Some fresh bread and quiche, as well as Himalayan salt, wheat grass and colloidal silver for the week ahead.
We head to the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila, which is a delight for its impressive collection of artistic, archaeological, ethnographic and natural historical treasures. On the days, we visit the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, which has a precious collection of Philippines pre-colonial gold and pottery, or the fineart collection and contemporary art exhibits at the Central Bank of the Philippines . Intramuros, also called the Walled City, was built by Spanish colonizer in 1590. It houses the beautiful and awesome San Agustine Church and museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Casa Manila a colonial mansion turned museum showcasing Philippines decorative arts and Ford Santiago, a shines to the country national hero Jose Rizal.
We like to eat at Bistro Remedios or Cafe Adriatico in Malate, or President Tea House in Chinatown where we order the dim sum, streamed fish and lechon Macau. These restaurants are special because they serve consistently good Asian and Filipino comport food. They also have an atmosphere that's similar to turn of the century homes in Old Manila , which we known all the waiters since we're regulars.
At Bistro Remedios, we have the sinuteng baby pusit in olive oil, the crispy pata for a quick cholesterol fix and the coconut milk laden gising-gising vegetable dish. The Kare-kareng oxtail is also hard to resist, especially with a piniritong hito with mustasa and burong hipon as condiments. At cafe adriatico, we love the lengua, spare-ribs adobo rice and embutido.
If we happen to visit later in the night, we always go for the omelets or the arroz caldo with tokwa't baboy. The toffee sans rival is also absolutely to die for.
We usually pop by Silahis Art & Artifacts on General Luna Street for ethnic crafts, textiles and other unique curiosities. There are other interesting places in Ermita like Hiraya Gallery on United Nation Avenue and Casa Tesoro building on A. Mabini Street for antiques and furniture.
Manila serves as a great jumping off point for short trips. When we get the chance, we leave the city and venture out to Manila's surrounds like Tagaytay, where we stay a domicillo, a design hotel which showcases the work of top designers like Bryan Sarno and Ian Sarno. It also has one of the best views of the breathtaking Taal Volcano and surrounding Lake Taal.
Antonio's, a fine dining restaurant owned by Chef Amber, is one of our favorite places to dine, and it just so happens to be one Asia's 50 best Restaurant of 2019. Sometimes we just go to eat in all the three restaurants of Antonio's in the area Fine Dining, Breakfast and Balay Dako. You can actually eat at all three if you spend a whole day in Tagaytay!
We make our way back to domicillo for a relaxing drink on the terrace facing Lake Taal. If anyone visit Manila for more that two days, highly recommend a short out of town day trip. It really help complete the experience.