We stopped by for a round of pre-dinner drinks. The location was convenient with a decent selection…read moreof hard liquors. Ambience was relaxing and the seats were very comfortable. I do have a few gripes about the overall experience. First, the service was very slow. We only ordered drinks and found the wait time to be about 30 minutes. We ordered an old fashioned with makers mark, watermelon mojito, and margarita on the rocks. The old fashioned had more ice than alcohol. The watermelon mojito also had a ton of ice and was not even stirred. The margarita on the rocks was served in a martini glass with a slice of citrus. We ordered a couple of grand marniers and waited another 20 minutes, however only one was delivered and charged. Overall, I would've given a better rating had the staff checked-in on our orders, offered waters, and better wait time.

Classic Margherita Pizza: As far as the flavor's concerned,…read moreit was good! But, the dough of the pizza softened up pretty quickly. In fact, it was already very soft when it arrived at our table. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed my crust! :) Crispy Vietnamese Spring Rolls: These were also good but not something I'd regularly look for or feel excited about. Grilled Lemongrass Prawn Pad Thai: I can't recall not enjoying any pad thai in general, so this one passes too! But the prawn...perhaps more would be better.

This place is awesome - pay for the cultural show its buffet, it's worth it!…read more It's located near Intramuros tourist areas and the ambiance is so pretty! Many tables of tour groups but the service is excellent and I absolutely loved the cultural show taking you through Philippine history. Very well executed!! The buffet is quite diverse and a great way to try Philippine cuisine en masse. Highly recommend!

Barbara's is a solid choice for lunch if you are visiting Manila in the Philippines. We had a…read moreblast! What stood out about this restaurant was the exceptional customer service and the cultural dancing while you eat delicious traditional Filipino food buffet style. I don't know if it's because they cater to tourist that makes this place so special but I left here feeling very full and very happy from the cultural performances. What was also fun was after the performances they invite the visitors from different regions of the world up to the stage and taking a picture with the dance performers. It provided a great keepsake to take back home. They also perform different songs from around the Philippines and the different dialects they speak and where they are from providing an educational opportunity. One of the songs was from the region, where my mother's father is from which is why I took a trip to the Philippines to learn more about my grandfather's culture and homeland. This touched my soul deeply and will never forget my time at Barbara's. The food was outstanding and very tourist friendly. I went up two times to partake in the delicious offerings from the buffet. I think the best thing about this place too is to have experienced all of this in an air-conditioned building. It was a nice reprieve from the 90+ degrees Fahrenheit with humidity weather that I endured in Manila. I also attended another restaurant with the cultural performance, and it was outside, and the experience was not as special due to the weather. So that's why I can't say enough good things about how I was treated and the yummy food that I ate and the beautiful cultural performances I admired at Barbara's. Highly recommend Barbara's while visiting the Philippines .

What a wonderful surprise! Second time in Manila, and really enjoyed Pino for lunch…read more I had chicken adobo in a number of different restaurants and at my hotel -- but this was, by far, the best I'd had. Not big on deep fried stuff, so I didn't try the pork, but the people I was with -- both of whom are from and live in the Philippines -- said it was excellent. The eggplant with peanut sauce was good; if you are someone who enjoys peanut sauces like what's in Thai food or West African food, adjust your expectations! It's not as peanutty -- it's deeper in flavor. Heading back to the Philippines in the fall and will be in Quezon City again, and hope to return then!

Restaurant is a diamond in the rough! Amazing Filipino food!…read more This restaurant stands out for their good prices and their big servings. Very busy during lunch and I know why! We came here before the lunch rush and it was perfect I didn't know what to expect, but just to let readers know I am not a fan of Filipino food but this place hit the spot. The pancit is delicious words cannot describe how much I love their pancit. It's the wet noodle version with the egg. It is a unique delicacy and a must try for any pancit lover. Place is affordable and delicious try it

Caffe La Tea is a pretty cool place to hang out with colleagues or catch up on friends. It's kind…read moreof dim and noisy in there so I suppose it's really not for work plus the wifi's not fast enough. The place was a bit hot too, maybe our spot was just hot. The staff were very accomodating. The service was fast except for my colleague's dish. I liked how they had a lot of variety when it comes to food. There are pastas, burgers, and rice meals both for kids and for adults. For drinks, they also have a lot of variety too! They have teas, milk teas, coffee, and chocolate drinks. The menu for the desserts were misleading since all of it were cupcakes but what was written were just the flavors themselves (for example, NY cheesecake - thought it was a slice of cake, but it was just a cupcake). I had shared the Hungarian Sausage Pesto pasta with one of my colleagues and I loved it! Also had tried the Chamomile tea which is kind of just hot water with a little tea scent (thanks to honey it tasted better). The Berry Tea (I forgot what it was called) was better than the Chamomile tea even without the honey. The only thing I didn't like was their coffee. I had the latte. It wasn't very good, well not as good as what I have had in other cafes. I had the Banoffee pie for the dessert. It was good, wasn't too sweet, just right. The cupcakes looked all fancy. I think the prices were all reasonable. I'd say it's really a 2.5 for coffee, 4 for tea, and 3.5 for food, 2.5 for desserts. I can probably go back sometimes when I'm within the area and definitely not alone. It's just not for going solo.

