Like it a lot, unpretentious chill staff. Typifies dinning experience in Poblacion with fair…read moreprices. Exposed brick dimly lit space gives it that mysterious cool vibe. We had the 3 tacos - chicken adobo, lengua, and Sisig all excellent Sisig being the stand out. Also had the gizzard and kabob - both excellent.

The food was good a few things were different. The beans were lentils and not black or pintos. The…read moreMexican rice was like home. The guacamole was pretty water no thickness like in California. The service was nice and fast. The ambiance was fine customers enjoying their drinks while waiting on orders. I would return to try some different items on menu.

My taste buds went on a journey to South America and they didn't want to leave. Naxional South…read moreAmerican Diner is my new go to place in BGC! The patacones is small but packs a punch of flavor that your mouth will thank you for. A must try is the Naxional paella and pichana (churrasco steak) The steak cooked medium well is one of the best steaks I have ever had it is also decently priced. The desserts I finished both even if I was full, these bad boys packed the perfect combination of sweet and sexy. But still called me back after now that's dedication haha The ambience is of a high classes diner, they have beautiful art work and great a view near the Windows. I'm definitely coming back and you should definitely try it. This restaurant just opened a month ago. There so much selection here you won't get tired of it. Give your taste buds a ride they will never forget!

It was definitely a gastronomic journey. Worth the visit and the price is good for the quantity of…read moreeach dish.

By far, my favorite restaurant in Jazz Mall! I only live right above it, and I have had a lot of…read morechances to try everything twice over (Except for some choice retaurants that were way too nasty on the palate). The inside seems very... modern urban. The walls are covered in loud murals in black, white and red (which seems to be the recurring color theme for the whole chain). The chairs and tables are a mix of wood and metal. It seems very-- well, it seems like a good place to hang out with your mates and knock back a couple of beers-- or mojitos! As those are very good. (For non-alcoholic drinks, the agua fresca is very good! A refreshing summer drink.) The prices are steep, at 200-300 for just a plain meal (without sides or anything), but it's really worth it, if you like meat. Their best sellers are their ala brasa food choices, which is really just meat cooked over the grill. I loved the tender and flavorful carne asada (with rice! but they also offer it in a wrap, and it's more than enough to feed two hungry people.) Their saltado is if you want to have something more savory, and in my opinion, this is better paired with rice.

Mexican and Latin American restaurants are a dime-a-dozen in Manila and Makati these days, so much…read moreso that it's hard to choose the best one. Though I can't help you with that, I can say that Brasas is right up there in the top ten, maybe even the top five. My boss took us here during one of his generous days and treated us to lunch. He said, and the server agreed, that their best platters are Latin classics Puerco Asada and Carne Asada. And for less than PHP300.xx, the food did not disappoint! I ordered the Carne Asada and it came with a huge serving of beef sirloin, coupled with tasty Spanish rice, chimichurri, and slaw. Those who ordered the Puerco Asada looked extremely happy as well. I saw crunchy skin, hiding slices of roasted pork belly oozing with juice, paired with rice, beans, and slaw. All in all, it was a good lunch. SM Jazz is also a short jaunt away from our office, so here's hoping there's a second round of this generosity.

