Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
can't miss it: look out for the mock Arthurian spires rising
above one of Quezon City's shantytowns. The rooms are like
a bad medieval dream with their imitation-silk sheets,
plastic-flower arrangements and chairs carved with Gothic
quatrefoils. There are suits of armour in the lobby, the
coffee shop is called the Winchester , and the bar the
Dungeon . Need a present for someon e special? l? Look no
further than Lady Guinevere's Gift Shop. P1390
Stonehouse B&B 1315 E. Rodriguez Snr Ave T 02 724
7551, W stonehouse.ph; map p.82. Cosy budget option
with cable TV, en-suite rooms and a tasty breakfast for
two. The nightly live jazz bands provide p lenty of f on-site
entertainment. Free wi-fi in café area only. P1180
1
QUEZON CITY
Hotel 878 Libis 878 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave T 02 709
0154, W hotel878libis.com; map pp.60-61. Fine mid-
range option, with 29 stylish doubles all with verandas,
cable TV and free wi-fi. The super-cool lo fts (P2 550) and
suites (P6400) are also worth considering. P1900
Hotel Rembrandt 26 Tomas Morato Ave Extension
T 02 373 3333, W hotelrembrandt.com.ph; map p.82.
Medium-sized, modern hotel with a/c rooms, a gymna-
sium, a cosy piano bar on the top floor with views of the
metr opolis a nd a branch of T.G.I. Friday's on the ground
floor. P2850
The New Camelot Hotel 35 Mother Ignacia Ave
T 02 373 2101, W camelothotel.com.ph; map p.82. You
EATING
Eating in Manila is a real treat; there's a full range of international and Filipino cuisine on offer, and budget eats available
on every street corner and in every mall in the form of vast food courts (see box, p.90). Filipinos are big fans of fast-food
franchises, with national chains such as Jollibee , Chowking , Mang Inasal (with unlimited rice) and Max's (for fried chicken)
dotted all over the city. You should also pay a visit to one of the ubiquitous Goldilocks ( W padala.goldilocks.com.ph) stores,
purveyors of the best polvoron (peanut candy) and cakes since 1966.
with corned beef or carabao cheese makes an excellent and
very affordable snack, and their pesto is home-made and
organic. Mains P280-450. Daily 8am-7pm.
Patio de Conchita 681 Beaterio St T 02 311 5417;
map p.63. This great find is off the beaten path but an
excellent place to have lunch. Food is served buffet style,
with a range of top-notch Filipino dishes; try the sinigang
na baboy (sour soup with pork) and freshly barbecued
squid from P120. Mon-Sat 9am-3pm & 6-11pm.
INTRAMUROS AND RIZAL PARK
The old walled city of Intramuros doesn't have many
restaurants, but those it does have are mostly in old
colonial buildings and are significantly more atmospheric
than anything beyond the walls. For cheap eats, try the
stalls (plates from P50) just within the walls on the eastern
edge of Intramuros, or in nearby San Francisco St, in an
area known as Puerta Isabel II.
Barbara's Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna St
T 02 527 4086, W barbarasheritagerestaurant.com;
map p.63. Elegant dining in a colonial setting, with woody
interiors and rich Filipino and Spanish food pioneered by
founder Barbara de los Reyes in the 1970s. Best known for
its touristy buffets (around P245 for lunch; P710 for dinner)
and the Kultura Filipina traditional music and dance show
from 7.15pm. A la carte dishes average P250-400. Daily
11am-2pm & 6.30-9pm.
ERMITA AND MALATE
Almost everyone who dines out in Ermita and Malate does
so either in one of the big hotels or in the area around
J. Nakpil Street and Remedios Circle, where most of the
restaurants are small, intimate and not owned by big
corporations. Bear in mind that J. Nakpil is a fickle, faddish
area, and restaurants come and go.
Ang Bistro Sa Remedios 1911 M. Adriatico St, just off
Remedios Circle T 02 523 9153; map p.69. Informal and
homey little restaurant with pretty Filipiniana interior
and charming staff. The food is exclusively Filipino, with
cholesterol-filled fried pig's knuckles, beefy stews and
hefty chunks of roast pork. There's also good fish and
prawns, but not a great deal for vegetarians, although
pineapple fried rice is on the menu (average meals P300).
Mon-Fri 11am-3pm & 6-11pm, Sat & Sun 11am-3pm
& 6pm-midnight.
Ilustrado 744 General Luna St at the back of
Silahis Center, facing Cabildo St T 02 527 3674,
W ilustradorestaurant.com.ph; map p.63. Nothing
compares to Ilustrado if you are looking for the ambience
of colonial Manila. The floors are polished wood, the tables
are set with starched linen, ceiling fans whirr quietly and
the cuisine is grand. Signature dishes include paella,
creamy bagnet (deep-fried pork) and tender lengua con
setas (ox tongue with brown sauce). Mains P450-850.
Mon-Sat 11.30am-3pm & 6-10pm.
Kuatro Kantos 744 General Luna St T 02 527 2345;
map p.63. This charming little bar and café in the same old
building (with same owners) as Ilustrado opens for break-
fast - perfect for a good cup of coffee or a bite to eat while
you're wandering around Intramuros. The hot pan de sal
Aristocrat 432 San Andres St, facing Roxas Blvd T 02
524 7671, W aristocrat.com.ph; map p.69. Established
out of an old van in 1936, Aristocrat is an institution among
Filipinos for its justly lauded barbecued chicken (P195) and
pork (P175), as well as the whole spread of Filipino comfort
 
 
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