Makati Restaurant Tips by cyndymc Top 5 Page for this destination

Yakimix: Japanesese, Korean & Cantonese Buffet

Despite the long queue everyday, Yakimix is always filled by loyal patrons and new guests who'd like a taste of their EAT ALL YOU CAN buffet of Japanese, Korean and Cantonese foods. I'm not a fan of buffet meals because I don't eat much, nor am I gifted with patience if waiting time to be seated is more than 1 hour. However, I had no choice but to join the family in our bonding time and food trip. Majority won, so we went to Yakimix. Although our reservation was at 12:30pm, we were seated past 1:30pm. That's the problem with eat all you can buffet, you can't predict when the people ahead of you will finish eating; neither can you tell them to vacate their table fast.

After the long wait, the personalized service of the staff and the ample food on the buffet tables made me forget the rumblings of my complaining hungry stomach. We were led to our couch and the staff assisted us in turning on the smokeless table top griller. We took turns in taking food from the buffet table so there was always someone left to watch our bags.

I intended to skip a lot of food as I am usually a light eater, but after eating some vegetables of the sukiyaki and bacon-wrapped asparagus, I couldn't help but return 2X to the sashimi/maki/sushi table. I was also tempted to eat a lot of tempura and grilled beef. The chocolate cake and leche flan were hard to resist as dessert.

Favorite Dish: salmon sashimi, sukiyaki, maki, grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus

Address: 3rd Flr, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: (02) 475-5153 to 54

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

Krazy Garlik: Go Crazy With Garlic-Infused Dishes

Krazy Garlik is a 200-seater restaurant operated by the Bistro group of Restaurants, the same outfit behind T.G.I.Friday’s, Italianni’s, Fish & Co., Flapjacks, Billy Rock and Pig Out. Although some people frown at eating garlic during food trips because of its pungent smell, Krazy Garlik dared to specialize in foods using hefty amount of garlic. They gave credence to the antioxidant properties of garlic and its ability to reduce bad cholesterol, as well as its aphrodisiac qualities.

You can’t just walk in at Krazy Garlik; you have to wait to be seated. You have the option to dine al fresco at the terrace or inside the airconditioned restaurant.

While waiting, I noticed the restaurant’s contemporary interior. Although the restaurant's pomp image can be intimidating, the ambiance is warm/friendly.

Service is fast and efficient. Staff look very pleasing with their smiles and courteous remarks. Food presentation and taste are commendable. Pricing is reasonable, considering the volume of serving per order.

Favorite Dish: Garlicky Crispy Pata was the best I’ve had in years: tender and juicy meat with really crispy thin skin covered by crispy garlic (without bitter taste), served with ensalada and dip.

For vegetables, I liked their Greek Salad which I alternate with Caesars salad whenever we visit. The crispy spinach is a popular dish, but if I eat the Crispy pata, I can't have anything else fried.

Address: 2nd Level, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Mongkok Dimsum & Noodles: Rediscovering An Old Favorite Chinese Restaurant

We missed Mongkok Dimsum & Noodles when they closed their Glorietta 2 restaurant. Though we found Mongkok Rockwell, we couldn't go there as often because of the location. Hubby and I were happy to rediscover Mongkok Glorietta in their new location while we were shopping at Glorietta 5. It looked more spacious than its former restaurant at G2 with an air-conditioned room and a veranda with tables and chairs overlooking the park and Glorietta 4.

We were amused with Mongkok Glorietta's new offering, an eat-all-can buffet for only P239. Though the Chinese dishes looked appetizing, we opted to order ala carte because we weren’t that hungry to avail of the buffet.

What I still am disappointed about is their continued use of plates and bowls with chips. Yes, they may be clean, but can't they be "retired"?

Favorite Dish: Hubby had smoked duck rice topping and sharksfin dimsum with diet softdrink while I had spareribs and chicken feet rice topping with watermelon shake. We enjoyed the meal though it seemed to differ with the taste of food served at Mongkok Rockwell.

Address: 3rd Level Glorietta5, Ayala Center, Makati

Comparison: about average

Phone: (63 2) 501-3065

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Mesa Filipino Moderne: Crispchon At Its Best!

My daughter invited us for lunch at Mesa Filipino Moderne in Greenbelt 5, a member of the La Mesa Grill group of companies serving Filipino cuisine with some innovations to the classic Pinoy cooking. Daughter wanted us to taste the guilt-free Crispchon (Crispy Lechon).

We stayed at the air-conditioned dining area, but there are also tables and chairs outside for those who prefer to eat al fresco by the Greenbelt Park. Dining at Mesa is by reservation so you can eat your food comfortably without the pressure of waiting customers standing beside your table until you're done with your meal.

