Mystery Critic

Philippines - True Multiculturalism At Work!

Imelda Marcos said it the BEST: "The Philippines is in a strategic position. It is both East and West, right and left, rich and poor. We are neither here nor there."

The multiethnic melting pot is most evident in the food that an average Filipino - not an expat or a mixed race guy - eats every day. He will wake up and have a pandesal ("salty roll in Spanish") for breakfast, some pancit canton and siopao for lunch (chinese), an empanada (spanish again) for snack, and finish the day with homemade goat curry (malay maybe?), a grilled tilapia with pickled green mango (definitely native) and lots of rice. Evening snacks? It's got to be New York-style pizza or KFC (thanks to the yankee!). And the Filipino guy will proudly tell you "yes, these are all Filipino food!"

Although I try to have Filipino or Asian food most of the time, it is still tempting to try all sorts of international cuisines that are represented here. I must say that I've been to very few, if any, countries where you can find so many high-quality authentic ethnic restaurants, so if you are in town you must take advantage of it. Bien aproveche!

American

Burgoo

Highland Steakhouse

Chinese

Gloria Maris (esp, the one in Greenhills Shopping Plaza)

Choi Garden

European (Non-Italian)

Aubergine [French]

Cyma [Greek]

Le Souffle or Chef Jessie now [French]

Italian

Cibo