To be honest, I'm totally clueless about what Turkish cuisine is about. I don't know any staple…read moredish or native delicacy. Because of this, with the desire to try anything at least once, I did not have any second thoughts about trying this place out. Besides, there was a bit of a line and the area was not deserted so I thought a number of people must really like whatever is on the place's menu. I asked for their bestseller and a slightly indifferent woman on the window recommended the Pita Doner. It looked really tasty and I got excited to take my first bite. And when I finally plunged my fork onto the pita bread, I noticed that it was stuffed with lots of vegetables. I'm not sure if it was a good thing but I expected more meat. The sauces (not sure how they're called) on the other hand, were also kind of bland. Good thing the entire dish was generally filling and satisfying. Not to mention it was already a balanced and healthy diet as it is. It might not be the best I've tasted but I have nothing to compare it with so I guess it was just ayt and I'm still willing to give Turkish cuisine in general another shot.

I can't help but feel that I should have ordered something else. After all, Bricks and Copper's…read morereputation preceeds it as far as I've read. Well, it's hit or miss, really depending who you ask. It just so happened that I was looking for something light that day. With everything around it offering something heavier, a pita donner seemed like a good idea. If you're familiar with the Bricks and Copper from Pleasant Hills, you'll probably notice there's a lot missing from their menu. But at least they kept their best seller, right? The pita donner is... kind of underwhelming. I mean, I guess it's okay. The meat wasn't all that dry. Nice and peppery. Good flavor but the way it was stacked in the pita meant that you'd be left with nothing but vegetables when you reached the bottom. That definitely does nothing for its flavor. That and where I got a container of sauce, my friend didnt and we ordered the exact same thing. Again, I can't help but think I might have ordered the wrong thing but when you order something they claim is their best seller, you'd think there would be a little more to it.

If you like Mediterranean food, this is a go to place for many people in the BGC area and I get…read morewhy. The food is great and portion are pretty good as well. Enjoyed their pizza, pasta and dips!

Was in Manila for work and stopped into Feta while walking around the area by hotel. It was so…read moregood we came back for a 2nd time! Which, when you're only in town for 12 days and there are 100s of amazing places to eat, if you choose to eat twice it must be good! Def will be added to my rotation for my next work trip

Pretty chill hookah bar with Arabic music in the middle of metro Manila. The setup is unique…read more You're on a small couch with 1-2 other people adjacent to each other, but you're a bit cramped. It's a creepy place to go alone, because of the neighborhood and of the old male clientele, so try to go with a friend. I recommend the berry mint hookah. Skip the grapefruit flavor.

We had a VERY VERY BAD EXPERIENCE with this restaurant. It is infuriating!…read more What we received were FOUL SMELLING CHICKEN SHAWARMAS and FRENCH FRIES SOAKED IN CHICKEN FAT!!! Aside from this, let's talk about the MISSING ORDERS! It was highly unacceptable and when we called the customer service to fix it, they only defended themselves that they make food fresh everyday. LIKE REALLY???!!!! TRY TO EAT THE CHICKEN SHAWARMA you sent us and you'd know immediately that the food is not good anymore, when you open the container it has A FOUL SMELL. and we know what good shawarma chicken smells like since we order this a lot. P.S aside from these they have an AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY ONLY GAVE US EXCUSES and didnt really solved the problem! HORROR EXPERIENCE!

Absolutely unacceptable. I received soggy French fries, the order was missing hummus which was…read moreclearly in my purchase order, the website phone number does not work, the grilled chicken cutlet order was good but the shawarma I received was NOT fresh at all, you can literally smell it. I could not even contact anyone bc ordering through food panda they put me in a line of 15 before getting to my ticket. I live in Rockwell center and I have an excellent understanding of quality food and service and this is not it. If you are an expat like me, do not order here. -a sincerely pissed off and still hungry customer

I love LOVE LOVE their shawarma! I think it's because their Pita bread is extra soft and yummy…read moreunlike the super flat and dry ones we are used to. Their hummus is also very good. It's a must-try.