The Crispchon was brought to our table on a serving tray with pandan crepes and some sliced vegetables. The food attendant carved the crispchon for us, carefully removing the fat. Actually, you can eat the crispchon as is, but we opted to have the food attendant roll it ala lumpia in the pandan crepe garnished with sliced leeks, cucumber and wansoy. When done, the crispchon wraps were laid out in a platter with different dips. We were given hoisin sauce, regular lechon sauce, and mayo garlic sauce. We ordered only 1/6 crispchon (P799.00) because we had other foods, but if you order one whole or ½, you’ll be given more choices for dips like curry mustard, sweet chili sauce and spicy pork liver sauce. (You can actually order a whole suckling crispchon (P3,999) or 1/2 (P1,999) or even 1/4 (P,099), depending on how many you are, or what other food you’ll have.) We were asked what we wanted to do with the remaining parts of the crispchon. The remaining parts are normally brought back to the kitchen where it will be seasoned as you wish then stir-fried, and served back to you as a new dish. We opted for chili garlic, but it wasn't really that hot and spicy.

I couldn’t help but notice Mesa’s effort at food presentation, making the food look so appetizing. Crispy Boneless Tilapia looked superb. The fish head and skeleton were curled and deep fried, arranged attractively on the platter, with cubed crispy boneless tilapia beside it together with the different dips. Ensaladang talong was served in a wine glass. Prawns were cooked on the spot in ceramic pots filled with heated river stones.

Mesa would have been perfect if not for some serving plates/bowls with chipped edges, and for the slow service. Despite these, I give it a thumbs up. I would still return to the place and still eat their food. Their menu certainly has a long list of interesting dishes to try on every visit to the restaurant.

If you wish to eat there, be sure to make advance reservation.

Favorite Dish: We liked everything except for the braised beef (or was it beef stew). It is so sweet, hubby joked that it might as well be listed in the dessert menu.

Crispchon was my favorite; I enjoyed eating lechon sans the fat!!! I especially liked it in the pandan crepes dipped in hoisin sauce.

I also liked their Laing 2 Ways (P120). (Laing is a native dish where taro leaves are cooked with pork, shrimp paste and coconut cream.) Mesa’s laing is unique, topped with adobo flakes and served 2 ways: one has more coconut cream, the other is more dry because the dish is simmered until the coconut cream has almost been fully absorbed by the taro leaves. The taste is okay although we prefer our laing spicier with the chili bite.

The baked scallops with garlic butter is also okay, really tender and fresh. However, we couldn’t help but compare it with Dampa’s baked scallops with cheesy flavor.

Address: Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: near the entrance of Greenbelt 5 across Greenbelt 3

Phone: +632- 728 0886

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Sisig Hooray: Choose Your Type Of Sisig

"Sisig" is a popular appetizer for beer drinkers, but it has now become popular as a viand for rice. Sisig Hooray pioneered the offering of freshly prepared "sisig" in malls. With its humble beginning as a stall in Ever Gotesco Ortigas, it has grown into a food chain with 25 stalls found all over Metro Manila.

In Makati, the Sisig Hooray stall in SM Food Court always has a long line of patrons. Whereas before, they offered only pork sisig, now they have chicken sisig, smoked chicken sisig, bangus (milkfish) sisig, squid sisig, smokey steak sisig and other native dishes.

Aside from the food, people are attracted to the drumbeat-like manner of chopping the meat. (See my video on this).

Favorite Dish: for a healthier choice, I prefer their bangus sisig

Address: SM Food Court, Ayala Center, Makati

Comparison: about average

Directions: beside Jollibee; near the escalator

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Fast Food

Figaro: Coffee At Its Best

From the time it was but a small kiosk in Glorietta, we have been patronizing Figaro. Known for their freshly ground coffee beans and hot or iced coffee blends, Figaro has become a favorite of yuppies and just any coffee lover. They also offer a wide assortment of cakes and pastries, sandwiches, salads and pizzas.

We usually go for coffee and dessert after lunch or dinner at Figaro Greenbelt 3 Branch. We like the cozy ambiance and nice service, and my daughters and grandson specially enjoy the free and unlimited Wi-Fi (for a minimum purchase of ₱500).

Favorite Dish: For coffee, I like their Cafe Mocha. I like most of their cakes and pastries, but their Food For The Gods is a thumbs down; it is dry and crumbly. I want it moist and chewy.

Address: 3rd Level, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: near the Cinemas

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Coffeehouse

Bon Chon Chicken: Best Chicken In USA

Hubby and I are not so keen on eating fried chicken for health reasons. However, with my daughter's nagging, we finally went to Bon Chon Chicken Greenbelt outlet. She had been craving for the crispy double fried chicken which she and her friends already tried and she wanted us to try the food, too.

Said to be once voted the best chicken in America, Bon Chon Chicken is fast becoming popular in Makati, too. Yuppies love the Korean style of cooking fried chicken twice and brushed with a soy-garlic sauce. Bon Chon gives you a choice of chicken cut you prefer, e.g. Chicken Wings, Drumsticks, Chicken Combo (combination of Chicken Wings and Drumsticks), and Chicken Chops. You can order either Hot and Spicy or Soy Garlic chicken in small, medium or large serving. Other than chicken, Bon Chon offers food like salads, bulgogi beef wrap, etc. I find the pricing quite high, considering the volume per serving.

