Buffet at Spectrum in Fairmont Hotel Makati, Philippines

When Manila opened its door in welcoming prestigious name Fairmont Hotel which was built in Makati City decades ago, food lovers got excited with the premium buffet restaurant that comes with it.  This new addition to five star luxury hotels in the Philippines gave birth to Spectrum Restaurant, one of the new hotel buffet dining places in Manila.

Weeks after its opening, we paid a visit at Spectrum in Fairmont Hotel Makati to sample their dinner buffet right after our leisurely pre-dinner cocktail at the famed Long Bar at Raffles Makati.

Spectrum’s ambiance exudes comfort and classy flair without overbearingly so.  Considering it is an in-house restaurant of a luxurious hotel, the place has a welcoming vibes as oppose the usual intimidating bordering into snobbish look of hotel restaurants. 

Big and Tasty Burgers at Granny's Burger, Pasig City

With numbers of restaurants claiming to serve the best burgers in Manila, I still find a certain kind of bliss upon discovering new burger joint that dishes out unexpectedly mean burgers worth raving about. So, for weeks now, I have been stealing precious time from my rather crazy schedule just to scout for these nooks that will satisfy my burger cravings. There are times when I am lucky enough to find decent joints that caters to my carnivorous quest, and there are times when I would just go home in frustration.

One lucky moment includes the time when I was introduced to Granny's Burger located in Pasig City. This burger joint specializes in different burgers made of 1/3 pound pure Australian beef patty, specialty sandwiches, pastas, milkshakes, and more.

Tucked at the ground floor of LPI Center, a building near Valle Verde Country Club and Tides Pasig, Granny's Burger location may be a tad small compare to other joints, but when it comes to the flavors of the dishes they are serving, they are definitely big.

IHOP Philippines at Bonifacio Global City, The Fort ~ NOW OPEN!

IHOP Restaurant, the iconic brand known for dishing out unparalleled all-day breakfast fares has finally landed at Asia Pacific region by opening its first branch in The Philippines located at Bonifacio Global City, The Fort.  Famous for its pancakes, omelettes, and other breakfast items, IHOP Philippines is set to extend the distinct IHOP experience to diners here in Asia. Today, February 15, 2013 marks their opening day.

Check Out My Latest IHOP Post: A Revisit To IHOP Philippines at BGC The Fort

With number of restaurants in Manila offering an all-day breakfast dishes, the opening of IHOP Philippines is a welcome addition to the fast growing local dining scene here in the country. This remarkable addition is made possible by the partnership between International House of Pancake's parent company, DineEquity Inc. and Global Restaurants Concepts Inc. through its subsidiary InterDine Corp.

Currently, IHOP has almost 1,600 branches worldwide and for the next five years, InterDine plans to put up 20 IHOP branches here in the Philippines. With 55 years in restaurant industry, this figures only goes to show that this local brand is set to spread more happiness in the coming years.  The first IHOP Philippines is located at W Global Center, 30th St. corner 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Situated in the same building as P.F. Chang's and California Pizza Kitchen.

P.F. Chang's Philippines at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City

Early last year, world renowned US based casual dining restaurant P.F. Chang's China Bistro opened its first branch in the Philippines located in Alabang Town Center. Since then, foodies from around the metro especially those from up north traveled all the way to south just to experience the great dining fare at P.F. Chang's. This year, they finally opened their second branch located at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City.

To celebrate the opening of P.F. Chang's The Fort branch, a media launch was held to showcase P.F. Chang's beautifully constructed abode in the area and to sample great tasting dishes which are known to be some of their best sellers.

Lolo Dad’s Café in Malate Manila: Valentine's Tasting Menu and More!

Believe it or not, I know numbers of love stories in which Lolo Dad's Café in Malate Manila played a great part.  Most of the foodie couples I know have their own romantic stories to dish out about Lolo Dad's.  And I never doubted those stories. With numbers of years in Manila's restaurant scene, what started out as a simple house of Apuyao family that eventually converted into a fine dining restaurant has earned utmost respect in the industry by dishing out impeccable gastronomical fares that everybody loves. Not all fine dining restaurants in Manila can do that, and Chef Ariel Manuel of Lolo Dad's is doing a great job in proving that Lolo Dad's deserves every recognition it earns.

