How to Enjoy Philippine Restaurants More

Posted on December 12th, 2007 in Restaurants by Philippines Insider - Kim

Stiff competition among Philipiine restaurants is healthy. It gives us more options on places, styles, and offered features or amenities. If stiff competition comes to sharp rivalry the more options we have as customers and the more we can get out of restaurants as customers.

Check out a good restaurant and regularly dine there. Philippine business culture values patrons or “suki” so much. “Suki” are people often seen patronizing a business, in this case, a restaurant. They are precious to the proprietor and operators. They’re given special treatment, and sometimes, special offers or discounts even. So the thing is to make sure one’s presence is always acknowledged. In short, make sure to “make a scene,” a pleasant one, each visit to a chosen Philippine restaurant.

Recognition should take place after 3 to 4 visits. Restaurant employees and staffs take notice and try to remember a regular customer by face. It’s up to the customer to introduce oneself casually by name. Talk to the waiters serving, throw in a pleasant joke or two (waiters always patronize customer’s jokes), and give positive compliments now and then.

Soon, the restaurant manager is informed about the new “friendly” customer and a casual “chance” meeting may be extended by him. Now the “enjoying the restaurant more” comes in. Many Philippine restaurants offer freebies to customers. The freebies can often be increased when it’s a friendly patron making the request. Table reservation is much easier and one can be assured that it will be one of the best tables with the best scenery around—or most adjacent one to the buffet counter.

Parking space is also not a problem. Mr. Friendly Patron can always ask favors from the guard for a suitable parking space or keep an eye at the car while dining is in progress. Parking favors may even be had even if a patron isn’t dining. There are Philippine restaurants that give surprises to patrons by way of free cakes or delicacies, or a free course on the house. Some restaurants keep record of patrons’ birthdays and other special days. A patron can even strike special deals from a restaurant regarding discounts on business activities, like seminars or conferences—or even a sponsorship.

It pays to patronize a Philippine restaurant. Give the right tips and compliments and rewards are bound to be reaped afterwards. And on becoming a recognized patron, one is bound to discover the many ways on how to enjoy the Philippine restaurant more.

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Much Ado About Eating in the Philippines

Posted on December 11th, 2007 in Restaurants by Philippines Insider - Kim

It is often wondered how relatively tiny people like the Filipinos could eat as often as 11 times a day. Filipinos love to eat- from their homemade cuisines to European dishes to American fast foods.

In Metro Manila one can find almost any dish one is craving for at any moment. Among the melting pots include Tomas Morato, Greenbelt, The Fort and Malate. Restaurants can also be found in the huge shopping malls in the Metro.

There’s Cafe Breton if one is looking for French crepes. This restaurant definitely gives a twist to the usual. Have your crepe as a main dish with meat and vegetables or as a dessert with fresh fruits and luscious chocolate syrup. Their servings are always filling and leave one satisfied because of their affordability

Filipinos are also very fond of pasta and pizza- the reason why these are always available whether in fast foods or in casual dining restaurants. Sbarro serves huge helpings of their rich and more-often-than-not creamy pizza and pasta. Their Baked Ziti is a definite must-try. Sbarro’s white cheese and Chicago deep dish pizza give a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

For casual dining pasta, Cibo is the place to go. Their versions are milder, allowing one to have the distinct taste of the pasta itself. The Old Spaghetti House is a must-try, too. A wide variety of pasta that’s affordable, TOSH allows anyone to have a taste of Italy. They even have fun desserts like Spaghetti with Meatballs, which is actually vanilla ice cream with strawberry syrup topped with maltesers -yum! TOSH also serves the best cheesecake in town-imported from the New York Cheesecake Factory.

Feeling Japanese? Teriyaki Boy serves you Japanese with a Filipino twist. House specialty Chicken Teriyaki just gives enough sweet taste without overpowering the juicy chicken meat. One may also order rice (Filipino staple food) with it or, if he wishes so, with Shrimp Tempura!

