President’s Tea House, Binondo

One of the most famous chinese restaurants in Manila is the President’s Restaurant in Ongpin. The much famed President’s restaurant in Ongpin has a somehow cheaper alternative in the form of the President’s Tea House on Salazar St. (which is actually a stone’s throw away from the President Restaurant itself). The tea house is a smaller version and a more affordable version because of the ambiance and the menu that’s being offered. Right beside one of my favourite chinese snack stores (Shin Tai-Shang Store) on Salazar, BF and I decided to have a quick “snack” in the tea house.

For our “snack” we decided to try some of their dimsum and of course some prawns for me. The dimsum offerings in President Tea House is one of the most delicious and affordable dimsum that I’ve had. It really is a sweet deal. i wish they had a branch in powerplant although it wouldn’t be as authentic naman.

 

CAFE JUANITA: An Old Favourite

Cafe Juanita has been in operation for almost a decade and has been reviewed by columnists and bloggers I think for the nth time but I haven’t tried it until now. Having studied in college near the area I can’t believe that it is only now that I got to eat in them gem of a restaurant and when I say GEM..I mean it really is a gem of a restaurant. Wow.

I love the whole bohemian, artsy vibe of the place. It is literally full of antiques, art, and other knick-knacks that serve as decorations as well as being sold for sale. Cafe Juanita, I think serves one of the best authentic Filipino food in town and not only that the other items on their menu like the Chinese and Japanese dishes are excellent as well. This restuarant is a must-try. Don’t be deceived by the exterior of the restaurant because the food is great so do try it out! Don’t be hindered by standards, the restaurant is comfort food so expect it to be that way.

 

Dining in the walled city: ILUSTRADO

Thoroughly exhausted but culturally enriched by our walk this way tour with Carlos we decided to try out one of the more famous restaurants inside the walled-city — the ILUSTRADO Restaurant. We ate there during lunch time but I suggest that you go there for dinner so you can eat in the main dining room since that has a better ambiance than the little cafe portion of the restaurant where we ate. Though if you’re just eating a light lunch or merienda the cafe portion is ok since it has this bohemian vibe to it.

The food in Ilustrado is composed mainly of traditional Filipino dishes but they do serve other European dishes as well. The food is cooked rather well and they have creative desserts like their homemade ice-cream. Service was a bit slow though but I think it was because it was a Sunday so they were under staffed but they were very courteous so we didn’t really mind waiting. We also loved the dinner rolls that they served since it had some raisins on them and was particularly soft and toasty warm.

 

Fely J’s Kitchen: Filipino & Asian Cuisine

Fely J’s Restaurant in greenbelt 5 specializes in Filipino & Asian Home Cooking. Yet another restaurant from the LJC group. It’s amazing how these guys never run out of ideas for a restaurant. There’s a proliferation of LJC Group restaurants in Manila nowadays. ABE by far is my favourite (ok! I’m biased since its kapampangan cuisine) but I remember the days when I was younger that my mom and I would always eat lunch at BISTRO REMEDIOS in Malate.

 

Walking into the restaurant I immediately noticed the pink “ala lattice” walls. It wasn’t lattice of course but I had a feeling that was what they were going for. It was pink..goody! J I liked the look of the place: dark wood tables and chairs, family style tables, quite clean. The service was pretty good too.