viking407rob

That's near Cafe Havana...right? I haven't tried it yet but I've heard it's very good.

Mr. Roboto

Yes, it's in the same complex (Greenbelt 3), but on the 2nd level, next to Bubba Gump if I remember correctly.

Here's their website:

SENTRO 1771

They also have a more upscale place in Greenbelt 5 called CHATEAU 1771, which was formerly in El Pueblo Real in the Ortigas area (Pasig). It's more gourmet international cuisine.

I've tried Cafe Havana in Malate, the original. The Rabo Encendido (Oxtail) is to die for. Word is that the Greenbelt (Makati) location is where the hookers go to pick up foreigners.

viking407rob

Ok, I have a pretty good idea where it is. I'll add that to my list of places to dine. ^

I've also heard that about the Cafe Havana in Greenbelt. I haven't been there since about January 2007. At that time I can attest to the presence of what appeared to be hookers. The first time I went there a few years ago my friends pointed out all the hookers. I wasn't shopping for that kind of thing so I was pretty unaware until it was brought up. I was also advised to be careful about making "friends" with any of them, as many are scammers, thieves or transgendered (ladyboys).

In the last couple of years the Hard Rock seems to have become popular for that too. The ones I've seen in HR seem to be more of the upscale call girl variety. This is the type who have professional jobs during the day and moonlight as escorts at night. They can make as much in one nights of "work" as they would for the entire pay period at the office.

work2fly

Also in Greenbelt 3 is Thousand Cranes Shabu Shabu. Pretty good food and not too expensive.

I'll never forget my fiancee's reaction when I told her we were going out for shabu

Mr. Roboto

They're also known to frequent Conway's in the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.

hikouki

if you like thai food, you can try som's noodle house. it's a really humbe hole in the wall place that serves really authentic thai food. the chef used to be the cook at one of the thai restaurants in manila. their main restaurant is at rockwell. it is on the other side of the grills fence as you pass by the ateneo professional schools.

Som's Noodle House
5921 A. Alger St. Poblacion, Makati
757-8079, 0917-9227648
This is the street where Grilla is located along kalayaan ave corner Alger St. This is at the back of Rockwell.
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also, here's a cool web site for places to visit and eat at in the phils: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/

they even have a review about som's noodle house, although i do not agree with it: http://anton.blogs.com/awesome/2005/...oodle_hou.html

viking407rob

Thanks hikouki for the cool links. ^

I finally made it to Salcedo on Saturday. It was hot and crowded, but the food was delicious! Pretty much everything I was hoping for. There was so much to choose from. I had some sushi and lumpia gulay. I made it a point to buy some other non-perishable foods to take home.

Overall I was very pleased with the experience. This was my first time but my wife has been there a many times. Her office is only a couple of blocks away. I was a little disappointed she had never thought to take me there before now.

Sweet Willie

AGREED !!^

I'm curious are most of the places mentioned in this thread serving Filipino food or another cuisine? (I'd also be curious what dishes in particular at these places stood out)

In another thread an FT'er recommended: www.lolodadsbrasserie.com
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bp888

I saw a program that Anthony Bourdain did on the Philippines (episode guide can be found here and his related blog can be found here) and he says at the end of the show that the whole roasted pig (lechon) that was served in Cebu is the absolute best he's ever had, beating out Bali and Puerto Rico. So you might want to try that. You have to specifically ask for Cebu-style lechon because there are other cooking styles that may not be as good.

Sweet Willie

too funny you mention Bourdain, I went to see him speak at the Chicago Theater last night (quite a fun time) & he said the same thing. We are not going to get to Cebu so I'm hoping someone might have had it or has a lechon/roast pig suggestion for Manila, as well as other Filipino food.^ On a side note I did go to his pig place of choice in Bali, Ibu Oka (it was our first food stop after we landed).

I remember the Phillipines show he did, one of the dishes he enjoyed was sisig ( http://www.tsibog.com/filipino-food-...2007-05-10.php ). Anyone have a good sisig place in Manila they like?

Sweet Willie

Read about a place in Manila called Nanay Q which serves sisig (locations at Robinsons Pioneer and Edsa Central), anyone been to Nanay Q or other sisig place in Manila?
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milefan

Sisig is pretty much a fixture in Manila bars. They're best enjoyed crispy, usually served on a sizzling plate at chain bars like Gerry's and Dencio's.

There's a surprisingly fine restaurant near the Hyatt Hotel and Casino called Chef's Quarter, its near the Robinson's mall entrance and serves mid priced western dishes. Food is good. What really made it stand out in my experience though was the top notch service and "intuitive" waiters

infoworks

I agree with milefan, Sisig is available in most bars that serve snacks/food with their drinks. As I understand it, Sisig traditionally is made from the parts of the pig not used elsewhere (ears, etc). Different stalls sell different types of Lechon. I have always understood that the Filipinos believe that Cebuano Lechon is the best.

I think Bourdain also tried Balut (the fertilised duck egg), which is actually sweet-tasting, but crunchy. Not recommended.

I will be in MNL again in mid-May and will try to get a list of places to dine, as I have been to lots over the years, but never needed to know their name!

christep

I've not spent any time in Manila recently, but this food blogger has a dozen or so reviews of fairly upmarket places there, with photos.

Captain Schmidt

'Fraid most of my dining experiences in Manila have been at the high-end. I ate at Lolo Dad's once though that was a couple of years back and thought the food and service were both very good. Also ate at Red in the Shangri-La on the last visit which had an interesting mix of some modern up-scale spins on local dishes. Good, but obviously expensive by Philippine standards.