My taste buds went on a journey to South America and they didn't want to leave. Naxional South…read moreAmerican Diner is my new go to place in BGC! The patacones is small but packs a punch of flavor that your mouth will thank you for. A must try is the Naxional paella and pichana (churrasco steak) The steak cooked medium well is one of the best steaks I have ever had it is also decently priced. The desserts I finished both even if I was full, these bad boys packed the perfect combination of sweet and sexy. But still called me back after now that's dedication haha The ambience is of a high classes diner, they have beautiful art work and great a view near the Windows. I'm definitely coming back and you should definitely try it. This restaurant just opened a month ago. There so much selection here you won't get tired of it. Give your taste buds a ride they will never forget!

It was definitely a gastronomic journey. Worth the visit and the price is good for the quantity of…read moreeach dish.

By far, my favorite restaurant in Jazz Mall! I only live right above it, and I have had a lot of…read morechances to try everything twice over (Except for some choice retaurants that were way too nasty on the palate). The inside seems very... modern urban. The walls are covered in loud murals in black, white and red (which seems to be the recurring color theme for the whole chain). The chairs and tables are a mix of wood and metal. It seems very-- well, it seems like a good place to hang out with your mates and knock back a couple of beers-- or mojitos! As those are very good. (For non-alcoholic drinks, the agua fresca is very good! A refreshing summer drink.) The prices are steep, at 200-300 for just a plain meal (without sides or anything), but it's really worth it, if you like meat. Their best sellers are their ala brasa food choices, which is really just meat cooked over the grill. I loved the tender and flavorful carne asada (with rice! but they also offer it in a wrap, and it's more than enough to feed two hungry people.) Their saltado is if you want to have something more savory, and in my opinion, this is better paired with rice.

Mexican and Latin American restaurants are a dime-a-dozen in Manila and Makati these days, so much…read moreso that it's hard to choose the best one. Though I can't help you with that, I can say that Brasas is right up there in the top ten, maybe even the top five. My boss took us here during one of his generous days and treated us to lunch. He said, and the server agreed, that their best platters are Latin classics Puerco Asada and Carne Asada. And for less than PHP300.xx, the food did not disappoint! I ordered the Carne Asada and it came with a huge serving of beef sirloin, coupled with tasty Spanish rice, chimichurri, and slaw. Those who ordered the Puerco Asada looked extremely happy as well. I saw crunchy skin, hiding slices of roasted pork belly oozing with juice, paired with rice, beans, and slaw. All in all, it was a good lunch. SM Jazz is also a short jaunt away from our office, so here's hoping there's a second round of this generosity.

