My dad's province is from Ilocos Sur, and when I heard that there was a restaurant serving Ilocos…read moreempanada, I just had to go and check it out. Their menu is actually quite simple and cheap, as well. For the price, you get a decent serving, but I usually don't get filled up with just one order. Definitely give the Ulitmate Empanada a try, because it features all of the food that put Ilocos on the map (bagnet and Vigan longganisa! Yum!). It tastes just like my grandmother makes it. Their rice meals are low on the budget, but I find the servings a bit too small, even for that price range. Aside from the empanada and the rice meals, they also offer a few Ilocano delicacies that I haven't tried, although the Insarabsab looks a lot like how I see it prepared during fiesta time. This place makes me proud that I am familiar with all the Ilocano food. Come here if you're looking for a cheap meal and good Ilocano flavor.

Philippines review #36…read more Located on the 5th floor of the Century City Mall in Makati, Hole in the wall has got to be one of THE BEST food courts I've been in! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hole-in-the-wall-makati?select=mocXQLUJFGLa-v9nW-wNqw The best because the style / décor is very cool, modern and sophisticated. It's casual and comfortable with a variety of different seating areas. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hole-in-the-wall-makati?select=2wby6b6vGb-RopzYpYkuNA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hole-in-the-wall-makati?select=NlsB3_lcW_K52uwCZ2XCdg You'll find a variety of different food items to choose from at more than a dozen restaurants with fun names like: Bad Bird, Pho Bobo, Smokey Bastard, Serious Dough, The Beef, Scouts Honor, etc. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hole-in-the-wall-makati?select=TmvhJCz7Z6pARaszQFKWkg Of course there are a number of more formal, sit-down restaurants located in the mall. But this is a fun, casual spot, with a variety of food served quickly and at reasonable prices!

The high-end food court has been a huge thing across the globe since the early 2010's, except in…read morethe Philippines. Back then, if you've been living in Manila for most of your life, the words "food" and "court" in the same sentence never really sounded appetizing. Enter Hole in the Wall. I've been here a few times already, but stepping inside its huge hip maze of interiors never ceases to excite me. I'm not sure if it's the thrill of choosing what meal to try next or just the nice aesthetic of literally everything, that excites me more. On my first visit, I made sure to first try the super popular fried chicken from Bad Bird. As a big fan Southern-style fried chicken, I wasn't disappointed. The crispy skin had a yummy seasoning that's new to the palette, very different compared to my other favorites, such as the Chickenjoy from Jollibee and the Pan Fried Chicken from Pancake House. And there's something about their side dishes that just completes the whole meal. The corn on the cob with bonito flakes, sweet and umami flavors melting in your mouth, was to die for. The coleslaw provided a nice acidic break from the saltiness of the chicken. The meal was a fun experience itself. Just the other day, I tried the Pastrami on Rye from Mr. Delicious and it was monstrous--just plain impressive in terms of size. I didn't even attempt to bite on the entire stack, using my fork and knife like a pretentious chick on a first date instead. Each bite off the monster-wich was packed with so many different flavors, though the pastrami still easily emerges as the hero of the dish. And let's not get started on the sweet potato chips. I'm not a big sweet potato-lover, but damn, the portion was more than satisfying. If there's anything I'd like modified, I just wish there was a bit more of the veggie pickles to cut through all the meat and fat. For now, I'll end this review right here. If it isn't yet so obvious, I'll probably be back here in no time to try a different food stall or two.

