If Calderon is the new wave of Spanish cuisine in the Philippines, color me impressed. Calderon…read moretakes the best of the old school (Alba's and Casa Armas), and gives it an update that gives respect to the conventions of the old guard, yet feels fresh and new. The Makati branch of Calderon is tucked (Quite literally) at the back of a building in Salcedo Village, and as such is a bit of a challenge to find at first. However, once you get there, the restaurant more than makes up for it with wonderful food and a great vibe. I totally enjoyed every single dish I ate in Calderon, and while it was a bit pricey, it was totally worth every Peso. I would come back here in a heartbeat.

Calderon is good ol' Spanish food. What kind? The kind that you grew up with. It's Spanish food,…read morebut you know it has that Filipino influence on it. What are the good dishes? The familiar stuff: paella, salpicao, gambas, callos, bacalao, etc. Everything was good. A surprise hit was the lengua (if you like lengua). Top finish the job - their chocolate cake. If you aren't a fan of sweets, this might get you hooked. It's tasty, it's decadent, it's rich, but not that rich. The prices are very reasonable, reasonable enough to make me want to go back and try more of their dishes. I usually talk about the interiors first but I got to excited with the food. Anyway, the furniture isn't top-notch, but there is this intimate homey feel that you notice once you sit down to order. It's casual enough for a dinner with friends and family, but fancy enough for a date (for me at least). I think I'm going back tomorrow.

Two words: Sangria y Paella. Do yourself a favor and order the Paella as soon as you sit down…read more(takes 30min and is legit amazing). While you wait enjoy a pitcher of their homemade Sangria that is bomb and fruit has soaked for 2 days. If you get a little hangry in the meantime there is bread and butter on the table. The Paella is crispy perfection on the bottom with crrreamy and decadent rice, spices and seafood on top. De-lish

not bad. paella negra is okay but it stays in your system for quite some time. how does it…read morecompare to an alba run resto?

I popped into Ilustrado during a sunny afternoon stroll through Intramuros and it felt like…read morestepping into a beautiful old Manila postcard. The place is tucked away in this charming historic building with high ceilings, antique touches everywhere, and that perfect mix of Spanish elegance and warm Filipino vibes. We started with the classic adobo and some crispy pata that was perfectly crunchy outside and tender inside--seriously flavorful without being greasy. Then the highlight was the stuffed chicken relleno; juicy, packed with chorizo goodness, and that gravy just tied it all together. Ended with the famous sampaguita ice cream--never had anything like it, floral and refreshing in the best way, like eating flowers but in dessert form. Service was attentive and friendly, they even remembered our drinks without us asking twice. Parking was easy in their private lot too. Such a lovely, relaxed meal in the middle of the city--definitely one of my favorite spots now. Five stars all the way!

This is an old-world Spanish and Filipino fusion restaurant in historic Intramuros. I found the…read morefood was good, but I got my appetizer after my main. I recommend Adobo Bagnet, and Lengua con Setas. Unique Desserts: Known for its unique Sampaguita Ice Cream The decor was a little worn out, but I noticed that the more stylish, formal main function hall was reserved for special events. I guess this area was where the romantic reviews I read came from

After a disappointing paella stint at Las Flores, I finally got my Paella craving satisfied…read more The paella was great - taste and price-wise it was spot on. We ordered Paella Valenciana, croquetas de pollo and croquetas de jamon, calamares romano all of which tasted good. Only 4/5 because some details need work. We requested the paella to be a litte toasted but it was little burnt under which is okay since you just have to scrape slowly. The tapas need a little more attention to detail since the croquettas de pollo has a small bone in it and the calamares had a small remnant of its quill

I grew up with Casa Armas. After Señor Armas passed away a few years ago, I didn't want to go back…read more But nothing has changed. It serves the best tapas, paella, cochinillo, Iberian chicken in this side of town. It had the same cheesy 3man band that just adds to the ambience. I love the place! And the sangria help with the ambience.

This is in BGC. Our order is taking too long. The cuchinilla at 1/6 the size made to our table…read more after an hour of waiting. Wait staff has not apologized for the delay. Very unacceptable in my playbook. Locals and foreigners should be given equal treatments. Live music is great. Please train your staff to adhere to the standards if great customer service. Please add local beers or have your own microbrewery to get a better branding. Thank you for the experience. ¡Buena Salud!

Filipinos are drawn to rice. I'd like to believe that we have a genetic disposition towards the…read moregrain so that I have something ng to blame for my weight gain. I feel this is why most Pinoys are wary of entrees that don't come with rice in upscale restaurants. Looking at it the other way around, this I feel is the reason that we are drawn to all things paella. You can owe it to the aforementioned love of rice, or to the centuries we've spent colonized by the Spaniards, but as long as its paella, we as a people will immediately feast on it like there's no tomorrow. Cerveseria in Greenbelt 3 knows our amor for the dish so every once in a while, they offer up unlimited paella for a steal price. If you're not to keen on stuffing yourself silly, you can get a more modest serving. Make sure to eat the slightly overcooked rice near the bottom as it has all that paella flavor!

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 .

Ambos Mundos is the oldest restaurant in Metro Manila. The fact that it's still standing is a…read moretestament to how good it is. Sightly out of the way from the cluster of Binondo restaurants near Ongpin, it is worth the time and effort to find and dine in this joint. Ambos Mundos is unique to Binondo not just because of its history but because of its cuisine. The resto is known for its extensive Spanish/Filipino menu and is quite known for its Paella. Having said that, Ambos Mundos also has quite the Chinese menu as well. In fact, the menu of Ambos Mundos is insanely packed with literally hundreds of choices. That would be the knell of death for lesser restaurants. As for what I ate, am just okay wi the Beef with Ampalaya and the Pata Hamon. The Nido Soup, however, blew me away.