Very good and pretty authentic (flavorwise) Peruvian food in a quite stylish atmo. Place is on the…read moreoutdoor level of the upscale Shangri La Hotel where their gorgeous outdoor pool is. For the restaurant they have both indoor and outdoor dining. The outdoor patio is right by the pool with some tables even poolside. Great ambiance with nice Peruvian native artifacts as art pieces. Service pretty good but they tend to run out or not have certain items on the menu available. Aku Aku (P550/3.5) They were out of my first choice for a cocktail so went with this. Didn't love it just had a strange fermented taste that clashed with the tropical vibes. Maybe cuz it had Cachaca which is a Brazilian spirit that I'm not to familiar with. Also had spices, dragon fruit and grapefruit. It tasted better once I started eating. Ceviche de Atun al Recoto (P750/4*) Nicely uniform cubes of yellowtail tuna, finely slices of red onion and a recoto pepper leche de tigre. Marination was proper and you can tell they mix everything perfectly to order so that tuna doesn't get overly cooked by the citrus. Very light handed on the salting tho, which in my current taste I actually don't mind it as much. But a lot less salty than what I've had. Empanadas de Lomo (P600/4*) They use very puffy and buttery puff pastry dough for their empanadas. Not traditional but makes for a more dramatic plating as they are taller and more airy. The filling is diced up filet meat which is a huge upgrade from the ground beef versions I usually try. Well-seasoned beef with that cumin and pepper profile. Anticucho de Pulpo (P750/4.5*) Super tender big chunks (3 on a skewer) of tentacles rubbed with aji panca marinade which is a bomb Peruvian chile marinade bursting with red chile flavor then grilled pretty aggressively so that strong char flavor permeates without tasting burnt. Served with an herbaceous creamy sauce that went better with the plain roasted baby potatoes as the grilled octopus didn't really need anything. Causa de Congrejo (P700/5*) Love this dish and I usually try a Causa dish when trying a new Peruvian resto. To me it is uniquely and undeniably Peruvian in nature. It deals with Peruvians love for potatoes (they say this is where potatoes got their start for human consumption) and the addition of something from the sea, in this case...crab. Causa is a very smooth mashed (cold) potato salad. Except the Peruvians flavor that mashed salad with their flavors like aji amarillo in this case which produces a tangy yet slightly spicy flavor to that filling. Here they top these piped potato fillings with lump blue crab which is super tender and very 'crabby' in flavor. I loved their interpretation of this dish here. Arroz con Mariscos (P1450/4*) Basically a Peruvian paella. Rice had a perfect texture of al dente short grain rice, where it was very wet but not sticky. Big seafood flavor imbedded into that rice too but very rich as I think they use coral from the crab (crab's innards) and make a coral butter that they use to enrichen the rice grains. I loved it but honestly did not want to keep eating it as about 6-7 bites in I was totally satiated. My aunt is sensitive to dairy only had 2 bites Lol. The seafood included 2 large prawns shelled but head on. Some calamari and maybe a few small scallops. Outside of eating 1 prawn to myself, I actually found the rest of the seafood to be quite scarce like for the amount of rice there were. So maybe think of this as a rice dish first and don't put as much weight for the actual seafood. Merangado de Guanabana (P500/3.5*) Very dramatic dessert with east meets west vibes. A huge hollow sphere made of white chocolate arrives on a plate. It is filled with a Soursop cream (tropical fruit), studded with firm meringue stars, some nuts and coconut shavings for texture. Upon arrival they will pour some liquid nitrogen into that sphere so this cold 'smoke' starts to erupt. Then they'll instruct someone from the table to pick up that sphere and drop it onto that plate. The white chocolate sphere will then crack allowing all the components inside to spill out onto the plate, where everyone can now stick their spoons in for some bites. I gotta say I didn't love the taste experience as much as I loved the visuals. The tropical cream was a bit tart and clashed with the sweetness of the white chocolate and the meringue candy. The nuts were a nice textural break, but I just felt the flavors didn't meld as well as I was hoping. Still an unforgettable dinner roof top in a big city, poolside with beautiful lighting, very friendly service and surprisingly legit Peuvian flavors and techniques. A dining adventure I just can't skimp and dish less than a fiver.

I'd recommend Samba for the classy vibes. We chose to dine inside their dining room but their…read moreoutdoor seating areas sit adjacent to the Shangri La hotel pool which is beautifully lit at night, with the area nestled amongst the clean skyrisers in the area. Food-wise we found to stretch the wallet quite a bit, and even opting for the less extravagant fare, the lomo saltado dish was a tiny portion; 4 small and quick bites of steak considering the 1175 PHP tag. The parihuela sopa was very nice though, with excellent seafood portions, including a tasty octopus leg and large mussel, clams, and prawn. It was a tad too salty but not to a serious fault. Staff were very professional, positive, and helpful. Lovely presentation of meal. Would recommend for a date or small group looking for a quieter but trendy atmosphere compared to Forbes town noise 5 minutes walk from Shangri La's hotel entrance.

This place is right downstairs from my apartment, so I knew I'd have to try it eventually. For the…read moreAmerican pallet this place can be summed up in one word: nasty. I don't know how it's possible to mess up baby back ribs, but they did. They were flavorless and tough as an old shoe. The taco was filled with canned chili. Very disappointing for my first Tex-Mex meal in the Philippines. Not coming back talaga!

This place tops our recommended "Cheap Eats in BGC" as the overall experience is without…read morecompromise. Service is attentive and accommodating, internet is available and stable, ambiance is lively and refreshing, and the overall value of the food is just the right premium. Original 1/2 Chicken with 3 sides (360+ PHP) Meaty portions of juicy roasted chicken with 3 side of your choice. We had the mashed camote, regular mashed potatoes, and Mexican rice - minced tomato. It's an amazing deal. We also had the Adobo Blackmole Taco (99+ PHP) a saucy pulled-pork filled soft-taco piece with a more than satisfactory punch of subtle flavours. The distressed wood panels, faux grass, and cheerful Palette of colours give the place a lively ambiance. Definitely a place where you'll spot us when we crave for a simlle roast chicken meal.

