10. PANDA EXPRESS
This American-Chinese chain opened its first Philippine branch last December, just in time for the holiday season. Panda Express is known for dishes like Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and Broccoli Beef, to name a few.
Read more about Panda Express here.
A Red Panda plate. Kara Vibal Guioguio
9. ESQINITA
This restaurant by chef Rob Pengson offered one of the most affordable 10-course tasting menus in Manila. Sadly, Esquinita closed after months of serving hip versions of familiar Filipino dishes in Poblacion.
Read more about Esqinita here.
Tuna Kilawin at Esqinita. Jeeves de Veyra
8. FOOD DISTRICT SIGNATURES ON 5TH
Opened last September, this sprawling food court has price points lower than the usual BGC restaurants. Some familiar concepts can also be found here, and diners on a budget are able to grab a decent meal for P100 to P250.
Read more about Food District here.
At Food District’s K-Alley section. Jeeves de Veyra
7. HOMARE
Homare Japanese Restaurant and Grill, located at The Bellevue Manila hotel in Alabang, offers grilled wagyu and other Japanese dishes like sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki.
Read more about Homare here.
Homare offers premium wagyu. Handout
6. SIX DOORS
This buffet restaurant at Uptown Mall in Taguig features six themed VIP rooms with 3D table mapping for a unique dining experience. The walls of each room has projections of different locales as well, reflecting the origins of dishes served at the restaurant.
Read more about Six Doors here.
One of the VIP rooms at Six Doors. Handout
5. ANGRYDOBO
Celebrity couple Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo opened Angrydobo along Taft Avenue last August. The menu features recipes by Santos, including the adobo that the actress prepared when she and Agoncillo had a lovers’ quarrel more than a decade ago.
Read more about Angrydobo here.
Angrydobo is located along Taft Avenue, in front of De La Salle University. Leah C. Salterio]
4. TRELLIS MANILA (NOW TERRACE MANILA)
Trellis Manila (now known as Terrace Manila) quietly opened in a building just across ABS-CBN’s ELJ building in Quezon City last January. The restaurant serves as an extension of the home of one of its owners, Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal.
Read more about it here.
At the second floor of Trellis Manila, now known as Terrace Manila. Reyma Buan-Deveza, ABS-CBN News
3. BIGGS
This Bicol diner hopes to make it big in Manila as it opened a branch at SM Fairview last November. Biggs is known for serving comfort food like burgers, chicken, and ribs, as well as Western and Filipino rice meals.
Read more about Biggs here.
Some of the bestselling dishes at Biggs. Kara Santos
2. MEAT PLUS
This Subic favorite opened its first Manila branch at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, serving no-fuss steaks and more.
Read more about Meat Plus here.
T-bone with rice at Meat Plus. Jeeves de Veyra
1. POPEYES
This American fried chicken chain returned to the Philippines last May, with its first branch located at Arcovia City in Pasig. Popeyes is known for its southern-style fried chicken (mild or spicy) paired with buttermilk biscuits or seasoned Cajun fries.
Read more about Popeyes here.
Popeye’s bucket bundle Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