I went to go meet up some family and needed to get some work done all in the same afternoon and my…read morecousin suggested this place on his side of town. Tucked away on Anonas about a block from bustling Aurora Blvd., it's a lot more quiet inside than the area around it. The store inside is inviting, with a lot of dark woods, comfy chairs and baked goods on display. The second floor also offers a lot more seating and is pretty good for larger groups. The food definitely isn't bad, either, well worth the prices on the menu. I got a large size bubble tea for 79 pesos and they were more than willing to customize it for me by adding something a little out of the ordinary--espresso! Customer service here is really good, actually. They knew their menu well and brought out the food quite quickly. There is a LOT of different food on the menu from bubble tea and coffee drinks to Filipino rice topping meals and pastry-type desserts. From what I've tried though, it's done pretty well. I had the grilled liempo with salted egg tomato salad and rice (₱89) and it was fresh, satisfying and plated really nicely. The place does get pretty busy though but the free Wi-Fi kept up and it didn't get too stuffy either. Overall super solid place to either eat, chill, or even get work done.

It's my first foodie meet-up for 2018! I had a serious craving for lengua, and it seems…read moreserendipitous that the @TheFoodCrawlers were rerouted to this colorful and whimsical cafe along Panay Avenue in QC (because Alvin Ong speaks highly of its lengua dish). Artsy Cafe is known for its delicious bangus dishes, all-day breakfast menu, and heavenly desserts. Its Alice in Wonderland inspired decor lends a young, vibrant, casual, and inviting vibe, minus the sensory overload. Ample parking space is another good reason to try Artsy Cafe at its Panay Avenue location, and it has two other locations along Maginhawa Street and Batasan Hills. The meal started with Fish and Chips, but this is not your run-of-the-mill fish and chips. Artsy's is made with bangus and a light batter, which makes for a more flavorful and substantial appetizer. It is served with potato chips (not french fries) sprinkled with parmesan cheese, and two dips. I would have enjoyed this more if it were served with french fries, and if the thousand-island-dressing type dip were replaced with sweet chili sauce. My choice of entree is Lengua with steamed rice and sauteed vegetables. The portion size may seem small for the price, but I think this dish overall was really good. The ox tongue is very tender, and the gravy was creamy and well-seasoned. The flavors of garlic and black pepper are more dominant in the gravy--a heads up to diners expecting mushroom gravy. Craving satisfied! We simply could not resist sampling the Bacon-wrapped Grilled Cheese Sandwich. A thick layer of warm and gooey mozarella cheese between lightly toasted slices of bread, and wrapped in four large slices of bacon. Portion size to price point is an issue as well, so fair warning to diners who think they can split one order. However, Artsy Cafe nailed the bread-to-cheese ratio on this sandwich, so I would definitely come back for more of this. The sweet ending to our meal is a serving each of its popular Layered Heaven Cake and the Cheesecake Crumble. The chocolate mousse on the Layered Heaven Cake is made with the same stuff that dreams are made of. Leave room for dessert!

Ambiance is a big factor for themed cafes such as Artsy Cafe. I believe most people dine out the be…read moreimpressed or feel rewarded, depending on the person it could be for great food, an amazing ambiance, or the kind of service that makes you feel special. Artsy Cafe manages to balance all 3 with ease. FOOD 4.5 Pure foodies focus on this aspect more than most and to be transparent, I have omitted dishes that don't make the cut, it's not bias just a positive perspective. Herb & Spice Bangus Belly (260 PHP) I have to admit their Bangus supplier is really good, which makes a huge difference in their dish quality. A creamy and soothing taste is to be expected and not the usually muddy flavour of inferior Bangus that's all too common in the market. The freshness of the fish can also be tasted also from the fish juice that surrounds the bangus, it's delectable as a soup, it made me wish for rice. Artsy Burger (260 PHP) It's the kind of burger that I had during my childhood (90's), a simple burger that's well composed from bun to patty without the masking extravagance that plagues the market. Everyone has a gimmick, but one shouldn't forget the fundamentals, for a burger it's the bun that makes or breaks a burger, after all it's the first part your mouth feels. Fillet Mignon Steak (290 PHP) That's not a typo, it's really just 290! Honestly it's not the most amazing cut of beef, but for the price it's hard to beat. This the first time in my foodie career that I'd recommend steaks at a cafe. It's simple and well packaged, just for meat this a dish to eat. Lemon Basil (80 PHP) Coffee is their stronghold on their drink list. My drink felt underwhelming, it may not have been infused properly. AMBIANCE 5.0 I came here during a late afternoon, which means I experienced their day and evening setup in one go. During the afternoons it has a pastel feel to the place, but when night falls and the lights glow, this place illuminates with a vivid hue, that's oh so colourful. Despite the change in mood, place remains cozy for a good brew or a heart chew. SERVICE 4.0 The waiters here are better trained since they are under the same management as Komedor and Mandarin Sky, which are full-size restaurants. A note worthy factor, as some cafes slack on service and have the basic serve the food and you're done philosophy. Here waiters are concerned with your comfort and overall dining experience, the way most restaurants should operate.

