Out of the Mall Places to Eat in Makati

I'm guessing that most people have already tried out Restaurants and Food establishments inside the malls, so I have come up with a compilation of worthy places to eat along the streets of Makati.

1. Mr. King Kebab along Vito Cruz Ext. Baranggay La Paz
They serve authentic Indian and Pakistani Food.  The Biryani Rice with Chicken Curry and Samosa are my favorite.

2. Bag.net 8065 Estrella Street, San Antonio Village
You'll be surprised on how many ways to eat Bagnet with their selections.  Fish option is also available and the price, very reasonable.  The place gets packed during meal time so be prepared to wait to get seated.

3. Aling Sosing's Carinderia, Dian St. Cor. Zobel Roxas, Palanan
It was an episode of Travel time with Susan Calo Medina that made me look for the place years back.  They are known for their home cooked meals and the Bulalo.  It only takes a few hours for them to sell out so better come early.

4. Gulli Village Cafe and Purple Oven located in front of Sacred Heart Parish in San Antonio Village.  The paella at Gulli takes time to prepare, 30 minutes at least.  I suggest you order in advance, attend mass and feast after.  Just hop next door to Purple Oven for Dessert.

5. Top Meal Foodhauz along Villena St. is among the Ang Pinaka List for places to eat in Makati.  They are known for their Bicolano dishes.

6. Kitchen Knight along Sampaloc Street in San Antonio Village.  They deliver meals for the night owls or those who have midnight cravings.  They have a variety of rice meals and their cupcakes are too cute to eat.

7. Patpat's Kansi also along Sampaloc Street near the corner of Kamagong Street.  They have grilled items but is known for the Kansi, a slightly sour version of Beef Nilaga.

8. Som's near Rockwell.  They serve authentic Thai dishes, and grilled items at night.

9. Suzu Kin along Kamagong St.  Visit the place for your Japanese craving.  The set meal is a value for money.  On rainy days, my favorite is the Nabiyaki Soba.

10. Wingman, The Collective along Malugay St.  They have shoestring fries to compliment the wings that comes in different flavors.  They also serve a mean burger and salads.

11. Romulo Cafe .  The interiors might be intimidating to some, but the price is very reasonable and the modern twist to Filipino classics are a must try.

12. Buddy's along Kalayaan Avenue.  Straight forward  Filipino classics are their specialties.  My favorite is the Pancit Habhab, Dinuguan and Lechon Paksiw.

13. Pino and Pipino along Jupiter St.  l.aing Stuffed Crispy Pata is my favorite among many others.  The Chicken Binakol with Buko Strip and ripe papaya is perefct for the rainy day.  Pipino, the vegetarian counterpart is a must for the health conscious.

Places To Eat in Chinatown, Binondo

Having lived in Nueva Street, just 3 blocks away from the famous Ongpin Street for quite a number of years, I have listed my favorite places to eat in Chinatown, Binondo.

1. Tasty Dumpling's Pork Chop with Rice
The meal comes with free buttered vegetable side dish and soup.  It also comes in a noodle soup version.

Pork Chop Rice for 105 pesos

Pok Chop Noodle for 105 pesos

2. Chuan Kee
I have been coming here as a kid.  That time I can only afford a Kiampong and Asado Egg.  Now that I can afford it, my favorites expanded to their other menu items like the Lechon Kawali and Pork Asado.

The place have improved so much as to how I remember it as Kid.  Although they are brighter and much sanitary now, I still preferred the old place.

3. Eng Bee Tin
Known to Filipinos worldwide for their Hopia in different flavors.  They also have Siopao, Tikoy and Pastillas among many others.

4. La Resurrection Tablea Chocolates
This is something to bring home.  The scent of chocolate will lure you to their small stand beside Tasty Dumplings near Eng Bee Tin.

5. Mr. Ube
There are countless noodle houses in the area, but this one serves international varieties including Laksa.

6. Estero
Before Dampa came to be, there was Estero, a food complex bordering the estuaries in Ongpin where you can have meals prepared fresh to your liking.  Rare exotic dishes are also served, like frogs and snakes.

