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,…

This post is long overdue (like about a year or two), but it just cannot be stressed enough even with all the raves and blogs already giving this place high regard: Poco Deli in Kapitolyo Pasig is all that a comfy neighborhood deli should be. Delicatessen is a term meaning “delicacies” or “fine foods”, with German origins. It normally sells food made from those who run the deli themselves, like…

This was actually a question asked out of humor way before, but somehow seems to have been brewed up again in the brain when someone commented that Filipinos might turn obese in this conversation about the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) opening in the Philippines. Don’t get it wrong. IHOP opening in Manila is probably the best thing since buttermilk was invented. And this is not a jab on any…

  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…

Bluewater Sumilon provides you 24 hectares worth of proof of how beautiful the Philippines is. It’s seriously one of the most breathtaking places En Route has been to.

You know how some road trips to Tagaytay might end: You stay there with your friends, with endless merry-making over beers and bulalo overlooking the Taal volcano at night, even if you don’t see a thing anymore due to the obvious darkness. Or that you want to enjoy the cool breeze for the weekend and just need a place to crash for the night. Or it can be the wedding…

In this modern day and age, where everything can be demanded and completed from a click of a button or a swipe of a finger, it’s ironic how such convenience and efficiency causes detachment from peace and tranquility. And we all believed the sales pitch that it was supposed to give it. Maybe it was all wrong. Maybe what was really needed was to be detached from it, to actually…

  There really are days when after interacting with too many people around you, a lunch all by your lonesome actually becomes a welcome thought. Think of it as your little “me time” in a small place, slowly eating your meal, digesting both its contents and the morning frenzy that just happened. There’s no shortage of those small places, but Bistro Casanova in the Burgos Circle area of Fort Bonifacio…

There was this job that needed to be done in Baguio that required a return to Manila on the same day (Yes. Can you believe the drive for this?), so stopping at a lunch place to please a boss with impeccable taste for food was quite the challenge. Luckily, a timely review of Hill Station came about, and the place looks good. After all, if it is included in the…

While touring Puerto Princesa City, one of the places that shouldn’t be missed (especially if you have kids) is the popular Baker’s Hill and Restaurant. It is just beside the Mitra’s Ranch that is normally part of a tour package. One thing that makes Baker’s Hill in Puerto Princesa popular are the baked goodies. Although not unique, they pack good flavor. The must try would be the monggo and ube…

Órale Taqueria Mexicana is one restaurant we find to be really inspired in terms of how they want to do things – whether it’s their service, their food, or even the culture they want to promote amongst themselves. Their food is certainly nothing short of inspired!

Enjoy big servings of easily-prepared Italian food from A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante, located in 5 branches around Metro Manila.

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 majority of us cannot easily afford Business Class tickets for air trips. But that’s how the world turns, so those snazzy seats will have to wait until we all get rich (or accumulate enough miles from travelling everywhere). But the urge to see the world is too strong, so flying Economy (or Coach as they say). Isn’t all that bad. And even if it doesn’t recline as far,…

The Metro Manila food scene seems to be bustling lately with more options and cuisines to suit more sophisticated taste buds. What is also great is that these are now more accessible both in location and price, not limiting it only to the more affluent members of the society. This seems more pronounced with the appreciation for wines and tapas in that more restaurants carry a respectable line or wine…

    There sure are a lot of burger joints popping up in the Manila metropolis. While the burger may be a staple in fast-food restaurants, it is in the specialty shops where you may find some of the best tasting burgers. And this particular shop takes the wannabes to school.           BRGR: The Burger Project is just one of the many restaurants that you can…

With the Philippines being an archipelago nation, it is gifted with beautiful beaches from all edges of its islands. Some are for relaxing, some are for picturesque nature trips, and others are for the thrill of surfing (Check this tag for the ever growing surf spots visited). Such is the case the town of Guiuan located in Calocoan Island in East Samar. The island is blessed to be in the…

The next time you find yourself in either McDonald’s or Jollibee in the Philippines, observe the orders of the ones ahead of you in the line. There’s a high chance that their order will not be what McDonald’s or Jollibee has been known for when they started (in this case, burgers). Their most probable order will be a piece of fried chicken with rice (in some instances, with extra rice!…

AS OF DECEMBER OF 2013, THIS PLACE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BY BURGERS AND BREWSKIES The Burgos Circle has slowly become a popular place for dining and togetherness. It isn’t a surprise, then, that the establishments can get packed, and your plans for a comfortable and hearty meal can even become a cause for stress. But a few shops remain that still give the quiet meal experience deserving of your…

Coming from a steak filled food pictorial and movie night, it was not difficult to reminisce about one of the places visited early this year. For carnivores looking for some of the best places for steak in the Philippines, House of Wagyu Stone Grill in Eastwood, Quezon City may be one of those havens for those who can afford the the price. It starts with the interior that is very…

Bistro Better – the comfort of home-cooked meals on a budget in the Pasong Tamo area. Time to look at healthier options that are “better” than the default fast-food joint at least every once in a while.

We have grown increasingly curious about Johnny’s Chicken ever since we saw its humorously creative slogan: “The Fried of Marikina”. We always pass it every time we head home so it became part of our mission to try it one of these days. When a family gathering required some food contribution, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to give it a shot.       The branch we visited had…