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!

Love the ambience of this cafe! The food tasted so good. We…read moreordered the Chicken and ube waffles, the chicken was cooked just right. We also ordered the skirt steak with garlic rice, it was delicious!

My husband and I went here for breakfast after seeing good reviews. The service as great, decor was…read morecute and the food were presented nicely. I ordered the Sweet Glazed Katcino, which reminds me of a sweeter chicken katsu. It was filling. I think all the dishes can be shared since it was a lot of food. My husband order The Early Bird Full Breakfast and unfortunately, he got food poisoning from an under-cooked sausage so we never came back. [TIP] When we went, they were offering free Puto Bumbong Pancakes for balikbayans if you show them your itinerary.

Wildflour in Taguig is that place--the kind where every bite makes you pause and go, "wow... okay."…read more Let's start with the vanilla latte because it deserves top billing. Velvety, fragrant, and perfectly balanced--rich espresso softened by creamy milk and just the right whisper of vanilla. Not sugary, not flat... just smooth, cozy perfection in a cup. The kind of latte you sip slowly because you don't want it to end. The Belgian waffle was straight-up indulgence. Golden and crisp on the outside, light and fluffy inside, topped generously with caramelized bananas, ripe mango, and strawberries. Sweet, buttery, fruity, and beautifully plated--this wasn't just a waffle, it was a moment. And then the Filipino breakfast--comfort food done elegantly. Savory longganisa over warm rice, creamy eggs, and perfectly balanced flavors that feel both nostalgic and elevated. Hearty, satisfying, and deeply comforting in that "this is exactly what I wanted" kind of way. Add in the warm, stylish atmosphere and consistently excellent execution, and Wildflour absolutely delivers. Whether you're here for brunch, coffee, or a proper sit-down meal, this place understands flavor, balance, and indulgence. A must-visit in BGC.

One thing people do not fully appreciate about traveling halfway across the world is just how…read moredisorienting the time difference can be at first. When my husband and I stay in BGC -- Bonifacio Global City in Taguig within Metro Manila -- our internal clocks are usually completely confused for the first several days. BGC itself is one of the most modern and walkable districts in the Philippines, filled with high-rises, parks, restaurants, shopping areas, and surprisingly peaceful streets during the early morning hours. So naturally, we often find ourselves wandering around the city at dawn while the rest of the world still seems asleep. And when it is 6:00 AM in Manila, it is roughly 5:00 PM back in Sioux Falls depending on daylight savings, which means our bodies are basically convinced it is dinner time while we are attempting to eat breakfast. Traveling is glamorous. Jet lag is not. During one of these early morning walks, we stumbled into Wildflour Cafe, which immediately gave us the feeling of an upscale neighborhood bakery mixed with a polished diner-style brunch spot. It was already surprisingly busy even at that hour, clearly a favorite among locals and early risers. Honestly, the easiest comparison I can make is: Imagine a much more refined and stylish version of Denny's, except with better food, fresher pastries, and significantly more polished presentation. Now to be fair, this is not necessarily the kind of breakfast that completely changes your life forever. But it absolutely is several levels above ordinary diner food. My husband and I both ordered steak and eggs along with a large serving of bread and butter to share because apparently we believe carbohydrates are an important emotional support system while jet lagged. I ordered my eggs scrambled while my husband went with over easy. The breakfast potatoes were fresh, flavorful, and wonderfully prepared. The steak itself was a bit overdone for my personal taste. My husband actually enjoys steak prepared more thoroughly for breakfast dishes, but I have always preferred at least a little pink or redness remaining no matter how small the cut may be. The real star for me, however, was the bread. Warm, fragrant, slightly crumbly, and absolutely wonderful once the butter slowly melted into every crevice. There is something deeply comforting about fresh bread early in the morning while sitting in a quiet cafe halfway around the world watching a city wake up around you. Now the one surprise during this visit was the service. Because Filipino hospitality is usually exceptional. Truly exceptional. In fact, some of the best service experiences my husband and I have ever had anywhere in the world have been in the Philippines. This particular morning, however, things felt a little slower and less attentive than what we are normally accustomed to there. Nothing terrible at all -- the cafe was extremely busy -- but it did stand out compared to the typically warm and highly attentive Filipino dining experience we have come to expect. Overall though, it was still a very enjoyable breakfast and a wonderful way to begin the day. Or technically... begin the day in Manila while our bodies were fully convinced it was bedtime back in Sioux Falls. At some point during breakfast I remember thinking: "We should probably go to sleep soon." At 7:00 AM. Jet lag is a very strange thing.