I was surprised to find such delicious Mexican food at an affordable price here in Metro Manila!…read moreThe ambiance is casual, fun, and hipster with friendly staff and table and bar seating (at the bar you can watch them cook your food right in front of you). I tried the carnitas taco which was delicious and mouthwatering and paired it with their homemade jalapeño salsa which was delicious. The flavor of the carnitas reminded me of authentic Mexican carnitas with a Filipino twist. I also had the nachos and they were amazing. Next time I will order the super nachos which come with meat (or "feeling" as they call it), beans, sour cream, homemade queso, cheese, onions, and more. For dessert I had one of the homemade cookies (it was called "salty grandma," how fun) and it was almost as delicious as the tacos. They also offer a fun variety of tequila and mezcal cocktails, beer, and home made drinks like horchata and cold brew coffee. I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!

I love Mexican food renditions in Metro Manila. With Silantro, Casa Quesidilla, El Chupacabbra,…read moreamong my personal favorites, I had to try the new resto hidden in Benavidez Street, Makati. So when I tried Lágrima, with the first bite of Carne Asada on their Quesidilla, that's when my wife and I decided that we were in for a great food night and ordered away. We found the meats to be amazing! Buche and Carne Asada is what I liked best, but people will surely like the chorizo and el pastor as well. Also, the owner aims to share Mexican style flavors from his side of California, hence the variations of tacos in Street, Gringa, Super and another kind that I cant remember now. Haha! Also, try their drinks to wash those rich flavors down, before you jump onto the next meat. Trust me, when I say that you will discover the difference of the flavors better. Loved it! Will definitely come back a lot of times!

On one of my last nights in Manila, I was looking for a straightforward place to meet up with some…read morefriends for an evening of eating, drinking, and laughter. Senor Pollo filled that bill perfectly. Tip: This is a very popular venue. The crowd is comprised mostly of twenty-somethings and foreigners (like moi!); if such things don't deter you, it's virtually impossible not to enjoy the excellent food, strong drinks and convivial vibe. Given Senor Pollo's reputation, it was a foregone conclusion that the food ordered by my friends and I that evening would contain several chicken selections. While the chicken here isn't quite as good as the original pollo loco, it's still completely legit ;-) Another of my favorites here are the quesadillas. Additionally, they have several very popular non-Mexican items, including fries and Buffalo wings. While the food selections are spot on, it's the drinks that make this place so popular. All the cocktails, whether they're pink and fruity or uber-Manly, have a kick stronger than a mule; no worries about excess sobriety when you're here ;-) About the only thing lacking here are hangover ready-made hangover cures; maybe they'll address that lack when next I'm in the Philippines :-)

Being someone who's not very fond of chicken, I set my expectations really low for Senor Pollo. It…read morewas my first time to try Latin chicken, and honestly, I didn't know what to expect. It was a cool, humid night, but it was terribly hot inside the restaurant. The place is al fresco, and ventilation clearly has to be improved. There were two of us, and we got a half roast chicken that went with two side dishes. The serving size was just right, but it might not be enough for two incredibly hungry people. Lol. The chicken was surprisingly tender and juicy all throughout. And I loved it even more with tons of garlic sauce! It was awesome, I can't wait to come back!

