share?

dhnindc Serial expat

583POSTS

12 years ago

#10

Abergines in the Fort is one of the best hid secrets for continental. If you love Antonios in Tagaytay, will like Abergines. Only downside is that service is spotty.聽 Had to ask way too many times for service the last two times.

Also another sad development is Terry's off Chino Roces. Used to be a good tapas place but has gone way off. Maybe location is poor so the food has gone way downhill. Ok for small dishes, but the paella was way burnt and dried out, and they said thats the way it should be served.聽 The Terrys in Podium is better for meals.

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morefuninthephilippines Active member

81POSTS

12 years ago

#11

dhnindc wrote:
Abergines in the Fort is one of the best hid secrets for continental. If you love Antonios in Tagaytay, will like Abergines. Only downside is that service is spotty.聽 Had to ask way too many times for service the last two times.

Also another sad development is Terry's off Chino Roces. Used to be a good tapas place but has gone way off. Maybe location is poor so the food has gone way downhill. Ok for small dishes, but the paella was way burnt and dried out, and they said thats the way it should be served.聽 The Terrys in Podium is better for meals.

I love Antonios & Abuergines! good picks!

trifyllis Active member

45POSTS

12 years ago

#12

one must love margarine and shortening a lot, to love conti's baked products. and that one is not me.

for fine dining: goose station, aubergine, cav, sala thai: people's palace, japanese: sereina, mexican: chiuaua. chinese: mandarin palace. buffet: 101, casual: shabu shabu, chilli's, texas road house. turkish: argos, greek: me

iranian: can't remember name but the one in greenhills. of course good old: bubba gump. for cheap seafood: dampa on macapagal, fancy crabs: red crab, best burgers: malcolm's. make sure to visit the food bazaars, that is where hidden gems are. especially legazpi and salcedo markets.

sorry indeed no local food, because I am not a big admirer. looking forward to hear your suggestions.

alexa1975 Member

3POSTS

12 years ago

#13

I love the buffets in the restaurant and find Buffet 101 to have the best value for money. Yakimix is also nice and a bit cheaper. Ilang-Ilang cafe in Manila hotels has a superb fish buffet on friday, but is expensive. Here is a list [link moderated] of other options.

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John0189 New member

7POSTS

12 years ago

#14

Go try Vikings. Its a Buffet restaurant. They have different cuisines there, from Chinese,Japanese, Italian etc. Awesome food! You wouldn't be disappointed. They have several branches round the metro. The one that I visited was their branch in Mall of Asia. or if you are looking for a Buffet Restaurant that caters Filipino food try Dad's they have a branch in SM Mega Mall, Glorietta Makati and in Malate. Cheers!

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