I was visiting family in Taguig last weekend and we decided to hit up the McKinley West Food Truck…read moreFestival on a whim--best spontaneous plan ever. The place was buzzing but not overcrowded, with so many trucks lined up it was hard to choose! We grabbed killer tacos from one of the Mexican spots, some insane loaded fries, and finished with that creamy Mio Gelati pistachio gelato that honestly ruined regular ice cream for me forever. Everything was fresh, portions were generous, and nothing broke the bank--most stuff under 250 pesos. The sunset view over the open space was stunning, super chill vibe with music playing, and parking was a breeze with tons of free spots. We stayed way longer than planned just people-watching and eating. Please keep this going permanently, it's such a fun spot! Five stars, no question.

In its first month, I had hoped for the Food Truck Festival to extend or stay in the Westside of…read moreMcKinley forever. Thankfully, the food trucks are here to stay until the 13th of December - which is a good compromise! I still wish for it to be a permanent fixture so we have something going on in McKinley! When I did a quick tour of the area, the food sold at the festival didn't go over P250. That's pretty reasonable and more reasons to pig out! There's a variety of food selection from burgers, gelato, Filipino, Mediterranean, American and street food. Recently, there's an addition of Japanese and Mexican food trucks! Seriously though, I only come here for the gelato by Mio Gelati (P100 for a premium cup) but I always end up getting more than what I came for. I'd have Lamb Biryani from Shawarma Bros (P199), Bacon Cheese Burger from Malcolm's Deli (P150) and Chili Garlic Wings from Bag Wings to name a few. There are live performances as well (although I've never actually seen one). I make sure to come here as soon as it opens because the view is absolutely beautiful. Since McKinley West hasn't started most of the construction in the area, there's so much free space! You also have a view of the Essensa Towers as the sun sets. Parking is far easy as well! They have 500 parking spaces all for free!

Just when you think you couldn't fit another restaurant into Kapitolyo, they open up an entire…read morefoodpark. Insane. Having said that, Gastro Park Kapitolyo is a fantastic addition to the Kapitolyo food scene, if only for the fact that it was able to cram so many restaurants in one space. It also established 1st Street as Kapitolyo's second food street, sharing it with Kanto, Nori, and Ser Chef, among others. The layout of the food park was kept simple and straight to the point, and I appreciate the fact that it actually has a roof. As with most food parks, the outlets are good and decent although no outlet really stands out. I do appreciate the price point of the outlets though, as most of them have plenty of options below P150. That's a major selling point in my book.

A fun place to eat and go on a food trip with friends!…read more This Gastro Park has quite a variety of cuisines available. They have Filipino, Japanese, Singaporean, Thai, and Italian, just to name a few of them. I like that they also thought of how warm it can get. They provided ceiling fans in the middle seating area. The outer areas don't have fans but at the least the fans they have help keep the air circulating.

Think Mercato, but Chinese…read more If you've been to the Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City, you'll know about the little booths serving all sorts of food. Mercato has burgers, pizzas, cakes, lechon, and a whole bunch of other amazing food. Now, imagine that being relocated to an open-air thoroughfare beside the Lucky Chinatown Mall, decorate the space with Chinese lanterns, and add a whole bunch of Chinese food, like dumplings, and noodle soups, to the mix, and you've got the Chinatown Walk.

There are two noteworthy Jolly Jeep's along Palanca Street, and Lirio's is one of them. The other…read moreone being Jolly Jeep number 095. Lirio's is the gourmet jolly jeep that has been spreading by word of mouth. For the uninitiated, jolly jeep's are turu-turo kiosks, turo-turo literally meaning point-point, or carinderias where the common folk order lunch during work breaks. For a point-point to offer gourmet meals like Hungarian sausage (from Santi's) and German Potato Salad (one of their specialties!) is unheard of. If you happen to be along Palanca street, Lirio's is definitely worth a try. The food truck is located in front of Plantation restaurant and bar.

