There are places that are worth going to even if they're totally out of the way or tucked in the…read moremiddle of nowhere. For me, one such place is the Dutch Bread Hauz. This quaint shop is first and foremost a bakery but they also offer meals, coffee, and snacks on the side. The smell of chocolate and bread in the oven wafting from the kitchen greet customers the moment they step inside this bread house. On the counter you will see various types of dinner rolls, croissants, buns, and breads. Although they serve familiar dishes, like lechon kawali with rice and chicken shawarma, I chose to try Dutch specialty snacks which -- according to the staff -- were made using traditional means from the Netherlands. I was a bit adventurous so I got Berehap (slices of meat ball and onion on a stick served with peanut sauce) and Bitterballen (small meat-based balls served with mustard, a favorite snack from Holland). My wife was hungry this time and she was not in the mood to try products she can't pronounce so she decided to have parma ham and cheese sandwich. The attendant asked her to choose the type of bread for the sandwich and she picked spelt, a type of bread made from hulled or dinkel wheat that's popular in Europe. Of course, both of us had coffee. I was glad that we decided to drop by this place because the coffee was good as expected from Lavazza and the food was different but surprisingly savory. The spelt bread was tough and heavy so I don't think anyone could finish one order of sandwich using this bread. I liked my order of Berehap. The sausage was a bit salty when eaten on its own but a bite of the sweet onion and a dab of the peanut sauce neutralizes the saltiness. My wife liked the Bitterballen dipped in mustard. She said it was similar to croquettes because it's crunchy on the outside but a bit gooey on the inside. The place is clean, well-maintained, and generally peaceful so I think this is an ideal place for a meeting. It's also worth noting that their restroom faucet comes with hot or cold water. Parking can be a problem but if you do not mind walking for one or two kilometers, you can park your car at Power Plant Mall and just walk your way to Dutch Bread Hauz.

An imposing and elegant dining area. Floor-to-ceiling arch windows. Great ambient light. Polite,…read moreeager-beaver staff. My list of reasons why I love Chateau 1771 goes on and on. Despite the name of the place, they are not exclusively serving French food. They have pasta, steaks, and seafood. If anything, Chateau 1771 is a modern European restaurant serving favorite French, Italian, and Swiss food. When I first visited the place years ago, I was actually anxious about that moment when the waiter would hand me the check. European dining in the Philippines has always been equated with expensive fine-dining. But to my astonishment, the price was actually reasonable. I mean, it's not affordable and one would be crazy or filthy rich to eat in this kind of place every day. But for special occasions, I would recommend this place. My most recent visit was during my wife's birthday. It was a table for two and we had a late lunch. After a few moments of browsing through the menu, she asked for Croquette Salad, while I went for Butter-baked Oysters. For main, she had Vanilla Brick Spring Chicken, or grilled chicken served with vanilla bean dots. I ordered the Potence, the house specialty. It's basically steak where the meat is served hanging from a potence, or metal frame, and then set alight (by the waiter) with brandy. Their Pomelo Fruit Juice is a must try. I would recommend having a reservation when dining at Chateau 1771. While the place typically fills up during dinner, I find it perfect for a late afternoon hangout. The ambience can truly transport you somewhere in Europe.

Every time I come to this place, I'm already too full to eat and I'm just in the food for a cold…read moredrink or hot coffee and sometimes their dessert. You know how other shops have fresh fruit shakes but when you drink it it just tastes like sugar? Well, Chateau 1771's shakes are fresh, cold and it's the actual fruit. Oh, their flambeed coffees are amazing. Try their Irish coffee. You'll want more. For dessert, it doesn't matter whether you order a Creme Brulee or a Coffee Bean Sansrival. All of their desserts are excellent.