The third branch of the chain, TomatoKick Morato (TK3) is on the one hand an upgrade of what it…read moreused to be, but on the other hand, remains to be "your friendly neighborhood tambayan" (hangout). Owned by musicians themselves, TK3 has retained its identity as a safe haven for anyone who looks for good music; a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere; tasty but affordable food, and cheap beer - all very important things to the "North" folk. The TomatoKick brand in general has food that is tasty, inventive, and comforting. I once had the Beef Fajita when the Katipunan branch was still open, and two restaurant iterations later, it is still my favorite thing on the menu. But there is nothing on the menu that I wouldn't recommend, because they are all so well-prepared. I would recommend the Tokwa't Bacon Liempo, Bacon and Cheese Fries, It's not gourmet cooking, but you can tell that the people behind the menu are inventive amateur cooks who really just love food. As for the music, for the most part, it is pipe-in, but still very tasteful. You can tell that the owners are passionate about this as well. On a regular night, you can expect to hear work by local greats, like the Eraserheads, and Franco; or respectable foreign acts that even music lovers such as myself have not heard about. In fact, I discovered one of my newest favorite bands through TK3's in-house playlist. On nights that there are live acts, it just gets better. They source some of the best in the local music scene, most of which are the owners' friends as well. It's not one of those acoustic places; I've been there when rock, ska, and reggae bands have played, and although TK3 is a relatively small place, it is more than enough to house the music.

The TomatoKick branch in Morato has fortunately retained their delightfully underrated feel - so…read moremuch so that there are times when this place is virtually deserted, and you can have a nice quiet meal with their signature piped-in music playing from the background. They also had a bit of refurbishing done - when I was last there, the walls were still bare like they were waiting for a fresh coat of paint. Should be done now, and I'll go back soon to check out its new look. Food-wise, everything on the menu is great. I'm a big fan of their Bacon and Cheese Fries. I was surprised though when I ordered a burger and it came with nachos, then I realized I ordered a MEXICAN burger. Now it kinda makes sense.

The first week of 2016 took me on a scenic road trip through the steep, winding roads of Antipolo…read moreto a restaurant that is gaining quite a following among diners east of Manila. What brought me and a dozen other rabid foodies to cashew nut country is an invitation to sample the menu at Marison's. But there are reasons aplenty to make the drive to this side of the Sierra Madre mountain range. The cooler climate, the churches, the waterfalls, art museums, pine trees, and roadside shops selling cashew nuts and local sweets. If you're in the market for real estate, there are more than a few gated communities you can view. And a shopping mall is never too far away if you're the type that gets anxious when retail therapy is not part of the itinerary. If you're planning a trip to Antipolo, lunch or dinner at Marison's is an absolute must. It's unique take on kare-kare is what keeps diners coming back. The kare-kare has ground cashew nuts in its stew, and is topped with deep fried beef tripe. Sooo good! For appetizers, I would recommend the deep fried kesong puti and the pork confit. The texture of the local cheese and the light crisp of the lumpia wrapper is a great combo, a step up from the usual mozzarela sticks with its half-inch thick breading. The deep fried kesong puti comes with a sweet pineapple sambal dip. If you're looking for something spicier, I'm certain Marison's will oblige if you put in a request with your friendly server. The pork confit is also a very good choice--crisp lettuce wrap topped with pulled pork, crispy noodles, and a sticky sweet dressing that has just a touch of heat. From the main entrees, my favorites are the beef tripe kare-kare, the grilled salmon with caramelized peaches, and the pork binagoongan. The kare-kare has a seafood version as well--this time with crispy squid. We were also served the crispy buntot ng tuna which is an excellent alternative to the sinful crispy pata. I found the exterior a bit tough, so carving and scraping the meaty, collagen-rich, unctious goodness of the tuna tail meat is a bit of an effort. With different company, or in the privacy of my home, it is a dish that I can go to town with. For dessert, we were served sansrival and frozen brazo de mercedes, both of which were not too sweet but really REALLY good. And I hear Marison's coffee is excellent as well.