The döner sign was calling to me as I entered A. Venue Mall. "Ah! Another Vietnamese diner," I…read morethought to myself, knowing that döner kebabs are all over the streets of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. I didn't know how wrong I was until the friendly attendant pulled the door open for me and said, "Come, sir, try our authentic sausages and German sandwiches. They're really good!" Looking at my wife's quizzical look, I responded with, "A table for two, please." Inside, I was introduced to the history of döner. Apparently, Germany's number one fastfood sandwich is Turkish in origin. In the 1960's it was brought to Berlin by immigrants. Bamm's beef döner is made of juicy meat cooked using Middle Eastern spices. It is served stuffed in a toasted pita bread pocket along with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. An order also includes potato chips on the side. The server wasn't lying. The sandwich was really delicious. It was huge too! It also comes in chicken or mixed (beef and chicken) varieties. My wife ordered the Smoked Cheese Krainer. It is a mild smoked Slovenian sausage with aged cheese. Meaty and cheesy are the two words that best describe this sausage. It was a bit overcooked, but nevertheless delectable. The platter includes toasted pita bread and sauerkraut. I also noticed a plaque proudly displayed near our table. It says there that during the 2013 National Hummus Day, an international event celebrating hummus as an Arabic and Middle Eastern delicacy, Bamm has been awarded the Certified True Hummus recognition. Upon reading the award, I immediately ordered hummus. True enough, it's the best-tasting hummus that I have ever had! That's coming from someone who always orders hummus at every Greek, Persian, or Mediterranean restaurant he visits. For our drinks, I tried the Dirty Beer or beer spiced up with other stuff that makes its color deep brown. My wife ordered Radler, which is a beer-based drink mixed with other beverages like lemonade or soda. Next time, I will definitely try the Currywurst. The only problem I have with Bamm is the presence of two tiny German cockroaches on the couch we were sitting on.

I remember BAMM's first branch from B-Side in Makati. Their beef doner is the best post Irie Sunday…read moremeal in town. I'm glad they've reopened in A Venue, though it competes with more post drinking venues there. Some of the things I like to order haven't changed though. Open faced sandwiches with the Turkish shawarma type meat plus their chips is a winner. I've chanced upon some other doner places since BAMM made the dish more familiar to Manila but BAMM still has the best version, in my opinion.

Sigh, shawarma. I have a love and hate relationship with shawarma for the simple reason that I love…read moreeating it, but at the same time hate eating it because it makes me smell. I don't know what it is exactly about shawarma that makes a person smell after they eat it, but that odor is what makes me hesitant to even try eating it out of fear of offending people. Anyway, smell aside, I am a huge shawarma guy and I have to say Turks is one of the best shawarma stand shawarmas I have ever had. For me, it's not just about the meat, it's also about the garlic and cheese sauce. I wish that their sauces were a little bit more liquidish than fluidish, but other than that the taste is great. I also like how they wrap their pita. I'm not sure if it's their pita or the way they wrap or both that prevents the shawarma from spilling over and creating a mess, which is for me a huge accomplishment. I know consider this to be my new gold standard for shawarma stands.

Stickiest ice cream all the way from Turkey has now invaded the Philippines! According to the…read morestaff, Merhaba is a turkish equivalent of Hello or Kumusta. It was a very sticky ice cream, you can get the entire liter using a small spoon. Few flavors were available - hoping they can add more to it. A cup of ice cream costs around P100. Heaps of toppings were available to choose from!

When you're at MoA and you want ice cream, what are the ice cream parlors that come to mind?…read moreProbably Sebastian's, Cold Stone, maybe Merry Moo. Same here lol. Well, me and some friends were walking around MoA when we happened to come across this shop that sold Turkish Ice Cream. I had no idea what that was or what made it different from normal ice cream, but there was a very friendly looking Turkish man who was at the back scooping the ice cream so it seemed pretty legit. We decided to try the three-flavor ice cream and split it. Upon serving, it looked like normal ice cream. In fact, it looked extremely ordinary. It was a triple serving of vanilla, chocolate and mango, topped with some very kiddy-like sprinkles and marshmallows. I was kind of confused and I found myself wondering if this was worth the price, cause it didn't seem particularly special. Don't knock it till you try it. It was so weird how good it was, but it was so good. It tasted like no ice cream I've ever had before. It had this moshi-esque texture which made it chewey and made eating it kind of great, but unlike moshi it doesn't come with the annoying coldness that normally gives my sensitive teeth some pain. Taste-wise, the mango ice cream alone is a huge knockout. It tastes like a mango. Like you plucked a mango straight from the tree and mashed it into an ice cream machine. The chocolate and vanilla flavors are also bursting with flavor: there's a certain natural vibe to them almost, like you're tasting it straight out of the cocoa bean or vanilla leaf, that you just don't get from most ice cream. Of course, I could've done without the sprinkles, but otherwise, this ice cream is definitely worth going back to. And it's catching on - every time I go to MoA, more and more people are buying from here. I'd say that if you want good ice cream and are tired of your convenience store flavors but are also kind of bored of the abundance of artisinal ice cream, this one's definitely worth checking out.

While heading for the more mainstream restos over at Rockwell, you might miss this little gem of a…read morecafé even with its bright neon sign. But if you do see it, make sure to stop and check it out, because if you do, you're in for a good time. Combos Bread Company is a delightful Turkish café where the owner grills his own kebabs along the street, and you sit at simple tables under warm lighting. They're not strict about the menu here; you can mix and match your dips so you can try everything, and the owner himself will come over to explain how one dish tastes different from another. It's nice to see restaurant owners so invested in their businesses, because it serves as a good example to the staff they employ. Normally, a restaurant like this might be intimidating to some people, although most places would be quick to say that everybody is welcome. At Combos, it's actually true.

