Tunas

Bistro Remedios

Location: 1911 M. Adriatico St., Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Cuisine: Filipino

Hours: SUN-THU (11am-3pm, 6pm-11pm); FRI-SAT (12pm-3pm, 6pm-12am)

Phone: 2 523 9153

Prices: About $15 per person

Credit Cards: All major

Food: 9

Service: 9

Value: 8

Environment: 8

Frequency: Unique

Last year, we came to the Philippines partly for Edwin's wedding, but didn't really get to see him. He was busy before the date and then went off on his honeymoon immediately after. So I wanted to set this up to catch up with him and meet his new wife, Barbie.

It was also the first opportunity to get some good Filipino food. The area near my hotel is filled with chains, so it was good to get out and find something more authentic. Bistro Remedios was definitely the best meal of the trip so far. We most of the things I typically order at Filipino restaurants. The taste was just so much richer here.

Philippines Day 3

It was another event filled day with both sides of the family. There was lunch with my mother's side @ Gloria Maris... still the only OK Chinese restaurant I've been to in the Philippines. Immediately after that, we headed off to Makati to visit Auntie Luisa and family on my father's side. The we headed to Malate to meet Edwin and family on my mother's side. We had dinner at Bistro Remedios, which I will break out into a separate entry because it's a new restaurant for me.

Some quick stats for Gloria Maris:

Location: Greenhills Shopping Complex, San Juan, Metro Manila Philippines
Cuisine: Chinese, Dim Sum
Hours: MON-THU (11am-2pm, 6pm-11pm); FRI-SAT (10am-2pm, 5:30pm-12am)
Phone: 722-5508 to 10, 721-3504, 722-5760
Prices: About $30 per person
Credit Cards: All major

Food: 7
Service: 7
Value: 7
Environment: 7

Frequency: Common

Ifore & Jiselle (Reception)

Ifore & Jiselle (Video)

Ifore & Jiselle (Photos)

Philippines Day 1

Just escaping the first winter storm of the year, we arrived late Thursday night to make sure we had an extra day before the wedding in case there were any plane issues.

The first day of any Philippines trip is always filled with activity...

• Breakfast @ Elan Cafe
• Lunch @ Choi Garden
• Visit to Ifore's new apartment
• Dinner @ Buffet 101

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Jin Cheng Restaurant

Location: 142-38 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing, NY
Cuisine: Chinese
Prices: $10/person (dim sum)
Credit Cards: ???

Food: 7
Service: 8
Value: 8
Environment: 6

Frequency: Unique

Jin Cheng is right on the next block from my Dad's office, yet today was the first time we ate there. I've probably passed by it hundreds of times. So it's just odd that we never ate there before! It's probably the most convenient restaurant to go to. It's pretty comfortable for a weekday dim sum since it's away from the Roosevelt/Main St. intersection. The office workers on lunch break wouldn't make the effort to move past Union.

The dim sum didn't have the variety that competing restaurants do, but the taste was OK at least. Portions were average to large. Some thoughts...
- siu mai - tasted great, but poorly crafted. The meat kept sliding out of the skin
- shrimp dumplings - average
- pork ribs - poor... more fat than meat
- fish head - original and actually good... great sauce. I usually don't eat fish head.
- squid - average
- radish cake - very fresh

The only thing lacking in this restaurant was the environment. It's a little dirty with flies, which probably factored into the NYC "B" rating.