If you're looking for romantic and/or fine dining options outside Manila not named Antonio's, one…read moreof the best places to visit would be Vieux Chalet in Antipolo. It can get quite confusing getting there at first, but just trust the occasional signs you encounter and the GPS of your mobile phones. Vieux Chalet also doubles as a bed & breakfast, so you can actually stay the night there while you watch the Antipolo night sky envelop the Manila skyline. In the restaurant, you'll likely be greeted by the restaurant manager Rico Doy, who is the best at what he does. If you're still unsure on what to order, don't hesitate to ask him for his recommendations. If you're a fan of arugula like me, you'll be enamored with their salad, which is generously peppered with the piquant green. For the main course, the beef tenderloin drizzled with mushroom sauce will send you writhing in ecstasy as it's just that good. So if you're looking for a date place and want to avoid Tagaytay as it has become to cliché of late, head on over to Antipolo and Vieux Chalet!

Vieux Chalet is undoubtedly one of the restaurants I would always recommend to friends who want to…read morehave a good meal outside their busy cities or the central business districts. Tucked away in a village in Antipolo, Vieux Chalet is actually the home of the owners, which they converted into a restaurant, and bed and breakfast. I have tried several kinds of salad, pasta, pizza and mains, having been there several times. What I like most about their pizza and pasta is that they make it from scratch, so the taste and texture is really different and you can really distinguish the good quality of the dough and the noodles or the ravioli. My must-orders would be their raclette and the chocolate cake ala mode. With Vieux Chalet serving predominantly Swiss and European cuisine, it's no surprise that they offer good raclette, complete with olives, boiled potatoes, young corn, pickled onions, and gherkins (my personal favorite!). The cherry-infused chocolate cake is made with no other than Swiss chocolate and is topped with homemade (you guessed it!) Swiss dark chocolate ice cream. Indeed, Vieux Chalet is a restaurant born from the passion for food and accommodating guests into their home, with homemade dishes carefully and passionately prepared. At Vieux Chalet, happiness is indeed homemade.

There are places that are worth going to even if they're totally out of the way or tucked in the…read moremiddle of nowhere. For me, one such place is the Dutch Bread Hauz. This quaint shop is first and foremost a bakery but they also offer meals, coffee, and snacks on the side. The smell of chocolate and bread in the oven wafting from the kitchen greet customers the moment they step inside this bread house. On the counter you will see various types of dinner rolls, croissants, buns, and breads. Although they serve familiar dishes, like lechon kawali with rice and chicken shawarma, I chose to try Dutch specialty snacks which -- according to the staff -- were made using traditional means from the Netherlands. I was a bit adventurous so I got Berehap (slices of meat ball and onion on a stick served with peanut sauce) and Bitterballen (small meat-based balls served with mustard, a favorite snack from Holland). My wife was hungry this time and she was not in the mood to try products she can't pronounce so she decided to have parma ham and cheese sandwich. The attendant asked her to choose the type of bread for the sandwich and she picked spelt, a type of bread made from hulled or dinkel wheat that's popular in Europe. Of course, both of us had coffee. I was glad that we decided to drop by this place because the coffee was good as expected from Lavazza and the food was different but surprisingly savory. The spelt bread was tough and heavy so I don't think anyone could finish one order of sandwich using this bread. I liked my order of Berehap. The sausage was a bit salty when eaten on its own but a bite of the sweet onion and a dab of the peanut sauce neutralizes the saltiness. My wife liked the Bitterballen dipped in mustard. She said it was similar to croquettes because it's crunchy on the outside but a bit gooey on the inside. The place is clean, well-maintained, and generally peaceful so I think this is an ideal place for a meeting. It's also worth noting that their restroom faucet comes with hot or cold water. Parking can be a problem but if you do not mind walking for one or two kilometers, you can park your car at Power Plant Mall and just walk your way to Dutch Bread Hauz.

I went to the one in the Ayala Mall! This place is so good and the service is great. The owner is…read morefriends with my mom so I am prob a little biased. But I mean cmon the pictures of the food even look good. The vibe of the restaurant is so cute too bc of the paintings on the walls.

My brother brought the family here to celebrate his son's birthday. Prior to this I've been…read moresomewhat unimpressed by the higher end places we've been going to. Really, I'm okay with not so fancy places but this place was absolutely delicious. It's like a different take on Filipino dishes. The lumpia is so yummy!!!

