Food to Relish

Another good restaurant in the Tomas Morato area is Relish located at Scout Limbaga near corner Tomas Morato. Apparently, food lovers have discovered the place with the restaurant full during the time that we dined there.

We tried the pumpkin soup, pasta with wild mushroom and truffle oil, and prawns thermidor, and they were all great. Prices range from P300 (US$7.31) to 400 (US$9.75) per dish and the servings are generous.

However, just like Romulos Restaurant also in the Morato area, the place suffers from bad acoustics. You can hardly hear your conversation with your companions because the chatter from all the other diners is audible at each table. This in a way makes your dining experience at Relish less pleasant. Best to dine at the second floor where it is a bit quieter.

Thaipan: Best Thai Restaurant in Manila

I have always liked Thai food but for some reason the Thai restaurants in Manila that I have gone to in the recent past did not measure up to the quality of Thai food that you get in Thailand. There used to be Flavors and Spices in Greenbelt Makati. I remember that I enjoyed the Thai food that they served at this restaurant. But after it closed down, there was no good and reasonably priced Thai restaurant in Manila to go to. Even that popular Thai joint near Rockwell was not really great.

So thankfully there is now Thaipan Restaurant in Scout Dr. Lazcano in the the Tomas Morato area in Quezon City. Their Tom Yum Kung soup was great. Pad Thai the best thai noodle that I have tasted in Manila. Thai Mango Smoothie (mango with coconut) was divine! Price ranges from P100(US$2.44) to P400(US$9.75) per dish. And servings are generous and can be shared.

The night that we dined there the place was full so this is an indication that food lovers appreciate the truly good food that they have at Thaipan.

Ace Water Spa: Alternative Massage

An alternative to the typical body massage done by hands is the hydrotherapy massage. This is a water massage that utilizes ultrasonic jet system that massages specific parts of your body.

This hydrotherapy massage is currently available at Ace Water Spa which has two locations, at United St. in Pasig City and Del Monte Avenue in Quezon City. This water massage provides for a truly relaxing experience with various aquatic jets that soothes tired and aching muscles while dipped in warm waters. Ace Water Spa also has lapping pool, steam and sauna rooms, and herbal pools to complete the spa experience.

I always have a relaxing time during the few times that I have been to Ace Water Spa. I brought my US based nephew and niece here and they rated it as one of the best places where they had a real good time during their Philippine holiday. A four (4) hour stay at the spa cost P550 (US$13.75) per person.

Authentic Turkish Shawarma

For authentic shawarma, the place to go is Bricks and Copper Restaurant at Zentrum Plaza along Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong. The place specializes in Turkish cuisine and their best seller is the pita doner more popularly known in the Philippines as shawarma.

The doner can either be beef or chicken stuffed in fresh pita bread and huge serving is filling and priced reasonably at P99 (US$2.45). You have a choice of two sauces, yogourt and salsa. I prefer the salsa for a more spicy flavor.

Abe's Farm: Countryside Dining

A good place to bring overseas visitors for true local ambiance and authentic kapampangan cooking is Abe's Farm located in town of Magalang in Pampanga. Magalang is a 30 to 45 minutes drive from the Angeles City exit of the NLEX.

Abe"s Farm is not only a restaurant. It also has accommodations, spa and massage services, and a swimming pool for people who like to stay for longer period to enjoy a quiet time in the country.

The food in Abe's Farm is good but not really great. The menu is the same as the one at the Abe's Restaurant in Trinoma in Quezon City and at the Serendra at Bonifacio Global City. But their Sinagang na Bangus Belly in guava broth is a stand out. If you are planning to go a weekend, best to reserve at least a week before. The place was full during the time that we went there.

Arguably the Best Pako Salad

Binulo Restaurant's Pako Salad (piddle head fern) is another good reason to dine at this restaurant located inside the Clark Air Field in Pampanga.

Mixed with tomatoes, boiled eggs, shrimp and peanuts and priced at a reasonable P140 (US$3.4) this is arguably the best pako salad that I have so far tasted. Definitely better than the one's served at 2 famous Pampanga restaurants, Aling Cely's (near Nepo Mart) and Everybodys Cafe (in San Fernando). But my brother says that the Pako Salad at Ugu Bigyan Garden Cafe in Quezon is even better. That one I have to try!

Tastiest Crunchiest Chicharon

By far the tastiest and crunchiest chicharon (crispy fried pork rinds) that I have tasted is the one served at Binulo Restaurant in Clark Air Base in Pampanga. This appetizer is named Pititian with Atchara. Priced at P200 (US$4.87)for a small bowl, the dish is definitely not cheap.

But you get what you pay for and this case you get a truly appetizing chicharon which should ideally be dipped in vinegar and then eaten with the atchara (pickled unripe papaya). My 90 year old mom loved this chicharon and in fact ordered one bowl which she consumed by herself in one sitting!