I asked my friend if there was a good salad place at The Podium because I just worked so hard on my…read moreworkout and didn't want to ruin it. She recommended this place. You have the option to create your own salad or do what I did, picked one (blindly) off the menu. I got the snack size (P260) of the crispy catfish salad. The menu stated that it came with lettuce, red onions, cashews, green mango, crispy catfish in a nam pla dressing. I was handed a buzzer to pick up my order at the counter when it was ready. I was so so SAD to see my salad bowl. I couldn't even taste the fish. They chopped it up so finely that ... it was almost non existent. For that price, I could've just made the salad myself at home.

The healthy food organic salad thing is really taking off here in Manila, and I can't think of any…read moreother place that does it better other than Juju Eats. I've been patronizing their Makati branch since they opened up, and now that they've secured a spot at the Podium I often stop by there for lunch to get something fresh and rejuvenating after walking around in unbearable Ortigas heat. What's great about Juju Eats is that they allow you to have total control over what you'd like to put in your salad/wrap/pasta salad, even down to the portions (they have half and full options even for the toppings), which is PERFECT if you're a picky eater/strict vegetarian or vegan, or on a budget. Though, if you're soooo hungry that you can't be bothered to create your own meal, they have pre-made options you can choose from. My latest obsession is their Quinoa Gold wrap--it's amazing stuff! It's so refreshing and packed with flavor, plus the raisins add a nice, contrasting punch. I love it so much that I wouldn't mind eating this every single day. Although, I'd feel so guilty thinking about how the quinoa industry is harming Bolivian and Peruvian farmers, and depleting their water supply. So, yeaaaaaah. I'm glad I can't afford to eat quinoa on a daily basis, either. Moving on, Juju Eats is also known for their bottled detox juices, though I find these too pricey for a small serving.

Can you imagine a convenience store like MiniStop or 7-Eleven with a clean interior design where…read moreyou find only fresh healthy food? This place exists and it's located right in the busy Valero Street. It's a great option for those who work around in the Central Business District (CBD). I highly recommend it if you intend to have a quick meal, but don't even want to consider Burger King or any other fast food. Yup, Sprout is fast food too. But healthy fast food! They offer lots of to-go meals, like salads and wraps. I like the miso salmon wrap and the kale and roasted vegetables sandwiches. Regarding the salads, my fave is the greek one. I saw they also have the "soup of the day", but I didn't try it yet. TIP: You MUST TRY one of their popsicles! I loved the fact that the brand is called "picolé", which is the same word in Portuguese to call a popsicle! :) That was funny! Ok, take the Macapuno Picolé if you want to try local flavors. It's certainly my favourite. If you want a classic, then choose the Belgian Chocolate or Strawberry.

When this place opened right in the middle of Salcedo Village, I think I was one of the most…read moreecstatic people in the neighborhood. I'm a bit of a health nut and have always craved for a place that made my lifestyle easier to follow. Packed salds, a selection of cold-pressed juices, an array of healthy to-go meals and amply-stocked Kale chips (my obsession) make this place an instant favorite for me. And yes, while I enjoy preparing and experimenting and diligently concocting "healthy" munchies like the ones available in this store, I am just human. A very lazy human being at that. One who'd sometimes rather walk (and get soooome exercise) than chop, peel and boil. And thank God, Sprout gets this truth. Just a downside: a tad too pricey for the serving sizes. Kind of annoying but isn't really that surprising. Good stuff can't come at junk prices. Definitely hope this place sprouts up all over the city SOON. My kind of Ministop!

A nice and extensive breakfast buffet with delicious offerings. Do you know that "Mesclun" means a…read moresalad of lettuce and other mixed greens? This is actually a French term. True enough, they have a nice salad section, though not so much variety in greens, but that is just a minor detail as the food generally is great. They have both Pinoy and foreign cuisine. I started with the salad, bread, and a cereal on the side - and yes, they have quite a lot of bread and cereal to choose from. Then there's Pinoy food like dilis, and of course you can request your omelette to be cooked the way you want it (I had onions, bell peppers and cheese in mine - vegetarian bliss!). There were other dishes I do not quite remember as I only mostly remember the ones I ate, but they all looked good. I love the roasted tomatoes as they went so well with the dilis and omelette I got. Since Linden Suites is a business hotel, they discourage casual "pambahay" attire like slippers in Mesclun. In any case, we were all dressed to check out already when we went to the buffet.

