Tomato Kick

Tomato Kick originated in Maginhawa street then expanded to Katipunan Extension. They’re basically known for being an “inuman” place but surprisingly, they serve amazing food. They serve pasta, steaks, pizza and sizzling plates. I highly recommend trying their Nachos and Seafood Salpicao. I’ve heard good stuff about their steaks too, but I have yet to try one. Their pizzas are also delicious but they’re served per person. They serve cheap beers, and other cheap appetizers.

The place looks great, and artsy, but the parking lots are nowhere to be found. The place is almost the same size as the one in Teacher’s village, and can easily accommodate 20-30 people. The service is not the same as the original Tomato Kick, it’s a bit slower, but since they’re only starting out, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. Overall, TK is a good place to chill with friends especially if you’re into OPM kind of music which they almost always play. I’ve heard that the owner of TK is actually from a band called Moonstar 88. Not sure though. Nevertheless, I recommend TK for those who are looking for midnight treats and a couple of beers.

Service: 3/5

Ambience: 4/5

Value for Money: 5/5

Quality of food: 4/5

Quantity of food: 4/5

Budget: 150-200 (depends if you’re ordering drinks)

Uncle Moe's

Uncle Moe’s is another Persian restaurant located in Ortigas. It’s also known for being an “inuman” place which also serves good Persian food. It’s not as cheap as Ababu and you don’t get the same bottomless drink that Ababu serves. But their food is a lot better. I recommend you try their kebab rice, and chicken rice. Their ox brain is a little too sour for my taste buds and I prefer Ababu’s ox brain. This place can really be packed especially on Fridays and Weekends. The place is really as simple as it gets, it has a smoking and non-smoking area. A good spot is the one at the back overlooking Julia Vargas. The beers are averagely priced, and the food costs around 150-200. It’s a good barkada place after work or school and has a chill and quiet feel to it.

Service: 4/5

Ambience: 4/5

Value for Money: 4/5

Quality of food: 4/5

Quantity of food: 4/5

Budget: 150-200 (depends if you’re ordering drinks)

Sandy's Pizza

Sandy’s Pizza is an up and coming Pizza Restaurant that can easily match Shakey’s, Yellowcab, and Pizza Hut. They serve great pizza, and a wide variety of flavors including Tocino pizza, Tuyo pizza, and other Filipino Favorites. What I recommend to you guys is their White Pizza, you can never go wrong with ordering this one. The downside of Sandy’s Pizza is that their crust can get “makunat” after some time. Even if you re-heat it with an oven-toaster, it will be a little harder to bite. Their pizzas are a little cheaper than most leading pizza chains. An 18” pizza would cost around 400-500 depending on which flavors you choose. You can select up to 4 different flavors which makes Sandy’s pizza a lot more customizable than other pizzas. Sandy’s Pizza is a good “deliver-to-home” type of food. Pizzas are really more enjoyable when watching something at home like a game, a movie, or something. Overall, I think Sandy’s pizza is the most budget friendly pizza out there while still keeping in mind the quality and taste.

Service: 4/5

Ambience: 4/5

Value for Money: 5/5

Quality of food: 4/5

Quantity of food: 5/5

Budget: 400-500 pesos (per 18” pizza)

Stone Grill

Stone Grill is a fine dining restaurant located in Eastwood. They serve the best Wagyu Steaks in the country! Although the steak is expensive, it would be great if you can try it at least once in your lifetime. The Steak is as soft as you can imagine it and once you’ve tried it, you wouldn’t want to try any other steak. A normal sized steak costs around 1800 pesos and can be shared between 2 people (considering the other one doesn’t eat as much). They also serve pasta, fish, and other fine dishes. For 1800 pesos, you get soup, vegetables, potatoes, other side dishes, and of course, your Wagyu Steak. The place looks really first class with all the dimly lighted lights, good interior decorations, and the service is really first class. Hands down, the best steak place in the country!

Service: 5/5

Ambience: 5/5

Value for Money: 5/5

Quality of food: 5/5

Quantity of food: 5/5

Budget: 1800-2500 pesos

Tong Yang

Tong Yang has a promo of letting you in for 400 pesos during lunch time. It’s a cook all you can, eat all you cook type of restaurant which serves A LOT of different food. They serve a lot of seafood, vegetables, pork, beef, chicken and the drinks are already included in the 400 pesos. They also serve desserts like halo halo, ice cream, cake, leche flan, etc. It really is worth is for 400 pesos. The only challenge is that you’ll have to cook your own food. Some people might not be able to maximize this since not all of us can cook. It’s good to have someone that knows how to cook on the table to guide you. They also serve unlimited beer, so if you want to stay there the whole day, sure. During non-promo periods, they usually charge you 600 pesos, which in my opinion is still worth it. They have the best Yang Chow fried rice by the way. The restaurant looks good and the only problem is the smoke that comes from the frying and from the soup. Can get a little crowded if all tables are taken.

Service: 5/5

Ambience: 5/5

Value for Money: 5/5

Quality of food: 4/5 (depends on your cooking)

Quantity of food: 5/5

Budget: 400-600 pesos

Don Henrico's

My friends and I usually drop by Don Henrico’s in Marcos Highway on their buffet nights. They serve buffets during Thursdays and Tuesdays for a little over 300 pesos. If you and your friends are looking for great buffalo wings, pizza, pasta, wedges, fried chicken, salad, etc. Don Henrico’s is the place to be. They quickly refill the buffet, serve bottomless drinks for an additional 50 pesos, and provide a good parking lot for the customers.

Before you drop by, make sure you have a lot of room in your stomach, avoid eating rice (although they serve good fried rice). Try mixing wedges with cheese and nachos, try different dressings on the salad. Overall, it’s a cheap buffet that can really fill you up. A couple of trip backs to the buffet table is only breakeven, try to eat a lot more.

Service: 4/5

Ambience: 4/5

Value for Money: 5/5

Quality of food: 4/5

Quantity of food: 5/5

Budget: 350 pesos

Ride and Roll

Ride and Roll is a diner and a drinking place as well. They serve Pizza, pasta, burger, rice meals, etc. But the best dish they serve is their Jalapeño cheese sticks. They have good prices for their food and the beer. It’s a very relaxing place if you’re looking for a chill day. They have bands during the weekends. I recommend trying their chicken burger, jalapeños, adobo flakes, etc. Ride and Roll is a known for being an “inuman” but then once you get to try their food, it’s amazing as well. If you’re looking for a little bad for the health food, you should also check out their Chicharong bulaklak (I recommend this one with rice, yes, rice.).

Ambience is good, with all the art works posted, parking lot is good, nice smoking area at the back. Overall, Ride and Roll is my favorite “inuman” especially those who are looking for a quiet place to chill with their friends.

Service: 4/5

Ambience: 4/5

Value for Money: 4/5

Quality of food: 4/5

Quantity of food: 3/5

Budget: 200-250 pesos (depends on the number of beer you drink)