My city on a plate: Sharlene Tan, 29

“I do almost everything food related,” says Sharlene Tan, 29, a resident of New Manila, Quezon City. Apart from writing about food, Sharlene also styles and recently just opened a restaurant along with some partners. “I also eat my way around the world to get culinary inspiration.” Below are some of her go-to’s in her New Manila area.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR LOCALE: Aside from the fact that I stay close to my relatives and friends by living here, I like that the neighborhood is relatively peaceful and quiet, since it’s not as commercial as other areas. Staying inside a subdivision allows me to actually walk to the houses of my relatives or wake up early in the morning to have a quick jog before heading off to work without worrying so much about my safety. Also, staying here for almost 15 years now, I have gotten so used to everything in the area, that it makes my life extra convenient. I easily know where to go for groceries, who to call for delivery when I’m hungry or how much time I should allot to make it to the next mass in the nearby Mt Carmel Church on Sundays.

BRUNCH: The Clubhouse (Upper ground level, Robinsons Magnolia. Tel. No. +63 2 4425571). I don’t want to sound biased here, (full disclosure: I own The Clubhouse along with my sister and some old friends), but breakfast is one of the reasons why we set it up. We were looking for a place to get good breakfast and comfort food when the craving hits. You must try the Tuyo Rice Bowl, the Vigan Longganisa Hash and the Eggs Atlantic to start your mornings. Our Mushroom Soup and Velvety Tomato Soup, which we prepare fresh daily are also popular meal-starters. About PHP300-PHP400

LUNCH: Depending on what I want to have for lunch, I actually have so many places to go to around the area. The original JT’s Manukan (Granada street. Tel. No. +63 2 7219025) is a must! For me, nothing beats the original branch and eating chicken paa or pecho, fresh off the grill. Pair it with their garlic rice and chicken oil to complete your Inasal experience. About PHP100.00-PHP150.00 Another place I frequent is The Big Little Store along Gilmore St. I can never turn back on my Chinese roots and their fresh lumpia and tofu teriyaki are my favorites. About PHP100.00.

On days when I prefer something healthier, there’s Zigla (food court, Robinsons Magnolia. Tel. No. +63 943 8416764) where I get a bottle of their juice blends (Green is my personal fave) with the 300-calorie E.C. Salmon paired with high fiber gluten free black rice or the Quinoa Feta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette. About P400.00 Also at Robinson’s Magnolia, I head to Yabu (food court, Robinsons Magnolia. Tel. No. +63 2 9614975) for a really good tonkatsu set or bowl of katsudon, or sometimes even just for their potato salad and seaweed salad appetizer which I absolutely love! About P400-P500

In the nearby Greenhills Town Center is Ha Yuan Signatures (Tel. No. +63 2 5475557), a branch of the popular Chinese chain I grew up eating in. I like their Maki-Mi, Lumpia, Cuapao and Taho. About PHP100-PHP150

DINNER: Dinners are usually more special because that’s when I meet up with friends or unwind after a crazy day. When we don’t meet up at The Clubhouse, we patronize Pasteleria La Terraza (3/F Robinsons Magnolia. Tel. No. +63 2 9615080) for really good pasta and pizza. I always start the meal with their Spinacci Trifolate paired with their complimentary bread (which they also serve with chicken liver pate and tomato salsa!). It’s so rich and fattening but it’s really good. About PHP400–PHP500

For a really special dinner, Lemuria in Horseshoe village (1100 Quezon City. Tel. No. +63 2 724 5211) is a gem. You have to call ahead for reservations to get one of their special set menus. I like the Feta and Watermelon Salad, Fish Barramundi and the Duck Leg Confit. About PHP1500. Driving to the nearby Tomas Morato area, I like Uno Restaurant (195 C. Tomas Morato Avenue, QC. Tel. No. +63 2 3740774) for the Lavosh, Warm Arugula Salad and Roasted Sea Bream; and Buenisimo by Café Ysabel (Eastwood Mall, Orchard Road, Libis, QC. Tel. No. +63 2 709 2136) for the Silk Road Salad, Chorizo and Cheese Croquettes, Menudo Sulipena and Pizzas. About PHP500.

COFFEE: I’m glad that Craft Coffee Revolution (66 Broadway Ave., QC. Tel. No. + 63 2 5703436) is nearby. The owners take their brews seriously and coffee lovers have travelled all the way to New Manila just to try it out. The scent of freshly brewed coffee can give you a high upon entering — a perfect way to start your mornings. About PHP100-PHP150.

DRINKS: When my friends and I want to unwind, we usually meet up at The Clubhouse or they head over to my house for some wine and beer. When we do want to head out, we drive to nearby San Juan and stay at Moksha Restaurant and Bar (713 J. Abad Santos, San Juan. Tel. No. +63 2 7238314) or Melting Pot Kitchen and Bar (103 J. Abad Santos, San Juan. Tel. No. +63 917 5501191) in Abad Santos. The former is very popular among people living around the neighborhood where they serve the basics – beers, cocktails, and hard drinks in a dimly lit but very homey environment. The latter, which newly opened in the area is fast gaining popularity. Though it tends to get full especially on weekends, the pizzas are extra special because they are made with Italian flour and their spicy BBQ ribs and strawberry spiced wings are really good paired with any of the local and imported beers in their menu. Damage: about PHP250-PHP350.



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