An absolutely gorgeous dining experience with spectacular views from the 31st floor overlooking the…read morecity. This is set within a hotel. The rooftop setting is stunning, featuring elegant water features and the option to dine either outdoors under the skyline or indoors while still enjoying the rooftop atmosphere. The views alone make this place worth visiting, especially in the evening when the city lights come alive. The food was excellent. We sampled a variety of Filipino dishes, all beautifully prepared and elevated with thoughtful, upscale twists while still respecting the local flavors. A special mention goes to our server, Bon, who was outstanding throughout the evening. Attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming, he helped make an already memorable experience even better. Soft live music was on, and it added to the experience. Between the incredible atmosphere, beautiful setting, delicious food, and exceptional service, this is a place I would happily recommend to anyone looking for a special night out in Manila.

The Nest Dining in the Sky remains one of the most romantic dining destinations in the South…read more Perched atop Vivere Hotel, it offers sweeping views of the city, especially once the sun starts to set. While technically indoors, the restaurant opens its large sliding doors in the evening, creating a cool, breezy, open-air feel that makes the space both comfortable and memorable. It's easy to understand why so many couples choose this venue for date nights and proposals. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit. Since we came for an early dinner, we mostly ordered appetizers and dishes for sharing. We started with the Seafood Clam Chowder served in a bread bowl. It was decent and comforting, nothing particularly memorable, but certainly not bad. The Sisig Lumpia was unfortunately the weakest dish of the evening. Good sisig should have some crispness and texture, but this version lacked that signature crunch and came across as overly oily. It was the one dish I probably wouldn't order again. On the brighter side, the Pinchos drizzled with balsamic reduction were flavorful and enjoyable. The Beef Nachos were the star of the savory dishes, generously portioned, satisfying, and perfect for sharing. For dessert, we had the Frozen Brazo de Mercedes, which was a great way to end the meal and easily one of the highlights of our order. Service was excellent throughout. The staff were attentive, warm, and professional, making sure everything flowed smoothly without being intrusive. While the food this visit was a bit mixed, the stunning views, romantic ambiance, and impeccable service continue to make The Nest a place worth returning to. I've dined here before and remember some of their entrées being much stronger than the appetizers we ordered this time, so I'd happily come back and explore more of the menu. The food may not be flawless, but the experience certainly is. For the view, ambiance, and service alone, The Nest earns a solid 4 out of 5 star

Worst experience ever! The event was booked 1-2 months ago. We reserved the Molave and Mahogany…read morefunction rooms. The air conditoners were not functioning and some chairs were broken. They must have taken cared all these defects prior to the event. We ended up using their IWATA industrial fan. They did not even put ice in the IWATA fan to make place cooler until we requested them to put some ice in it. no initiative at all. Only 1 industrial fan was provided and cannot even make the place a little bit cooler. We have 100 guests and we were all perspiring. They even put pails to catch all the water dripping down from the ceiling, it was really high risk for accident. Not recommendable for any event. Place and Service is not worth the price. Never again! They don't even deserve a star. But since I cant post my review then, i'll just add 1

Wanted to do lunch before I leave the country and spend time with my mom…read more Looks great until you start eating. Italian station had 3 pieces of dried up pizza and some pasta. Seafood station - health hazard. Chinese station- had dried up pans. Roast station had whole chickens, pork fat tips and meats that look like they are ready to be put on compost. The remaining left over food was inedible. Staff seemed so jaded and unaware that this place is poorly run. The dessert station was the worst. They have staff that should be working as prison guards. They shouldn't be accepting customer and hour and a half before the close when they know that they will not be refilling their food. Staff is completely clueless that they have horrible service. It's expensive here so there should be no room for error. Oh, I forgot to mention that their seafood less seafood paella was stale. Gave us the runs. This poorly managed scam and health hazard place that claims to be a restaurant is tops the list of the worst places I've been to.

This place is nothing special in my opinion. My parents have an obsession with going to buffets,…read moreand when I came to visit them, they took me here. They're a shabu-shabu buffet with sushi options and some other Filipino delicacies. They're most known for their hotpot/shabu-shabu, where you can grab your meats and veggies directly from the counters. They also have a variety of juice options that you can get. The sushi was extremely subpar. I was really looking forward to eating something on the lighter side, but I'm not sure if it's just not that great in the Philippines, or if this restaurant couldn't perfect how to make a decent sushi hand roll. I gave them 3-stars cause the broth of the hotpot/shabu-shabu is actually good...and they also have a sinigang option, which is something you won't be able to find in the states. Lots of people look like they come here for big parties. Oh, and this place is also located in an SM mall.

