After seeing my friend's wife post on Facebook photos of manam CAFE's Crispy Pancit Palabok, they…read morewere automatically added to my bucket list. Needless to say, as we were planning our November, 2024 trip to the Philippines, I made sure to add manam CAFE to our itinerary. Part of The Moment Group, a premier, fast-growing restaurant group in the Philippines known for creating popular homegrown brands like 8cuts BURGER BLENDS and ooma, manam CAFE is a casual, all-day dining version of the popular manam COMFORT FILIPINO restaurant. They are widely celebrated for serving Filipino classics in two ways: Classics (traditional recipes) and Twists (modern reinterpretations). My much-anticipated visit to manam CAFE was for lunch at the MOLITO Lifestyle Center on Sunday, November 17, 2024. We were a large party of 13 persons, so when we arrived around 11 AM, we had to wait a few minutes for a long table nearby the entrance. The dining room was quite busy with most if not all tables occupied. The venue was clean and bright with natural light shining through the windows despite the light rain that day. The vibrant setting was perfect for lunching. manam CAFE's extensive menu boasts a curated, diverse culinary offering tailored to satisfy every palate. From traditional Filipino dishes like Sinigang na Baboy sa Sampaloc (₱235, ₱430, ₱795) and Chocolate Champorado (₱185) to innovative creations like Sinigang na Beef Short Rib & Watermelon (₱295, ₱530, ₱925) and Ube Champorado (₱185), the dining experience is fit for curious eaters. We ordered: Fresh Lumpiang Ubod (L, ₱295) - Is it just me or is ubod (heart of palm) a new lumpia filling? I never saw this before this trip. The sweet-savoury peanut sauce was tasty, but I do prefer lumpiang sariwa (fresh) with sautéed vegetables over ubod. Crispy Pancit Palabok (L, ₱745) - One of their signature dishes, this rendition of palabok with a fun twist was what reeled me in to manam CAFE and it did not disappoint. After the wow factor from the savoury orange sauce creatively poured atop the mound of crisp noodles, the unique pancit transformed into a pleasantly chewy noodle dish with layers of textures. Crispy Pata with Garlic Chili Bits (M, ₱685) - The golden-brown crispy pork knuckles stood out as the star dish of the lunch for its burst of flavour in every bite and lasting crisp from the crunchy, spicy garlic-chili bits. Munggo & Chicharon - (M, ₱340) - This is one of my favourite stews, definitely comfort food for me. manam serves this as more of a hearty mung bean bisque, creamy like ginataan (cooked with coconut milk). While it still embodied the heartwarming flavours that I expected, I wasn't into the creaminess. Sinigang na Beef Short Rib & Watermelon (L, ₱295) - Despite Kuya Peter telling us that this sinigang with watermelon "sounds weird, but it works," this adaptation of the Filipino tamarind soup was not a favourite of the family's due to the sweet flavour. I wasn't as disappointed in this dish as everyone else was, but I was the only American-born of the group. Does that make a difference? Not-so-dirty Ice Cream (₱115) - Our party ordered two; one Ube and one Macapuno or maybe it was Vanilla? Both cups of sorbetes were fully enjoyed. Turon of Mango & Kesong Puti with Ice Cream (₱175) - Banana lumpia with a modern twist, incorporating mangoes and Kesong Puti (Filipino soft, aged white cheese) and served with ice cream. Interesting, but I prefer the classic. Bibingkang Galapong with Salted Egg (₱145) - The Filipino rice cake made with fermented glutinous rice and salted egg wasn't bad, but I was looking for the banana leaf wrap. Puto Bumbong with Muscovado Butter (₱130) - This seasonal dessert, one of Mom's longtime favourites, is usually served only during Christmas, but, thanks to manam, aficionados can enjoy it here all year-long. The muscovado butter's rich, caramel-like richness is meant to elevate the purple earthy-sweet chewy rice cake, but Mom longed for the traditional version instead. Ube + Sago (₱175) - A purple glass of happiness with ube's satisfying earthy notes perfectly complemented by the chewy sago (tapioca balls). Namnam Halo-halo (₱185) - This Filipino-style shaved ice made with sweetened beans, fruits, and jellies and topped with milk, Leche Flan and Ube ice cream was vibrantly colourful and refreshing. Iced Coffee + Black Sago (₱205) - The mouthwatering shake-like coffee drink with chewy tapioca could have double served as a dessert. Guinumis (₱155) - Yum, this cooler highlighted the creaminess of the coconut milk, the silky smoothness of the pink gulaman (a gelatin made from agar or carrageenan extracted from edible seaweed), and the lovely toasted flavour of pinipig (flattened, immature grains of glutinous rice). Service was attentive and friendly. Serving local favourites alongside modern, reinvented dishes, manam CAFE caters to both traditionalists & adventurous eaters who want to try new twists on old staples.