For the longest time, Mexikombi has been making the rounds (literally!) around the metro, serving…read moreup decent, affordable Tex-Mex food out of a refurbished '74 Volkswagen Kombi. In fact, I used to spot them everywhere from Katipunan to the Saguijo parking lot. The weird thing is, I was never really able to try their food, until they finally put up their own brick-and-mortar restaurant at the ground floor of the Sterten Place building along Maginhawa Street. Mexikombi doesn't advertise itself to be 'authentic Mexican,' which I like. There are so many establishments out there, touting themselves as authentic Mexican places, but they serve burritos. Nitpicking aside, the great thing about Mexikombi is that whatever they have on their menu, they execute especially well. I had the grande Chorizo Burrito, which, for 200 pesos, was exactly what I needed. I was hungry past the point of being civil to my friends, and the huge, piping-hot burrito stuffed with rice, veggies, cheese, beans and what I gather was longganisa, was absolutely perfect. It was comforting and filling, and being a spice addict, I actually requested for a bigger bowl of Mexikombi's spicy house-made sauce. My only comment, perhaps, would be that they serve the burritos with free salsa in the future, if only to elevate the taste experience! I was also able to try their Pollo soft tacos, one of their bestsellers on the menu. No wonder, the chicken has been roasted to perfection and you can tell that the dudes behind Mexikombi take great care to execute their dishes well. A shout-out must also go to their Carnitas, which are oily as hell, but I would gladly cheat death to eat it again. My friend ordered the carnitas soft tacos, and the first thing I noticed was that the crunchy strings of pork were virtually swimming in oil. It was both exciting and horrifying at the same time. Let's be real, though: who can resist pulled, spiced pork that's been simmering in its own rendered fat? A boring person, that's who. I also really like their churros. I am no churro afficionado, but I like how the churros are kind of custard-y in the middle, which adds a great twist when you sink your teeth into the first crunchy bite. Bravo, Jake C. and buddies! I am a believer in Mexikombi.

woodys gastropubs and bistros , originally established in costa rica 2006 , expanded to usa , spain…read more, and the uk . famous for diverse and gourmet versions of your favorite foods, from southern usa bbq, to traditional english fish & chips , cuban sandwiches , tex-mex and even gourmet pizzas ,,, they have recently started a food truck operation ( p.j. woodys on wheels)( pjw food services co.) here in philippines , different from there usual brick & mortar operations this is a full kitchen manned by a top chef , available at various locations around metro manila , look for the big truck with famous union jack logo ,,,,,and don;t miss out on the excellent freshly prepared foods from around the world , priced to suit the local economy ,,and worth every bite...THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO CATER ,ON SITE, ANY PARTY OR EVENT YOU HAVE IN MIND.

Since I could remember, THE Aristocrat RESTAURANT has been a regular go-to eatery for my family…read moreduring most if not all visits to Manila, Philippines. Needless to say, during my November, 2024 vacation, I had to stop by here for a snack or meal which occurred on the evening of Wednesday, the 13th. Established in 1936, The Aristocrat is one of the oldest restaurants in Manila and historic landmark recognised by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines with a marker at this original location on Roxas Boulevard, recognizing its contribution to Philippine culinary history. An iconic spot famed for its homestyle Filipino delights like Lumpiang Shangahi (₱415), Crispy Pata (₱975), and Halo-halo (Blanco ₱160, Regular ₱180, and Specia l₱220), the long-loved brand has won the hearts of Filipinos across the country and is still a favourite up to this day. Situated in the vibrant Malate district, conveniently on Roxas Boulevard, the venue offers diners a picturesque view of Manila Bay, which adds to its charm. The place also has ample parking in the private lot and the interior design is clean and well-maintained. With the onsite bakeshop and store, bright lighting, and 24-hour service, The Aristocrat captures diner vibes while welcoming guests to a warm family-style setting with tables grouped together. Showcasing the best of Filipino culinary culture, the extensive menu at Aristocrat boasts bold, lively flavours served in satisfying portions. Signature dishes include the celebrated Chicken BBQ & Java Rice combination, widely considered "the best chicken barbecue in town," and the iconic Aristocrat Adobo Flying Saucer (₱190), a toasted, circular bread pocket filled with savoury chicken adobo. Each dish is thoughtfully presented and every bite serves as a rich celebration of Filipino cuisine. Below are some of what we ordered at my most recent visit: Fresh Lumpiang Ubod (₱175) - This was Uncle Bolo's order. He enjoyed the shredded ubod (heart of palm) sautéed with pork and shrimp, perfectly wrapped and generously poured with the savoury-sweet and thick peanut sauce topped with ground peanuts and fresh garlic. Crab & Corn Soup (₱98) - The thick, creamy broth filled with sweet corn kernels and shredded delicate crab meat was enjoyed for its warm, savoury flavor, mirroring traditional Filipino-Chinese comfort food. Fried Lumpiang Ubod (₱188) - I'm not a fan of lumpiang ubod, but those who ate this starter enjoyed the crispy texture of the eggroll, especially paired with the spiced vinegar. Gulaman at Sago (₱98) - The Filipino sweet, thirst-quenching iced beverage of gelatin cubes with chewy tapioca pearls in a brown sugar syrup was refreshing and beautiful in presentation. Kare Kare (₱925) - Each spoonful of this classic peanut-forward stew of beef and vegetables was full of flavour. Bistek Tagalog (₱450) - This classic, comforting rendition of the Filipino beef steak, featuring thinly sliced lean beef marinated in savoury soy sauce and tangy calamansi juice and topped with caramelized white onions was impressively tasty and tender. Pinakbet na Baboy (₱330) - This dish featuring a medley of vegetables - such as eggplant, green beans, and bittern melon - and pork sautéed in a savoury shrimp paste is one of Mom's favourites. Unfortunately, she wasn't super impressed with Aristocrat's version. Ginataang Laing (₱225) - This Filipino comfort dish of taro leaves and pork bits cooked in coconut milk and topped with shrimp and siling labuya (small, fiery chili pepper cultivar) was richly creamy, slightly spicy and deeply aromatic. 3-PC Chicken Barbecue (₱345) - This is Aristocrat's iconic dish, often cited as the flagship meal of the legendary Manila-based establishment. Their famous Chicken Barbecue is composed of three pieces of chicken (typically drumsticks and/or leg/thigh cuts) that are marinated, skewered, and grilled to a tender, juicy, and smoky finish. Served with Java Rice (a bright yellow-orange-coloured, savoury rice) and homemade Atsara (a Filipino pickled dish made from grated unripe green papaya) both of which bring out the tastiness of the smoky chicken. Pork Barbecue (₱300) - Two sticks of tender, marinated pork skewers grilled to perfection, typically served with Java Rice and Atsara. Dalyn replaced the Java Rice for white rice to complement the sweet, smoky bites of pork. Fresh Green Mango Shake (₱180) - My shake of fresh succulent green mango fruit blended with light syrup and crushed ice was a perfect balance of tangy and sweet - YUM! THE Aristocrat RESTAURANT's warm, polite and attentive service with nostalgic ambiance and delectable, well-presented dishes have made the establishment a beloved spot for both locals and tourists alike, a must-visit for the heart and soul of authentic Filipino fare.