Balkan is a newly, revamped, relaunch place in Legaspi. They started from humble beginnings from a…read moresmall resto in San Juan that serves their local dishes to a newly converted restaurant and bar. We had an opportunity to be invited to their launch and we were served platters of cold cuts, some kebabs and dip. Roasted whole lamb, and plejskavica. The roasted lamb was soft and tender. It easily tears apart that was well seasoned. It was just too seasoned on the skin part, but then again, it was really good. No sauce pr anything, just plain ole' lamb. Plejskavica, is still nice, juicy, burger stuffed with cheese, like what I had back in their San Juan branch. The taste and quality is still the same. It was a perfect beer match. I like how Balkan transformed from a hole in the wall restaurant to an upscale bar and restaurant that caters to lunch-dinner crowds to the after dinner market. #TheFoodCrawlers #OngsFoodprints #TheLostDiego

Tucked into the quiet side of Legaspi Village, Balkan along Perea St. is one of those restaurants…read morethat you never knew existed until someone mentions it, and you have absolutely no idea what they might possibly have there. I'd never heard of Yugoslavian cuisine before I first ate at Balkan, but one taste was enough to keep me coming back at least once every two months for a full year. My wife and I only ever eat 2 dishes when we're at Balkan: their famous Serbian stuffed burger, which is essentially a beef patty folded over cheese and grilled 'til the stuffing melts, and their stuffed chicken batak, deboned chicken thighs stuffed with smoked salami, mushrooms, and cheese. I didn't realize that cheese was such a big hit in traditional cooking in that part of Europe, although a wild guess of mine is that it was a later addition. Whatever the case, Perea St. and the whole of Makati is grateful for it.

Blackbird at the Nielson Tower is an excellent choice for fun and adventurous dining…read more Ambience is casual with a touch of elegance. Food options appear to be Western with an Asian touch which challenges the taste buds. The Gochujang Grilled Octopus and Crispy Squash Flowers are perfect examples of this Eurasian combinations. Twice Cooked Short ribs was our clear favorite because of the cilantro and sauce flavor pop when eaten with plain rice and salty beef for a flavor contrast. Elements of the dishes must be eaten together to capture the true essence of the dish. Dessert flavor combinations were unique, such as the Baked Alaska which is expected to be western but the ice cream flavors were surprisingly Asian with the mango and passionfruit sauce, yummy! Friendly staff and service was very attentive. Table bussed clean and wine always flowing.

Love this place. Always a great experience while in Manila. The menu is vast but overwhelming, the…read morefood is quality and delicious, and the service is always top tier. I love sitting outside when it's not too hot. I also highly suggest the gnocchi and the homemade cream for dessert.

Great selection of desserts to grab on the go. Clean interior and friendly service as well. It's a…read morebit pricey, but well worth it for the quality. A great spot to try out!

I have been going to this Bizu for numerous years. It was always my go to place for macarons and…read morecappuccino. I never realized that they had an Afternoon Tea from 3pm to 6pm. Of course, I had to go there for their afternoon tea. I believe that it is a really good deal. The following is included for 995 Pesos: Canapés Petit Croque Monsieur Smoked Salmon Tartare Roast Herb Chicken on Crostini Shrimp and Mango Croute Watermelon and Feta Chorizo Croquette Earl Grey Scones Clotted Cream and Dark Cherry Jam Chocolate Truffles Opera Gateaux Macaron de Paris Served with your choice of loose leaf tea The Afternoon Tea is perfect for sharing. You receive 2 of each item. The only difference is that you will receive 2 different chocolate truffles and macarons de Paris. If you like cheese, then you will definitely like their Croque Monsieur. It is my favorite sandwich, and this is one of the best places that make it.

Food was just okay. Tapenade (ground floor) is so much better. The coffee, though, is pretty good…read more (Hence 2 stars) Service was god awful. I will note that we were a party of 9, but the only ones dining at the entire restaurant! Not only did the wait staff get our order wrong, she was adamantly insisting that we were wrong (stressed it at least 3 times) without any apology or remorse or offered consideration or compromise. When we got the bill, they said that our room "specifically" (ouch) was not allowed to charge to the room and when we asked where that came from the staff said she "confirmed twice with the front desk" (to rub it in) and yet when we went down to speak with the front desk, they apologized for that experience even when they claimed that no such call or order was made. While it seems like they are pointing fingers, I always had a pleasurable experience with the front desk and would like to think that the Flame restaurant staff just offers terrible dining service. Very sad considering the caliber of the hotel.