First time here and I enjoyed their food. They definitely live up to the name of it - being comfort…read morefood. The staff was friendly, but the restaurant can use some regular cleaning. When a family left after eating their meal next to us, the staff cleaned the table, but unfortunately the cleaning agents they use were super strong- we were fanning the smell away from us. I suggest they change their cleaning product to something less potent especially when your customers are eating- it takes away from the dining experience.

Food and ambience was excellent. Being from Pampanga I know that the quality and taste was great.read more

Very beautiful and spacious high ceiling restaurant with a nice chandelier hanging above. We…read moreordered a couple of dishes but my personal favorite were the spicy sisig pampanga and Gising Gising which was even more spicier than the sisig. We came in on a slow time of day but the staff was nice and attentive. Food came in quickly. The Binukadkad na Pla Pla dish was wonderful to see.

An absolutely gorgeous dining experience with spectacular views from the 31st floor overlooking the…read morecity. This is set within a hotel. The rooftop setting is stunning, featuring elegant water features and the option to dine either outdoors under the skyline or indoors while still enjoying the rooftop atmosphere. The views alone make this place worth visiting, especially in the evening when the city lights come alive. The food was excellent. We sampled a variety of Filipino dishes, all beautifully prepared and elevated with thoughtful, upscale twists while still respecting the local flavors. A special mention goes to our server, Bon, who was outstanding throughout the evening. Attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming, he helped make an already memorable experience even better. Soft live music was on, and it added to the experience. Between the incredible atmosphere, beautiful setting, delicious food, and exceptional service, this is a place I would happily recommend to anyone looking for a special night out in Manila.

The Nest Dining in the Sky remains one of the most romantic dining destinations in the South…read more Perched atop Vivere Hotel, it offers sweeping views of the city, especially once the sun starts to set. While technically indoors, the restaurant opens its large sliding doors in the evening, creating a cool, breezy, open-air feel that makes the space both comfortable and memorable. It's easy to understand why so many couples choose this venue for date nights and proposals. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit. Since we came for an early dinner, we mostly ordered appetizers and dishes for sharing. We started with the Seafood Clam Chowder served in a bread bowl. It was decent and comforting, nothing particularly memorable, but certainly not bad. The Sisig Lumpia was unfortunately the weakest dish of the evening. Good sisig should have some crispness and texture, but this version lacked that signature crunch and came across as overly oily. It was the one dish I probably wouldn't order again. On the brighter side, the Pinchos drizzled with balsamic reduction were flavorful and enjoyable. The Beef Nachos were the star of the savory dishes, generously portioned, satisfying, and perfect for sharing. For dessert, we had the Frozen Brazo de Mercedes, which was a great way to end the meal and easily one of the highlights of our order. Service was excellent throughout. The staff were attentive, warm, and professional, making sure everything flowed smoothly without being intrusive. While the food this visit was a bit mixed, the stunning views, romantic ambiance, and impeccable service continue to make The Nest a place worth returning to. I've dined here before and remember some of their entrées being much stronger than the appetizers we ordered this time, so I'd happily come back and explore more of the menu. The food may not be flawless, but the experience certainly is. For the view, ambiance, and service alone, The Nest earns a solid 4 out of 5 star

Very good food. Great service. Convenient location in a clean environment. I would definitely eat…read morehere again.

great customer service yummy noodles nice and tasty dessert clean Parking is limited but inside a…read morenostalgic place