Prior to dining at Ble, I got very intrigued by vegans on Facebook who were posting photos of their…read morevegan souvlaki. SOUVLAKI! I have never tried souvlaki before, even in my pre-vegan days (ashamed!), so this means only one thing. I dragged a few friends with me all the way from Makati to BF Homes just so we could try this place out. It's a charming and quaint place with beautiful, mediterranean-themed decor. I mean, anything mediterranean is beautiful to me! I think you can tell the difference between a good falafel/souvlaki/mediterranean sandwich wrap thing and wannabe local versions by the sauce they use. Good places use actual tahini sauce (sesame-based sauce), while those you see in food markets, kiosks, and the like use this garlic cream sauce thing (that Pinoys loooove and swear by - not me though) similar to what cheap shawarma places use. Anyway, I was really pleased to know that they use tahini for the vegan falafel souvlaki. Inside it are elongated pieces of falafel and veggies. It was a satisfying meal nonetheless, and if you're bringing friends, their dip platter is EXCELLENT! Baba ganoush, hummus, olives and tzatziki (tzatziki is not vegan though, has yogurt) served with pita bread.

It has been quite a lot more enjoyable to live in the south of Metro Manila since the BF Homes…read morestarted becoming a little bit of a food mecca several years ago. There are so many more options for eating out and we no longer have to brave the traffic heading to Makati, Ortigas, or even Quezon City. Once such occasion was when friends had the itch to eat good Greek food, so we headed to Aguirre Avenue and made our way to Ble. There were three of us so we felt it was perfect that they have a dip platter and we can try a bit of all their appetizers. It had Grecian favorites like babaganush, tzatziki, popular hummus, and a few pieces or olives, along with slices of pita bread. I then had their gemista - bell peppers stuffed with rice and bits of wagyu, then baked to perfection. I liked that it wasn't overwhelming and not too filling, mainly because I wanted to save room for dessert. Finally, the time for dessert came, and we each took a slice of baklava. Oh it was heavenly. They take pride in the 50 layers of handmade fyllo pastry, pistachios and syrup that altogether makes one hel of a dessert. It's a fantastic way to end a meal. These days, not so many people say "oh you're from Las Piñas? Where is that? Is it far?" Thanks to little restaurants like Ble that make the southern star on the map shine brighter.

A few months back when I wasn't too preoccupied with my thesis, I used to hang out a lot with my…read morefriends in the Z Compound, and Meshwe was a staple dinner. I love that they have a flavorful falafel that can rival any falafel in town. It is chunky, flavorful and delicious, and the wrap comes with a generous helping of fresh vegetables and a surprise element - a few pieces of french fries - which makes this a very heavy and satisfying dish. It is a good vegetarian option for herbivores like me, and it is good when coupled with their hummus (creamy and just the right consistency) and the baba ganoush (which is perfectly smoky and yummy, especially with their warm pita). They run out of their shawarma really fast, so it's best to come early. That tells you that their food is great. What I don't get, though, is why my orders usually take FOREVER, even when I can clearly see that there is no one else queuing. Surely, it doesn't take that long to fry a falafel? Or it doesn't take that long to assemble a wrap since the ingredients area already prepared mise en place. The sluggish service makes a really bad impression. Good thing the food more than makes up for that. And the cool guys Noel and Nathan, who man the store, are always cheerful and nice.

I do like a good wrap. There's just something so guilt-free and satisfying about a decent…read moreshawarma... well, guilt free as far as "I didn't eat rice and am perfectly full" goes. Maybe it's the fact that you get a whole pita bread. Maybe it's the vegetables that come with it. Maybe it's the fact that the meat is cooked over heat rather than fried which makes it feel good. Either way, a good wrap is good eats. Meshwe is definitely good eats but with a few "ehh" moments. Firstly, the fries. The fries are divine. Meshwe calls them Arabic fries and I have no idea what combination of spices they use with these shoestrings but I say keep em coming! They're the kind of fries that don't need ketchup or mustard or salt. They're delectable on their own especially when coupled with that wonderful garlic sauce. Now that's flavor I dream of for days afterward, I kid you not. Thankfully Meshwe offers a sample plate with their fries, 2 sambousak (kind of like samosas) and pita chips. Now for the ehh moment. Those pita chips, delectable as they are when warm are kind of... hard. Sure, they're crunchy when fresh and hot but eventually, they get kinda hard. Your mileage may vary, of course. But let's get to the main course. The shawarma. You can either get it as a shawarma, a shawarma plate (ie, a deconstructed shawarma) and with rice. My one gripe though is that it comes off as a little dry. Maybe it's the fact that I keep ordering the plate which gives you the sauce (I could write litanies about that sauce it's so good) on the side. And that, quite honestly, is my only ehh moment when it comes to the shawarma. It's tasty, yes. Certainly worth the price you pay for it but it just seems a little lacking in the juicy department. However, I can say that the flavors are good enough that it keeps me coming back when I need a quick meal.