It's a family classic! We've been shopping here since I was in grade school and when the market was…read morestill housed in TESDA. Now located at FTI complex in Taguig, the market is still the same old wet and dry market, with stalls from way back and newcomers as well. My mom shops here for various fresh food items: meats and poultry, fruits and vegetables, calamansi juice concentrate, cooked pork barberque and grilled tuna from Bunso stall, rice cakes, etc. We also shop for non-food items such as clothes ("tiangge"-style), plants (we bought orchids here), 2nd hand furniture (my current wooden closet from Japan is from here lol), and a whole lot more! There's so much to see here and the items are way cheaper than the usual grocery stores. It's fun to visit the place every weekend, and it's also an awesome way to support local businesses. The market is laid back and the community's friendly too. I highly recommend this to the people living in the south part of Metro Manila. :)

They moved to Arca south :)…read more Great selection of fresh produce. My favorite is a stall that sells fresh dalandan juice with honey and cucumber. Very refreshing :)

My review is based on their Breakfast Buffet. Breakfast…read moreBuffet : 6:15am - 10:30am Price : around 1,600+ pesos (around $27-$28) 5 stars all around! If I remember correctly, we ate there twice both days 2/16 & 2/17 and it was wonderful. We loved the first time we had breakfast there and came back the next morning before we had to fly out to Boracay. I've been to a lot of breakfast buffets in the US and both the food quality and service from the employees working here can't even compare. Kate (Katie?) and Mono were on top of everything and seem to know right away if we needed any assistance of any question. I merely stood by the egg station for a few seconds waiting to be helped and Mono saw me, walked over right away and got someone to help me from over the counter so I wouldn't have to wait long. Lots of warm smiles and the employees working during the times we dined. They seem to have the genuine drive and initiative to make sure every guest is taken care of and antennas are raised to help guests at a moments notice. Food quality was also high for a buffet. With some vegetables sourced from Baguio, several selections of freshly juiced fruits/vegetables and quality sourced ingredients from all over Philippines. It was not your usual breakfast buffet spread. I would not hesitate to dine there again for breakfast and would want to try their lunch/dinner buffet if the experience will still be the same. Clean, 5-star service and food quality, it's def one of my top picks for breakfast.

A nice restaurant on the second floor at the Grand Hyatt Manila hotel with great service…read more Delicious breakfast with many options - Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, southeast Asian, grill, and pasta stations. Fresh fruit & pastries and flaky butter croissants each morning.

We had our mom's 82nd birthday celebration here with 20 of our family membera. Great food, service…read moreand ambiance!

Our stay at the Shangri-La included daily breakfast at High Street Cafe, and while I'm often guilty…read moreof skipping hotel breakfast in favor of sleep, I made sure to catch this one every morning of our trip. Part of this is that I needed fuel for our busy travel days, but the rest is that the buffet was genuinely excellent. High Street Cafe is a massive restaurant on the lobby level of the Shangri-La. It's the kind of buffet you only see in Vegas or big Asian luxury hotels, an attractive, opulent space with tons of seating and a dozen different stations serving a tantalizing variety of food. Service is quick and attentive. You check in at the front desk and get escorted to a table, where you can order beverages and send any hot made-to-order dishes. The offerings are wide-ranging enough for all guests to get the genre of breakfast they desire. There is, of course, everything you might expect at a normal hotel breakfast buffet--pastries and cereal, cheese and cold cuts, bacon and sausage, eggs from an omelet station. I don't really go for much of that, at home or abroad, which is why I so often sleep through hotel breakfast. I do get out of bed for Asian food, and High Street has plenty in that department. My favorite part of the buffet is the noodle station, where you can get your own mini noodle soup assembled while you watch, from a selection of rice or egg noodles, chicken, vegetable, or spicy Taiwanese broth, and a small variety of proteins and vegetables. I tried several different permutations and liked them all, though I preferred the egg noodles to the rice noodles and the soothing chicken broth to the beef broth, which was a little too salty. I added chicken and beef and, better yet, fishcake and springy fish balls, plus bok choy and mushroom, chili oil and calamansi, and other unidentified condiments to boost the broth. There's a congee station, too, and a daily selection of dim sum and fried rice and stir-fried noodles. I did okay with the dim sum, some middling shumai and bao, and the rice and noodles were nice when I felt like a few bites of basic Chinese take-out. I liked the dosa station, where I got really really nice thin, golden dosa filled with spiced potato and accompanied by a couple of savory sauces. The Filipino section is a highlight, welcoming diners to "rice and shine Pinoy style," with a rotating variety of Filipino breakfast dishes, great with the fluffy sinangag, or garlic fried rice. As far as I can tell, Manila isn't a city where you come in as a tourist and find a bounty of small local restaurants serving the national cuisine, and I was glad to get a sampling of it here, at the breakfast buffet of my corporate-owned luxury hotel. Over the course of five breakfasts, I tried picadillo, chicken tocino, bistek tagalog, smoked bangus, corned beef, tuyo, and pork adobo, and helped myself to the kamayan corner, with its array of dried fish and pickles and vinegary condiments. There's a grab-and-go dessert buffet as well as a juice area, where I got a couple shot glasses of random juices and once, a weird chia seed thing that looked better than it tasted. For the most part, I finished my breakfast with sliced fruit from the fruit bar. Cantaloupe and watermelon, pineapple and papaya, orange and white guava, all of it pretty fresh and sweet. I doubt I ever ate enough to get my money's worth if I were paying separately for breakfast, but I enjoyed my daily noodle soup and rice and shine, as well as grazing across the other stations. High Street Cafe is an outstanding hotel buffet, a definite credit to the Shangri-La.