I've heard and read about Neil's Kitchen for years now from friends and food bloggers alike but…read moreI've never had the chance to try it even though this location (their first and original location) is super close to our house. My friends planned a "South Saturday lunch" so that we can hang out in my neck of the woods instead of going all the way to Makati to hangout. Luckily I got a table immediately before the crowds arrived and a queue was formed. We ordered the following to share: 1. Tokwa't (Tofu) and Baboy (Pork) - we all enjoyed this appetizer that we ordered more fried tofu. The sauce was tangy and sweet while the tofu was cooked really well, crisp outside and soft inside. The pork was tasty and crispy as well. Loved the flavours and the textures in this dish 2. Crab fat pasta with crab cakes - the pasta wasn't too overpowering but you can def taste the crab fat. The crab cakes were made with real crab and they didn't scrimp on it. Great dish! 3. Sinigang paella and pork belly - one of their most popular dishes at Neil's Kitchen (we actually ordered two!). The sinigang in the paella was a great way to do a different take to sinigang and the pork belly was delicious. 4. Kare-kare with bagoong rice - kare kare was great with the distinct peanut taste and loved the veggies too. The bagoong rice was a nice accompaniment to the dish. Overall, I'm glad I finally tried Neil's Kitchen and next time I want to try their desserts.

Went here for a saturday night date and we liked the ambience. Westgate is also charming at night,…read moreparking is sufficient and the crowd is good. It was our first time at Neil's Kitchen and we were readily greeted by their attentive staff. The food selection all looked enticing. We got the calamari with paella negra, and chicken inasal with hainanese rice. Both were very filling and delicious. Would definitely go back.

So my husband and I was staying close by in a Hotel and decided we wanted to try something…read moredifferent and I'm glad we did . 1st impression I wasn't feeling the place . Service was kinda slow to approach us to take order and then it took a minute for them to bring the food . I can say the wait for the food well worth the wait . The food was hot and the cheese was the right amount of Gooey to the pasta. The sauce was just right and not to much in excess . The bread was toasted just right . Will try at least once more before leaving the Philippines:

An old favorite- serves good food, yummy cakes and pastries…read morethough its become a bit pricey

I can't believe south Yelpers aren't talking about this nice Filipino restaurant in Commercenter…read moreAlabang. Lasa Bistro is another addition to the many great restaurants sprouting in the south. It has become one of my family's favorite for Sunday lunch or dinner, partly because of the location (so intimate and quiet in that part of Alabang) and mostly because of the food. Let's talk about the food. Some of the must-try dishes are the Sinigang na Lechon Kawali, Kare-kareng Crispy Tadyang (best Kare-kare sauce I've ever tastes, so sweet and nutty), Crispy Pata and Thai-inspired Fried Tilapia. My siblings and I aren't big fish eaters, but we devoured the tilapia until none was left but bones. I was hoping to post some pictures, but I couldn't find one where our hands weren't on the food. It's that good that we really couldn't wait to eat it. I'll try next time though.

Love this place. I always request this for lunch when I am in town for business…read more Tried most of the dishes, this review is fir the Tap la the morning. Sarap! Gotta get the Dalandan(not sure how to spell it) juice. Live the sweet tart taste. Cant wait to eat here again next business trip.

I wish this place can also help vegetarians and vegans "recover", too. I had an Oriental salad with…read morepeanut sauce, and it was okay, but what I really was hoping to eat was a hot, heavy rice meal since I was really hungry and tired from biking. Would be super great if they had a tofu and veggie meal option or something, like their meat bowls. Their dalandan juice, however, is fantastic. At Php 99/bottle! It's for sharing, but I actually think I can finish the whole thing because it was so refreshing. Service is fast and friendly, too!

Rómulo's BGC made for a truly memorable reunion with elementary friends I've known for over 50…read moreyears. It was a surprise for me, and having a private room reserved made the occasion feel extra thoughtful and intimate. We shared kare-kare, pusit, pan-fried noodles, seafood, and nachos, and every dish hit the spot. The service was attentive without being intrusive, and the staff was very responsive to our needs, which we appreciated. Most of all, it was just a joy to sit down, catch up, and enjoy such a fun evening together. The only thing worth noting is that the room was arranged as consumable, so if you book something similar, be sure to order enough to maximize the value. We may not have fully done that, but the overall experience was still excellent. Great food, great service, and a warm setting for a special reunion.

Almost 100php more for every viand from other romuli branches. Pancit molo was good nit worth the…read moreprice. Rhw same thing with thw adobo romulo style and pinoy ensalada. Their place was okay but I dont think is a prime place to demand the price. 1 pinoy ensalada, single serve pancit moli, tinapa rolls 6 halves, adobo. 40usd? I dont think so. Serving size was small as well.