10 Must-Visit Restaurants While In Metro Manila, According To Yahoo!

Interestingly enough, Yahoo! has a travel guide to the Philippines and Metro Manila. It's rather informative, and I would imagine particularly so for foreign guests, as it has recommendations on what to do, where to check in, where to go, etc.

For me though, I'm rather interested in knowing what Yahoo! has to recommend in terms of dining and eating out. So, we're featuring that list of the Ten Most Recommended Restaurants in Metro Manila, right here on this blog.

Here we go...

First on our list of Yahoo's Most Recommended Restaurants in Metro Manila, at number 10 is the Outback Steakhouse, located at Glorietta 4 in Makati.

The theme is Down Under, with boomerangs, kangaroos and koalas as the pervading motif. Steaks are the main fare, complemented by chicken and some seafood. Do not, however, expect any kangaroo steak--it is all beef (Australian, naturally). The atmosphere is casual with a touch of contemporary sophistication (not exactly one's usual image of the Australian outback). Hearty meat eaters and beer drinkers will feel very much at home here. The bar also stocks wines and spirits.

Next on our list at 9th spot is Cafe Breton. Known for their crepes and coffee, you can find their establishments at the SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 3, TriNoma, The Podium, Tomas Morato, as well as in Ma. Orosa Street in Malate and in Westgate in Alabang.

When you walk into this cafe, you might feel you have been whisked off by magic to some small cafe out in the countryside of Brittany. The decor is French provincial, with rustic furniture, moss-green tile flooring and earthen pots on blue-painted shelves. Adding to the ambience, members of the staff sport red berets. For something really rich, order the Funtastic crepe--banana and Nutella crepe topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, and flambeed in Grand Marnier. Have it with cafe au lait, cappuccino, or espresso.

We now have our 8th most recommended restaurant in Metro Manila, according to Yahoo!- an old favorite, The Aristocrat. It has establishments at Jupiter Street in Makati, Roxas Boulevard, as well as in SM North EDSA, SM San Lazaro and SM Mall of Asia.

There was a time when The Aristocrat was a household word for eating out in Manila--so much so that it could justifiably call itself "The Philippines' Most Popular Restaurant." As befits a restaurant that has been synonymous with Filipino food, the decor revolves around a native motif, while the menu brings you the joys of Filipino cooking in such traditional fare as sinigang (sour soup) and crispy pata (deep-fried pig's knuckles). Honey-cured chicken barbecue, the house specialty, has been a favorite of generations of Filipinos. Drinks include beer, juices, soft drinks and mineral water.

The seventh most recommended restaurant in Yahoo's Top 10 Restaurants in Metro Manila is Kamayan- with branches at Alabang Town Center, EDSA, SM Megamall, Glorietta 3, West Avenue, Pasay Road and along Padre Faura, Manila.

Opened in 1977, Kamayan (kamay means "hand") has elevated the practice of eating with the hands into a respectable art form. Spoons and forks are available, but why spoil the fun of this unique 'hands on' experience? House specialties include Roast Suckling Pig, Seafood platter (crabs, prawns, mussels, squid), Spicy Bicol Express and Pinakbet (stewed okra, string beans and other vegetables). For dessert, try the Caramel Custard or Halo Halo. Beer and wine, as well as fresh fruit juices and soft drinks, are available.

At number six on the Top 10 Must-Visit Restaurants in Metro Manila according to Yahoo! is Conti's Pastry Shop and Restaurant. There's one in Greenhills, another in Serendra, one at TriNoma, and another in Paranaque- at the BF Homes Commercial Center.

Despite the name, and though it does serve good pasta, this is not an Italian restaurant. Managed by three sisters surnamed Conti, the restaurant features an eclectic mix of Filipino, European (the lengua estofada and calamari are winners) and a few Japanese dishes, along with sumptuous pastries and desserts, the house specialty. Conti's also offers catering and banqueting services, with function rooms for up to 100 persons. The simple decor is highlighted by a glass-enclosed garden corner with cascades. Fresh fruit juices in addition to soft drinks and beer.

Ranking fifth on this list is Red Crab Seafood and Steaks. They have a restaurant in Tomas Morato in Quezon City, and at the Alabang Town Center. They also run The Seafood Club in Greenbelt 3.

