With branches originating from Tokyo (40 years old), Singapore, Shanghai, HongKong and Makati (14 years), Nanbantei of Tokyo now opens its doors in Bonifacio High Street Central in Taguig.       WHEN IN MANILA and craving for roasted bite-size pieces of meat or veggies, let Nanbantei of Tokyo give you that yummy yakitori fix.     The interior reminds me of Sushi Kushi Toyo, a Japanese restaurant in Lake Forest, Illinois that also [...]

The Roadhouse Manila Bay – the home of Blues, Bikes, Rock and Booze in Manila!     Building on the success with The Roadhouse Macau, The Roadhouse Manila Bay offers the best of live blues and rock with a heavy bike theme.     They even have the original guitars of famous artists like Pink Floyd – SIGNED! on display :)       Initially, the owner, Ciaran Carruthers, didn’t want to serve food in [...]

    Happy Hour in Manila Just Got Happier at TGI Friday’s     When in Manila, the expression “Thank God it’s Friday!” no longer applies to just the first day of the weekend because now, with the launching of TGI Friday’s bar in High Street, Bonifacio Global City, every day is made a Friday with their new “Happy Hour Just Got Happier” promo that starts at 3pm and goes on all the way until [...]

Taza De Oro – “The Authentic Chinese Cuisine”   WHEN IN MANILA, particularly in Greenhills, San Juan, let your family experience an authentic Chinese cuisine at Taza de Oro Food Garden. This is where you will find old style Chinese food that we used to know from childhood memories.   Chicken Corn Soup – kids love it! So flavorful and meaty.   Hot and Sour Soup     Having Taza De Oro’s hot and sour [...]

   Tagaytay Highlands Steakhouse      WHEN IN MANILA , To escape the summer heat in Manila, drive to Tagaytay Highlands where the wind is much cooler and where you can satisfy your appetite for that authentic Wagyu steak in The Highlands Steakhouse. Tagaytay Highlands Steakhouse is Miele certified as one of Asia’s best restaurants.       The Wild West Tagaytay Highlands Steakhouse       (P 3, 280.00 for 30 oz.)      It is a big [...]

  WHEN IN MANILA, you should not miss dining in the best restaurant in the Philippines – an extension of Malou Fores’s home kitchen - Mamou.   Trivia: Malou Fores’s nephew used to call her Tita Mamou and the rest is history!       You might find the seats charming – these are miniature versions of Malou’s dining chairs at home, who by the way is the sister-in-law of Cibo’s Margarita Fores. I could just imagine [...]

  WHEN IN MANILA and not quite sure if you want to eat French, Italian or Spanish, then just go to Cuisinier Bistro in Quezon City. This lovely restaurant serves French-Mediterranean cuisine that will surely make you smile.       The interior and façade of Cuisinier Bistro might make you think that the price of the food is steep, but hey, you’ll be really surprised that the foods are very reasonably priced, especially with [...]

Razon’s of Guagua Serves the Best Halo-halo and Kapampangan Food in Metro Manila           What’s better than beating the summer heat by eating the famous halo-halo at Razon’s of Guagua? What else but trying out their authentic Kapampangan dishes! With more than thirty branches around Metro Manila, Razon’s of Guagua is the fastest rising Kapampangan food chain in the Philippine history!     The birthplace of Razon’s of Guagua      It [...]

    Cafe Publico       When in Manila, there’s a plethora of choices for tambayan other than going to the malls with your friends. Cafe Publico in Promenade Mall, Greenhills can be your next gelato and pasta haven and, ultimately, your soon-to-be favorite chill out place.     The star of Cafe Publico is the hardworking owner and master cook, Peter Chua.       The passionate Peter Chua welcomed us personally in our visit to Cafe [...]

Karaoke Bars in Manila: Red Box Greenbelt     Credits to: Hannah Adriano for the Red Box karaoke bars in Manila photos     When in Manila, there’s no better way to have an awesome time with friends than by having a Karaoke night! Filipinos absolutely go nuts over the karaoke machine, and the typical Filipino night out would not be complete without booze and singing! But what comprises the quintessential karaoke experience? While most of [...]

