I like that Zong's pretty low-key now. With the arrival of new restaurants in the south, they're…read morenot as packed as they once were, which makes it even better for me to bring my kids. It's now a place where the family can enjoy a quiet dinner (or noisy, if your family eats like mine) eating their Chinese comfort food. Zong's the first place that comes to mind when I think about or hear the words hot prawn salad. They serve the best one as far as I'm concerned. The ingredients are very basic (buttered prawns, sweet mayo, some veggies and cashew nuts), but it's so yummy! My other favorite from their menu is the chicken in salted egg yolk. It's probably one of the best fried chicken I've ever tasted. Until I learn how to replicate this dish, I'll never stop eating at Zong.

There are numerous choices at this buffet. I always end up spending most of my time getting the…read moreshrimp tempura and sashimi. I had a bit of the caesar salad, cheese, bread, and fruits. If you like freshly grilled seafood or meat, they will grill your preference and bring it to your table. I saw one table of a few ladies who had numerous grilled plates of food on their table. They made their own buffet table of grilled food. I saw one person that only ate desserts. There were definitely numerous dessert options. My husband tried a little bit of everything, but he enjoyed the sashimi and sushi rolls more than all the other dishes. My husband and I liked being able to make our own halo-halo dessert and topping it off with ube ice cream.

The Corniche is the go-to restaurant for buffet dining at the Diamond in the heart of Manila. It…read morefeatures a wide array of local, Western and Asian cuisine to satisfy one's taste. I find the selections meticulously prepared though I kept missing some of my favorite Korean dishes which are often present in other dining establishments. I love the interiors of this restaurant with its high ceiling and glass panels. The outdoor falls creates a feeling of tranquility.

I never really understood the movie posters that lines the walls of every Pancake House branch I…read moreenter, but nonetheless, a visit to this restaurant always feels like a warm hug where everything is familiar and good. As its name suggest, the place serves pancakes and all sorts of it. For the classic, to blueberry, and even cheese, it's as if a toddler had a say in what goes in the menu (LOL). But kidding aside, their pancakes are fluffy and golden just as its supposed to be and their whipped butter? Seconds please! On the breakfast front, I prefer their Golden Waffles over their pancakes any day. Not too overdone and with crispy sides, it's the perfect breakfast meal with a side order of Vienna sausages (but not the canned type, mind you). Their menus is EXTENSIVE and if you don't feel like eating breakfast food for lunch, their Pan Chicken is excellent. Coming in serving of two or three pieces, its fried and golden brown served with warm rice and gravy that feels like home, it's really comfort food at its finest. As is everything else on their menu.

Pancake House has come a long way from being just a niche eatery that specializes in a food that is…read moretill, up to this day, alien in modern Filipino cuisine. I mean yes, we do have hotcakes, we even sell them on the street, but pancakes are less "things I must eat" and more "oooh, hey, that's a gigantic, mealy hotcake, let's drown that sucker in syrup". Pancakes are definitely not that ingrained in the D and E. Nowadays, it's a fond childhood memory for upper-middle class kids, and for me, surprise, surprise, I know this place for their fried chicken. I have long accepted the fact that there is no single recipe to rule them all; fried chicken is different wherever you go. Pancake House's, to my ever chicken-loving delight, is served in an option of three to a plate, all golden pan-fried goodness and love. With the gravy and the compelling plate of rice, this fried chicken makes you think of plaid flannel shirts, green country meadows and gingham dresses under white, frilly aprons. Yes, regardless of where you grew up. It's that good. These steaming, juicy masterpieces are THE bomb. I highly recommend. Oh, and you know, get a pancake or two. Make sure to drown that sucker in syrup.

I had my last dinner in Manila at Mesa Filipino Moderne. It's a nice restaurant, with a decor that…read moreI would describe as a modern take on the traditional. There was a wait for a table, but the service was OK. We were seated and they soon took our orders. As usual, we ate the meal family style. For starters, we got the pomelo salad, which had a good amount of seafood in it. The tofu sisig was something I hadn't had before. It would have been better with crispier tofu. Grilled Liempo is always a safe choice, as is fried catfish and bangus. The kare kare was good but nothing special. I did like their malunggay soup a lot. I haven't had anything like it before. Overall, it's a good restaurant, that is a little pricier than you would pay at a place with less atmosphere.

Everything was pretty good. great lunch special! Good place to hang out. Lively vibe. Good lighting.read more

Gramm's Diner is conveniently located in the vicinity of clubs and bars in BGC, and the fact that…read morethey open until late makes it such a perfect choice for when you want to chow down after a round of drinks in a nearby watering hole. Gramm's Diner offers traditional diner mainstays with a Filipino twist: burgers, milskhakes, beer-battered fish and chips, and their all-day breakfast favorites, tapsilog and other -silog dishes. The names of the dishes (Riddles from the Griddles, Burstin' Breakfast, Never Too Early for Steak) in the menu are witty and funny, which is always good because I love a place with a sense of humor. Overall, the food is very good and tasty, though it wouldn't exactly make you jump out of your skin. It is safe, consistent and filling, which is good. The servings are quite big, though the price points are a little too expensive for the college folk. Noticeably, though, most of the place's patrons are the "bros" who are out catching a game with their friends, or families bonding and sharing a meal together. Gramm's is also a favorite hangout for the hungry crowd after they finish training in the nearby football pitch. Here, you can regularly find the players of Global FC, Azkals and other local United Football League clubs. The sporty and fun environment is also perfect for when you want to catch a live stream or a telecast of away games. There is adequate parking, and that's a plus, since parking is horribly challenging in BGC. Service is a bit slow at times, especially during the lunch or dinner rush, but the good food more than makes up for the understaffed team.