Very good and pretty authentic (flavorwise) Peruvian food in a quite stylish atmo. Place is on the…read moreoutdoor level of the upscale Shangri La Hotel where their gorgeous outdoor pool is. For the restaurant they have both indoor and outdoor dining. The outdoor patio is right by the pool with some tables even poolside. Great ambiance with nice Peruvian native artifacts as art pieces. Service pretty good but they tend to run out or not have certain items on the menu available. Aku Aku (P550/3.5) They were out of my first choice for a cocktail so went with this. Didn't love it just had a strange fermented taste that clashed with the tropical vibes. Maybe cuz it had Cachaca which is a Brazilian spirit that I'm not to familiar with. Also had spices, dragon fruit and grapefruit. It tasted better once I started eating. Ceviche de Atun al Recoto (P750/4*) Nicely uniform cubes of yellowtail tuna, finely slices of red onion and a recoto pepper leche de tigre. Marination was proper and you can tell they mix everything perfectly to order so that tuna doesn't get overly cooked by the citrus. Very light handed on the salting tho, which in my current taste I actually don't mind it as much. But a lot less salty than what I've had. Empanadas de Lomo (P600/4*) They use very puffy and buttery puff pastry dough for their empanadas. Not traditional but makes for a more dramatic plating as they are taller and more airy. The filling is diced up filet meat which is a huge upgrade from the ground beef versions I usually try. Well-seasoned beef with that cumin and pepper profile. Anticucho de Pulpo (P750/4.5*) Super tender big chunks (3 on a skewer) of tentacles rubbed with aji panca marinade which is a bomb Peruvian chile marinade bursting with red chile flavor then grilled pretty aggressively so that strong char flavor permeates without tasting burnt. Served with an herbaceous creamy sauce that went better with the plain roasted baby potatoes as the grilled octopus didn't really need anything. Causa de Congrejo (P700/5*) Love this dish and I usually try a Causa dish when trying a new Peruvian resto. To me it is uniquely and undeniably Peruvian in nature. It deals with Peruvians love for potatoes (they say this is where potatoes got their start for human consumption) and the addition of something from the sea, in this case...crab. Causa is a very smooth mashed (cold) potato salad. Except the Peruvians flavor that mashed salad with their flavors like aji amarillo in this case which produces a tangy yet slightly spicy flavor to that filling. Here they top these piped potato fillings with lump blue crab which is super tender and very 'crabby' in flavor. I loved their interpretation of this dish here. Arroz con Mariscos (P1450/4*) Basically a Peruvian paella. Rice had a perfect texture of al dente short grain rice, where it was very wet but not sticky. Big seafood flavor imbedded into that rice too but very rich as I think they use coral from the crab (crab's innards) and make a coral butter that they use to enrichen the rice grains. I loved it but honestly did not want to keep eating it as about 6-7 bites in I was totally satiated. My aunt is sensitive to dairy only had 2 bites Lol. The seafood included 2 large prawns shelled but head on. Some calamari and maybe a few small scallops. Outside of eating 1 prawn to myself, I actually found the rest of the seafood to be quite scarce like for the amount of rice there were. So maybe think of this as a rice dish first and don't put as much weight for the actual seafood. Merangado de Guanabana (P500/3.5*) Very dramatic dessert with east meets west vibes. A huge hollow sphere made of white chocolate arrives on a plate. It is filled with a Soursop cream (tropical fruit), studded with firm meringue stars, some nuts and coconut shavings for texture. Upon arrival they will pour some liquid nitrogen into that sphere so this cold 'smoke' starts to erupt. Then they'll instruct someone from the table to pick up that sphere and drop it onto that plate. The white chocolate sphere will then crack allowing all the components inside to spill out onto the plate, where everyone can now stick their spoons in for some bites. I gotta say I didn't love the taste experience as much as I loved the visuals. The tropical cream was a bit tart and clashed with the sweetness of the white chocolate and the meringue candy. The nuts were a nice textural break, but I just felt the flavors didn't meld as well as I was hoping. Still an unforgettable dinner roof top in a big city, poolside with beautiful lighting, very friendly service and surprisingly legit Peuvian flavors and techniques. A dining adventure I just can't skimp and dish less than a fiver.

I'd recommend Samba for the classy vibes. We chose to dine inside their dining room but their…read moreoutdoor seating areas sit adjacent to the Shangri La hotel pool which is beautifully lit at night, with the area nestled amongst the clean skyrisers in the area. Food-wise we found to stretch the wallet quite a bit, and even opting for the less extravagant fare, the lomo saltado dish was a tiny portion; 4 small and quick bites of steak considering the 1175 PHP tag. The parihuela sopa was very nice though, with excellent seafood portions, including a tasty octopus leg and large mussel, clams, and prawn. It was a tad too salty but not to a serious fault. Staff were very professional, positive, and helpful. Lovely presentation of meal. Would recommend for a date or small group looking for a quieter but trendy atmosphere compared to Forbes town noise 5 minutes walk from Shangri La's hotel entrance.

This place is right downstairs from my apartment, so I knew I'd have to try it eventually. For the…read moreAmerican pallet this place can be summed up in one word: nasty. I don't know how it's possible to mess up baby back ribs, but they did. They were flavorless and tough as an old shoe. The taco was filled with canned chili. Very disappointing for my first Tex-Mex meal in the Philippines. Not coming back talaga!

This place tops our recommended "Cheap Eats in BGC" as the overall experience is without…read morecompromise. Service is attentive and accommodating, internet is available and stable, ambiance is lively and refreshing, and the overall value of the food is just the right premium. Original 1/2 Chicken with 3 sides (360+ PHP) Meaty portions of juicy roasted chicken with 3 side of your choice. We had the mashed camote, regular mashed potatoes, and Mexican rice - minced tomato. It's an amazing deal. We also had the Adobo Blackmole Taco (99+ PHP) a saucy pulled-pork filled soft-taco piece with a more than satisfactory punch of subtle flavours. The distressed wood panels, faux grass, and cheerful Palette of colours give the place a lively ambiance. Definitely a place where you'll spot us when we crave for a simlle roast chicken meal.

Sofrito is tucked at a quiet corner of Salcedo Village in Makati, in a block that has a couple of…read morereally interesting establishments. While the interiors are a bit pedestrian, the food is something else. I've never had Puerto Rican food ever, but my first visit didn't disappoint at all. The Mofongo Carnitas, a dish of fried plantain topped with pork, was savory and flavorful, and the Beef Empanadas were something else. For dessert, I had some Fried Banana Balls with some chocolate for dipping, and it hit the spot. But beyond the food, what I really liked about Sofrito was the homeyness of the whole place. I felt like I was hanging out at my Aunt's place as she cooked my favorite dishes, and for a city like Makati, that's really saying something. Sometimes, you just want a home-cooked meal, eaten at your leisure. When that mood hits you, come over to Sofrito. You won't regret it one bit.