I have always been puzzled why most of these couples I know would always subtly force me to dine at Lolo Dad's in every single dates I had. As much as I want to think that they are dying to see me change my status from single to in a relationship, it is more fitting to think or accept that they do have different reason.  Yes, they want me to dine at Lolo Dad's because no matter how successful or unsuccessful my dating journey would turn out, I still have the impeccably executed dishes to fall in love with at Lolo Dad's.

This resolved was further steeled when recently, I had a chance to preview the Valentine's Tasting Menu which Lolo Dad's offers on February 8 to February 16, 2013. Together with lovely couples and fellow food enthusiasts Richard and Irene, Richie and Rina, Ray and Lynne, and Teddy, my friend Glenn and I feasted on a lovely dinner at Lolo Dad's.  Despite being surrounded by these couples, I do not mind not having someone to fall in love with because honestly, the food alone were enough to make me feel giddy like a school girl seeing her crush. True story.

Mesclun Restaurant and Café at The Linden Suites in Ortigas Pasig City

During the time that I attended the launching of Mesclun Restaurant and Café at The Linden Suites in Ortigas, I was able to have a preview of some of the dishes they will be serving through cocktail portions being passed around while all guests were partying the night away.  It was a great launching as it further excites me to have an actual dining experience at Mesclun.

When I finally had a chance to spent a leisurely afternoon at Mesclun over great dishes that they offer, I knew right then that the excitement I felt the night of launching was really worth it.  The delightful experience was actually expected since this gastronomical abode is headed by Chef Katrina Kuhn Alcantara, the same genius behind the well loved Chuck's Deli.

Located inside The Linden Suites Ortigas Pasig City, Mesclun serves as its in-house restaurant dishing out delectable food for the hotel's guests and walk-in diners.  It boast of cozy and brightly lit modern ambiance that exudes comfort.  Peppered with splash of green colors against immaculate white base interior, Mesclun which is means "mixture" is indeed a mixture of delightful dishes, refreshing ambiance, and great service.

Mitsuyado Sei-Men House of Tsukemen at Jupiter St. Makati City

I think by now it's no secret that I have deep affinity for restaurants that does not just dish out great food but has beautiful interiors as well.  Entire dining experience for me includes taking and feeling in the aesthetics of the place I am dining in.  While there are hole-in-the-wall and some downright humble eateries that I love, admittedly, nothing beats the feeling of enjoying your food in an environment pleasing to the eye.  No, I am not snob, I guess it just have something to do with the architectural background in my family.

Here in Manila, there are a lot of restaurants that made me fall head over heels with their interiors alone. And lucky me because almost all of them delivers when it comes to great tasting dishes. One of them is Mitsuyado Sei-Men, House of Tsukemen located at Jupiter St in Makati City.

Hailing from the land of the rising sun, Mitsuyado Sei-Men was brought here in the Philippines by the UCC Group as an addition to the growing ramen scene here in Manila.  I first heard about Mitsuyado from a traveler friend who fell madly in love with tsukemen during his stint in Japan. The word "tsukemen" means dipping noodle which is an innovative way to enjoy your usual noodle by dipping it into a broth. When I heard that Mitsuyado is already here in Manila, I know have to try it, pronto.

Ba-Be-Q Korean Charcoal Grill at Makati Ave.

I used to be very apprehensive in trying Korean dishes way back when I started this food blog. But as my food writing experiences progress, I have learned to embrace and love the distinct flavor that Korean dishes has to offer. Korean restaurants sprouting here in Manila helped a lot as it opened my palate to new and exciting flavors of their culture. I admit that I am still starting my journey in exploring Korean dishes, and I am definitely enjoying the ride.

Recently, I was introduced to Ba-Be-Q Korean Charcoal Grill located at Makati Ave. I am quite familiar with their location at Makati A.Venue Mall since I always frequent to The Coffee Bean And Tea Leaf just right beside it.  I know for a fact that within the area, there are a lot of Korean restaurants in every corner.  Thus, I was surprised by the spunk and the courage of this new player in the field for holding itself with pride amidst the amateurs.  And I can perfectly understand the guts, because despite being a newbie, Ba-Be-Q Korean Charcola Grill restaurant has its own charm that will surely make its diners fall in love with it.

As compare to other Korean restaurants I usually frequent to, Ba-Be-Q Korean Charcoal Grill restaurant aims to make its diner experience a street-style Korean gastronomical experience. This goal is very apparent in its funky ambiance reminiscent of streets and alley ways in Korea.