Amazing food! I definitely liked the large variety of sushis, the yakisoba was unlike anything I…read morehave ever had. The people are warm and welcoming, they would even guide you right your seat. Amazingly, we were seated right next to the buffet so getting another food is easy. The overall ambiance of the restaurant is silent probably because it was the middle of the week so there aren't a lot of people.

Too much food, large plates resembling a fleet and a hound of hungry eaters, eager to fill their…read moreplate up. Here in Manila, buffet is a serious matter and you can find them everywhere in the city. I'm not a buffet type of person- except for the breakfast buffet which I think is the main reason why I love hotels (apart from those thick white duvets they usually have). I don't really like buffets because when it comes to food, I prefer quality over quantity any day. (except for clothes) The other day my sister brought me to Yakimix with the intention of changing my perception on buffets that start after 10AM. So what do they have there? Apart from people who shouldn't actually be there (yes you know who I'm talking about), They have the usual Japanese fare- sushi, maki, tempuras and other dishes but the best thing about this restaurant is the raw meat and fish section all waiting to be grilled on smokeless table. So, if you like huge amounts of food pilled up on your plate, or if you have ADD when it comes to what you want to eat, then Yakimix is the right place for you.

Two words: UNLIMITED TEMPURA!…read more I'm not that big a fan of Japanese and Korean food but I love buffets so I'm kind of 50/50 with this place. But I've always been intrigued because of the throng of people lining up for their turn and making reservations there. It must be because of all the birthday promos, I thought. My family never thought of eating there because we were all trying to diet and we felt that we couldn't get our money's worth. In short, lugi kami. But I eventually got to try it and I must say, I had a fantastic time. The place was packed as expected, but the buffet was more organized than I imagined. The area was quite spacious so I didn't encounter any disorderly queue that I was scared of. And the food! My husband (the meat lover and expert griller at home) enjoyed the teppanyaki and the katsus, I filled my plate(s) with an assortment of makis and desserts (Korean ice cream! Crepe!) and all of us went crazy for the prawn tempura. We had a lot of competition in that area, but that's okay because they refill the tempura basket every ten minutes, I think. Freshly cooked tempura dipped in piping hot tempura sauce. Awesome! So I finally understood why Sambo Kojin in SM Southmall is always packed. It's not just about the birthday promos. But then again, there's nothing wrong with availing those deals. I wouldn't mind spending my birthday or any other occasion there too.

My brother and his girlfriend are regulars at Sambo Kojin, and I've wondered why. Finally got to…read moretry it when we celebrated three birthdays just a few days apart in the family, so we were able to avail of the birthday promo (a birthday celebrant is free, as long as he/she brings one paying guest. The celebrant also gets a small cake with candle, and a birthday song from the staff - that was fun!.) Sambo Kojin offers unlimited Japanese food - and not just so-so Japanese food, but delicious Japanese food with a quality you would pay for in other restaurants when dining a la carte. From a rainbow of sushi to the deep-fried goodness of prawn and vegetable tempuras, and from street food like takoyaki to classic family dishes like sukiyaki, and of course, grilled meat, fish, seafood, and veggies, there is just so much to try. While the food has a lot of variety, the number of choices are not really overwhelming unlike in other larger buffets, so I got to savor all the dishes I wanted to try. What I was looking for was ramen, though. While they have hot and cold noodles, they didn't really have ramen, but I can forgive that as ramen preparation seems to be really detailed and exacting, and many restaurants specialize on it. I was also hoping for some really good Japanese desserts, like mochi, but there were mostly cakes with a sweetness that is just right (the Japanese don't seem to have a very sweet tooth, or at least, that's what I gathered from the Japanese I've met). I love the green tea ice cream, though - there's the taste of the green tea, and the ice cream is not so sweet. The peach mango crepe I tried has a slight medicine taste to it - perhaps, it's because of the brand of the canned/pre-packed fruits they use.

