Ish Meets World

Ish, Leah, Marl and Kiting braved the late summer heat to explore the heart of Manila’s Chinatown a.k.a. Binondo. Everyone knows that when you’re in Binondo, it’s either a shopping spree or a FOOD TRIP! Check out which popular Binondo eateries were sampled alongside a quick documentation of a harrowing PNR train ride. Enjoy! 1.  Dong Bei Dumplings: I must say, the dumplings were fresh and cheap. They were good but I wouldn’t say that they were extraordinary. The best part about eating here is watching the ladies making the dumplings right by the door. Apart from the customary kuchay dumplings, the biggest hit in our group was the fried pancake. I think the crispy texture made it unique compared to the steamed dumplings that can be had elsewhere. The Xiao Long Bao was meh. It was bland for my taste and didn’t really stand out against the other items on the menu.  Dong Bei Dumplings Stuffed Fried Dumplings The food was satisfactory and very affordable. However, I think they nee...

While I support the purveyors of the unlimited rice movement, I must admit that I’m more interested in a different kind of free-flowing fare. Appetizer Buffet at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge Need I say more? The Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge at the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila offers an Aperitivo Buffet from Thursday to Saturday for only Php 899. The pre-dinner spread is inspired by the Italian aperitivo, a pre-dinner ritual meant to whet one’s appetite. Frankly though, after a few glasses of wine and a couple of hours indulging in this buffet, I’m not certain that dinner will be on your mind. Unlimited wine and beer plus an appetizer buffet with bread, cheese, cold cuts and salads. They served a crisp, white wine from Italy and a California red. I’m not a wine expert but I’ve tried enough labels to know that these were chosen well. They are clearly not full-bodied and heavy so they don’t weigh you down before dinner. On the other hand, these are fairly young wines that are meant to serve the purp...

The Poblacion area in Makati City, Philippines has transformed into a bustling haven for artsy hipsters. While the seedy girly bars are still around, the young, hip crowd is no longer deterred from checking out the surrounding more wholesome establishments. My latest discovery in the area is the ELEMENT BOUTIQUE HOTEL and RESTAURANT along Guerrero St, just off P. Burgos Ave.  Taking a cue from the more popular Z Hostel in the same area, Element offers accommodations for the traveller who is willing to go off the beaten path and away from the cookie cutter hotel chains. While the hotel is interesting in itself, I want to talk about the restaurant on the building’s ground floor. The entire property was built in 2016 and the restaurant forms as much of its identity as the hotel itself. Specializing in all-natural, sustainable and artisanal food, Element fits right into the profile of the new Poblacion crowd. My friends and I dropped by for afternoon drinks and an early dinner. Artisa...