Comments on: Grilled Talakitok with Tomato & Mango Relish

by: Mon C

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 01:37:40 +0000

That’s another thing to like about this blog, very helpful people! I like the itinerary, MM. Including seaside market. It sounds good for balikbayans, too! Agree, a smart driver should make this trip a breeze. They might even try an after-dinner drive/stroll along Roxas Blvd.

by: gonzo

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:32:10 +0000

well he did say he wanted a glimpse of the tastes, colors, and aromas of ‘real’ philippine food, shopping and eating. It doesn’t get any more real than seaside market heh heh.

by: gonzo

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:24:21 +0000

Also, jeronimo, in Malate i tend to hang out (aside from Sala, one of my favorite restaurants in Manila and which is excellent, as MM says) at Casa Armas, which was owned by a good friend before he passed away (car accident in Spain).

The food is Spanish, or more accurately, Filipino-Spanish, not quite as good as restaurants in Spain but good enough for here in Asia. You can sit at the cozy, old bar and ask Domeng the bartender for a nice tall cuba libre while waiting for your food. One dish that is not quite spanish but is often ordered at Armas is the roast crab. You might want to try that.

Casa Armas is friendly, non-trendy, ‘old’ kind of place where the staff are also old and know you by name. I much prefer it for a pleasantly quiet rum&coke night rather than, say, the very modern Greenbelt area in Makati, where your hosts will probably take you.

by: Marketman

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:17:55 +0000

gonzo, I toyed with suggesting that but wondered if it might be too much of a local experience, but if it interests you Geronimo, I did do a post on Seaside Market early in this blog… best to get there at 11 am or so due to air frieght arrivals of fish from the Southern islands.

by: gonzo

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:10:57 +0000

hola Jeronimo, this is interesting, my daughter is now at Instituto Cervantes working on her Spanish in preparation for her last year of high school in Madrid. I was just at Cervantes last week. they have a brand-new very nice facility, very modern, with an old club, Casino Espanol, attached to it on the side. My family is also originally from malate. i could show you around but unfortunately i will be in thailand until 4 May.

One quick suggestion would be for you to go to the seafood market in Baclaran (the instituto cervantes people will know where), buy some seafood you like at the wet market there and have it cooked on the spot at any of a number of eateries at the back of the market. they will charge you a minimal cooking fee. just ask them for suggestions on methods of preparation for whatever you buy. you’ll get a true philippine eating experience there i think.