Where to go for Sunday dine-out

Like most families, ours sometimes finds it difficult to decide where to go for out Sunday dine-out. In the course of our job we have made a list of restaurants in various parts of Metro Manila and beyond. This has served us well in making our choice. Today we are sharing this list with our readers who might find it helpful.

The Alabang, Muntinlupa area is teeming with dining places offering different cuisines. There is Omakase at the Molito Mall, where we normally go for satisfying Japanese meals. The sushi and sashimi are always fresh. If a diner prefers fish instead of shrimp tempura, they will do it. Service is always efficient and gracious.

There is Con Gusto, a spin-off from Buon Giorno in Cliffhouse in Tagaytay. A must try is the risotto with salmon and asparagus. Super!

Farther into the Ayala Town Center is Bulgogi Brothers, which serves perfect thinly sliced grilled beef, very tender and flavorful. Or order their bibimbop, a steaming bowl of rice cooked with meat or seafood with vegetables, which can be shared.

There is Recipes on the second floor of Corte de las Palmas, serving traditional Filipino food, given the chef’s twist – crispy tilapia, gising-gising and dinuguan. And yes, if you fancy savory Spanish food, go to Alba for really good paella and cochinillo. Sometimes, you can charm the waiter to get you more skin from the cochinillo.

Over in Westgate is our favorite stop for comfort food, no matter what time of day – Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant. This is the tender and well-seasoned beef tapa with papaya achara, fried eggs and vinegar dip. Dessert is always a tall glass of mocha frappe. Bring home some of their pies.   

In the new Century City Mall in Makati is XO46, which combines history and culture via an audio-visual presentation, with regional Filipino food – kare-kare, sinigang na salmon sa mustasa or spicy squid.

Moving south, to Tagaytay,  have a steaming bowl of nilagang karne paired with other Filipino traditionals at Tootsie’s. In Lipa, Batangas go to Kusina Filipina and order the rare maliputo sinigang. There is nothing like this fish! But you have to pay the price.

In Cebu, have their traditional lechon at Pino restaurant, then go to Laguna Café for their lumpia and puto bumbong and suman latik.

This list is certainly not complete. Explore your respective areas. Maybe you will find more interesting dining places.

Have a delicious Sunday dine-out!

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