It seems that retrofitting houses into restaurants is one of the more popular methods in getting yourself known into the Filipino food scene. After all, everyone likes a good story, and houses always provide such. From Cafe Xocolat and Ninyo Fusion Cuisine in Katipunan area, to Juanito Bistro in Kapitolyo, and the cult favorite Lime 88 Street Food in Mandaluyong. There’s just too much to mention and all of them,…

Looks like the emergence of this new bar completes the evolution of what was the old complex of the Embassy Club. First, the Embassy Cafeteria turned into Draft Gastropub. Next, the large Embassy Main Club has turned into Aracama Filipino Cuisine (with hints of some loungey after-10 beats!). Now, the old Embassy Cuisine Lounge has turned into Manila’s coolest bar to date: Imperial Ice Bar. Why coolest? Imperial Ice Bar…

  One of the leading purveyors of quality craft beers in the Philippines has opened a bottle shop for a laid back in-store experience on the finer dimensions of beer. Global Beer Exchange bottle shop in Magallanes is the brainchild of Jim Araneta, whose aim is to share a more refined experience of drinking high quality beers in the Philippines, and at the same time introduce the heritage and culture…

Who knew that somewhere just within the outskirts of the red light district of Makati City stands a good replica of an Enligsh Pub filled with all things sports complemented by some of the best beers in the world? Howzat (A play on the Cricket term “How’s That?”) Sports Bar is situated somewhere in Kalayaan Avenue where most people rarely visit due to its sketchy neighborhood establishments. But probably English…

The Newport Mall located near the Resorts World Casino in Manila offers the gambling and non-gambling patrons boutique shops and restaurants to keep you distracted until the wee hours of the morning, or as a breather if you feel you are out of luck in the casino. Given its more discerning market segment, you can expect a plethora of food varieties here. So one lunch break, the boss was feeling…

As if we don’t have enough causes of traffic to deal with. Now, Manila Water has decided to create gaping holes on our roads to rehabilitate their pipe system. How about someone rehabilitate their method and timing?

For dessert lovers, mochi lovers, and food lovers in general, Dezato Mochi Cafe will most likely have something that will tickle your taste buds.

There is no shortage of Japanese restaurants in the Philippines, all with varied cooking styles and price ranges. Any place will either have a fast food off the counter style, or novel sushi bars where the food is carried around through long conveyor belts. Others, still have original takes on both the sights, sounds and taste of Japan. And there are those that give the feeling of exclusivity, like Senju…

Ever since 2010, there have been numerous raves about a the Korean style of cooking fried chicken in the Philippines. The recipe is appetizing to hear: twice fried chicken and hand painted with a soy-garlic sauce in different levels of spiciness. It all the more escalated with the arrival of a popular brand Bon Chon Chicken in Manila. Since then a few branches have opened and with the launching of…

The Peninsula Manila has been host to historical and memorable occasions for a lot of people, and also rich in its own history, both celebratory and controversial. You rarely get in your hotel history a tear gas firing military vehicle ramming into the front door to capture a then mutineer now turned senator of the Philippines. Now adding to this lineup is a restaurant named as a tribute to the…

While I can’t say that I know a lot about cars, I do get a kick out of seeing really nicely set-up ones.  Plus, I’ve recently discovered that I like the thrill of speed.  And what good are roads if you can’t even spy some drool-worthy vehicles every once in a while? Last week, the 2010 Manila Auto Salon took place at the SMX Convention Center.  I have never seen…

Manila is just layers and layers of history.  One of the most popular towns is Binondo – famous for its Purple Engine and of course, Eng Bee Tin. That day’s agenda was just to explore Ongpin Street and end it with Ma Mon Luk. We began with lunch at Tasty Dumplings, conveniently located across from the Binondo church, right beside one of the Eng Bee Tin branches.  Tasty Dumplings has this sweet…

Hailing from Belgium, the thrilling dining experience that is Dinner in the Sky (DITS) is now being offered in the Philippines for a very limited run.

Here’s hoping that after this writing, the good people in the Long Bar of Raffles Hotel of Makati make this a staple in their menu. And it’s not only of the delicately crispy, yet tenderly juicy pork knuckles, but the equally delicious sausages that come with this platter. Oh, and there’s apple strudel, too! Proudly displaying their creation, the Long Bar opened their Oktoberfest with one hell of a strudel spread….

Apparently, someone has been doing this since the 2000’s here in Manila. Charlie’s Pritchon was a revelation. Seen here nestled cheerily with some of the best Philippine craft beers by Pedro Brewcrafters (pair it together. You will not regret it), you get a mix of both worlds of deep fried pork and the traditional coal roasted lechon. It’s color may not have the reddish brown torched skin of the traditionally cooked lechon,…

It’s that time once a year when we ask all of you to take part in naming your favorites when it comes to the country’s food scene: The Choice 2017 Awards. From classics to newcomers, we take every vote into account.  Take part in it now through this link. The Choice 2017 Survey This is the third year in a row that we will be conducting this.  The Choice is an…

Ray: Been a while since we made some Postcards. So much are actually pending from last year. Given busy schedules and further studies, it’s been a rare time since we have made active contributions. But with an unusually light Saturday Manila traffic, Online Check-in (Highly recommended. Can save you at least 45 minutes lining up at  the airport gates), and an apparently light evening for the airport, there’s time to…

Cucina Pop is a belief that excellent food need not cater to but a handful who can afford it. FOO’D by Davide Oldani is located at the ground floor of Shangri-la at the Fort.

Attending a Project Wheelchair charity dinner is not much about the culinary prowess and degustacion that you will encounter, as it is a story of how one family cares to spread the love that they have felt from a daughter and sister who has passed on and continues to look after them until this day. Dedet dela Fuente is known in Manila as the “Lechon Diva”, with her trademark stuffed…

It’s that time of the year again! Our Awesome Planet, together with The KTG (Kain Tulog Gang. Seriously, that’s what our group’s name is called) is once again getting your opinions on what are the best restaurants in the country. THE CHOICE AWARDS 2016! The Choice awards is heralded as the Golden Globe to Manila’s Best Kept Secrets’ Oscars. In here, we get the voice of the people and know…

Masterful bartenders, incognito judges, and a bed in the middle of the bar for a burlesque performance. Just the proper way La Maison Cointreau launches the final leg of their bartending competition to find their best bartender for Manila this 2016 in the Belle and Dragon bar in Makati City. Having judges hiding among the crowd unknown to anyone except the organizer really made this particular challenge quite eventful. While everyone cheered when the…

Ray: So we just mentioned in a previous Postcard that Honolulu is one expensive city. But for locals, there is one no-fail place where you can get reasonably priced food at big portions: L&L.   To Filipinos, think of this as their version of Jollibee. Pretty much found in a lot of corners around Hawaii, this brand is actually co-owned by a Filipino migrant and has expanded to the Mainland…