Why don't you just eat it Part 1

If you knew me, you’d know right away. I love to eat. And I know the best places to eat good food. Women my age spend their earnings on clothes. Me, I probably spend more on eating out.

Below is the first of a series of rundowns of my recommended top spots for a fiesta of the palate.

LEGEND:
$ - P0-150
$$ - P151-300
$$$ - P301-500
$$$$ - P501 ++

Countryside Restaurant and Grill
Katipunan Extension, Quezon City

CUISINE TYPE : Filipino, Grilled
RESTAURANT HOURS : 6pm-3am, everyday
PRICE RANGE : $
CROWD : Yuppies, college students, your friendly neighborhood tambays
PARKING : Street parking. A bit hazardous as the road is accessible to all
types of vehicles from motorcycles to 10-wheeler trucks
PAYMENT MODES : Cash
TRY THE FOLLOWING: Isaw, isol, tenga, barbecue (grilled specialties)
Calderetang Kambing (goat meat stew in tomato sauce,
potatoes, carrots, and olives)
Papaitan (beef fat, beef meat, intestines in sour soup)

Ikaw ang mismong mamimili ng ipapahihaw mo kay Kuya Sonny (you won’t miss him, kamukha siya ni Dolphy at siya lang ang tanging nagiihaw dun). The rice is good for 2-3 persons. They’ll serve you with service water and ice as soon as you have ordered your food. Beer is really cheap, and you can smoke whether you’re inside or by the porch. Not all the staff are friendly, though. Pero ok lang dahil masarap ang pagkain. The place is as down to earth as it can be, with a mix of the Miriam and Ateneo crowd at yung mga mababait na manong na makikita mo sa kanto ng village niyo. Walang pakialamanan dito, and you’ll find yourself sitting there for hours eating and just having a good time.

Sushi-ya
Located in almost all major shopping malls

CUISINE TYPE : Japanese
RESTAURANT HOURS : Mall hours
PRICE RANGE : $$
CROWD : Families, yuppies, young couples
PARKING : Mall parking
PAYMENT MODES : Cash, Card
TRY THE FOLLOWING: Crazy Beef Roll (Fried beef, salmon and cheese roll)
Teishoku set (any main course including rice and soup)
Salmon Teppanyaki (grilled salmon without the fishy taste)

This restaurant offers the best in affordable Japanese food. It’s better tasting, fast, and it’s real value for your money kumpara dun sa ibang Japanese restaurants na natikman ko. Plus, if you love Japanese mayonnaise, just ask from their friendly wait staff and they’ll give it to you for free. Mababait ang mga waiter dito, hindi tulad sa ibang kainan of the same concept na parang masama ang loob tuwing kakausapin ka, para bang uutangin mo ang oorderin mo.

TGI Friday’s
The Brickroad and the newly opened one in Robinsons Galleria

CUISINE TYPE : American
RESTAURANT HOURS : 10am-12am, everyday
PRICE RANGE : $$ - $$$
CROWD : Yuppies, families, dating couples
PARKING : Mall parking
PAYMENT MODES : Cash, Card
TRY THE FOLLOWING: Chicken Fingers (breaded chicken fillet served with fries,
coleslaw, and honey mustard dip)
Chicken Caesar Salad (salad served with grilled chicken on top
and bread)
Mocha Mud Pie (coffee and chocolate ice cream cake topped
with almonds and chocolate sauce)
Holiday Isle Fling (orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream slush)

Lahat ng kakaibang décor makikita mo dito sa Friday’s. Ultimo pandilig sa halaman nasa uluhan mo. American culture on display talaga, and you’ll really feel the theme. Not to mention ang mga kakaibang kasuotan ng staff nila. Kulang nalang magsabit sila ng lampara sa ibabaw ng ulo. May pa-kontest daw kasi ang management na “Most Unique In Uniform Embellishment (inimbento ko lang yang award na yan pero walang biro, may prize para sa kung sino ang may magandang disenyo ng uniform).” Try sitting at the bar and you’ll be served by the friendliest bartenders. Bawal ang pangit sa Friday’s, mind you. Halos lahat ng servers nila mga magaganda’t gwapo. Kaya dapat parati ka nakatawa dahil bawal ang masamang hilatsa ng mukha.


Spiral
The Westin Philippine Plaza, Manila

CUISINE TYPE : International
RESTAURANT HOURS : 12nn – 10pm, everyday
PRICE RANGE : $$$$
CROWD : Corporate bigshots, families
PARKING : Hotel parking. Have your parking ticket validated to pass up on
paying steep parking rates
PAYMENT MODES : Cash, Card
TRY THE FOLLOWING: Eat-all-you-can buffet

Nung unang beses kami kumain dito ng mga kaibigan ko, nagbihis talaga kami ng maganda. Buti nalang kasi lahat ng tao dun naka-postura. Nakakahiya pumila dun sa buffet nang naka-ismagol (havaianas yan ng mga chuchal).

Have your fare on the best-tasting cheeses of the world and pair them with your choice of bread at the cheese line. Mas masarap kung kakainin niyo to with your hands. Try the bleu, gruyere, and Boursin cheeses. Ikutin niyo ang buong dining floor dahil lahat ng klase ng luto andun, mula sa pagkaing pampajabar ng kilikili hanggang sa pampakiliti ng ngalangalang ice cream teppanyaki. Wag niyo kakalimutan hingin yung kasamang coffee or tea ng babayaran niyong buffet.