It is easy to pass by LP Leviste Street and fail to notice The Market. The shop's signage is…read moreinconspicuous and simple. Last Saturday, however, I was finally able to set foot inside the establishment and only because the coffee shop I was planning to chill out in is full. The Market is really what its name implies. It's a small shop that sells deli, cheese, fresh vegetables, imported food items, and frozen meat and fish products. What really caught my eye was the artisanal ice cream that they carry. Not only do they have the now popular Carmen's Best, but they also have Sebastian's and Adam's as well. As a deli, they have sandwiches, salads, pizza, and coffee. On the downside, the shop has a very limited seating capacity. I was lucky to visit on a Saturday afternoon. According to the cashier, their store usually fills up with customers on weekdays, especially during lunch and merienda hours. The hot summer afternoons of recent weeks make this a good place to unwind and drink coffee. Most probably to maintain the freshness of their goods, the temperature inside the shop is cool.

This tiny delicatessen hidden along Leviste Street can go easily unnoticed for a distracted…read morepasser-by, since the façade makes you feel it's just one more comercial business. But go beyond first impression and you'll see what this little place has to offer. There you can find cold cuts, cheese, fruits, fresh greens, vegetables and also gourmet products from many different countries. I just love it! When I need some moroccan couscous or some nice pasta to cook, I just drop by there. If you have time, I suggest taking a sit there (there are a few tables inside) and trying one of their sandwiches or pizzas. My favourite is the salmon spread sandwich, but it's always hard for me to choose what I want to eat. Oh, I can't forget to mention: there you can find different artisanal ice cream, like the famous Carmen's Best. If you intend to have a beer there, though, forget about it. They only sell beer to take out. It's not allowed to drink there, unfortunately.

My recent favorite find! I can't believe I didn't know this place existed in Manila. I can live…read morehere now! It's a European deli + grocery, where you can find meats, cheeses, produce. There's a good selection of ingredients for European cooking - Italian, French, German. Plus, they have a wide array of my favorite European snacks! Brands like Cailler, Kagi, Manner, Hero, Piacelli, etc. Pluses are the cafe upstairs, olive bar, gift baskets, breads, and they can make a very presentable charcuterie plate. Friendly associates too. Negatives are they can't serve coffee to go, and they quoted me the wrong price for the charcuterie plate. I selected meats and cheeses on promo and the price they charged me was way higher than the sum of the individual meats. I took it up to them and they didn't do anything to correct this. I'll just have to keep a sharper eye when they ring me up next time. This will be my go to place for my European ingredients needs and snacks! Yay! After a terrible weekend in this city, Santi's kind of redeemed Manila for me!

My Saturday routine usually starts at Salcedo Market and ends at Säntis Delicatessen. I've read…read moresomething about this gourmet-paradise place in some expatriate's web forum and wanted to check it out. Well, I can say it was love at first sight. If you like to cook different dishes (I mean, not the everyday ones), this is the right place for you to find sophisticated ingredients. They sell gourmet products from all over the world. So there's no matter if you want to impress and prepare some Moroccan food or serve authentic Italian pasta: there you'll certainly find what you need. The products I always buy there are prime meats, chicken breast, fresh salmon, turkey ham and imported cheese. Their US beef tenderloin is the most tender I found in town - and I've tried many supermarkets before. Highly recommend it! Santis also has a wine cellar with a big variety of bottles. Just choose the country and region you appreciate the most and voilà, you'll have all the elements for a great gourmet experience.

I was too hungry to wait in line to other restaurant near Poco Deli and go for out door dining…read more Taste: Food taste great Price: a little expensive (for the size of the serving) Service: fast (maybe there are few customers at that time) I love the blackout chocolate cake since I am not a fan of sweet foods but love dark chocolates, this cake is best for me

While avoiding the rush hour commute, I decided to hie off to Ayala Triangle Gardens for a quick…read moredinner. On the menu display by the entrance of Poco Deli, the sausage and cheese sampler immediately caught my attention, and then my eye traveled down to the Irish Stew which was slow-cooked in dark beer. They had me at sausage, and cheese, and dark beer. But what made me decide was the bacon rice the stew was served with. I've never had bacon rice. In I went, and the voices within me debated against sausage and cheese or the Irish Beer Stew. Good thing I am a great compromise expert: I got the sausage and cheese sampler and a side of bacon rice! First off, I am not a food writer so I won't be able to describe my meal with sophisticated description. But, the Kielbasa, chicken sausage, and Nuremberg - all of which are artisanal and home-made in small batches were fantastic. I nibbled on a Grana Padano next, one of my cheese choices, along with Manchego and Emmenthaler. My palate was so delighted I had to order a glass of wine to complete the experience. Ask the waiter for a recommendation - merlot in my case. The only reason I can't give my dining experience a five-star is because the bacon rice turned out to be steamed rice topped with bacon bits. I had imagined the bacon would've been infused during the steaming or frying. I feel short changed somewhat. I would love to come back here, and try the other sausage and cheese fare. This ends my tale of traffic avoidance turned fancy dinner. I feel so chichi!