As indicated by Yelp, a 3-Star means (A-OK.), which best describes my reaction when I saw their…read moremenu prices. Be prepared to spend upwards of 1500 for 2, (1) Appetiser, (2) main dishes, and (2) drinks. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind spending money for food, but my sensible thoughts just has to comment. Their location is definitely far from prime, parking is limited to 3 slots and might be difficult for larger vehicles since you have to manoeuvre through a narrow road. Full Parking? Well, you'll have to find a vacant slot along the road, good luck with that. If you must visit them come on a Saturday or Sunday. The overall interior may be colourful, but the furnishings are tighter than expected for a dining oriented restaurant, in fact their food presentation requires a lot of space thanks to the separate sauces plate, pita plates, and the main dish itself. Okay that's enough of the practical stuff, let's get down to where it matters. Do they taste good? Without a doubt, yes! CHEF MIKEL "KEL" ZAGUIRRE of Locavore and Taqueria 101, definitely knows how to get you to say Empingao! Elena Ruz (480 PHP + 10% S.C.) Wow! This sandwich will make you wish for more of it. Every bite is pleasurable and guilty, This is so good, but so expensive for what it really is, but I don't care right now. The crisp toasted bread and the moist insides is just too good to say no to. Oozing cheese and sweet strawberry jam amidst the warm meaty turkey, is just too much of a good thing, an empingao! moment. It's sided with banana chips, which works well for the savoury goodness of the sandwich, but potato fries would be even better. Lomo Saltado (540 PHP + 10% S.C.) More sauce please! Stir-fried beef tenderloin in an amazing pool of sauce that has to be paired with rice, but let's go with the "flour tortilla" for now. Honestly 3 pieces of tortilla is not enough for the amount of beef in the pan, but I have a feeling it is to limit the "sharing capabilities" of this dish. You start by taking a piece of tortilla, put some beef tenderloin and around 2-3 pieces of potato fries. The you choose either one or more of the 5 sauces to spice up your mix. Then finally you roll it and enjoy. Remarks: For the premium price, I expect corn tortillas and more than 3 pieces of it, at least 5. Salmon Tacos (290 PHP + 10% S.C.) 3 pieces of hard-shell tacos stuffed with lightly grilled salmon pieces and garnished with spices and an orange piece for a zesty punch. It's worth a try, wait for their promos that they advertise on their FB page.

I've been wanting to try Empingao out since I saw their ad on Facebook. It was more…read morehole-in-the-wall than I expected, but the food is amazing! Flavorful, a great mix of textures and color. I'm no expert in Cuban cuisine, but this is a great intro to this exciting new flavor adventure. At first, I felt the prices were steep (for the general look of the place), but when the food was served, the flavors and portions justify the prices, so no complaints!

Manila is full of stores that specialize in fried or roasted chicken. And I'm not even talking…read moreabout the big fastfood chains here. Anyone is sure to get in a rut when it comes to chicken meals when in Metro Manila. So imagine my excitement when I first learned about roast chicken with a Peruvian twist. I visited Don Andres Peruvian Kitchen along with my wife and brother. I was amazed at the number of diners inside. Good thing I called ahead for a reservation, which I suggest you should do if you're coming from outside Quezon City. When the waiter came to take our orders, he apologetically asked if we were willing to wait for twenty minutes for the roast chicken to cook. Ordinarily, I would go on a lecture about how inept a roast chicken place must be to actually run out of roast chicken. But it was a Saturday and I didn't want to ruin the night. To my mind, I was actually impressed that they ran out of their specialty. Their roast chicken must be very good and I just couldn't blame them! Indeed the roast chicken was unique. The three types of dips--Chimichurri, Spicy Orange and Mayo, and Aji-green--that accompany the chicken were all magical. I also enjoyed the Lomo Saltado as recommended by one of the staff. This is a popular Peruvian dish made with beef sirloin strips, fried potatoes, onions and tomatoes. One of the owners--who's name escapes me--was very accommodating. She checked on every table, talking with customers. She came to us a couple of times to exchange stories. Only street parking is available and it could be tricky as there are many other establishments competing for customers in the area. Don Andres is perfect for a weekend dine out.

Got a chance to visit Don Andres via a coupon from Deal Grocer. Don Andres serves authentic…read morePeruvian cuisine. The coupon entitled us to a soup of our choice: Pumpkin, Tomato, or Mushroom. We chose Pumpkin Soup and it was really flavorful and delicious. The addition of cumin and garlic gave it a nice aroma and a unique taste. For main course we had a half of their famous roasted chicken. The chicken was very tender even for the breast part. The spice rub of the chicken gave it an addicting feel. For the side dishes, we chose the corn salsa and the veggies with lime dressing. I love the corn salsa because it uses white and yellow corn. The texture was good and the sourness gave it a bright taste. The chicken was also served with three sauces: aji or spicy cucumber dip, chimichurri, and spicy mayo. The chimichurri was the best. The aji gave a cool taste with a spicy aftershock; and somehow the spicy mayo was a good dip for the chicken. Just these two dishes alone, it was money well spent. But we didn't stop there, we had to try their dessert. We ordered their Key Lime Pie and it was the best we ever had. The crust was flaky and the filling was citrusy yet sour and sweet. The entire pie blended together and explodes in your mouth.