This is an old-world Spanish and Filipino fusion restaurant in historic Intramuros. I found the…read morefood was good, but I got my appetizer after my main. I recommend Adobo Bagnet, and Lengua con Setas. Unique Desserts: Known for its unique Sampaguita Ice Cream The decor was a little worn out, but I noticed that the more stylish, formal main function hall was reserved for special events. I guess this area was where the romantic reviews I read came from

One of the locals recommended Ilustrado during our tour of Intramuros. We decided to try it for…read morelunch right after the tour. The restaurant was a bit small and cozy, but our group of five was seated right away. Ilustrado serves traditional Filipino dishes in a charming, old-school Spanish-style building with antique decor. The service was fast and friendly. My family and I chose a variety of entrees, including pork, pasta, stuffed fish, soup, and salad. Everything was flavorful and prepared well. We were very pleased with both the food and the prices. However, we noticed that the bill seemed unusually high, even after applying my parents' senior discount. Since we had ordered quite a bit, I didn't look closely at the receipt before leaving. Later that day, my mom decided to review the receipt and discovered that we had been overcharged. The prices listed on the receipt did not match the prices on the menu. Unfortunately, it was too late for us to return, as we were leaving town the following day. My mom asked a friend to go back with the receipt and request a refund. It was quite disappointing to find that they had manipulated the prices on the receipt. It's a shame because I would have loved to recommend Ilustrado.

Since I moved to Manila I had troubles finding good international food restaurants. Some are too…read moreupscale and serve this kind of dishes that are so small that you feel ripped off. Others are managed too poorly, so their ambience and food is really disappointing. I'm so happy that I found this cool spot at Shangri-La Mall! The place is new and have a menu mostly inspired in Spanish food. Every dish is well portioned, satisfying and delicious. Their concept is bringing food in hot skillets, so you know that your food is really fresh and made at the moment you order it. I come here usually with co-workers as their lunch menu has a very convenient price! They always have been very flexible to accommodate to vegans and gluten-free guys from our party, something that is not so usual in Philippines. They have a nice selection of beers and wines, and a growing number of cocktails. Their outdoor seating is very nice and looks at the green promenade of the entrance of the mall. As this is a new place, they are changing the menu with the dishes that have the best reception, so don't forget giving them your feedback so they don't remove your favorite!

I had fun eating and bonding with some of my fellow Adobers and Food Crawlers! We sampled a lot of…read moretheir dishes, but here are some that stood out for me: The Buko Caldo specials: batchoy, molo, and binakol. Each one is served in an actual coconut, so eating any of them is a thrill in itself. Among the three, my absolute favorite is the first one because it's already a complete meal, plus the soup's REALLY flavorful! Perfect for the rainy season! A more filling dish would be their Bagoong Seafood Paella, which has shrimps, squid slices, lechon kawali, okra, and of course, yummy bagoong rice! I had to stop myself from eating a lot because we had another foodie event to attend after! Among the appetizers/pulutan we tried, my favorites are the fish & chips and the squid included in the Marina platter. The first dish has satisfyingly huge pieces of breaded fish and eggplant sticks, and both are seasoned well, plus the price-serving ratio is very sulit! I wish Marina could come up with a separate squid platter because the squid they used is so huge and chunky, yet easy to chew and flavorful! For dessert, I would recommend their halo-halo, which is like a mix of the actual dessert and ice scramble! They use shaved ice, so it's quite easy to mix everything together! Their ice also has a nice surprise, and you can find out what it is by visiting Marina soon! ;) For a lighter dessert, try their bukayo! It looks yucky - I thought it was made with worms! HAHAHA! But it's actually quite pleasant tasting, not too sweet, and refreshingly cold. This branch is so huge and highly recommendable for parties, functions, and groups!

In this melancholic weather, a warm and hearty bowl of soup does more than sustain and warm. It…read morewakes the senses and soothes frayed nerves. A good bowl of soup does more than fill your belly. It subdues your mind and soul, its uplifting and restorative qualities felt long after that last spoonful is consumed. Marina is a Filipino restaurant located at the corner of Scout Reyes St. and Mother Ignacia St. in Quezon City. It serves mainly seafood and Ilonggo fare. I enjoyed the company of popular YouTubers from ABS-CBN's stable of vloggers at the launch of Buko Caldo Specials, Marina's new additions to its menu. Your choice of batchoy, molo, or chicken binacol served in a coconut shell. Generous servings of noodles, chicken, meatballs, vegetables and strips of coconut; all served with a large pot of soup made of coconut water. It is hard to pick a favorite as all three were really good. But if I had to choose, the top spot would go to the aggressively-seasoned batchoy. (And the molo soup would come a close second.)