Hotel buffets are cutthroat competition. You're charging guests for thousands of Pesos, so…read morenaturally they'll be looking to make the most out of their money. Just giving them sashimi doesn't cut it anymore. It's something they can have at Yakimix or Sambokojin for half the price. You have to add something a bit more so that diners can rationalize for themselves that they got what they paid for. In Bellevue's Café d' Asie in Alabang, they serve what you'd normally see in hotel buffets - sashimi, rib-eye steak, and fresh shrimps. What I like that I don't see in other places though, is the Mongolian barbecue station. It's really not much, but I like it, especially since you can have as many shrimps as you can as opposed to going to a dedicated Mongolian buffet which doesn't even have shrimp. This, coupled with the fact that the staff of Bellevue are among the best, is enough to make someone like me from the other side of the Metro be willing to make the long trek there because I know I'm getting my money's worth.

Finally, the day has come for me to feast again at Bellevue Manila's Café d' Asie.My special moment…read morehere was spent with my colleagues as we celebrated our first team building. We went to Bellevue after work at around seven in the morning, most of the tables were still empty and the waiters were very accommodating in leading us to the large round table that we have previously reserved. The ambience was high -class and elegant, and the almost 50 foot chandelier hanging above gave a wonderful site and superior feel to the area. I usually go to Café d'Asie at dinner with my family, but today I experienced dining at breakfast time. When I'm in a buffet setting, I usually target the Japanese section and go for the sashimis, but sadly, (maybe because they were still serving breakfast), my usual favorite dishes like roast beefs, lechon, steaks, cakes and desserts were still not available. Nevertheless, I've discovered some great tasting breakfast dishes such as their Swiss Muesli; after thorough observation I noticed that it was a combination of oats, nuts, apples, yogurt, milk, raisins, walnuts, almonds, milk and honey- and wow, it's a perfect ten for all the oatmeals that I've eaten my life. They have breads and pastries, several imported cheeses, meats, hams, bacon, muffins, croisaants, imported yogurt,, spreads, ommeletes, danggits, crispy squids, Korean and Mongolian sections, a lot of fresh and vegetables. Previously, dining at Cafe d' Asie does not include drinks, but now I had a choice between mango juice, orange juice , iced tea or coffee. The hotel manager was kind enough to give us a huge corporate discount and gave the buffet rates at a very affordable price. Truly a bang for the buck.

First night in Manila, I had dinner with my family. My Cousin made the suggestion and it wasn't too…read morefar of a drive. Ambiance: The decorations were clean and inviting. Tables and chairs were comfy. The entire place was well kept. Food: They had fried Kangkong! I have never seen that anywhere. It was delicious! It made the fact that it was fried a little less shameful because it was a vegetable. They had Filipino paella and Kare Kare. They also had a large assortment of fried fish. My appetite was satisfied! However, everything was cold! They will heat up food upon request BUT shouldn't hot food be served hot, regardless? Service: It wasn't the best. The hostess was oblivious and I had to ask for the check more times than I should. There wasn't too many customers so I wasn't sure where the disconnect was. Thank the stars that it was a buffet because our food would probably have taken forever to get to our table. Overall, I would recommend eating here and trying it for the first time. I've had my experience, on to the next place!

My husband was sick and was craving for Filipino foods specially Bicolano foods. I was in SM…read moreSouthmall that time with my daughter and we were thinking of where to get laing and dinuguan for my husband. We ate at Mcdonald's since my daughter was craving for fries and was already starving, when we passed by Cabalen. The very accommodating staff greeted us as soon as we entered. When I asked if they accept take out or to go, he nodded yes and gave me the take out menu. I was really happy to see that part of the menu is laing, dinuguan and ginataang langka. We ordered those viands and the staff gives updates every now and then. The chef was all smiling when he was packing our food (per my daughter since she said she saw the chef packing it). Their sisig is to-die-for, it was very good, same with the dinuguan and the ginataang langka. It tastes the same with my mother's cooking. It feels like we were home at Bicol with the quality of food that Cabalen offers. No wonder when we left the place after paying, there are already a number of diners who are enjoying their food! Kudos to the chef, the staff and crew of Cabalen SM Southmall! You guys all deserve a raise and a hefty Christmas bonus since you are all doing a great job! My daugher LOVEEEESSSSS the sisig! She keeps on saying that it taste sooo good when we were eating at home hahaha! Maybe she's crushing on the good-looking and cheerful chef! just kidding! Thanks again Cabalen for the food! We will definitely go back to dine in together with my husband and son! God bless you all more and more!!

