Makan Makan (Manila Ocean Park)

Beloved and I had dinner last night at Makan Makan. We went here after our visit to Manila Ocean Park, which is fitting because the place is found in it. Since the choice of places were limited, we decided to eat here since we were pretty hungry after touring the oceanarium and Antarctica exhibit. And it's pretty hard to miss because you will have to pass by here, either in it or just outside it, to get out of the park itself from the said exhibits.

This Asian restaurant features stalls that act as the kitchen. The stalls were separated by the type of dish and country of origin, ranging from Malaysian or Singaporean to Thai to Filipino to Chinese. However, you don't visit the stalls themselves—this is a sit-down restaurant with a menu that contains dishes from said countries. From the outside, it looked pretty intimidating, especially with the choice of furniture and the well-groomed service crew. However, we found out that their prices were pretty much comparable, maybe a bit more expensive, to most Asian restaurants we've been to.

Since this was an Asian resto, the trend is having dishes good for at least two. Knowing that, we decided to order their Tom Yam Soup (300 Php) from Thailand, their Crabmeat Fried Rice (275 Php) and Cheung Fun Shrimp (120 Php) from China, and their Chicken Satay (150 Php) from Singapore.

Banana Leaf (Trinoma)

Beloved and I had our first 2012 food adventure at Trinoma's Banana Leaf. I've actually eaten at this Thai-Malay restaurant before with a couple of friends, but didn't manage to chronicle that particular time. And since that was a pretty decent experience, we weren't afraid of trying it out, despite knowing little of Thai cuisine. Anyway, this place is sort of special for a couple of things. First, each order is good for two to three people, making this a family-friendly restaurant. Second, their plates are substituted with banana leaves, hence the name, and further making sharing a must. While there were only two of us, we decided that Beloved takes home any leftovers that we expected to have.

I loved what I ordered the last time, so we made sure to get it—their Phad Thai - Banana Leaf Style (188 Php). I also wanted to order the flat bread we had the last time, but I forgot what it's called. And since Beloved found an item that looked very appetizing in the picture, we decided to go for that instead: their Deep Fried Cod Fish with Malayan Seafood Curry (388 Php). We also got their Royal Thai Style Deep Fried Beancurd with Crabmeat (168 Php) because it sounded good to me. Finally, for our drinks, Beloved had their Iced Hong Kong Milk Tea (68 Php) and I ordered their Thai Iced Tea (68 Php), because I know that Beloved would like to be able to taste different kinds of milk tea, especially after our adventure at Sentosa. The servers were a bit surprised we didn't order rice, but I was certain we would have leftovers from what we already ordered.

Sentosa (Tomas Morato)

Beloved and I had dinner at Sentosa last night. This Singaporean-Chinese restaurant is among the newer ones in Tomas Morato, albeit this one has been here awhile. Still, I think it's not yet been a year since its opening. Anyway, what kept us from eating here are a couple of things: first, we don't know what to expect from a Singaporean restaurant, this being the first one we've to try; and, second, their windows consist of different fish tanks where they keep their fresh seafood, and we have no idea how many people are eating inside without taking a peek at the door to find out if people actually eat here. For some unknown reason, we did finally eat here last night, and what follows is the experience.

I was sort of pleased to find out we weren't the only customers there. And when we did go in, many other tables followed suit. As expected, their dishes consists of many Chinese and Southeast Asian food, ranging from the Thai, Malay, Lao, and a couple of pure Singaporean dishes. To be honest, aside from Thai food, I have little knowledge and experience of other Southeast Asian cuisine, which might sound weird coming from a Southeast Asian blogger. Their prices are a bit higher than the usual Chinese restaurants I've been to, but only by a nudge.

Since we wanted to try out "real" Singaporean food, we got a couple of what we know, or at least heard, of. Beloved ordered their Singaporean Laksa Noodle Soup (230 Php) and I got their Hainanese Chicken Rice (220 Php). We also got a couple of dimsum: Crystal Prawn Hakao (95 Php) and Siao Long Pao (125 Php). Finally, our drinks consisted of Thai Iced Tea (90 Php) for me and Chrysanthemum Iced Tea (85 Php) for Beloved, the latter being bottomless. We wait for our orders with complementary peanuts.

Little Asia (Tomas Morato)

Yesterday was Beloved's birthday. To celebrate, we were supposed to have dinner at Chili's Tomas Morato to take advantage of their 120Php burger promo. Sadly the place was packed with people when we got there. Knowing that we'd wait for hours to be served, we decided to settle for Little Asia.

Beloved and her family frequents this place a lot, perhaps being one of their most favorite places. The prices are fair and the servings decent. As for their specialty, well, it's pretty much everything Asian... with a twist. However, this is no Asian Twist—they serve a la carte good for 3-4, according to Beloved. Since it's her birthday, we ordered a couple of stuff that she wanted, and a couple that we fancied. We got their Crispy Shrimps (215 Php), Lengua in Mushroom White Sauce (325 Php), Garlic Spinach (215 Php), and Chicken Wrapped in Bacon (275 Php). We also had their Salted Fish Fried Rice (245 Php) that beloved recommended us to get.

Santorini (UST)

Every other friday night, me and my blockmates eat at Santorini because it is the only time we get to bond due to thesis. We went there again for merienda last friday to celebrate Bebs' birthday. Santorini is a Korean restaurant located at P. Noval (beside Jon Clark Cafe) which is loved by CFAD and UST students alike. They have posters of different K-pop groups; a tv that only shows korean shows and music videos; plus a bulletin board where you can post your thoughts and fanart.

I ordered their Bibim guksu noodles (150php) and Chamchii (100php) to share with my blockmates. Ivy ordered Korean pancake (100php) while Dustin ordered their Sogogi (100php). We ordered their Magnolia fruit drinks for (10php) each, plus they have free water. They also serve kimchi for free while waiting.