Value for money…read more Their breakfast buffet is not your average breakfast buffet. You can choose from varied breakfast options with their viands, bread and pastry station, soup station, and egg station where you can have your eggs cooked by the chef the way you like it. They change their breakfast spread and it shows how thoughtful and well-planned they are. I'll never forget these breakfast items they had: crispy pork tapa, deep fried danggit (very crispy), varied sausages (legit and not canned), vegetable ratatouille, couscous. Their pastry is to die for. Along with the buffet, you get to enjoy sweets that would have cost you more outside. Japanese cheesecake, their croissant eclair, strawberry cheesecake, and so much more. (I'm craving now, oh no...)

Nostalgic Mongolian Bowls & More…read more A Katipunan classic, Sweet Inspirations is best known for its Mongolian rice bowls, where you can load up on meats, veggies, and sauces. At ₱599 for unlimited bowls, it's a great deal--pile it high and fill up to your heart's content! Beyond Mongolian, the menu has Filipino and Western comfort food, including Pork Spareribs, Grilled Boneless Chicken, and Lengua with Mushrooms. Portions are average and best for solo diners rather than sharing. Their bakery selection includes classics like Ensaymada (₱50), Spanish Bread (₱30), and Cinnamon Rolls, along with cakes such as Chocolate Decadence, Sans Rival, and Tiramisu. While the variety is nice, the cakes tend to be on the dry side. The ambience is simple, but it's a spot packed with nostalgia, especially for former Ateneans. If you're craving a customizable, hearty Mongolian bowl, this is the place to go! Verdict: Unlimited Mongolian bowls are a steal! Cakes are dry, not the best for dessert lovers Other dishes are decent, but portions are just okay Would I come back? Yes--for the Mongolian!

The cheapest buffet I've ever had at only (240 PHP or 5 USD) and it comes with unlimited coffee…read more Selection is basic, they have; scrambled egg, mixed chopped buttered veggies, crispy tawilis (salty), embutido, beef tapa, plain and garlic rice, arroz caldo, champorado, and some desserts. Their food can't be faulted at their price point and their pros out weigh the cons, but to dine here is for convenience and not as a dining destination. Look at this way, if you just want egg and rice, this is the best deal anywhere, because it's unlimited and ready for the picking. AMBIANCE Marble floor and walls designed to a homey feel, in fact it looks like a house from the outside. Interestingly enough they haven't increased their price since they opened in 1990.

Ever since the opening of BonChon, korean fried chicken restaurants popped up everywhere. But what…read morereally started this double-fried chicken craze in Korea is KyoChon. They have four different choices of chicken namely the Original Series (chicken with soy garlic glaze), Red Series (chicken glazed with original hot sauce), Honey Series (chicken coated with natural honey sauce) and Soonsal Series Strips (boneless chicken breast coated in special rice batter with a dip of your choice). All these are best paired with their Kimchi Fried Rice. As the pioneer of double-fried chicken, KyoChon can really be the benchmark of such even though it wasn't the first in the Philippines. TIP: You can request for plastic hand gloves if you want to eat the chicken wings with your hands.

I was there when Lee Min Ho made an appearance to promote KyoChon in the Philippines. We were…read moreactually there only by chance since it was our movie day / day out and we were hanging out at Figaro which is right across Theatre Mall and you can see everything. We were wondering what all the fuss was about earlier that day and our questions were answered because of the number of people who waited in the parking lot. If KyoChon's mission was to get an ambassador that's very personable and who looked genuinely happy with his experience and what he's doing, mission accomplished. If you've seen the Greenhills branch or any other KyoChon branch you'd feel the light and refreshing aura of the restaurant. It looks like a fun place to eat too. As for the food, I think that it's one of the healthier choices, it definitely tastes that way and not in a bad way, it tastes good too. And for what it costs per order, I think it's 'sulit' / worth it because I've been to places that charges more for less. With Kyo Chon, you'll have more than enough!

