WHERE TO EAT, MEET UP THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON
Dining destinations near and far that are worth venturing out of the house for
‘Tis the season to eat, meet up with friends and family we haven’t seen for the longest time, and then eat some more. We won’t judge you if you eventually hold off those plans to cut down on calories until 2023. You deserve to feast and treat yourself, wherever that search for good food takes you.
That said, who isn’t up for a road trip when there is heavenly and mouthwatering fare waiting for you at your destination? While it’s usually easy to abandon going out to avoid the season’s horrendous traffic, the call to satisfy one’s cravings and a grumbling tummy is more compelling.
We round up some dining destinations, near and far, that are worth venturing out of the house for.
Casa Buenas
If you’re craving Filipino-Spanish cuisine, Casa Buenas at Newport World Resorts (formerly Resorts World Manila) should be on your list. We’re told that the Classic Beef Caldereta is to die for, with its flavorful meat that melts in your mouth.
The Garlic Pancit Noodles with Crab Meat, Kumot, Coconut Pork Sinigang and Paella should also be on your order list. For dessert, make sure to ask for the Banana Chocolate Pie and Bibingka (this one’s classified under merienda, but what the heck. If you feel like having rice cake for dessert, then go indulge in that rice cake!). (Casa Buenas is at G/F, Newport Grand Wing and open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Newport World Resorts is along Newport Blvd., Newport City, Pasay.)
Finestra Italian Steakhouse
Solaire’s Italian restaurant has established itself as one of Manila’s musttry steakhouses, but what can make us get up from bed even on a rainy Sunday morning is its Italian Sunday brunch.
Get the cold seafood tower and have your fill of freshly shucked oysters, poached prawns, crab, mussels and lobster. These are served with a classic cocktail sauce, horseradish whip, raspberry mignonette, lemon and lime. It is best paired with the free-flowing champagne.
If you prefer prawns cooked in garlic, baked oysters and mussels, whelks, razor clams, crab, lobsters and curacha, go for the hot seafood tower instead. It comes with lemon butter sauce and lemon and lime. (Finestra Sunday Brunch is available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for P5,555+ per person. Solaire Resort and Casino Manila is at Aseana Ave., Parañaque.)
Kiapo
We all love a Pinoy resto, and Kiapo at Okada Manila does not disappoint. Its savory rice bowls are its selling point, with a considerable selection of classic, familiar ulam—Beef Steak Tagalog, Lechon Kawali, Chicken and Pork Adobo, Chopsuey, to name just a few—which are hearty and comforting. Kiapo also serves Arroz Caldo and local desserts like Buko Pandan,
Mais Con Yelo and the all-time Pinoy favorite, Fruit Salad.
Another thing to love about Kiapo’s menu is how it is reasonably priced. You don’t have to shell out an inordinate amount of cash just to enjoy a filling, heartwarming meal. (Kiapo at Okada Manila is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Okada Manila is at New Seaside Drive, Entertainment City, Parañaque.)
Kahel Resort
If you find yourself driving up north, stop by Kahel Resort on Calle de Riles in La Union’s surf town of San Juan. Everything on their breakfast menu makes the trip to LU totally worth it.
The Good Morning Plate has avocado toast, sausage slices, bacon, smoked eggplant spread, balsamic reduction, herbed potato crisps. The Poke Stack Salad (with fresh tuna, mango, charred pineapple, tomato salsa, house-made sambal, sesame-nori aioli and crunchy wonton), Beef Bourguignon and Sisig come highly recommended. Kick off happy hour with the Spicy Mango Margarita.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that Kahel provides you with an unobstructed view of the sea and easy access to one of San Juan’s favorite surf spots. (Kahel is open daily from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. The restaurant is on a first come, first served basis due to limited seating capacity.)
Pungko-pungko sa Fuente
Mention going on a food trip in Cebu, and you’ll most probably get plenty of tips on where you can enjoy the best Cebu
lechon, with that crunchy, reddish brown skin and tender, juicy meat. But if you want something other than roast pig, check out Pungko-pungko sa Fuente on J. Llorente Street in Cebu City.
They’re known for the best ginabot or chicharon bulaklak
as well as other Cebuano street food favorites. Have your ginabot with ngohiong, Cebu’s version of the lumpia but with singkamas
that’s cut into long, thin strips as filling. Naturally, there should be pusô beside that heaping plate of deep-fried, sinful goodness.
(Pungko-pungko sa Fuente is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.)