Last week, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said in an interview with Inquirer Radyo that the increasing number of Filipinos eating out is a sign of a robust economy. And while we may not all agree with this, fact remains that we all love dining out, whether in our all-time favorite restaurants or even trying out new ones.
If you’re the type to explore new options for dining, the good news is there are always new restaurants opening somewhere in or near the metro. To get you started on your crawl, here are some of the new restaurants worth checking out to satisfy your every craving.
Nanyang PH
Location: Lower Ground Floor, SM Aura Premier
Asian dishes like Hainanese Chicken and Nasi Lemak take the spotlight at this new spot at SM Aura. But really, no meal is complete without dessert, and Nanyang’s selection of desserts does not disappoint. Try their crunchy and chewy Peanut Butter Multigrain Thick Toast, as well as their Vietnamese coffee offerings and their bittersweet Kopi Jelly Milk Tea.
Ryoga
Location: Unit S26 Sunshine Blvd. Quezon Ave. cor. Scout Santiago, Diliman, Quezon City
Shabu-shabu fans are in for a treat at this Japanese restaurant in Quezon City. Not only does it serve shabu-shabu, it serves unlimited servings of it along with other Japanese favorites from sushi to gyoza to bento meals.
Sidechick
Location: The Alley at Karrivin, 2316 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
This grab-and-go shack at The Alley at Karrivin serves easy and affordable chicken bites and sandwiches. They also have drinks for the nostalgic gin pomelo kids of the 90s, as well as below zero draft beers that go well with their deep-fried chicken poppers.
Sup? Chow
Location: Antel Corporate Center, 121 Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
This new restaurant in Salcedo serves Asian comfort food like noodles and rice meals. And if that’s not enough to entice you to go dine there, there are also refreshments waiting for you on their menu like their mango sago, buko pandan, and coffee jelly.
BCN by Rambla
Location: GF Grand Midori, Bolanos St., Legaspi Village, Makati
Found in Legaspi Village, BCN is a restaurant by the same guys behind Rambla. They serve tapas like the jamon Iberico and foie mi cuit which are perfect for sharing. Our writer recommends the torrija de pan brioche con helado de tiramisu: a pillowy soft slice of brioche (like a cross between a French toast and bread pudding), served with a creamy tiramisu-flavored ice cream and a thick dollop of dulce de leche.
Sartin PH
Location: Summit Ridge Hotel Gen. Aguinaldo Highway, Maharlika West, Tagaytay City
If you can’t get enough of Filipino food, this new restaurant in Tagaytay is worth a visit. They have chicken and pork isaw skewers if you are craving ihaw-ihaw, as well as Lechon Ulo and Pata Humba if you wish to indulge. You can also get a taste of Filipino-Spanish fare with their callos and Paella Valenciana among others.
Prima Facie
Location: 114 Scout Lozano St., Tomas Morato, Quezon City (inside Vitto’s)
This speakeasy boasts of their cocktails courtesy of Royce Pua, 2017’s World Class Bartender of the Year, who is also from 12/10, the izakaya-style restaurant in Makati. But apart from drinks, customers can also look forward to their selection of bar chow like the calamari, fried in squid ink batter to give it a black coating, and topped with katsuoboshi (dried Bonito flakes) for extra flavor.
Urumchi
Location: Paseo Center, 8757 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City
Specializing in Xinjiang cuisine, a particular way of cooking among the ethnic groups of China, this restaurant which recently opened in Paseo offers dishes that mix flavors of the East with that of Middle East. Their Urumchi Polo with Chicken Leg and Shredded Beef with chili is something worth trying out.
Lo de Alberto
Location: Tropical Palms Condo, Gallardo cor. Dela Rosa Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati City
Priding itself in being an authentic taqueria, Lo de Alberto recently opened a new store in Makati where they serve homemade tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. True to its Mexican character, Lo de Alberto also offers Sangria de Mexico and a milky beverage unique to Mexican cuisine called horchata which is essentially made from combining rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
The Grid
Location: Power Plant Mall Hidalgo Drive, Makati City
If you’re still indecisive coming this far down the list, well, here’s something for you. The Grid, Power Plant Mall’s newest upmarket food hall, has just about any type of food imaginable: from lobster buns to porchetta, to coffee and pastries, to an abundance of rice meals. And if that’s not enough to convince you, perhaps the fact that some of the stall there is run by some of the biggest names in the local culinary scene, like Josh Boutwood, Bruce Ricketts, Noel Mauricio, Him Uy De Baron, Patrick Go, Miko Aspiras, and Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, just might.
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Read more:
Treat yourself to jamon iberico and foie gras tapas at BCN by Rambla
Find this millennial pink cocktail at a hidden bar in Tomas Morato
Margarita Forés’ new Spanish resto gives dining in a new meaning
Get ihaw-ihaw and Hainanese chicken at this Ortigas hole-in-the-wall
Writer: CHRISTIAN SAN JOSE
