Where to Eat This Christmas?

December 13, 2016

Spread the Love!

This is my own personal list of restaurants where I might want to meet with friends or relatives this Christmas.

Instead of racking my brain thinking of where to eat, I tried compiling the restaurants that I have already tried and liked in this list, so I can be sure that the place is okay.

Since this is my personal list, I am only including restaurants where I have already dined at before. If you are looking for restaurant suggestions, hope my list helps you!

I’ll keep on updating this list when I think of something.

WHERE TO EAT?

BUFFETS around P500/person or less

Sodam in San Juan – you will all smell like barbecue after, but it’s still the best experience for around P300+ per person; the place is always FULL, very in demand, advanced reservations needed
Guevarra’s in San Juan – tried and tested!
The Round Table in Kapitolyo – roast beef aficionados will love the eat-all-you-can of their signature roast beef! Only P200 – P300+ per person

TO MEET FOR COFFEE AND CATCH UP:

Kandle Cafe in QC – beautiful interiors, very refreshing with lots of plants and water features, but very hip; it’s a very nice place to hang out; limited parking space
Artsy Cafe along Panay Ave – I love their Crater Sandwich! Decor is pretty, too. Lots of parking space, and parking is FREE!

FOR THE BALIKBAYAN:

Island Cove – good food, relaxing; only 20 minutes from SM MoA
Singing Cooks & Waiters – good food & entertainment, but the place needs some renovation
White Moon Bar, Hotel H2O – nice view of Manila Bay + sunset! Although the Luneta-like place you have to pass through to get there doesn’t look so inviting… you’ll be rewarded with a pretty sunset view; food and cocktails are so-so; but the decor is really very well done, you can pretend you’re somewhere in the Mediterranean…
Marina Seafood Restaurant in QC – really good batchoy mami in malauhog coconut shell; for those who miss a delicious bowl of mami…

KARE-KARE / FILIPINO FOOD

Serye – their kare-kare is very good and won a kare-kare contest!
Marison’s – OMG I love their kare-kare! It’s sweet, and the tripe is breaded & fried, and the sauce uses ground cashew… omg omg omg… but it’s all the way in Antipolo!
Komedor in Panay Ave – check out this Supreme Special Sizzling Bulalo, and it’s only P700!

RELAXING IN TAGAYTAY:

Taza Fresh Table, Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay – literally farm-to-table; they source their ingredients from nearby farms; I love their fresh salads
Buon Giorno in Twin Lakes, Tagaytay – Twin Lakes is a pretty spot to take visitors, especially if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila
Gourmet Farms in Tagaytay – if you want to visit an actual lettuce / herb farm and eat the freshest vegetables! Farm tours need to be scheduled beforehand.

TRY IT NOW!

While it’s new!

Mighty Quinn’s BBQ – you know they say restaurant food is the best when it just opened, with all the original chefs still there… this import from NYC just opened today and their slow-cooked brisket and spareribs are amazing… get it while it’s hot!

SPECIALTY

Kos Greek Ouzeri in UP Town Center – chicken souvlaki FTW!
Shrimp Bucket in UP Town Center – SHRIMP IN SALTED EGG SAUCE! Must try, seriously!

TRIED AND TESTED

Buy or borrow membership cards to get discounts; check for promos

Manila Hotel Cafe Ilang-Ilang Buffet – suki pa rin kami after all these years…
Spiral, Sofitel – biggest buffet with cheeses, etc…; mind-boggling array of choices, you won’t know how to fit everything you want into your stomach…
House of Wagyu – still the best place to get good Wagyu with nice service; check for promos, sometimes they have 40% or 50% off if you use certain credit cards
Wildflour – haven’t blogged about this yet, but every time we dine there, the food has always been outstanding!
Cazuela – one of our family favorites; Spanish Colonial cuisine

FOR THE GAMBLERS:

Cafe at the Hyatt (City of Dreams)
Solaire (the food I have had at Solaire is quite good, although I’ve dined there mostly during events served by their different restaurants)

FEELING PANG IRON CHEF, but not outrageously expensive:

The Fireplace, New World Manila Bay Hotel
Restaurant 101 at Enderun Colleges in McKinley Hill

FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO HANG OUT IN BARS:

Aracama – I liked the food, plus it’s in a nice location where you can barhop…
On the 6th, or Gourmet Bar, Novotel – the Christmas lights are pretty, poolside; the place is not too rowdy

I am not a person who likes to hang out in bars, so my knowledge about bars is pretty limited… so far, these are the places where I liked the ambience and the food