Gotta say I'm not particularly a big fan of Kyochon's food items BUT I do love their cheap-ass beer…read morepints! Hahahaha. For only 80 pesos, I get to chug down a big mug of ice cold (I think below zero, even) beer! You probably wouldn't have guessed that a Korean chicken shop would be able to pull this off but thank heavens, Kyochon exists! Their chicken are alright although I do prefer the Honey-dipped ones as I've always been a fan of anything either sweet or sour. The wings aren't that big though and that's probably one of the reasons why I'm not impressed with their food menu.

I rarely go to Megamall, mostly because, well, I'm really from the south. Plus I guess most of my…read moremeetings take place in Makati or the Fort Bonifacio (Global City) area. It was a photo coverage job that brought me to the area and the need for art supplies that brought me Megamall and I took that opportunity to once again go around the mall. Done with errands, I looked for a place to eat, and upon spotting Kyo Chon, I headed straight inside. Having tried the spicy and original soy flavor of their famous wings and drumsticks, I decided to try the honey flavor this time around. To contrast, the waiter politely yet eagerly suggested that I pair it with their kimchi rice. Several minutes later, I was munching away and was glad I took his advice. The sweet and spicy pairing was a feast for my tastebuds. There was so much flavor going on that I didn't even order drinks anymore. Aside from the food, I also enjoyed the novelty of watching music videos of Korean pop groups and singers being projected on one of the walls.

This is one lunch place any LaSallian wouldn't leave the alma matter without trying. They just have…read morereally, really, really great wings. Create your own rice meal by choosing the sauce for your spicy chicken (you can even opt for non-spicy or ultra spicy!), and then the dip to go with that. Over the years, I've tried a lot of different combinations which worked well for my tastes. In fact, almost everything worked! My favorite sauce-dip combination would be Smokey BBQ and Bleu Cheese. But I usually pair Smokey BBQ sauce to Wasabi Mayo and get just as good as the former with my rice. And to wrap up the Flaming Wings experience, the fried Oreo with Ice cream is something that you shouldn't miss!

"I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once." - John Green…read more This would pretty much sum up the love affair I have with Flaming Wing's Wicked Oreo. I remember my first time. I took a bite, slowly.. savouring the warm deep fried goodness of batter coated oreo cookies and the cool ecstasy provided by the creamy vanilla ice cream. Then... it hit me. I was in love. Oh gosh! The presentation looked glorious. Three round, and what it looked to me at that time, puffy pancakes, topped with ice cream with sprinkles and cinnamon on it, like snow on a Christmas day. And that's not the only thing I love here at Flaming Wings. It's called the Flaming Wings for a reason. Their chicken wings, two thumbs up! I prefer their chicken tenders though. Flavour wise, there's no difference between the two. It's just the bones. And me like it when I could just pop it straight ahead into my mouth. Delish!

I'm so glad my nephew convinced me to eat here instead of finding a buffet place when I was on…read morevacation the in Philippines. after a day of shopping "pasalubong" or gifts, w were so hungry and given that I was only there for 10 days, we had to make wise choices on restaurants. my nephew and my niece said this is their favorite katsu place.. there was a 40-minute wait and so my expectation continued to raise as I witness how busy the place is. We were finally called and my nephew ordered the biggest pork katsu while i ordered the Katsudon and it did not disappoint! and of course being in Manila it's unli-rice and here, miso soup and cabbage. i like it that their menu is focused but really filling. The servers are used to the work in a fast-paced environment, that despite the demands of the customers they remained attentive and friendly. i like it here and would definitely recommend to all balikbayanson a trip to Manila!

This is a must whenever i'm in Manila!…read more Service is always quick and friendly. Food is always amazing!!! My favorite is the deluxe seafood mixed set, it gives you kind of like a sampler platter, prawn, oyster (mouthwatering) , salmon and hire, (or cream dory if you don't like the hire). Portions are big, with unli rice and cabbage. (Love the sesame dressing for the cabbage) Price is fair and reasonable for the taste and portions of their Food. I've taken a lot of foreigner friends, and balikbayans to Yabu, and they always leave satisfied and wanting to go back