  When in Manila and the sole thing that you desire to accomplish is eating huge servings of nachos, wings and salads while watching a power-packed flairtending performance in one of the best restaurants in Manila, then head on over to TGI Friday’s and prepare to be amazed.       Watch him go! He was so fast that everything was a blur.      Flairtending or flair-bar-tending, is basically bar-tending with a show. Being able to [...]

Akai Nori: Japanese Cuisine Inspired Rice Burgers     WHEN IN MANILA, you’ll find yourself gastronomically stimulated by the wide array of distinct and mouth-watering dishes around. It’s amazing how the Filipino’s flair for creating fresh cuisine never ends. I’m sure you’ve heard of burgers or in other words, a quarter to a half-pound of evil tucked between two hefty slices of bread but have you heard of Japanese rice burgers?   Founded by five [...]

Quantum Cafe     When In Manila, where one need not to compromise good and delectable food for healthy (and sometimes bland) alternatives, Quantum Café in Makati makes having both incredibly possible—with their unique and reasonably-priced recipes that will surely fill the mind, heart and tummy.     Quantum Cafe, Makati City     Located along the corner of Bagtikan Street in San Antonio Village, Quantum Cafe gives off a very charming, homey and intimate feel—making [...]

  WHEN IN MANILA and craving for Japan’s ultimate comfort food, get your ramen fix at Ramen X.          Being a casual fast-food restaurant, orders are served in 5 minutes or less! Moreover, Ramen X meals are very affordable – everyone can now enjoy a wide variety of savory ramen noodles for about Php 100 only!!! Take note, the servings are HUGE – good for sharing :) Yay to inexpensive meals!   Oishi Ramen [...]

Jollibee Floats         When In Manila, there are some decisions that will be too tough for just one person to answer. Thankfully, you have friends who can help you when you need it.   Recently, I was invited for a taste test of the newest Jollibee solution for the summer, something to help you beat the heat. It’s the new Jollibee Floats!     Chico, Saab and Vince at Jollibee. Photo by [...]

Yellow Cab Pizza Co. introduces their special Summer Fleet Package!   I recently discovered that Yellow Cab Pizza Co. has got yet another mouthwatering treat for us this summer which I believe we never should miss when in Manila!   Introducing the Summer Fleet Package brought to us by Yellow Cab Pizza Co!         One hot summer afternoon, my friends and I had this huge craving for good old freshly baked pizza! [...]

  Il Piccino Trattoria – a quaint house in San Juan serving home-cooked Italian dishes       “Set in 1925, Il Piccino Trattoria is the ancestral home of the Limkako-Mejia family. Although the house has undergone several restorations, its entirety is still as it was when a Spaniard by the name of Primitivo Jason built the house.”        “It is filled not only with antique fixtures and furniture, shiny wooden plank floors, wide [...]

  Sometimes, life in the Metro gets so busy that your body just craves for some down time. Sometimes, a good movie will do, some nights though, a really good dinner date does the trick.  When in Manila and looking for a great meal with the perfect date settings, you have got to try Cru Steakhouse at the Marriott Hotel.    As my husband and I were staying at the Marriott Hotel for one night, Cru [...]

  Basic Script Writing Workshop at Quantum Cafe   Translate your stories into scripts for the stage! Workshop proper will include lectures, discussions, writing sessions, peer editing and a staged reading of your work. To be conducted by MaharAbreraMangahas* April 23-24-25-26-27 (5 days) 1pm –4pm at Quantum Cafe Workshop fee: Php3,700 Inclusive of Lunch and Unlimited Coffee For reservations and more details please contact Maryjo– Mobile: 0917 8172206 / Landline: 519 0757 quantumcafephilippines@yahoo.com     [...]

Cucina Rusticana – a hidden treasure in the heart of Makati     Located at the corner of Akle St. and Kamagong St. in Makati lies a one month old casual rustic restaurant that serves authentic Italian dishes, leaving guests in awe.       It was a hot day when we arrived at Cucina Rusticana but the restaurant’s special drinks were refreshingly good! Watch out for the summer special drink that Cucina Rusticana’s preparing [...]