I admire Great Escape's aplomb. A slightly upscale Italian trattoria and wine place in a…read moreneighborhood food park teeming with broke college kids? That seems like a tall order, but what Great Escape has accomplished so far in Maginhawa StrEAT is admirable. The container van-style Italian restaurant serves such traditional trattoria mainstays as bruschetta, pasta, oven-baked pizzas and antipasti. I think it is a clever idea to introduce the food-park going crowd to more sophisticated dining choices. It's good that it's there as an option. Students can flock to the cheaper and less intimidating alternatives from the other concessionaires in the park, but what Great Escape offers is something that the more mature crowds (who can afford. Ha!) can enjoy. Here, you don't have to worry about plastic forks or sauces dribbling down your front. They have real utensils and wine glasses that you can use if you want to dine in and enjoy a glass of wine. Their sangria is ace - sweet, not too heady and refreshingly fruity. I ordered the aglio e olio pasta, which turned out a bit too salty for my taste. I'd reserve my opinion and write about this place again in the future, since they are stil on soft opening and they are still probably trying to sort some things out with their recipes. What makes this place super unique is the mist-spewing sprinklers that they hooked up to their trellis. It releases a cool mist every now and then to keep their customers cool during the balmy nights, reminding one of dewy vineyards. Raymund, Herbie and co. should be really proud of themselves. They are doing a great job so far.

The servers were great. The wine tasted so woody and oaky that together with the creme' brulee made…read morethat perfect bittersweet taste that I really like. But thank goodness we only ordered a glass each not a whole bottle. The place could've been in a much better location if you ask me. When we were there, there was this tree with its roots hanging from the ceiling. I thought it was cool but weird at the same time. I guess they were going for that cozy Italian cabin feeling that didn't quite work well with the place, because it was originally set up as a loft. The stairs were a little too steep for a wine bar. I give it 3stars because the theme didn't work well with how the place was set up but the wine was great.

Paella was worth the long wait...very good, plenty of ingredients. The bolognese was also…read moreokay....pollo frito was not good, it actually had very little actual chicken meat. Leg/thigh fried, came with gravy, I ate skin and gravy...the little chicken meat there was had black things attached to it, kind of disgusting. Pollo al Asillo (chicken spicy garlic sauce) was tasteless, not good. Linguini al pesto had a lot of a tomato sauce on top, took away from the pesto flavor...bottom line , come for the paella...that's it!!! Very good service.

Who does not like Spanish tapas? It is one of my favorite foods and when in Manila, Philippines, I…read morewas luckily invited for a dinner party at Alba Restaurante in Makati. On entering the restaurant, one cannot but notice the well-appointed red tablecloth tables with cloth napkins. The dishes at our disposal were many. They were Gambas (shrimp) in garlic and oil, potato croquettes, Spanish sausage, baked oysters, mushrooms, crostini with dip, chicken, spinach pizza and of course, seafood paella. To add to the cozy ambiance of this restaurant were three singers with Spanish guitars, serenading the audience in the restaurant. Our group got several renditions of Spanish ballads including, "Guantanamera". We sang along for this one. All the dishes were prepared well and highlighted their own distinct taste and flavors. My favorites were the croquettes, the baked oysters and the seafood paella. The croquettes were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The oysters though small, came 12 to a plate and were moist and well charred to bring out the baked parmesan fragrance. The seafood paella was the crown jewel of the evening. It contained several seafood varieties and was made fresh. It came out slightly charred at the bottom, as does any good paella. When scraped, mixed with the other contents, and eaten, one is rewarded with several bursts of aroma and taste. Table service was excellent. Muchas Gracias, Senores y Senoras.

First time here with my family. Had a few drinks. Service was Filipino standard. The severs are…read morereally nice and accommodating. The Patatas bravas ,the Gambas and the smoked eggplant with feta was good. Will come again when in town.

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.