Pandesal is another traditional Filipino food. We eat this baked good as merienda but we all know…read moreit's popularly eaten at breakfast. As a kid, I'd always see my yaya (nanny) eat a lot of pandesal. Her favorite was to put condensed milk on it as a spread or pandesal occasionally dipped in coffee with creamer when she was eating. At first I thought it was weird as I only knew pandesal eaten on it's own, but after she showed me how versatile pandesal was, I immediately got on the pandesal craze train. I also remember having the best pandesal in San Pablo, where my grandparents are from. But since its 2 hours away, I wanted to find a pandesal recipe that was similar. That's where Pan de Manila comes in. Their Pandesal is always baked fresh! I love the slight crusty outside and the softness of the inside. I can eat more than 5 in one sitting. They're known for their pandesals but I also love their cheesesticks, peanut butter and their delicious herb cream cheese!

I am a voracious bread eater. Bread has to be in my daily diet. That is why bakeshops will always…read morehave a special place in my heart (actually, in my tummy). Back when I was still a corporate employee, I would make frequent trips to the nearby Pan de Manila either before I log in for work or during our afternoon break. I love the aroma of freshly baked pandesal that fills the air as I approach the bakery. Aside from their pandesal, I would also buy their Bananamon, Pan de Coco, Spanish Bread, Whole Wheat Ensaymada and Coco Jam. I was thrilled when I saw the Pan de Manila branch at the Market! Market! That branch has tables and chairs where people can dine in. I was happy to have discovered their Pan de Donuts! They tastes so good! What's good is that those doughnuts are baked and not fried. All flavors costs only Php38 each. I was with my family at that time and we had the Chocnut Crumble, ChocoMonds, and Chocolate Hills. I've been craving for them ever since but they are not yet available in all branches. I wish that Pan de Manila would bring Pan de Donuts to all their shops soon!

I went in to this place wanting to just dine and dash because I have somewhere else I need to be…read moreat, however the waiting time for my order to be prepared was longer than acceptable for me. What I ordered was just the Porkqua Curry and it took me a couple of follow-ups before the food was served to me. I forgot to track the time to see if the time of 10-15 minutes mentioned to me by the waiter was met. Foodwise, the taste of my curry order could have been a lot stronger and richer. I felt it lacking in cheesiness and creaminess. The ratio of rice to meat was also not something I can consider balanced. There was a little too much rice on the order than what I would have liked. A last point I would like to touch up on is the higher than justifiable price I saw for my bill after I finished eating. I was surprised that it included service charge. I can understand that it caters to late night bouts of drinks and even the sobering up phase post-drinking, but it should at least have that mentioned somewhere in the menu and not just come out as a surprise later on.

Went at 7 am because it was the only one open near where we were staying…read more We ordered "tapa de morning" and it was not hot. But price is reasonable.

we came here for NYE since it was the only place that as able to accommodate us and boy im so glad…read morewe did. the menu has a variety of options. my husband had the bicol express, kids had lasagna and i had the shrimp pasta. my order came out first and my kids wanted to try it. for sure i thought they wouldn't like it but they ended up finishing most of it since their lasagna was taking a bit (which we were informed ahead of time). they loved the shrimp pasta so much we had to order another one. yes it was that good! the bicol express was also good and so was the lasagna. the service was great. considering we were the last group seated on NYE, we didn't feel rushed at all. but of course we were also being conscious since we didn't want to be "those customers".

Food was the best. Especially the chicken adobo with braised pork. Service was on top and beautiful…read moreambience.

During our most recent visit to Manila, we have dined at three different locations (actually if we…read morecount another one last year, it will be four for me). Every single location delivered the same top-notch service and excellent food. It seemed that there was always a waiting list. But what they did that was so smart was give us the menu and and an order form and that gave us the time to peruse the menu, decide what we want and place our orders. By the time we sat down, it didn't take long before our orders were delivered. The first time we dined, there were only two of us, so we ordere the small plates. Another smart idea to have the choice of small, medium and large orders depending on the number of people. We've always dined family style so we were able to taste different foods. We've ordered the essential Filipino foods i.e., different kinds of sisig, salpicao, sinigang, adobo, pancit palabok, buko pie, puto bumbong, halo halo. And every single dish was phenomenally tasty, especially for us who are all residing in the US. Manam will always be our first choice whenever we are in Manila.

Easy eats vibes with the choice of smaller portions if you aren't too hungry…read more Went for a casual lunch. Despite there being tables available, we had to wait about 15 minutes to sit. Ordered their garlicky chicken and pork adobo, sisig, garlic rice, and turon. The adobo was fine, I think it would have been better just with the pork vs with chicken. Sisig was on point. The garlic rice was fine as well. The turon didn't have bananas in it but mangoes instead. I had thought it would have had both mangoes and bananas, but was mistaken. Overall, a decent place for casual sit-down vibes.