Seafood 8 to Open at Gateway 2 Mall This August

Throughout his extensive global culinary career, Chef Oliver "Oli" Buenviaje, who lists Sorsogon, Bicol as his place of birth, has been associated with Michelin multi-starred seafood restaurants of impeccable quality and renown. So it comes as no surprise that his homecoming to the Philippines would entail the modernizing and upgrade of the ‘dampa’ dining concept. Set to open its doors in August 2026 at Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City; Seafood 8 by Olio’s promises to be game-changer, elevating how fresh seafood can be enjoyed in our dining landscape.

 

NEW RESTO ALERT: Juniper by Josh Boutwood

I haven't dined at a restaurant that I want to go back again the following day and it's not even our first choice.

Our dining experience at Juniper by Josh Boutwood was full of happy surprises. Choosing from the menu was a bit challenging though because everything sounds interesting.

NEW RESTO ALERT: London's Burger & Lobster at SM Aura

Global dining sensation Burger & Lobster makes its debut at SM Aura, the #HomeOfFirsts. This world-famous burger and lobster restaurant is prepared to give Manila's most discerning foodies a chance to indulge by redefining casual dining with premium ingredients.

NEW RESTO ALERT: Italy's Best- Rossopomodoro Opens at SM Mall of Asia

Rossopomodoro, Italy's largest Pizza chain opens its first-ever branch at SM Mall of Asia. Known for its freshly baked dough and slowly-simmered tomato sauce, Rossopomodoro offers not just a taste of authentic Neapolitan flavors but true Italian culinary craftmanship that includes traditional wood-fired pizza. 

TKGEats at Ki's Roasted Goose Restaurant in Causeway Bay

Gong Xi Fa Cai !!!

Posting my memorable experience at Ki's Roasted Goose Restaurant just in case you're planning to do a Hong Kong eats trip. ;)

8 Treasures Roasting

We didn't realize how much we're missing out until after we dined at 8 Treasures Roasting. 

To be honest, the Power Plant branch didn't have space for diners before so it was just for take-outs. We're not fond of take-outs so there's that. Then it happened, we decided to try it because we wanted to try something new in Power Plant and that's one of the place we haven't eaten yet and yes- we noticed that they do have tables and chairs. 

NEW RESTO ALERT: Chicken Fandian in Gateway 2 Mall

I've only been to Gateway 2 Mall once and my second time around has a lot of surprises for me, including Chicken Fandian.

NEW RESTO ALERT: Old Town White Coffee

Malaysia's popular Old Town White Coffee recently opened a branch in Circuit Makati and we got to taste favorites such as laksa and nasi lemak during our unplanned visit to the mall. 

NEW RESTO ALERT: Hain in Boracay

Aside from being one of the top beaches of the world, Boracay is also known for its diverse food and restaurant choices. And on that note, I'm happy to share that we discovered a newly opened restaurant called- Hain. 

TKGEats at Tonkatsu Yamabe Ueno

I've read reviews about Tonkatsu Yamabe prior to our trip to Tokyo but it was purely by chance that we got to dine at the Ueno branch. 

We just came from Ueno Park to see the sakura blossoms and we're looking for a nice place to have brunch. Alas, we're too early because most of the restaurants opens at 11AM. We did plan to dine at Sushizanmai but since it was still closed, we decided to go around Ameyoko market first to check shoes, bags, etc. Then my daughter was checking Google map and mentioned that the tonkatsu place that I have on my list is just nearby so we walked there to check the restaurant. It was still closed but there's only four diners in line. Hmmm.. what do you think happened next? It was 15 minutes before 11AM.

NEW RESTO ALERT: Chiringuito by Barcino

UPDATE: Chiringuito has rebranded to Barcino 

Our latest Boracay trip led to the newly opened Chiringuito by Barcino located at Station B. We were lucky to drop by on the first opening day, and even got to meet Chef Nicko. 

NEW RESTO ALERT: Giuseppe Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast

I love discovering new restaurants, moreso if it's a newly opened one. And Giuseppe Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast is just that. 

Guiseppe's is a popular restaurant in Bohol and Cebu, and has just opened a branch in Boracay. 

NEW RESTO ALERT: Sarsa Kitchen + Bar (re-opened)

We've been a fan of Sarsa since 2015 and we're happy when their branch in Rada Street, Makati re-opened. 

NEW RESTO ALERT: Marudori

Not another ramen place! 

There are more than enough great ramen place all over Metro Manila (and even the whole archipelago) but there's nothing like a specialty place like Marudori. Think chicken, chicken, and chicken. Yum!

Marudori is one of the restaurants that opened when almost the whole world was still in partial lockdown due to the pandemic. But it is easy to spot a good resto when you see it full of diners and a waiting line. 

NEW RESTO ALERT: HuChi Southeast Eats

UPDATE: This restaurant is now permanently closed at Power Plant Mall

Not really new but rather a rebranding of Phat Pho restaurant at the Powerplant Mall. Of course, there's a big difference on the menu list also. But I love HuChi.

If Phat Pho made me think about pho, HuChi makes me crave for Mango Sticky Rice. 

HuChi's Mango Sticky Rice is one of the best I've tasted here in Manila, and is comparable to the ones I ate in the streets of Bangkok. The best part, this is only P135. 

Panda Express Opens Its Doors at Don Antonio in Quezon City

Our favorite Panda Express will open its doors in Don Antonio, Brgy. Holy Spirit on February 14 to welcome diners in Quezon City. 

Located in Don Antonio, the latest Panda Express Delivery and Take-out store will focus solely on cooking and fulfilling online and take-out orders, providing more convenient access to guests across the most populous city. 

NEW RESTO ALERT: Liang Crispy Roll

If you're a fan of those scallion pancakes one often finds in night markets in China, Malaysia, Singapore or Taiwan, then you're in for a treat because the world famous Liang Crispy Roll is set to open on July 17, 2021 at the 4L of SM Aura Premier.

5 Cheese Melt (L) and Angus Beef Steak (R) 

NEW RESTO ALERT: Panda Express Goes To SM North Edsa

Panda Express, America's popular Asian dining concept goes north with the opening of its second store at SM North Edsa this coming February 12. Just in time to usher in the Chinese New Year!

NEW RESTO ALERT: Beeffalo by Hotrocks San Juan City

UPDATE: Resto is already closed. 

Beeffalo is not really a "new" restaurant find for me because I've been to the branches in Antipolo and Marikina. The restaurant is known for its steaks, ribs, pizza, taco salad, and a whole lot more. Food was quite good, served pipping hot. The only downside (for me, that is) is that the resto is too far from where I live.

NEW RESTO ALERT: Chef Laudico’s Feasts

words and photos by: Vance Madrid of Ang Takaw Ko blog. 

When celebrity power chefs Rolando Laudico and Jacqui Laudico thought of opening up restaurant in Pampanga, well meaning friends discouraged them to do so. It is common knowledge that Kapampangans are known to be the best cooks in the country as Pampanga is the food capital of the Philippines. You can contest the other claims, but even the country’s top chefs said so. Pampanga has a whole cornucopia of culinary delights, from colonial to folk to exotic. This gift can be traced back to their access to the friar’s kitchen, their land’s plentiful harvests and perhaps all the calamities they’ve been through have taught them to improvise. So one may wonder why the Laudico’s decided to open their latest restaurant called Chef Laudico’s Feast at SM City Clark. “We do not choose the place. It’s the place that chooses us,” explains Chef Lau.