The best noodles in town can be found in Gloria Maris. Theirs are moist enough for its freshness to be savored and there’s also enough meat and vegetables if one is not that much into carbo-loading.

Seafood galore is found at Fish & Company. With their House specialty Fish & Chips and seafood pasta served in portions enough for 2 persons- this restaurant is definitely a haven for seafood lovers.

And of course, what’s the Philippines without Filipino food? Jerry’s Grill and Dencio’s are the answers to these. Tourists can experience classic and even exotic Filipino food in these restaurants. Grilled, fried, steamed, sautéed, and sizzling- however you like it, these restaurants have it.

The list can go on and on. One thing’s for sure though, there’s always a restaurant in the Philippines to satisfy your craving.

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Hands-on Philippine Restaurants

Posted on December 10th, 2007 in Restaurants by Philippines Insider - Kim

Aside from serving gourmet Filipino dishes and sweets galore, a Philippine restaurant style encourages patrons to devour buffet cuisines using bare (washed) hands, instead of the traditional spoon and fork dining. These Philippine restaurants are imbued with traditional supping style and native dishes plus an ambience that is nothing short of traditional Filipino elegant dining.

It started in 1977 when Kamayan conceptualized a native restaurant that would catapult Filipino native bare-hand eating style to national renown. Since then, other bare-hand concept Philippine restaurants followed suit. And Philippine restaurant trends have never been the same again. Later, eat-all-you-can concepts were added. Bare-hand Philippine restaurants provided facilities for classy washing of hands (elegant bowl-like basin and faucet) at food counters, waiters in barong and saya, and festive singing of native songs.

Spoons and forks were available but clients were lured into folding up their sleeves and using bare hands for eating, in a style not far from the way natives dine on bamboo tables and stools with one foot resting on the seat. Accordingly, bare-hand eating cultivated appetite for native dishes, and vice versa—wise native restaurant marketing strategy.

Today, bare-hand or hands-on Philippine restaurant specializes in native cuisines ranging from Tagalog roasted pigs to Pampanga native sausages and Ilocano vegetable dishes to Visayan Arros Valenciana, among others. There is also seafood galore featuring an array of diverse deep sea and cultured fish and seashell varieties, seaweeds, crabs, oysters, and varied aromatic fish flake crispies topped with fresh eggs on sizzling metal plates. Some bare-hand Philippine restaurants use porcelain dishes but several others use weaved native platters or wooden plates topped with banana leaves. A plethora of colorful native fruits are set on a separate counter disguised as a native hut. Here, native sweets and delicacies are also available.

Gradually hands-on Philippine restaurants also incorporated the concept of a self-service ice cream stand or parlor or nook, stocked with delectable native ice cream flavors. This stand (which later quickly evolved into a common street kids’ ice cream cart) is placed near the fruits and delicacies stand for a more imaginative concoction of both. Hands-on Philippine restaurants are also famous for mixing native fruit drinks with a twist of Asian and tropical brews. Among these are fruit extracts and green tea shakes and other refreshing blends of fruit beverages.

An alternative dining style is a luscious meal of native dishes eaten bare-handed. Philippine restaurants with this dining concept capitalize on the unique and more appetizing lure of this feasting fashion.

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Golden Cowrie Restaurant Cebu

Posted on December 9th, 2007 in Restaurants by Philippines Insider - Kim

Nobody can resist good food. Nobody can resist good accommodations. Also, nobody can resist good people to serve you. And we are very sure you can’t resist Golden Cowrie Restaurant in Cebu. Additionally we bet you will not resist coming back and eating in Golden Cowrie Restaurant again once you have tasted its sumptuous and mouth-watering dishes.

Golden Cowrie Restaurant is the must-eat place when you are in Cebu. Also, do not think that because of the delicious dishes it serves, it is an expensive place. Delicious foods and affordable prices are definitely partners when you eat with us. You can surely bring everyone along because everybody can afford our food prices. Make your stomachs full without making your pockets empty.