Most customers come to the Red Crab to savor the house specialty - crab served in a dozen culinary preparations. Here are your 12 options: steamed, deep-fried, Sichuan, Singaporean, Lungkow, Adobo, Maritess, Tauchi, Lilian, Relyeno (stuffed), claws and Miswa (angel hair noodles). Too much to handle?Settle for a more familiar steak instead. Or have a drink (much easier to choose from the list of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) while you think it over. The decor is modern Western-style.

The fourth most popular restaurant in Manila according to Yahoo! is one of my personal favorites, Dome Cafe. Dome Cafe is located at The Podium, Shangri-la Mall and along Ayala Ave. in Makati.

Dome originated in Australia but is now becoming a well-known name throughout Southeast Asia. Dome not only serves good coffee, but it also features a European-style menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pizza, pasta and salads are served, along with daily specials, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches, a special menu for kids, and desserts. Continental cafe decor and ambience, with tables outside the air-conditioned dining area for smokers and other patrons who prefer to sit outdoors. Dome's own coffee comes in espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, mocha or cafe Vienna. Other beverages are available.

At number three on Yahoo's list of must-visit restaurants in Metro Manila is Saisaki. Saisaki's restaurants are located at Padre Faura corner Adriatico Street in Ermita, as well as in Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall, West Avenue, Glorietta 3 and EDSA.

Saisaki is part of the Triple V food group, which is known for offering buffets at very reasonable prices. Attired in traditional kimono, female servers bow and welcome guests the Japanese way. The atmosphere is laid back and casual, and the restaurant is filled to the rafters at meal time. Book in advance if you can. Saisaki offers Japanese cuisine such as tempura, teppanyaki, sushi, sashimi, teriyaki and tofu dishes. Also included as an extra treat are Angus beef and salmon cooked in many delicious ways. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available; buffet price does not include drinks.

The second most popular must-visit restaurant is Cafe Havana along Adriatico Street in Ermita, Manila. There are also Cafe Havanas in Gateway Mall and in Greenbelt 3.

The atmosphere here is decadent Havana, just before the fall of the city to Castro. The food is allegedly Cuban/Caribbean, but that is almost incidental; most people come here just to party. There is a stylish cigar bar and lounge (aptly named after Hemingway) on the second floor; ask the management how you can become a member and be allowed to spend a neat sum for the prized Havana cigars in stock. Downstairs in this restored old house, the lively proceedings can sometimes spill out on the street in a spontaneous party.

At the top of the list of must-visit restaurants in Metro Manila according to Yahoo! is Sala. Sala is located along J. Nakpil Street in Manila.

Sala serves modern European cuisine, which doesn't mean either nouvelle or fusion. As the owner puts it, the food consists of "classic European dishes prepared for contemporary tastes." Muted colors and subdued lighting combine for a warm, eye-pleasing glow, highlighted by floral arrangements. A look at the menu yields such offerings as Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna with Crispy Asian Coleslaw, Porcini Mushroom Risotto Cake with Brie and Roast Tomato, and Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Mash and Red Pepper Chutney. The wine selection is geared to discriminating wine drinkers.

So there you have it. Special shout out to Wcities and ClickTheCity.com for the information and pictures on this blog entry. Personally, I like checking out ClickTheCity to find out what's new and what's going on in the local scene- and maybe you should too.

So what do you think about the list? No idea how Yahoo! was able to rank them up, but I plan to look into it a little bit more.

In any case, some of these restaurants are already favorites of mine, and the rest are definitely worth checking out. Then I'll probably have a more indepth review of my own.

'Til next time. Cheers, everyone!

Have A Sandwich, Whydont'cha?

Man, I love sandwiches! Sandwiches, for me, make for great comfort food- especially when a lot of care goes into making it. I was at this fun event at Delifrance last week, and I had this amazing Seafood Club.

Of course I would have rather they served fries with it, rather than potato chips. Or at least maybe chips they cooked themselves. Nevertheless, we're talking about the sandwich here- and hey, it was alright.

I'd like to share something from the good guys of Delifrance. I took this from one of their sales kits, and it makes for a rather interesting read. Check it out:

If you have so much work you feel like you don't even have time for a healthy bite, take heart. People have been in this dilemma for centuries.

