Want to impress your date without blowing half that paycheck or an entire month’s allowance? Forget all the stuffy and overpriced restaurants that leave you craving for some drive-thru in the middle of the night. Check out these cozy nooks in Makati for the perfect cheapskate food date!
By Kristine Caguiat
Som’s Noodle House
For user reviews on this establishment click here
In the mood for affordable Thai cuisine? For the ultimate hawker-mode in eating out, head on over to Som’s noodle house just off Kalayaan Ave. near Bel Air 2 and 3. Some may argue that this little nook serves dishes more sweet than the traditional spicy Thai taste, but with the number of patrons Som’s has, restaurant will not be dying down any time soon. Choose to eat in their revamped air-conditioned area, or enjoy authentic street style and dine under their many Coca-Cola umbrellas outside.
Must-try: Som’s milk tea, bagoong rice, and green-curried beef
How much to bring: PHP 200
For Filipino comfort food, 8065 Bagnet is the place to be. Nestled in the middle of San Antonio village, the homey restaurant serves everything from curry to ensaladang talong. Doodle some graffiti on the wall and feel at home, or join their quiz night with your barkada and have loads of fun!
Must-try: Bagnet, kare-kare, and spicy ginataan
How much to
bring: PHP 200
A cozy little Vietnamese restaurant along one of Legaspi’s tree-lined streets, Ba Noi’s delivers authentic Vietnamese cuisine for an affordable price. Try eating their dishes the right way, by mixing everything on your plate into one, big bite. Pork chop, cucumber, carrots, and lettuce with spiced chicken in a mouthful add up perfectly with their fragrant steamed rice.
Must-try: gu nuong: grilled lemongrass chicken, and super-fresh
spring rolls!
How much to bring: PHP 300
Seryna
For user reviews on this establishment click here
Still considered one of Makati’s best Japanese restaurants, (you can tell by the number of Japanese customers throughout the day) Seryna never falls short of delivering perfect Japanese cuisine: from the presentation to the taste, every moment is savored at this little nook. Order one of their set lunch menus, which all fall under PHP 400, and you’ll be full to the brim!
Must-try: any of the bento box meals!
How much to bring: PHP 400
Burgers are all sorts of awesome, and Wingman delivers just that, with everything else in between. American-style diner food with a local twist, this little restaurant at The Collective is drawing attention for its delicious menu, plus the added ambience of its surroundings. After browsing through some art and trying on one-of-a-kind clothes, grab a bite here to satisfy your belly!
Must-try: apocalyptic buffalo chicken wings, deep-fried snickers bar
and the chimichurri burger.
How much to bring: PHP 300
Wabi Sabi Noodle House & Vegetarian Café
On a diet? Yet another goldmine at The Collective, Wabi Sabi is not only cute, it also caters to all you calorie counters out there. With absolutely no meat on their menu, the vegetarian options at this little noodle house are almost endless.
Must-try: Wabi Sabi pot stickers
How much to bring: PHP 200
Le Coude Rouge at Alliance Française de Manille
Not all French food has to be expensive, and where else to find authentic cuisine but in Alliance Française itself. The café at the cultural institution offers an unbelievably affordable menu of dishes, which are guaranteed to be 100% French (yes, the cheese in their sandwiches is Brie). Open from 3 - 6:30pm, drop by for a satisfying bite before heading home.
Must-try: assiette gourmande salad, croque monsieur sandwich and
crêpe au chocolat
How much to bring: PHP 200
Want to impress your date after a good meal at Wingman or Wabi sabi? Check out our feature on The Collective here and give your date a guided tour!
Xavier Gonzalez says:
All you have to do is click on the resto's name and a tab will open to its respective directory listing on eyp.ph (September 22, 2010)