We met friends here for lunch. Staffs are attentive to customer needs. Food are enjoyable and…read moredefinitely instagrams worthy.

A high quality neighbourhood deli now in BGC…read more I love sausages and now they're easier to have with the addition of this fine establishment. The sausage Sampler include Kielbasa, Bratwurst, Nuernberger, and Chicken sausages (550 PHP) is ideal for sharing and paired with wine. You have a wall of wine to choose from. The Highlights: Bacon Slab (450 PHP) - A meat lovers dream, imagine an inch thick bacon strip, a piece is enough. This breakfast plate will surely have you come back for more. The place in BGC to have a sausage fest.

Food was amazing but price on an upscale side. We were three and paid around $200 ++. Service was…read morequick. Great ambience for catching up with friends.

100 percent my favourite go-to whenever I visit the PH!! Whenever I'd come in for brunch, would…read morealways be so excited to drop by Cartel first thing! The place is an absolute gem!! Great cold coffee, good food and a perfect place for a get together with friends! The place is extremely comfortable, you would get away with just talking for hours here, while keeping the coffee and food rolling! I love looking around at their displays and their cold food area to see what's new. It never stops surprising me at how good this place is! Can't wait to be back again!!!

Killing time before I had to head to the airport, we were roaming the mall and I saw this cute…read morelittle Japanese Bakery stand. The little stand had so many things to choose from - fresh made sandwiches, pastries, cookies, tarts, cakes and their number one seller - the Japanese Cheesecake! It was perfect since they have mini sizes, so I had to buy one to try of course! After the first bite, SOLD! I had to get more AND a box to bring on the plane home! Those little soft mound of Japanese Cheesecake or Hanjuku is half baked cheese cake that makes you feel like you're eating clouds of yummy goodness!! Melts in your mouth with a little sweet, but not too sweet and the savory creaminess of the cheese. Ugh! I so wish I had some right now! What I also love is that everything here is made daily, no preservatives or other additives. Just plain ol' goodness that you can enjoy and share with others. Or keep it all to yourself You must have a bite!!

I love their cake and the uniqueness of the design. I just love it!…read more You should try their cheesecake Their stall was also eye catching. That would be all. Peace out!

Mister Delicious is one of the more expensive food kiosks in Hole in the Wall. They average about…read moreP400 for their sandwiches. Since I love deli meat and often make my own sandwiches, I was a bit hesitant about forking over that much money for one sandwich. But, I just had to give them a chance to prove why the high price. So I asked what their best seller is and I was told it the Pastrami Reuben. I ordered it, a few minutes later I'm being buzzed to pick up my order. And of course, like many first-time customers of Mister Delicious, I was surprised with the size of the order. It is absolutely huge! The overstuffed sandwich was split into two, so it really is good for sharing. The plate was also overflowing with camote chips. The sandwich was very good, too. It was Wagyu pastrami with coleslaw, emmental cheese and Russia dressing on rye bread. The pastrami was nice and tender, it had a hint of smoky flavor with a peppery kick. I love that the bread was a bit buttery when they served it. The camote was thick-cut so there's good bite there but of course, it did not have the crunch of potato chips. Enjoyable, nonetheless and healthier, too. All-in-all, it was a very good deli experience. Since the serving is huge, the size was worth the price.

They were out of Cubanos and classic Pastrami, so we settled for our third choice - classic corned…read morebeef Reuben sandwich on brown bread, with a mountain pile of sweet potato chips. This is definitely an exceptional treatment of corned beef - soft, probably from flavored brining, and not fibrous, like most brisket cuts of beef. The sandwich itself layers the beef together with a tasty, mayonnaisey sauerkraut that sings with the scent of mustard seed. My only comment is it could use a bump up in seasoning - even for a low salt fan like me. This is a great one deserves once in a while. It looks smallish on the tray, but it is a filling meal. Now, when do I get to try the Cubano? :)