Metro Manila's Best Kept Restaurant Secrets (Updated 12/23/08)

[bohemian]

My dad loves to drag our family around to the best eats in and around the metro. Some of the best food I have tasted were hidden deep in the nooks and crannies of the metro. Here are some of them. I hope you could share some of yours too.

1. Antonio's (Neogan, Tagaytay) - Not the ones along the main Tagaytay thoroughfare, but the reservation only place. Best eats. Period.

2. Fat Michael's (Makati) - Near the Intel building in Bangkal. Little hole in the wall but excellent pizza.

3. People's Palace (Malate/Makati) - Best Thai food, hands down.

4. Lolo Dad's (Malate) - Best steakhouse ever. Another hole in the wall.

5. Sango (Makati) - Imagine a Japanese person trying to make a hamburger. That's Sango.

6. Amici De Don Bosco (Makati) - Best gelato this side of Rome.   

7. Bistro Filipino (Fort) - If fine dining is your thing, definitely the place to go. Fusion Filipino cooking.

8. Le Souffle (defunct) - Another fantastic restaurant. The best seared ahi tuna I've ever tasted.

9. Verbena (Tagaytay) - The real Starbucks of Tagaytay. Extremely cozy and great coffee.

10. Chicken Chicken (CSB) - Screw KFC. This is the real finger-lickin good chicken.

11. Cafe Juanita (Pioneer) - A different take on local and international dishes. Sisig with mayonaisse? Yum.

12. Cafe by the Ruins (Baguio) - Truly ethnic food in a very interesting setting.

13. Eve's Garden (Baguio) - If organic is your thing, then this is for you. Kind of like the Sonia's Garden of Baguio.

14. Chef Ed's (Makati) - Another good steakhouse with hearty food for big appetites.

15. La Esquina (Tagaytay) - From the TV chef Ed Quimson (not sure if its the same Ed as 14), the best Spanish food outside of Metro Manila. The Chicken Iberia is a must!

16. Nomimono (DLSU Manila) - Kinda like # 5, but a little wider range of food and modern feel.

17. Shinjuku Ramen House (Makati) - Best gyoza and gigantic ramen this side of Asia.

18. Som's Noodle House (Rockwell) - Fantastic Thai food, especially their tom yam goong, hella cheap too!

19. Museum Cafe (Makati) - The best Sunday buffet, albeit a little expensive.

20. Vieux Chalet (Antipolo) - Nice European cuisine (reminds me of my Contiki tour) Try the Matterhorn Grill, its fantastic!
If you need directions on how to get to any of these restaurants, please don't hesitate to PM me or post a reply. Cheers.

[M A J A]

^ Amici is gone now? ):

I used to love Buddies at Libis, but they closed it. I like Zhu at The Fort (in 32nd and Fifth, I think)... the location isn't that obscure, but a lot of my friends don't know about it. :/

Seafood Wharf near Manila Bay is also good. (Not sure if this would count as obscure, though. Haha.)

[bohemian]

^ Amici is gone now? ):

I used to love Buddies at Libis, but they closed it. I like Zhu at The Fort (in 32nd and Fifth, I think)... the location isn't that obscure, but a lot of my friends don't know about it. :/

Seafood Wharf near Manila Bay is also good. (Not sure if this would count as obscure, though. Haha.)

I saw Zhu peeking out while I was driving past. I plan to eat there one of these days. Is it good?

[stacky]

Antonio's = Love =))

Sonya's Garden in Tagaytay =) Mmmm. Though medyo it is a resort type, their food their is good

[M A J A]

I saw Zhu peeking out while I was driving past. I plan to eat there one of these days. Is it good?

Yeah, their roast duck is cheap but delicious. Really good value for money. (: I also like their chicken teriyaki (kind of weird to find teriyaki in a Chinese restaurant, though o__o).

[aznbelle89]

Wow! Thanks for that list I'll be looking for those when I go there for a visit!

[bohemian]

Antonio's = Love =))

Sonya's Garden in Tagaytay =) Mmmm. Though medyo it is a resort type, their food their is good

Sonya's is okay for me. Having the same thing over and over again gets boring after a while. That's why I didn't put it on my list.

I hope you're pertaining to the Antonio's in Neogan. The barbeque place is actually pretty good too. It's similar to Aristocrat actually. 

[Toy_addict]

I love Antonio's too and Cafe by the Ruins
Bag of Beans is LOVE too - because of the ambiance and Greek Taverna =  Both around Tagaytay.

[bohemian]

My parents like the English pies at Bag of Beans. Antonio's has the best foie gras salad. I also like their osso bucco.

[anagon]

5. Sango Makati - Imagine a Japanese person trying to make a hamburger. That's Sango.

6. Amici De Don Bosco (now defunct?) - Best gelato this side of Rome.   

Nagulat ako, is Amici gone na? I just celebrated my birthday there last year, sayang naman--I LOVE their pasta!

My family loves Sango too! The owners are great din, they're super nice din, they allowed my sister's surprise 18th birthday with her friends (na super gulo) to be held there!
And I love their fries and milk shake!

[Toy_addict]

I believe Amici is still around.

[stacky]

Sonya's is okay for me. Having the same thing over and over again gets boring after a while. That's why I didn't put it on my list.

I hope you're pertaining to the Antonio's in Neogan. The barbeque place is actually pretty good too. It's similar to Aristocrat actually. 

Yeah, Antonio's in Neogan. I heard the Antonio's and Aristocrat has the same management. something like that, though I am not really sure.

[Toy_addict]

Have you guys tried The Farm at San Benito?

[stacky]

Have you guys tried The Farm at San Benito?

Is is the one in Lipa?
I think I heard of it na, but it is more famous for their Health Spa But they also have a restaurant, which serves Vegan. I think that is even the name of the resto itself

They say it is really expensive there

[bohemian]

^My parents went there. They didn't like it that much.