Tldr; pretty good Japanese and preuvian fusion restaurant…read more Ambiance: modern and Japanese inspired, Lots of wood and relatively good number of seating. It's comfortable but the bar seating felt like there was ac straight on my seat. Service: service was good. I noticed food kept coming out and each time whoever was able and close by took the order to the same table! They had three people serving that same table food. Had to ask for my hot water twice but was prompt as soon as I asked the person behind the counter. Food: I really liked the soft shell crab, I want to try the others next time. I only ordered half which was 5 pieces, I liked that you could do this. The udon was good the noodles were different that what I'm used to and slightly too soft but still Al dente. The soup was slightly too salty for my taste but still flavorful. I was disappointed in the duck portion but it was enough. The duck was very tender and went well with the soup. Overall would go with a different protein for this udon next time, and focus on sushi rolls.

Wanted to try this place for lunch. Interior is nice, wooden chairs and tables and a little dark…read more We were seated in the far end where a huge ladder was situated (safety hazard! More on that below) We had a total of 4 dishes to share between my sister and I. We ordered a tuna ceviche which was fantastic - fresh and tangy just the way i like it. The sushi rolls can be ordered in pieces of 5 or 10 and so we got 5 pieces of the Salmon Miso rolls (one of their best sellers) and 5 pieces of the Uni rolls (also popular). The salmon sushi rolls were very good and fresh. We then ordered and shared a main - the tuna and uni cheese Risotto which was good. Overall the food was good. For drinks we had their Sake Sangria which was a little too strong for my liking. Oh and when we left the place my cousin exited near the ladder which wobbled and nearly fell... um i understand the aesthetics but having that there is pretty dangerous.

Loved it!!! The lengua was superb. We also had the fish, pork and chicken. These were also…read moredelicious. The restaurant had mismatched chairs and tables. It is in an ancestral home across Malacañang Palace. They have a lovely entry way with bamboo and a fountain. It is very close to the Shrine of St. Michael Archangels. We had a wonderful lunch after mass with the extended family. Desserts were also good. We tried the chocolate cake and frozen lemon soufflé. YUM.

My traveler friends and I love ancestral houses - on destinations with ancestral houses, we really…read moretake time to see them. So it was a no-brainer for us to celebrate the birthday of one of us at Casa Roces. It definitely feels like an elegant ancestral house, especially the second floor, which we took an informal tour of too, through the help of the staff. The furniture and decor took us back in time. Later, I found out that the tables and chairs on the second floor are still used for meetings, one room of which is P-Noy's usual meeting room. The garden patio and the dining area of the restaurant are especially beautiful and romantic at night, when they are bathed in a soft yellow glow from the lights. I ordered the mushroom pasta, delicious and filling, with the serving just a little more than enough for one. The smoky and fresh flavor of the roasted tomato soup is also a winner. Being a pesca-vegetarian, I didn't get to taste the lengua, which is the restaurant's bestseller, and which friends attest to. We surprised the birthday celebrant with Casa Roces' best-selling chocolate caramel cake.

I had dinner on my own here and was looking forward to good seafood…read more The staff paid little to no attention to me and I had to make some "noise" to be able to order. My dish, Spicy Seafood Adobo, a local dish, was a selection of seafood in a spicy soy sauce- and vinegar based sauce. I quite liked the sauce but the shrimp I could hardly eat and there was no provision of wet towels or lemon water to clean my fingers and nobody around to ask so I had to use my water glass. The mussels had almost no flesh in them and the crab was basically just on it for show, they needn't have bothered with it. Also, there were chicken bits in the dish which I was ok with but if you're after seafood and don't eat meat it would've been a challenge. The garlic chilli fingers listed in the menu were entirely absent. Therefore, my photo promises something that was not there. All in all, an interesting experience that I have no intention of repeating.