We have been coming to Illustrado for years now. My mum is 103 and she prefers driving all the way…read morefrom Paranaque to have lunch here. It helps that they are next door to my favorite antique house 'Silahis'. We love the food. I think they make the best Pinoy food in town. Pansit Bihon, Arozcaldo, Kare, Sinigang and this is the only place where you can have Sampaquita ice cream and Canónigo that does not OD your Diabetes. It is an old house with a quiet elegance. It is coming home to a nice meal. Through the years, we met Jeff. Jeff always makes us feel welcome -like family. He is friendly, warm, sincere and professional. He is attentive. The right mix that comes out authentic. Not overwhelming . Not forced. Not chatty. I like that. He is calm. He knows how to serve. And he always has a smile inspite the hours and low wages. I can say that for the rest of the staff too from the young lady at the front desk and the folks at the coffee shop. It is good to see older staff too. Illustrado's food and service makes driving all the way from Paranaque worthwhile. Mayee Paranaque City

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

Naming your restaurant using an expletive is a bit puzzling. It doesn't really add anything. It can…read moreelicit a giggle or two from those of the less mature persuasion, but after that initial reaction, you're back to square one. Is it an attempt to look hip? The restaurant in question is local celebrity Paolo Bediones' newest venture Puñta Manila. Reading it without an inflection, it means "to go" while reading it with, it becomes said expletive. I just don't get it. Anyway moving on, Puñta Manila's specialty is Latin American street food, which is a refreshing change of pace. Just smelling the wafting aroma of the food being cooked is enough to make your mouth drool. The complex combinations of different flavors and spices will definitely put a smile on the face of first-timers and returning customers alike. If you're to order just one dish however, I recommend the Lo Mejor, which when translated, means 'the best'. Can't argue with that.

At first I was skeptical about Puñta Manila, as it touted itself as a restaurant that represented…read moremore than one kind of Latin American cuisine. Thankfully, I was not disappointed when I went because Chef Patron Anj Valencerina certainly knows her stuff. Their entrees, specifically the Callos, stole the show. It tastes ALMOST as good as the kind you would have at a Sunday family lunch - the kind that's made with someone's abuela's heirloom recipe. A definite shoutout is in order for David Dennis's drink menu, one more thing that makes the Puñta experience quite memorable. Their outdoor dining area is especially lovely at night - perfect, since Puñta positions itself as a place for both food and drinks. All in all, I think Puñta can and does live up to its edgy name.

My grandmother really has a knack for cuisines that aren't too mainstream and she stumbled upon…read moreCalderon in Kapitolyo. She loved it so much that she brought the family there for Sunday bonding. I found the place to be homey and cozy. It looked like a bricked house and once you've settled in a table, you'd feel like you're really in Spain. The music and ambiance really suite the whole theme. And don't get me started with the food! We ordered different things for the family to try and I must say that the food was good! We ordered the Paella Valenciana which is the flavor/variant we all know of. We also ordered the Caldo Gallego which was a hearty soup composed of beef, chicken, beans, vegetables and Spanish chorizo. We had the Salpicao, Croquetas and Bacalao ala Vizcaina (cod in tomato sauce). All of those dishes were really good! To end the meal, we ordered Sangria and partnered it with Bandeja de Jamon, Chorizo Y Quezo which was a platter of cold cuts, hams and cheese. The restaurant definitely captured the taste of Spain. I found it to be a great place to be with a big group or even just a one on one intimate dinner. The vibe for me was great. My overall experience in Calderon was pleasant! I would recommend Spanish cuisine lovers to drop by and try the food!

When I found out that a Spanish restaurant was opening in our neighborhood I was so excited and…read morewithin the first week of opening my family and I headed to Calderon. Honestly though we weren't expecting that much since it was only a neighborhood joint and we suspected would not offer Spanish dishes quite as authentic and fresh as those we've had in more expensive restaurants, but boy were we wrong. Calderon is fantastic. Their flavors was bold and their dishes though made with simple ingredients really pack a punch. The place is cozy and warm, the décor classic and earthy. The food offered is classic Spanish and we ordered salpicao, paella, gambas, and croquettas, all staple Spanish food. I was blown away by how tasty and great everything was. The tapas options are killer. I could honestly go home with a pot filled with their salpicao and just gorge on that and rice for a week. The ultimate test (at least for my mom) was their paella and it did not disappoint it was flavorful, salty, packed with meat and veggies. Calderon is certainly a must-try!

Came by on a late Tuesday night around 8:30pm for 4 and didn't have any issues with getting a…read moretable. Ambience was nice but quite loud. Reminds me of those restaurants in DTLA. The food was just okay to me, the paella took a minute to come out so order that first. The sisig tacos were super dry so I would skip that. The sangria was tasty though! Overall, I would come to try the food but come for the atmosphere and instagram worthy photos.

Amazing ambiance and rooftop (especially at night), we ordered four small plates to share and the…read morepatatas bravas, tostadas, and paella was amazing. Super attentive staff and they even gave us a complimentary dessert which was really sweet. Definitely make a reservation if you want a nice spot but it's also easy to walk up!