My husband and friends wanted a nice steakhouse to celebrate my friend's birthday for our last…read morenight in Manila. The restaurant is located on the 16th floor of Discovery Primea hotel. The views are wonderful during the day and the night. There's also indoor and outdoor seating available. My friend decided to choose this spot since we saw that they had oysters, foie gras, and all that good stuff. For appetizers, we ordered Steak Fries, Crispy Salmon, Duck Gyoza, XO Oysters, and Grilled Bone Marrow. My husband and I didn't care too much for the fries and crispy salmon, but we definitely enjoyed the duck gyoza, grilled oysters, and the bone marrow. I really wanted to try the scallop ceviche and snapper crudo, but we were hesitant on trying anything raw since we we're from out of the country. For our entree, my husband and I shared an Excel Ribeye from Colorado topped with seared foie gras accompanied with a green peppercorn and brandy sauce. We enjoyed our delicious steak with the foie gras, but we didn't really care for the green peppercorn sauce. My friend and her fiance ordered the Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass and the Prime Tenderloin. We ordered our steaks with a side of Truffle Cream Mac N Cheese and Pan Roast Mushrooms. Both sides were fantastic. So good! We had leftovers and had the 3 items again for breakfast, and they were still amazing! The mushrooms were especially my fave - that sauce? Mmm, chef's kiss. Now, onto our desserts. My husband and I ordered the Panna Cotta, while our friends ordered the Pineapple Consomme and the Miso Cheesecake. All the desserts were beautifully made. They were literal works of art. The panna cotta didn't feel like a panna cotta to us - not sure how we would describe it since the white part of the dessert had a firmer texture than the orange part. The pineapple consomme was very different. It was cut up pieces of fruit, with some kinda of pineapple juice or sauce poured over it. Similar to a fancy fruit platter. However, the miso cheesecake was definitely the crowd favorite. Loved it. Overall, I would definitely recommed this spot if you're craving some kind of steak. The service and quality of everything was immaculate. Super glad my friend chose this spot!

Remarkable Filipino food. If you don't mind spending on good Filipino food, this is the place…read more Highly recommend the beef salpicao and beef tapa. Nice variety of drinks, too. Cool ambience. Only concern is that there were too many mosquitos outside the restaurant but that's about it. Service is also satisfactory. Overall, solid place.

Ordered chicken sausage, corned beef hash, some drinks. Everything was pretty good. I like that…read morethey made their potatoes crispy and the chicken sausage was delicious.

Excuse me while I try to recall all the fantastic dishes I had at a wine-dominated dinner at…read moreAllium. There was a basket of bread on the table that turned out to be some kind of chorizo roll; heavenly. If it wasn't sacrilege to overlook my lobster and uni starter, which was also delicious, I might have finished all of it! But a lobster bisque came as well and I moved on from my chorizo obsession, though I would suggest others order this last while they enjoy some wine. Our main course was a plate of Blackmore Wagyu, which was just my style. As a carnivore, I am overjoyed when the meat can speak for itself - no need for gravies, just a pinch of salt. The Blackmore Wagyu was just divine; thank you, cow, for that wonderful meal. Desserts were the recreated Laiskonis Egg, which the chef first encountered in New York and simply remade here; close to original, I've heard. The Valrhona with caramel cake that followed was huge and everyone on the table got a taste of the rich and indulgent chocolate. Allium is an intimate and posh spot to have great dinner with wine. It's one of the three restaurants in the city to have a Josper grill, which is an awesome kitchen piece that treats your steak right. Only Makati Shangrila's Sage and Solaire's Strip have the other two Josper grills in town, as of this writing. I had absolutely no problem with the food. They were prepared with care and style, but didn't compromise simple flavors that complemented each other on a plate. Everything about it was subtle and refined; no fancy in-your-face techniques that stole the experience of enjoying a quiet dinner with friends and loved ones.