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.

What an impressive place. It's nice to see that the Nielson tower, a piece of history has been…read moretransformed to a nice dining restaurant. My relatives here in the Philippines treated my husband & I to a sumptuous Sunday lunch here. For starters we a bottle of cab sav with the prawn scotch eggs. I had the Thai Chicken Curry noodle soup. My husband had the Blackbird burger. For dessert we truly enjoyed their sundaes, burnt butter and banofee. Such an enjoyable Sunday lunch at this place.

Came here for lunch with my family and love the interior. Food is great. I enjoyed the seafood…read moreplatter and the potato cubes

Great selection of desserts to grab on the go. Clean interior and friendly service as well. It's a…read morebit pricey, but well worth it for the quality. A great spot to try out!

I have been going to this Bizu for numerous years. It was always my go to place for macarons and…read morecappuccino. I never realized that they had an Afternoon Tea from 3pm to 6pm. Of course, I had to go there for their afternoon tea. I believe that it is a really good deal. The following is included for 995 Pesos: Canapés Petit Croque Monsieur Smoked Salmon Tartare Roast Herb Chicken on Crostini Shrimp and Mango Croute Watermelon and Feta Chorizo Croquette Earl Grey Scones Clotted Cream and Dark Cherry Jam Chocolate Truffles Opera Gateaux Macaron de Paris Served with your choice of loose leaf tea The Afternoon Tea is perfect for sharing. You receive 2 of each item. The only difference is that you will receive 2 different chocolate truffles and macarons de Paris. If you like cheese, then you will definitely like their Croque Monsieur. It is my favorite sandwich, and this is one of the best places that make it.

Tahanan Bistro is a beautiful restaurant surrounded by a garden full of greenery and a koi pond…read morethis was a truly romantic setting not in luxury but in natural surrounding of wood and nature that makes you feel you are hundreds of mile away from the city, which you can still see by peeking pass the the big leaves. The presentation of the food is breathtaking, I felt guilty touching and eating from the plates. But after I did I realized it would be a crime not to indulge in the elevated flavors in it's modern Filipino dishes. I took dozens of photos with only a few posted to Yelp.

From the owner: Tahanan was built entirely from 100% reclaimed wood, salvaged from old houses and bridges from…read morearound the Philippines. Designer and woodworker Benji Reyes and his wife Carina, along with their daughters Eena and Keesha, had been dreaming of turning a portion of their home into a bistro for years. Today, Tahanan Bistro is realised as a casual fine dining restaurant serving dishes inspired by Philippine produce.

Balkan is a newly, revamped, relaunch place in Legaspi. They started from humble beginnings from a…read moresmall resto in San Juan that serves their local dishes to a newly converted restaurant and bar. We had an opportunity to be invited to their launch and we were served platters of cold cuts, some kebabs and dip. Roasted whole lamb, and plejskavica. The roasted lamb was soft and tender. It easily tears apart that was well seasoned. It was just too seasoned on the skin part, but then again, it was really good. No sauce pr anything, just plain ole' lamb. Plejskavica, is still nice, juicy, burger stuffed with cheese, like what I had back in their San Juan branch. The taste and quality is still the same. It was a perfect beer match. I like how Balkan transformed from a hole in the wall restaurant to an upscale bar and restaurant that caters to lunch-dinner crowds to the after dinner market. #TheFoodCrawlers #OngsFoodprints #TheLostDiego

Tucked into the quiet side of Legaspi Village, Balkan along Perea St. is one of those restaurants…read morethat you never knew existed until someone mentions it, and you have absolutely no idea what they might possibly have there. I'd never heard of Yugoslavian cuisine before I first ate at Balkan, but one taste was enough to keep me coming back at least once every two months for a full year. My wife and I only ever eat 2 dishes when we're at Balkan: their famous Serbian stuffed burger, which is essentially a beef patty folded over cheese and grilled 'til the stuffing melts, and their stuffed chicken batak, deboned chicken thighs stuffed with smoked salami, mushrooms, and cheese. I didn't realize that cheese was such a big hit in traditional cooking in that part of Europe, although a wild guess of mine is that it was a later addition. Whatever the case, Perea St. and the whole of Makati is grateful for it.

