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.

Do you want authentic Chinese dining experience complete with Asian look and ambience? Then travel…read moredown to the south and dine your way to China. Superbowl Of China serves scrumptious Asian dishes such as sweet and sour pork, schezuan shrimp, hongkong style spicy shrimp, wantons, dimsums and many more. When I'm here, I can't leave without eating their lemon chicken as their version of this breaded goodness with sweet, tangy lemon sauce is superb and the best that I've tasted so far. The ambience was beautifully made, the color of purple and gold brings the restaurant alive and the wooden furnitures gives a feeling of warmth and serenity to every customer. The employees and the waiters were also very polite and accommodating, I remembered one of my friends accidentally spilled her drink and the manager just replaced it even if it wasn't their fault, talk about great customer service!

The fried chicken was amazing! Chicken breast piece was juicy and tender. The crust was crispy but…read morelight. The black pepper gravy was yummy!

An island inspired casual joint that makes you want to whip out your flip flops and shun the…read morecutlery to shove in mounds of rice using your bare hands. Coco Hut is a nice concept to break the monotony of fastfood offerings, plus breakfast here lasts all day- 24 hours! No reinventing, no nonsense and just straight up simple dishes mostly with delicious coconut cream and proteins fried until golden brown. They should really add some ensalada variations for contrast. If you're fatphobic, this place isn't probably for you. The most wholesome items are tipsy mussels, monggo (too watered down) and smoked bangus. The coco squash is quite misleading being listed under sides when it's totally soup. One of the few choices at Commercenter that doesn't make your wallet cry. I really hope they give out bigger cups for water.

We've crossed this branch several times already, but this was our first visit at long last! It…read morelooks bigger because of the wall mirrors. They have lovely salmon and steak cooked to perfection. You can choose how the steak will be cooked. Since we like it a bit soft and juicy, we chose medium rare. The baked potato is what it's all about though, being well-cooked with delicious sour cream, a lake of cheese, and sprinkles of bacon bits. Service was pretty good! They checked on us to see how things were with our food.

You know when you associate certain places with your childhood? Well, Tony Roma's is one of those…read moreplaces. This restaurant has been an institution or a staple that has been around ever since I was a kid. I remember occasionally eating in this place during weekends after a movie or church as my family and I indulged in good old American food. Burgers, steak, and of course, their infamous ribs. Their ribs are tender and juicy as the meat falls off the bones. I love the fact that their ribs taste exactly the same as it did years ago. Their service could be improved as it is quite difficult to get the staff's attention. Typical American style, the food portions are quite large and is good for sharing.