John Montague, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, is the 18th century counterpart of the workaholic urbanite. Too preoccupied by his commitments to the navy, politics and the arts, the Earl barely had enough time for a nutritious lunch out. His cook solved this impasse by presenting him with sliced meat inserted between two pieces of bread—the perfect meal as it required no utensils and could be eaten with one hand, leaving the other free to continue with his work. Soon orders for this dish, the frequent favorite of John Montague, became known as the "same as Sandwich" and then simply "sandwich."

"Like the Earl of Sandwich, time-pressured Metropolitans are faced with the same challenge of convenience and healthy eating; and just like him, have taken to eating the sandwich," says Annie Tai, Product Management Officer of Delifrance Philippines. She cites a recent research entitled Eating Patterns in America, which points to sandwiches as the most popular dinner dish in America because of the convenience and health benefits it offers.

"At present, even primarily rice-eating Filipinos believe that now is the time for sandwiches – they've discovered the convenience of its preparation, its nutrition values and flexibility of arranging its flavors," she adds.

Delifrance, the premiere European-styled café in the region, has elevated sandwich eating into an art by transforming its entire line of sandwiches to Clubhouse Sandwiches-- a multi- layered treat that while certainly veering away from the traditional, still manages to give perfection in each bite. "Simply put, sandwiches have the unique combination of being food on the go, but are ideally made with the craftsmanship of a slower time – this is exactly what we have tasked ourselves to prepare here in Delifrance."

One of the considerations which Delifrance places a premium on is the health benefits that customers can get from their Clubhouse Sandwiches. “It’s a little known fact that we use premium flour imported from the largest milling company in France, Grand Moulins de Paris. And for the Clubhouse Sandwich line, we’ve especially come up with a Whole Wheat Loaf that’s acknowledged to be one of the most nutritious bread variants around,” shares Annie. In addition to having more fiber than white bread or other breads made with wheat flour, whole wheat breads usually have more vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, folic acid, copper, zinc, and manganese.

Aside from the premium bread of their Clubhouse Sandwiches, Delifrance also ensures that what’s placed in between is judiciously chosen and delicately prepared. “The beauty of the sandwich lies in the fact that there’s no end to what you can place in between two slices of bread; and the opportunity to offer the unexpected balance of flavors are what defines the most sumptuous displays of sandwich-decadence,” affirms Annie. “The Delifrance Egg Salad Club, for example, keeps things deliciously simple with a layering of egg-filling on bread whereas the Farmers Ham and Brie Cheese Club that’s topped with a thin layer of raspberry jam spread is a pleasant contrast of savory and sweet.”

Other offerings of the Delifrance Classic Clubhouse Sandwich line include: Chicken Salad Club, Tuna Onion Salad Club and the Crabstick Celery Salad Club. Meanwhile, an enhanced mouth-watering treat await via their Signature Clubhouse Sandwiches frontlined by the Roast Beef Sandwich, Premiere Clubhouse, California Chicken Clubhouse, and Seafood Deluxe Clubhouse. Both Classic and Signature Clubhouse line come in lighter Half-Club servings.

“All these Clubhouse sandwiches are tossed with hydroponic lollo rosas and juicy tomatoes, and without a doubt, offer quick and satisfying options for discerning foodies everywhere. And, being ingrained in the Delifrance tradition of freshness, these Clubhouse sandwiches are prepared only upon ordering. “Stale bread and soggy lettuces are definite no-no’s,” quips the Delifrance representative.

"The art of sandwich-making is never taken lightly here at Delifrance and with our selection of Clubhouse Sandwiches, sandwiches have never been as deliciously different,” ends Annie.

So go ahead and check out a Delifrance near you. They got branches at AIM Conference Center, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Insular Life Bldg, RCBC Plaza, SM Makati, Ayala Tower 1, Valero Makati, Zeta Building Legazpi Village Makati, Robinsons Ermita, U.N. Avenue, Festival Supermall, Alabang Town Center, Makati Supermarket Alabang, Shell Southbound, Shell Northbound, NAIA Domestic Airports, NAIA International Airport, SM Mall of Asia, The Podium, C5 Libis, St. Luke's, Greenhills Theater Mall, Roosevelt Greenhills, and International School Manila.

Alternately, you can check out their Multiply here- you can go look through their menu, or even scan through their special promotional in-store activities. For questions and inquiries, please contact the Main Office at 642-0021.

How did you enjoy your last visit to Delifrance?