Rómulo's BGC made for a truly memorable reunion with elementary friends I've known for over 50…read moreyears. It was a surprise for me, and having a private room reserved made the occasion feel extra thoughtful and intimate. We shared kare-kare, pusit, pan-fried noodles, seafood, and nachos, and every dish hit the spot. The service was attentive without being intrusive, and the staff was very responsive to our needs, which we appreciated. Most of all, it was just a joy to sit down, catch up, and enjoy such a fun evening together. The only thing worth noting is that the room was arranged as consumable, so if you book something similar, be sure to order enough to maximize the value. We may not have fully done that, but the overall experience was still excellent. Great food, great service, and a warm setting for a special reunion.

Almost 100php more for every viand from other romuli branches. Pancit molo was good nit worth the…read moreprice. Rhw same thing with thw adobo romulo style and pinoy ensalada. Their place was okay but I dont think is a prime place to demand the price. 1 pinoy ensalada, single serve pancit moli, tinapa rolls 6 halves, adobo. 40usd? I dont think so. Serving size was small as well.

The Market Basket in Festival Mall, Alabang (brought to us by the same group which gave us Kuse and…read moreUncle Cheffy's) modernizes the "dampa" concept that Filipinos have come to love. What's not to love about having your pick at the choicest fresh seafood sourced from the restaurant's trusted supplier, and having it cooked to your liking in the store while you wait? A trip to the Market Basket is a family affair, as it is the perfect place for family celebrations around hearty meals and a fun atmosphere. Upon coming into their dining area, you will notice a fresh and natural herb scent from the potted plants that they have near the display table, masking the otherwise fishy smell from the raw fish, shellfish and crustaceans on display. The servers will gladly introduce you to the fresh catch of the day, and they will recommend awesome recipes, which will be carefully and thoughtfully executed by their chefs and cooks. Their ala cart dishes are reminiscent of traditional Filipino party favorites, and their wine lists has offerings that pair well with the food. I particularly loved the surf and turf, which had a great balance in flavor. I also love their modern and "Western" twist on traditional Filipino desserts. I was particularly intrigued by the sapin sapin creme brulee, and the hot macapuno served with ube ice cream on a sizzling skillet. Expect prices to vary with every visit, as the prices on the list are dictated by the supply and the availability of the produce. This is an example of a good restaurant to bring foreign guests - the interiors are remarkably reminiscent of old Filipino houses, but the food is world-class and somehow beginner-friendly. Overall, the Market Basket is a special experience for those who may not like the crowded, muddy and sometimes disorderly seafood wet markets around the metro.

Walking along River Park, I immediately noticed this restaurant's white and homey design. I looked…read moreat the menu and found that they serve fresh fish and seafood (seafood-paluto style) as well as fresh salads good for my vegan brother. This was perfect for our family lunch on Father's Day. For that day, the staff said that they will be serving buffet. All the better so that we could taste many dishes. After getting agreement from the family, I booked a table for us. There were no more outdoor tables available, which would have been nice as the restaurant is by the river in River Park. But when we arrived, we saw that our table on the second floor has a nice view of the river. What I particularly like in the buffet is the stuffed crab and the baked oysters with cheese, though all the seafood tasted nice. For drinks, we ordered iced tea and they came in these cool mason jar-like glasses. On ordinary days, though, you can just pick some fresh fish and seafood and ask them to cook for you. They also have steaks, vegetable dishes, and pasta on their menu.

Seafood, spa, and songs! Saturdays and Sundays are perfect bonding times for the whole family, and…read morefor those looking for a place to relax, eat, and have fun, Crab Pot is for you. For Php 599 per person, our whole family enjoyed an afternoon of unlimited buffet, three hours of videoke inside an airconditioned KTV room, and spa services (my dad availed the massage; we were not up to it). The waiting time for our order was long, but thankfully, we had the videoke to entertain ourselves. The selection was quite current, so even the young ones got to pick and sing their hearts out. The food was not extraordinary, but it was plenty. There was buttered chicken, sweet and sour fish, shrimp gambas, calamares, and mussel soup. Refills were unlimited. You just had to press a button to call their staff, who would come into the room to assist you. The couches in the KTV rooms are uber comfy, by the way. I won't judge you if you feel the need to doze off after a heavy meal! Wink!