Imagine walking the streets where Jose Rizal may have also walked. Now imagine dining at a…read morerestaurant where Jose Rizal may have also dined. Now, imagine eating paella, morcon, or even lengua that Jose Rizal may have also eaten. Crazy-enough thoughts? Well, not really. Ambos Mundos has been around since 1988, which means it was around a little more than 5 years before Rizal was shot in Luneta. It was this same spiel given to me when I was brought to Ambos Mundos. After saying hello to the guard pig outside the restaurant, we made our way in and I ogled at the old, well, everything at the restaurant. They serve traditional Spanish fare and do well at that. The food I liked most was the Ambos Paella, which had alimasag (small crab), shrimp, clams, mussels, slices of pork and chunks of chicken. It was delicious, flavorful, and tasted just like a paella should. Don't get me wrong, the food was great. But I think what I reveled in more was the history behind the restaurant and even while I was eating, I kept looking around, thinking of the amount of history those walls have seen.

The Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs) in Iberico Chorizo Sauce is a must-try, along with their Spanish…read moreOmelettes (tortillas). Flan de la abuela, a creamier version of the leche flan, is also great. Pricing is reasonable for the quality of food, service, and ambiance. One of the restaurants I highly recommend in Makati!

My go-to place for muy delicioso Spanish fare is undoubtedly Terry's Selection. Already an…read moreinstitution in the local food scene, one bite of the their dishes and you'll know exactly why. Without fail, every time I go to Terry's, I make sure to order the Almejas a la Marinera (Php 290) or the clams cooked in dry sherry, garlic and olive oil and the ever-reliable Gambas al Ajillo (Php 460). My boyfriend swears by the Foie Gras Burger (Php 840), served with homemade foie gras confit and slices of black truffle. Their signature dish of Duck Confit (Php 795) is also a must-try. And if you're going for the gold, you might as well order the Super-Cochinillo Confit (Php 1,600), served with risotto, onions and peaches. Aside from the delicious food, this particular Terry's Selection branch also offers wine. So if you're on the way to a dinner party, you might as well pop over to Terry's and bring a delicious bottle to your party.

Celebrated my birthday here. I called in a day ahead - and asked for their Paella, callos, salpicao…read moreand lengua as mains. Everything was nice and as expected. Classic. Great value for money...spent a little less than 3k for 4 adults and 2 kids.

From the owner: Galli Village Café: A refreshing dining place from the hustle and bustle of…read more Makati and Quezon City Galli Village Café Makati is a cozy and rustic restaurant that has the atmosphere and food that will make you enjoy the ambiance and pleasure of quiet dining just a stone's throw away from the busy and fast paced Makati district. The concept of Galli Village Café is inspired by images of small village cafes found scattered in many European, Asian and American countries. Located in the YMCA of Makati Building in Sacred Heart Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City, just 3 minutes away from Ayala Avenue. Another branch is located at #154 Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. Galli Village Café maintains its basic character as a place that offers unpretentious but tasteful food in a cozy and rustic atmosphere. This restaurant serves very good food that are really inexpensive. The specialty of the house is Paella Valenciana, guaranteed to satisfy the customer because it is very delicious as it is always freshly cooked. At a price of P300 per order (good for 2-3 persons), it has been a huge favorite; not only for dine-in, but for take-outs as well. Other popular dishes at likewise reasonable prices are Beef Salpicao, Shrimp Gambas, Angus Beef Tapa, Tuna Salpicao, Lengua Con Setas, Callos ala Madrilena, Pollo al Ajillo and Spaghetti Puttanesca

We made a reservation and had a table ready when we came in. The restaurant has been around for 10…read moreyears and yet that decor looks modern with a mix of dark floors and tables and white subway tiles on the walls. We ordered a number of dishes to try. First off was the tuna tartare... the crisps were super think and light. The tuna tartare came with a sauce with slight kick. Delicious! Next one a beef rendang nacho dish. Not sure how they pulled it off but the fusion of flavors were amazing! Next was pork belly dish with curry. Another hit! Last but not least is their signature salmon dish. That was really good too! Staff was super friendly and provided great recommendations to try out. Highly recommended and give it a try if you are in the area.

Walked in and were lucky they had tables open at this Michelin recommended restaurant. Staff were…read morequick to help and assist. Ordered a few things: 1. Beef Lechon Toast - 10/10. Solid choice! Light on truffle so not overpowering, the cheese on there is lightly salted sort of like a parmesan. Amazing. 2. Roast Beef Bun - 10/10. Another banger. The hoisin sauce was thick and reminds of me of a peanut sauce. Nonetheless a sauce worth mopping up and having on the side. I don't know what they did to the hoisin but it was phenomenal. 3. Pork Kare Curry - 6/10. I'm a huge kare kare fan but I think the sauce lacked the kare kare punch I wanted. The pork belly was also quite firm on the non fatty spots of the cut of pork. The rice that came with it was awesome. 4. Indo Smashed Chicken - 8/10. Well cooked thigh, good flavor. 5. Ginamos Rendang Halibut - 9/10. Can taste the Indonesian flavors. Light but filling. Great choice if you don't want to feel heavy after lunch.