Artsy Café in Maginhawa lives up to its moniker. The restaurant has kitschy interiors, tall…read moreceilings and accent walls of turf, exposed brick and whitewash. It also has a charming fence separating its front porch from the street. The trellis outside keeps the heat out, making the outside seating comfortable and sheltered from the elements. When the rest of Maginhawa seem to embrace the fun and youthful energy of the students that frequent the neighborhood feeding holes, Arsty Cafe is one of the few ones that seem to have the entire family in mind. For one, the prices are not student-friendly, and thus, you would always see entire families or groups of friends dining here. The food is home-style, and it feels like it was made by your mom for your weekly family Sunday brunch. For a while, the restaurant was still on soft open, but what I really loved about their menu are the pastas, which are well-seasoned, al dente and restrained. Service is a bit slow, especially during the busy hours. The servings are quite small considering the price points, but you will appreciate the care and the thought that went into the creation of your meal. I recommend the Puttanesca pasta, with a bright and astringent sauce of pureed tomatoes and capers. I also love the Frutti di Mare Pasta, which is creamy and rich but not overwhelming. It's probably not the best, but it'll do when you have a whole family in tow and you want a quiet place that serves "real" food.There is usually a waiting list, especially during dinner service.

Instagram-worthy chic interiors and pet friendly dining place. Brought our pup for a weekend lunch…read more Food is okay and staff are really accomodating. Ordered salpicao and thirst quenching strawberry-banana shake!

This is one of the best cocktail bars in Makati. Kudos to my sister for taking me…read more Located in Poblacion, @agimatbar is such a vibe. Not only the cocktails are over the top but food and service are top notch. If you're planning to visit in Manila, this is definitely a must stop! What we ordered: - Poot ni Bathala - Sirena Dry Gin, Pear juice, Cucumber Juice, Pineapple Celery Shrub, Lime Juice, Jigsaw Honey, and Hibiscus Passion Fruit Juice. - Ritual ng Agimat - Tomato Puree, Grilled Tamarind Syrup, Tomato Melon Mint Shrub, Calamansi Liqueur, and Lambanog. - Anting-anting ni Malvar - Sirena Dry Gin, Dalandan Liqueur, Dalandan Juice, Turmeric, Rosemary Syrup, Jigsaw Honey, and Lambanog. - Pata - Braised Pork Trotters in Agimat Gin, with Pako and Corn Furakake on Sampinit Meringue - GAYUMA NG SIRENA - Gayuma Liqueur, Sirena Dry Gin, Mogu-Mogu Strawberry, and Lemon Juice. - Barako Salpicao - Beef tenderloin, garlic chips, roasted garlic, marinated egg yolk - Balut - Balut Puree and Duck Egg Custard with Sinamak gel and Chili Caviar

Absolutely amazing. Peep the horrible video skills. I came here with a sizable group (10) on a…read moreWednesday night for our second stop of the evening. It was standing room only but the staff asked a table of 4 to take a newly opened table so we could get seats, that was amazing. We didn't get food, unless you count the popcorn in some of the drinks. Overall, we got a little bit of everything but it's mostly across all of the other phones! Must gets: shots of the ube cream, shots of the salted caramel, the fun "ritual" drinks for a little show from the bartenders. I'm definitely going to try to find the ube cream in the US once I'm back, it's so good

This seems to be a go to restaurant for locals, and visitors in the area. The restaurant is on the…read moresmall side. Nicely furnished and clean. Service was pleasant, even with a full house. The barbecue pork I ordered was just perfect. Definitely a place to go to if you are in the neighborhood.

First customers for the day. Suggested by my cousin as it is her go to place for the food, decor…read moreand service. I couldn't agree more. Loved the lengua and Pinakbet. The suman for dessert was the perfect way to end the meal.