I have always been obsessed with authentic Chinese food. I remember when I was still in grade…read moreschool, my mom would always bring me and my brother to Luk Yuen to try out their Taro Puffs. When I was still young, I initially thought that Taro Puffs were made out of pure meat because it tasted so good. My mom even told me that this restaurant is the only place that can make me eat healthy food. Until now, I still eat in Luk Yuen. It's one of my favorite Chinese restaurants out there. My favorite dish would be their Beef Brisket and Wanton. I love the tenderness of their beef. It's also really heavy, so eating a bowl of this could make you last for one whole day. It's also cheaper than most Chinese restaurants. A single meal will only cost you at least 130 pesos. But I guarantee you, Luk Yuen doesn't sacrifice quality for price. They also have a very friendly personnel. The moment you step inside this restaurant, they will immediately serve you with a smile.

I've been going here for lunch for almost 3 decades now. It's still is the best casual Chinese…read moreRestaurant, in my opinion. They're very consistent with their food, same taste, same quality. Congee go-to! King Dao Noddles, spicy awesome! THE BEST PORK SIOMAI! YUMMY!

This place never disappoints…read more We always go here whenever we're in the Philippines. It's best to go here for lunch, because then you'll be able to enjoy the view. I happen to like being able to see the waterfall. Then again, there are those that like the romantic evenings. I always order their Ladies Set. It happens to have the items that I enjoy eating at this restaurant. My number one choice here is their Grilled Gindara Teriyaki followed by their Shrimp Tempura, and Chawan Mushi. We usually order their salmon sashimi and their California Maki Roll. Our beverages are usually one of their refreshing shakes.

My wife's college friends treated us to dinner at Yarakuen Restaurant, and it was an unforgettable…read moreexperience. Tucked away in the prestigious 5-star Diamond Hotel, the restaurant boasts an atmosphere of exclusivity from the moment you step inside. Positioned to the left upon entering the hotel, we were warmly welcomed and treated like VIPs. The dining space is absolutely stunning, offering an elegant ambiance perfect for a special night out. We decided to try the fixed menu all-you-can-eat option priced at $68 per person, which turned out to be a fantastic value. The servers, elegantly attired in Japanese kimonos, provided impeccable service throughout our meal. We began with classic miso soup, sushi, and sashimi, setting the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey. The anticipation grew as our grill was prepared with charcoal, adding an interactive element to the dining experience. The selection of meats and seafood was impressive, featuring thinly sliced beef Ribeye, flavorful Marinated short Ribs, shrimp, scallops, Marinated salmon, squid, and lamb, among others. Each dish was expertly prepared and bursting with flavor, though the meat wasn't of the highest grade, it was still well-marinated and tender. A standout dish was the seafood fried rice, which perfectly complemented the other offerings. With the option to order unlimited servings of your favorite items, we left feeling completely satisfied. For dessert, you can indulge in a delightful selection of options such as Ube or Green Tea ice cream, to name a few, or opt for fresh cut fruits to end your meal on a refreshing note. The variety of dessert choices adds a perfect finishing touch to an already exceptional dining experience at Yarakuen Restaurant. The experience was not only delicious but also remarkably affordable, especially considering the top-notch service and ambiance. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, providing a picturesque setting for memorable dining experiences. I can't praise the staff enough for their attentive service, ensuring that we felt like valued guests from beginning to end. Our evening at Yarakuen was truly exceptional. For anyone in the Makati area, I highly recommend visiting Yarakuen Restaurant at Diamond Hotel. You won't be disappointed. My Personal Rating : 4.8 Food 4.5/5 Staff 5/5 Price 4.5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Cleanliness 5/5

I can't remember how long Vista Apartelle is standing near home. But over the years, we never…read moreactually used it for the rooms. Instead, we order take out from it! It comes handy about a few several times already, especially when an unannounced relative surprises the house with a visit (being Filipinos, you gotta throw some sort of celebration, right?). There's nowhere else to turn to but Vista Apartelle--or at least, that's how it all started. They serve a wide range of the usualy Filipino fiesta food, namely the different kinds of pansits in various bilao sizes. But my favorite dish to order in this place would be their fried prawns. The batter is just super nice and crispy. Very delectable. It doesn't have the usual Japanese-style bread crumbs, but I guess the quality of the prawns they use just makes up for it. The food here is just so addictive that my family and I order a feast there just for the kicks these days. You should try them too, if you live around the area.