Bon Chon Chicken is a small restaurant-cafe with a rather cramped layout of tables and chairs in the airconditioned room. You can opt to eat al fresco, but you run the risk of getting secondary smoke from cigarette smokers and car emissions from the street.

Favorite Dish: I'm not a fan of fried chicken, so I skipped it and had bulgogi beef wrap and caesar salad. I give them thumbs up! My children and grandson all loved the crispy Bon Chon Chicken. I tasted a bite and found it crispy, but not necessarily more tasty and delicious than other fried chicken offerings of other restaurants.

Address: Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Paseo de Roxas side, across Asian Institute of Management

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Eclectic/International

Kitchen: Like Asian & European Cusine?

Update: We had some mini VT Meetings at The Kitchen, one time to meet Dyesebel who was in the city, and the latest one was to meet Jumping Norman. The food offerings have increased prices, the ambience is still cozy, and the waiters are something else :-(

Fortunately, the company of VTers was always fun ;))

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A photo buddy introduced us to the Kitchen. After a pictorial at the Greenbelt Park, we had late lunch at the Kitchen. I was wondering why it had such a name. When we entered, I understood why. From the dining area, you will see the restaurant's kitchen which is in open view to the diners; you can see the staff preparing the meals.

The ambiance is cozy and unassuming. Popular among yuppies of CBD, the Kitchen has long tables where family/groups can seat comfortably, and face each other while eating and talking. Above the tables are rectangular glass-stained lights which add beauty to the place. (If you are a smoker, you can use the tables and benches outside while enjoying the view of Greenbelt Park.) The spoons and forks are placed in a utensil box on the table. Condiments and seasonings are placed on wooden tray in the middle of the table. Drinking water is uniquely served with fresh mint leaves.

The only turn off for me was the waiter giving a thank you envelope for tip even though we haven't finished our meal, and staying near our table until we have put something inside the tip envelope.

Favorite Dish: Quack Doctor Sandwich (hefty serving of sandwich filled with fried adobo duck flakes and grilled eggplant served w/ "shing-a-ling" & dip), and On Barbie's Cue (rice meal with BBQ combination of meat and seafood)

Address: Ground Floor, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati

Comparison: about average

Directions: Beside Ebun Restaurant, across Starbucks & Seattle's Best, right Side of Greenbelt 3 entrance

Phone: (02) 757-4565 to 66

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Eclectic/International

Mongkok Dimsum & Noodles: Chinese Cuisine Favorites

We used to eat frequently at Mongkok Dimsum & Noodles in Glorietta 2, and missed their dishes when Ayala Center closed G2 for renovation. To our delight, we discovered Mongkok Dimsum & Noodles at Power Plant Mall in Rockwell.

Mongkok Dimsum & Noodles offers popular Chinese foods like dimsum and dumplings, noodles, congee, rice toppings and Hongkong-style specialties. When you see a restaurant with Chinese lanterns, wall decors and roving dimsum cart, you'll know that you've found Mongkok Rockwell. Their tables and chairs, as well as chinaware are not extraordinary, in fact sometimes, they still use chipped plates or bowls. Nevertheless, they seem to have quite a number of regular patrons, based on the crowd I see whebnever we eat there. Their secret? Delicious, tasty Chinese foods at reasonale price!

Favorite Dish: We like their rice toppings, especially the Smoked Duck Rice, Spareribs and Chicken Feet Rice. My grandson loves their Mongkok Yang Chow. He can eat that without any other dish because it is already complete: Fried Rice with egg, green peas, bits of pork and Chinese sausage.

Address: Concourse Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive

Comparison: about average

Directions: Power Plant Mall is at Rockwell Drive cor. Estrella St.. Makati City

Phone: (02) 756-5112

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Noda Sho: Authentic Japanese Cuisine

Noda Sho is one of the restaurants within the complex at Little Tokyo. There are tables and benches outside for al fresco dining, and inside, there are Japanese tables and cushions in the dining area as well are bar stools in the Chef's counter. We opted to stay in a private cubicle with Japanese table and cushions. As it is a Japanese custom, we removed our footwear before entering our cubicle. We were given a roll of cold (yes, cold NOT hot) towelette to clean our hands. There was a prepared bowl of FREE Japanese appetizer (sliced mushrooms, lotus, bamboo shoot, carrots, water chestnut in light soy sauce. A food attendant got our orders. She cooked our sukiyaki right infront of us, and served them like a dutiful geisha. After our meal, we were given COMPLIMENTARY dessert, coffee jelly with cream. Food was quite pricey, but for the quality, taste and service, it was worth our money.

The only thing I didn't like is, they didn't serve fresh fruit juice.

Favorite Dish: I liked all that we ordered, but I liked best their assorted sushi, sukiyaki ans California maki.

Address: Little Tokyo, Pasong Tamo cor. Fernando St, Makati

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: beside Makati Cinema Square.

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Japanese/Sushi