Chef Mark Tan is definitely one of the most underrated chefs in Manila. A total food geek (that's a…read moregood thing!), you can see how much he knows about food through his techniques and use of premium ingredients. And that complimentary chorizo and cheese bread--oh my goodness, this stuff is gold! A bread made with cassava flour, chorizo from Pamplona, and parmigiano reggiano, it's slightly chewy yet light as air. The four course Market Menu at Allium (P1950) is a total steal, given the quality ingredients and hefty entree. Looking forward to all the surprises Chef Mark Tan has in store!

The ambiance is beautiful and inviting! Especially decorated for the holidays the lights are…read moremagical. The drink menu is phenomenal - mezcal pomegranate Paloma for the win!!! However, the service was just bizarre. 1. Finally came over and wanted to take food orders and we were like "not yet, you haven't even taken our drink orders yet" 2. Drinks took FOREVER to come out. Never came around to check on if people wanted a second. 3. Dropped the dessert menus but then never came around again lol 4. Finally we asked for the check because this was the longest unsatisfying dinner ever 5. After dropping the check came by to ask if we wanted to order dessert 6. Never came to take our payment we finally had to just start walking out for them to take our money Decent food, GREAT drinks, will not return

We had tea and dessert on their lovely patio while we were walking around the Greenbelt 3…read more The peppermint tea was delightful, but what we loved most of all was the cool, green atmosphere surrounding us. I think that made the tea taste even better.. For our desserts, my husband went with the banana split, and I tried the Lazy Sundae Afternoon, which was awesome. It tasted fresh, and tangy, and the portion was quite large. Service was impeccable with our waiter standing fairly close by to make sure our needs were met. We didn't get to try their main dishes this time, but we'll likely be back to see how they taste.

Circles Event Café -- a buffet experience that spoiled me (in the best way)…read more I had a true five-star experience at Circles Event Café inside the Makati Shangri-La, and I don't say that lightly. The experience was so consistently excellent that I ate here five days in a row--something I've never done at any other restaurant. Dinner was outstanding. I tried a wide variety of sushi (fresh, well-balanced, and properly chilled), carved beef roast that was tender and flavorful, and tandoori fish and chicken that were perfectly spiced--aromatic, moist, and clearly handled by cooks who know what they're doing. This wasn't "buffet good"; it was legitimately good food that just happened to be part of a buffet. The dessert and fruit options were just as impressive. The gelato was smooth and rich, and the dragon fruit was so fresh and abundant that I kept going back for more--clean, bright, and refreshing after a heavy plate. Breakfast deserves its own mention. I ate a mountain of crispy bacon paired with an equal amount of perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs, plus potatoes. Everything was hot, replenished constantly, and cooked exactly how you'd want it--simple food executed flawlessly. What truly sets Circles apart, though, is the service. This is hands-down the best customer service I've ever experienced at a buffet. The staff are attentive without hovering, genuinely warm, and incredibly efficient. Plates disappear quickly, drinks are refilled without asking, and every interaction feels polished yet sincere. The ambience matches the food and service--elegant, calm, and upscale without feeling stuffy. It's the kind of place where you can relax and enjoy the experience, whether you're there for a long dinner or starting your day with breakfast. Bottom line: Circles Event Café isn't just a hotel buffet--it's a world-class dining experience. If you're in Makati and want variety, quality, and exceptional service all in one place, this is absolutely worth it. I'd go back again without hesitation.

Good spread for the NY dinner! Not too many diners, a good…read morebreak from the cramped restos prior to the NY. Chef assigned to prepare PadThai should improve on the Thai taste and garnishing, the dish I had was like a regular pancit except for the glass noodles :(.