Get the best Filipino dishes served before you with our rich flavors. Bring your friends and family and your money will never be burned because of the low prices of the foods. You can even celebrate your birthday by giving your loved ones a treat. Or you can have a date with a special someone without having to spend too much money.

Savor two of Golden Cowrie Restaurant’s specialties, the Tahong and the Adobong Kangkong. Fill your stomach with other delicious foods on the menu such as Dinuguan, Crispy Pata, and Tuna Fingers.

The over-all Filipino feel does not stop with the food. In Golden Cowrie Restaurant, the ambiance is also very Filipino. There are paintings centered on the native life which decorated the restaurant.

Because of the popularity it gets from customers not only in Cebu, but also the whole country, Golden Cowrie Restaurant has two braches. One in Salinas Drive in Lahug and SM Lower Ground Floor in Cebu.

The people are friendly and they make sure that the guests are served really well. In Golden Cowrie Restaurant, everybody smiles. Guests cannot help but smile because of the delicious food they eat and the waiters and waitresses are all smiles serving the guests and giving them satisfaction. We always make sure that the guests eat their foods in a good mood.

The customers of Golden Cowrie Restaurant are not only Filipinos. There are also a lot of foreigner guests that enjoy its food. There are Korean, Chinese and American tourists who stop by while they are in Cebu. They experience one of the best restaurants in Cebu.

Visit and eat at Golden Cowrie Restaurant and you will surely have all the smiles.

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Mouthwatering Food at Italiani’s Restaurant

Posted on July 17th, 2007 in Restaurants by Philippines Insider - Kim

By just looking at the pictures on the menu your mouth will begin to water. It even has a teaser tempting you to take a fork and stick it in the menu for a bite. You definitely can’t do that, but the mere picture alone is enough to make one really hungry. That’s what you get when you visit the Italiani’s Restaurant.

When you walk at the front door, you can’t help but breathe the aroma of fresh ingredients. You can just imagine yourself as one of those old Looney Tunes cartoons where you see cartoon characters floating in mid-air at the smell of food. The Italiani’s Restaurant does have that effect.

Let’s sample the restaurant’s menu shall we? On top of the list is a garlic tuscan bread topped with marinated Roma Tomatoes, pesto sauce and Asiago cheese. That’s called the Toasted Bruschetta, sounds yummy.

Italiani’s branches are all over Metro Manila. Check out the different Italiani’s branches whenever you’re around. They have a branch in Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City at the Corte De Las Palmas. There’s also an Italiani’s at Gateway Drive, Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

If ever you’re in the business district of Makati, you’ll find an Italiani’s Restaurant in Glorietta 4, Level 2, or at the Greenbelt 2. There’s an Italiani’s at Connecticut Carpark at the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan, Metro Manila.

If you’re in the business area of Eastwood, just head on to the One Luna Style Center at the Felina Park Place in Libis, Quezon City. There’s an Italiani’s Restaurant in Parañaque City on Doña Soledad Avenue. And they also have an Italiani’s at the ever-popular SM Megamall in Manila.

The Italiani’s menu has a wide variety of dishes to tease your eyes and delight your palette. If you’re into veggies try the delectable Grilled Eggplant Parmagiana. Its grilled aubregine topped with marinara cream sauce (really spicy!) with parmesan and mozarella.

Seafood, anyone? Try the Fried Calamari, this is lightly breaded fried squid, served with marinara sauce. Or you may want to sample the Mussels Lombardi. These are mussels simmered in white wine, topped by garlic, oregano, and parsley in olive oil.

Italiani’s will not be Italiani’s without the ever-popular Italian food. Included in our foray, we’ll find Margherita, Pepperoni, Quattro Formaggio, Smoked Salmon, and the Classic Italiani’s Pizza. Add Linguine, Fettuccine, Lasagna ala Ravina, Seafood Cioppino, Ravioli into the Italiani’s entourage.

However you look at it, Italiani’s is a great restaurant to take your friends and family for a really great dinner. The many choices among the gourmet dishes in the menu are as wide as your appetite.

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