Small, clean and classic bistro setting. Tasty Arancini Al Margherita; Chorizo/Sausages, Potatoes &…read moreSauerkraut. The Cacio E Pepe Classic is delicious. The service is friendly and courteous. The price is very reasonable. They're doing a soft-open now but we will definitely be back for more. Gonna try the Osso Buco next time! ;)

Last night, my college friends and I got together in QC for dinner and drinks. I let my Booky app…read moredecide where to go, and it brought us to Vanderlust Bistro + Patisserie. We shared stories and juicy gossip over bottles of Stella Artois and Vanderlust's Sausage, Potatoes, and Sauerkraut platter--delectable slices of kielbasa, hungarian, and bratwurst sausage served with seasoned potato wedges, sauerkraut, and German sweet mustard. We ordered this delicious appetizer along with Vanderlust's Pesto di Aglio pasta, Catalan Baked Fish with Potatoes and Asparagus, and Schweinekotelett with Mustard Cream Sauce. The Pesto di Aglio pasta is legit, and is one of the most affordable pasta dishes I've had across all casual dining restaurants I've been to. Portion size may be too small even for one diner, in my opinion, so you better have other entrees on the table to fill you up. The Catalan Baked Fish may seem like a simple dish, but I guarantee that it tastes a lot better than it looks. The crust on the fish fillet elevates the dish, making it more savory and filling than what you'd normally expect from lighter seafood entrees. I only wish there was more of the potatoes and asparagus to take diners through to that last delightful bite. We had very high expectations for the Schweinekotelett with Mustard Cream Sauce--a thick and juicy 300 gram porkchop served with mashed potatoes and a generous portion of vegetables. However, there was too little mustard in the sauce, and the porkchop could have used a little more seasoning. The meat was cooked perfectly though, and we still enjoyed sharing this dish. I just have to end this review by saying how much I love the Booky app. We were able to find this restaurant, request and confirm our reservations OFFLINE (no wifi needed) in less than 10 minutes, get P500 off our bill, and enjoy a FREE dessert! Download and learn more about Booky on Instagram (search @bookyapp or #bookymanila) and on its blog (ph.phonebooky.com) #TheFoodCrawlers #sausage #Kielbasa #Hungarian #Bratwurst #potato #German #sauerkraut #mustard

Fantastic crepes. Two words that describe Cafe Breton best. But of course, a café isn't just their…read moredelicious crepes. As it is popular, the place is pretty busy at all hours of the day so if you're unable to relax in good company and enjoy a discussion while your order is being prepared you might want to find it within you to just chill. Cause the wait is worth it, and we can all find the time (unless you have a meeting you're running off to!) The atmosphere is perfect for unwinding and relaxing over a chat with your friends and family, with cheerful splashes of color, ambiance to match the café mood and a nice view of the pretty surroundings in the neighbourhood. They serve awesome coffee and awesome frappes that naturally go so well with crepes. A good pairing in my opinion, it's what I tend to get, is their Lost Paradise with a nice Café Liegois. And naturally I would suggest going so far as getting a savory crepe and then finishing with a sweet crepe. Tops.

I LOVE CAFE BRETON It is my favorite places to go to for…read morecrepes. They have the BEST crepes, I promise these crepes will not disappoint. Although Cafe Breton does offer savory meals, it's really their crepes and coffee you should try. The crepes here aren't soft and pancake textured, or too thick, or tasteless. The crepes themselves are light, super thin, and flavorful. They also cook it so that the edges kind of crisp up a bit (BEST PART!). They have so many different crepe combinations and you can even DIY them! They have blueberry cream crepe with blueberry compote, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream (they're very generous with their whipped cream) which is stellar. They have classic combos like nutella and mangoes. BUT what you really really NEED TO do is ignore all those fancy crepes, all you need to order is their simple and classic BUTTER & SUGAR crepe. I know, what am I saying. Really? YES, REALLY. It may sound unexciting but trust me when you taste this you will feel the excitement. This crepe is loaded with butter (THANK YOU) and sugar and it forms are crisp outside cause of the sugar, the inside is so buttery this almost reminded me oddly of an egg tart. Their coffee is local, they don't sell it commercially but trust me when you taste it you wish they did! One of the best coffee in the Metro.