Used to be an old house that was converted into a restaurant, you will feel right at home with…read moreLimbaga77 from its spacious with second floor for functions and bright homey interior to their friendly and courteous staffs - from their helpful guard to their waiters. - Halaan Soup (Php277) - the soup is flavorful from the sweetness of the clams with hint just a refreshing hint of ginger (which I like as I am not a fan of strong ginger-taste). Though the clams could have been cooked more for it to open fully. - Chicken Binagoongan (Php277) -It is a different twist of binagoongan using chopped chicken parts on top of boiled flattened eggplant and topped with bagoong sauce. The bagoong is good, not too salty or sweet. Sweet-salty enough to bring flavor to the dish. I just find the chicken meat is a bit dry and maybe the flavor of bagoong will blend to the chicken meat better it they used chopped boneless chicken perhaps? - Grilled Liempo (Php277) - love how they this grilled liempo still retain the softness and juiciness of its meat along with its chargrilled flavor. It also have a good balance of meat and fat to it that lend to the sumptuousness of the dish. - Pinakbet (Php177) - This is a really good dish to order. The vegetables were cooked perfectly and it was perfect with their salty and sweet bagoong. - Binusog na Pusit (Php377) - Grilled squid stuffed with tomatoes and onions then topped with pesto sauce. The squid was cooked perfectly well, that the meat is soft and east to cut with fork and/or spoon. And the pesto drizzled to the squid added a freshness to the dish which was really good. After eating and asking for the bill, we were given a happy surprise - free dessert sampler which are placed in shot glasses. They were Bikoron (some kind of turon), Perlas ng Silanganan (some mango sago in cream), Buko Pandan, and Maja Brulee. So not surprising we left the restaurant happy.

I came here with my family on my last night in the Philippines. Balboa is located at Shangri-La…read morePlaza. We ordered a bunch of food like pasta, lasagna, calamari, laksa and pizza. Most of it was fantastic. Although the calamari was a stingy portion so I'd skip on that. The Pizza was delicious we got the one with bacon, egg and apple. The lasagna was also very tasty and the laksa too. We really enjoyed our meal here and I'd highly recommend it if you're looking for a good dinner place in Mandaluyong.

This restaurant presents an elegant set-up for a lunch meeting. We are seated at the window-side…read more The staff is really attentive and we get our requests in no time. Shared the Ceasar Salad (P528), Spinach and Artichoke Dip (P288), Beef Stroganoff Fussini (P568), Truffle Oil Mushroom Pizza (P658), and the best-seller Truffled Oysters (P368). In consensus, I find it overrated. Serving size is adequate but the food seems average. No bursts of flavors even the truffle in the oysters didn't float.

This is a great place for Filipino food. We picked this restaurant out of many in Greenhills plaza…read more The Restuarant has seating inside and out. The decoration of the place is nice. It was not busy when we came at noon but the crowds started coming after our food was served. It gets crowded here. They have a place for large groups of eight. It was lunch and we wanted to eat before shopping. Random find but very good. We ordered: Young buko drink - a must(ask to half it to eat the inside. Hopefully, it's the young coconut so it's super soft) Mango juice - a must Mango shake - a must Crispy pats - must Laing - a must (ask for red Thai pepper as the green one was not spicy) Pandit - good Ukoy - a must Boneless bangus - must Tuna sisig - was good but small position and it was beef! (I didn't question as we were hungry but took a star off due to this.) Pork sisig - good but small portion Fresh lumpia - a must; wrapped in light egg instead of the normal thin wrap. Never seen this done like this before! Service was pretty good but food came out a little longer than expected or maybe, we were hungry!! Haha. Some portions are small but taste is worth it to me more. Will be back if in the area...

The place is easy to find at the 2nd floor of Promenade, Green hills Shopping Center. We ordered…read morecrispy crabs, it was good it was my first to try the tiny crabs deep fried. The okoy was so,so with a piece of shrimp each with more of batter than bean sprouts, carrots or sweet potato. The clam tinola are very tiny if you call it Manila clams, but the size are considered as halaan or paros. The head of tangige cooked as sinigang was good. Also, the tuna grilled with a sweet sauce was good. Overall, including the pansit was reasonably priced. Not too crowded in the pm of Friday.