We went to the Marison's on the second floor of the Vista Mall in San Roque, Antipolo…read more The place seems new, but is set up simply. It is well-lighted, with big windows that provide natural light. THE FOOD Friends who live in Antipolo have been recommending Marison's Crispy Tripe Kare-Kare (P330), and I'm glad I finally got to try it because it is drool-inducingly good. It is made from scratch, with no cheats! It is made from peanuts and cashew, and cooked for hours to get that thick consistency. The sauce is sweet and creamy. Also, the "tuwalya" that is usually boiled in traditional kare-kare gets upgraded at Marison's. It is breaded & fried, and if you didn't know better, you'd mistake it for calamari! Their bagoong alamang is also made from scratch. The Pork Binagoongan (P310) was also very good. It's made from deep-fried lechon kawali, which was still juicy inside. We also had the Sinaing Buntot ng Tuna (P410), steamed and then deep-fried tail end of tuna, topped with pork cracklings. This was also good, and some of our companions scraped it to the bone, saying it was really delicious. For dessert, we had Marison's Macadamia Sans Rival (P140 per slice). It has the right amount of sweetness, it's not oily, and it doesn't stick in my mouth. It is topped with buttery macadamia nuts! IMPRESSIONS Marison's was nice and bright and clean, and looks like a typical, simple cafe restaurant. However, the Kare-Kare is to die for! I really recommend the Crispy Tripe Kare-Kare, especially if you like your Kare-Kare on the sweeter side. For me, this is the restaurant worth making the trip back to Antipolo for.

What a wonderful surprise! Second time in Manila, and really enjoyed Pino for lunch…read more I had chicken adobo in a number of different restaurants and at my hotel -- but this was, by far, the best I'd had. Not big on deep fried stuff, so I didn't try the pork, but the people I was with -- both of whom are from and live in the Philippines -- said it was excellent. The eggplant with peanut sauce was good; if you are someone who enjoys peanut sauces like what's in Thai food or West African food, adjust your expectations! It's not as peanutty -- it's deeper in flavor. Heading back to the Philippines in the fall and will be in Quezon City again, and hope to return then!

Restaurant is a diamond in the rough! Amazing Filipino food!…read more This restaurant stands out for their good prices and their big servings. Very busy during lunch and I know why! We came here before the lunch rush and it was perfect I didn't know what to expect, but just to let readers know I am not a fan of Filipino food but this place hit the spot. The pancit is delicious words cannot describe how much I love their pancit. It's the wet noodle version with the egg. It is a unique delicacy and a must try for any pancit lover. Place is affordable and delicious try it

We had 52 guests with an overnight reservation. Jorge, the Malugay branch supervisor was very…read moreaccomodating and fulfilled our requests to the letter. We had 2 deaths in the family and our minds and hearts were not in the right place. But your staff took good care of us and our guests. My very rich relatives didn't mind the tightness of the space since the food was excellent and freshly made. Joel Torre, you were my HS crush and your staff and food made me love you even more. Kudos to a very well trained Malugay Street branch staff!!! Boots Lagdameo Jazz Residences

The staffs are good, no solicitors, no beggars, the inasal is delicious, we went there from St…read more Lukes BGC, and it is near S&R and the ambiance is good

Service was good. Food okay. Grilled pampano took forever. The bummer is the portion is a ripoff…read more Will never be back and I can't recommend.

Like others, I was attracted to the pictures of the decor of this place and wanted to check it out…read more It did not disappoint, the place is super quirky, with gold painted Thai idols, European figurines, native music instruments, Asian vintage furniture etc. it's a feast for the eyes. The fun is inventive with a hint of traditional. We had the okoy, spring rolls, adobo 3 ways, binagongan fried rice, kapampangan sisig and because of the Thai folds around the place some pad thai which was surprisingly spicy! Good flavors, tender when it needs to be and crispy when it should be. The only complaint was it was a bit too salty and the portion was small which is okay if you re a small party but any party 5 or more would need to order a couple of the same plates for everyone to get a taste. Service was okay and friendly but super slow. I would recommend a try. Parking is nuts!

Great food and presentation lots of choices. Looks like a party from your Grandparents ancestral…read morehome. The desserts are delicious. The service is polite and friendly. The garden is nice , great for waiting for your ride. We were seated towards the side so it was quiet.

We made reservation for an 11 am lunch. They'll give you only 15 minutes allowance to get your…read moretable for lunch and they'll give your reservation to the next client. Lunch hrs from 11 am to 2 pm. Dinner from 7 to 10 pm, weeknights. Cost of AYCE buffet is P899+VAT. Delicious food and desserts, also different varieties of drinks. I have some concerns about the pork and beef entrees. The meat is not the soft tenderloin, it's hard to chew. Setting is in an old house in San Juan, NCR. Lots of parking and secured area spaces. This place is good for tourist or balikbayans.