Just got back from a quick weekend in Manila and hit up The Aristocrat for dinner on our last…read morenight--jet lag had us starving at like 11 p.m., and thank God this place never closes. Walked in and it felt like stepping into a living museum of Pinoy comfort food: those old black-and-white photos everywhere, the framed stories about Aling Asiang, the whole spot just humming with locals and travelers alike. We loaded up the table with the classics--boneless chicken barbecue that was smoky-sweet perfection, dripping with that thick peanut sauce, a mountain of java rice to soak it all up, sizzling sisig that popped with every bite, and their halo-halo to finish because why not go full send? Everything tasted like someone's lola spent hours perfecting it: bold flavors, generous portions, nothing skimpy. The staff hustled hard even with the late crowd, refilling calamansi juice without us asking and keeping things warm and welcoming. It's not flashy or Instagram-fancy, but that's exactly why it's so good--it's real, hearty Filipino home cooking done right in a place that's been doing it forever. Left full, happy, and already missing it. Easily the best meal of the trip. Five stars all the way.

If you ever worked or resided in this side of Makati, this particular jollijeep stall will…read moredefinitely ring a bell. They become heavily popular for their sisig recipe and I am here for it. I have always been a fan of this recipe (which is a top tier Pinoy food for me). There is usually a line during lunch hours which will make you wait for 10 minuts or more. They have a takeaway bag and or avail additional if you want to have it placed in a microwaveable container. Dine-in is served in a paper plate.

Ask any Pinoy what is a must try dish to eat when you're here in Manila and I bet they will say the…read moresame thing: Sisig! Every Filipino restaurant, even the fusion ones, must serve this dish! So, you'll have your high-end versions and also your supermarket versions that come out of a can (which are really not good! Seriously!). If I could, I'd eat Sisig every time I have a beer. But, yeah, for the sake of my heart, I hold back. Haha! Now, let's talk about Sisig sa Rada. This JollyJeep became popular on Facebook with the Makati lunch crowd. Their version of the sisig is made-to-order and prepared within 5 minutes! Every sisig order is fried in egg with sweet mayo on the side. For me, that's what makes their sisig yummylicious. The extra frying makes the sisig bits crispy! Also, the best part, a sisig meal is only Php54! Be prepared to eat standing and that you have to wait awhile during lunch hours. This sisig is flavorful, crunchy and fits everyone's budget. Definitely worth a try! Here's another tip: ask them to fry your sisig longer! :D