7. The President Grand Palace Restaurant
The place reminds me of the movie The Wedding Banquet.  They serve Lauriat style and my favorite is the Prawn Salad.  I'm allergic to shellfish but it was worth the risk.  Last time I went here, I left with swollen lips.

8. Wai Ying
This is what we visit the most.  A real value for money with big servings.  The popular items are the Dimsum, Dumplings, Noodles, Congee, Rice Toppings and Roasted Items.

9. Star Fastfood
This reminds me of the old Chuan Kee, when it was still called C.K. Sen Hwa.  It's no frills, no fuzz delicious Chinese food.  The price is very reasonable.

10. Panciteria Manosa
One of the oldest surviving restaurants in Binondo, they are popular for their Pancit.  On one visit, I was able to try the biggest Siomai I have ever seen in my life.

11. Delicious
It's another Panciteria along Soler St..  Among the other popular items would be their Maki and Fried Chicken.

12. Ramon Lee
Another old restaurant near Sta. Cruz popular for their Fried Chicken.

13. The Turo Turo at the Wet Section of Divisoria Market
My favorite merienda as a kid is their Palabok.  The taste remains consistent to this day.  I make it a point to eat here every time I am in the area.

Awake for 24 Hours Over the Weekend!

The day started early for me and my Corinthian family last August 31, 2013, as 49 members and guests assembled at the parking area of CW Balintawak Home Depot from 6:00 am to 7:30 am.  We were en-route to the famous San Guillermo Church in Bacolor, Pampanga after making a quick stop for breakfast at NLEX.

We arrived at the church around 10:00 am and toured the Interiors and the Bacolor Museum that houses the Church Collections of Religious Icons, Models, Paintings and Pictures of the original 12 meter facade of the Church.  San Guillermo is famous for its history.  Half of the Church was buried in Lahar during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, September of 1991.  The people of Bacolor still uses what's left of the structure after unearthing and relocating the original Baroque inspired Retablo.

We then moved to the neigboring town of Betis in Guagua to visit the Paris of St. James de Apostle popularly known as Betis Church.  Considered as the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines, most of the interiors was adorned with paintings by Simon Flores (1838-1904).

The Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has designated the conservation and protection of more than 30 other Spanish-era churches to be of utmost importance. These were registered as National Cultural Treasures. These churches were given priority status not just due to their historical value, but also based on the geographic representation of various regions across the nation, and include Santiago Apostol Parish Church in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga.  It is also one of the remaining churches in the Philippines with wooden floors.  It also showcases the talent of Betis in woodcarving evident in the door details.

By 11:30 am, we went back to the City of San Fernando for an Eat All You Can Buffet lunch at Partyland.  After the filling meal, we proceeded with the tour and boarded the bus to Las Casas de Acuzar in Bataan.

It was close to 4:00 pm when we arrived.  Their service Jeepney transfered us from our bus to one of the houses called Casa Jaen for the welcome drinks.  After registering at the reception, we proceeded with the guided tour of the restored houses in the property.  We were awed not only by the beauty of the details and the houses but also with their individual stories and how it was acquired.  The tour ended around 5:00 pm and used the remaining hour to freshen up, take pictures and rest in time for the cultural show at 7:00 pm.

After watching the performance of the Las Casas de Acuzar dance troup, we boarded the bus again for our return home to Manila.  We made a quick stop at NLEX again for dinner and was at Balintawak interchange by 11:00 pm.

I arrived at the house around midnight.  I quickly showered and change to the black outfit imposed by event I was attending.  We purchased VIP Tickets for a cocktail table that comes with a bottle of booze.  The Bigfish Black Innovation at World Trade Center.  The party started out slow for me, maybe because I was tired already, but after a few servings Bacardi, I was jumping with the crowd to the music of the featured DJ's.

We went home around 6:00 am after having breakfast at Rufo's at their new location at A. Venue in Makati Ave.