Have you watched the film Chef? I came out of the movie house with two overwhelming desires:…read more 1) Have a food truck 2) Try out a cuban sandwich And while I don't exactly have the means to have a food truck, I settled for a cuban sandwich instead. I searched high and low for Latin American restaurants and finally stumbled upon Sofrito, a little homey restaurant tucked in one of Salcedo village's side streets. The cuban sandwich is an explosion of flavors in my mouth, and if I close my eyes I can imagine myself hanging out beside the El Jefe food truck while Oye Como Va plays in the background. They've got deep fried plantain chips on the side too! Another thing worth noting from Sofrito are their empanadas. I havent had the chance to try their savory empanadas but by GOD you should try their dessert empanadas. My favorite is the guava and cream cheese empanada (don't knock it til you're having a foodgasm on the colorful tiles of Sofrito), which I could easily finish an order of, no problem. There's usually a puerto rican lady who's on the till, or busy in the kitchen, (who I am going to assume is the owner) and there is also her little shih tzu that hangs about in the dining room. (The dog is friendly and usually just lazes around on the floor, waiting for some handouts from the kitchen.) All in all, quite an enjoyable place to dine in, just a few blocks away from the heart of Makati, and relatively low key. Must try their cuban sandwiches and empanadas!

I wasn't able to try any of the food because all the tables were taken. The food looked great. I…read morewish I was able to try it. I did enjoy their selection of beers. The music is really great. There is a small dance floor. There was not many people dancing but I would for sure come back to a night of dancing and drinks.

If you are looking for a new place to grab dinner, get drinks, and meet new people, Pura Vida is…read moreone of the newer and up incoming places in Makati. Located next to Z Hostel, there are a fair amount of travelers and backpackers in their bar and grill area with balcony seating also available. Pura Vida is a Costo Rican Reggae Lounge with a unique type of food you typically don't see in the Philippines. Being for my first time here, they recommended Cosadas meal and I tried the beef stew. It came rice with salad and beans and fried planteens. It was fresh and had plenty of flavor. They definitely put time into their meals before serving it out. Also, I tried their appetitzers, Encuyados, cassava balls filled with ground meat and cheese, which was also delicious. They don't have a huge menu, but I think they prefer quality over quantity, which is ideal. They also serve local beers and have the typical bar drinks. It has couches and stools for people to hang out and chill as well. Price for the food and drinks are quite pricey, on par or to above average for Makati area. Service is great and prompt with requests. Will come again in the near future to try more of the menu out.

I was surprised to find such delicious Mexican food at an affordable price here in Metro Manila!…read moreThe ambiance is casual, fun, and hipster with friendly staff and table and bar seating (at the bar you can watch them cook your food right in front of you). I tried the carnitas taco which was delicious and mouthwatering and paired it with their homemade jalapeño salsa which was delicious. The flavor of the carnitas reminded me of authentic Mexican carnitas with a Filipino twist. I also had the nachos and they were amazing. Next time I will order the super nachos which come with meat (or "feeling" as they call it), beans, sour cream, homemade queso, cheese, onions, and more. For dessert I had one of the homemade cookies (it was called "salty grandma," how fun) and it was almost as delicious as the tacos. They also offer a fun variety of tequila and mezcal cocktails, beer, and home made drinks like horchata and cold brew coffee. I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!

I love Mexican food renditions in Metro Manila. With Silantro, Casa Quesidilla, El Chupacabbra,…read moreamong my personal favorites, I had to try the new resto hidden in Benavidez Street, Makati. So when I tried Lágrima, with the first bite of Carne Asada on their Quesidilla, that's when my wife and I decided that we were in for a great food night and ordered away. We found the meats to be amazing! Buche and Carne Asada is what I liked best, but people will surely like the chorizo and el pastor as well. Also, the owner aims to share Mexican style flavors from his side of California, hence the variations of tacos in Street, Gringa, Super and another kind that I cant remember now. Haha! Also, try their drinks to wash those rich flavors down, before you jump onto the next meat. Trust me, when I say that you will discover the difference of the flavors better. Loved it! Will definitely come back a lot of times!

We had a wonderful meal here and will be back for sure! The…read moreservice was a little slow, but we were so impressed with the food, that this made the whole experience perfect.

A little more "high-end" feel…read more This restaurant is located at the tail end of Newport Boulevard. There are plenty of places you can walk to but I'm glad we stumbled upon this one. I'm a sucker for interior design and the pictures don't do it justice. Props to whoever designed this restaurant. We went there for lunch and there was no line. Although the place was full, we got our food in no more than 15 minutes. The food itself was delicious. No complaints at all.