Kapitolyo has become a foodie capital having a good stretch of restaurants that offer anything from comfort food, dessert specialties, to international cuisines. Between Bites has rounded up all the worthy visits in the Kapitolyo area.

10. Joe’s Meatshack

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Joe’s Meatshack 

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Joe’s Meatshack has spacious interiors with lots of red and brown colors. The walls are adorned with funny posters. Menu is pretty straightforward, they offer burgers, fries, wings and some meals with rice.

What to Order:

Angus Beef Belly P260

This was surprisingly good. The beef belly was tender and the brown sauce on top was nice and wasn’t overpowering the taste of the beef.

Chili Cheese Fries P180

Medium-size cuts of French fries were smothered with chili and loads of cheese sauce. I only nibbled on two or three at the most since I was cutting down on my carb-intake. It was good and good value for money.

Joe’s Meatshack

9 East Capitol Drive,

Kapitolyo, Pasig City

(02) 542 0801 / (63 917) 318 5637

Operating Hours: 10am to 2pm

# 10 is a toss-up between Joe’s Meatshack and Juanito’s Bistro.

10. Juanito’s Bistro

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Juanito’s Bistro 

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Juanito’s Bistro is a cool house-cum-restaurant offering dishes and drinks at affordable prices. If you’re looking for a steady place to chill and grab a few drinks with your friends without breaking the bank, head over to Juanito.

What to Order:

Chicken Isaw P120

I missed eating chicken isaw or innards so when it’s available in a clean environment, I can’t help but order it. This order comes with 10 sticks of perfectly grilled, crunchy and chewy chicken isaw with smoky notes.

Garlic Hotdog P150

Since I love hotdogs and sausages, I can’t help but order this every time I see it on the menu. Grilled sausages are the best too. Juanito’s version is sautéed with lots of garlic and some green chilies then drizzled on the side with tomato ketchup.

Juanito’s Bistro

50 East Capitol Drive,

Kapitolyo, Pasig City

505 8043 / 0915 257 6105

9. Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken

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Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken 

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Peri Peri or Piri Piri or Pili Pili is the Swahili word for “pepper pepper” which is what is included in the marinade that wraps the chicken before grilling.

This pepper is African bird’s eye chili blended with garlic, lemon, herbs, paprika and brushed onto the meat.

What to Order:

Half and Half P750 (good for 2-3)

Instead of ordering ala carte meals, the shorter route was to not think and just eat so we got the half and half instead. Gostoso’s Half and Half is their 2-mains platter option that could either be Half Chicken or Slab of Pork or Shrimp Skewers.

Gostoso Piri Piri Chicken

51-B East Capitol Drive,

Kapitolyo, Pasig City

(632) 477 7330

8. Banoi’s

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Banoi’s The Fresh Flavors of Vietnam 

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Vietnamese cuisine highlights the freshest ingredients, minimal use of oil and weighty dependence on herbs and vegetables. If you’re looking for something light and refreshing, try the fresh flavors of Vietnam at Banoi’s.

What to Order:

Goi Cuon

The translucent rice wrapper vividly shows the encased plump shrimp, with some minced pork, lettuce and vermicelli noodle inside. This rolled appetizer tastes so fresh despite the filling of pre-cooked ingredients but nothing fried. It’s the taste of summer you want to keep replaying in your mouth, especially when dip lightly in a mixture of fish paste and vinegar.

Bo Luc Lac

The house favorite stir-fried spiced beef served with fried basil and chilli

Ba Noi’s. The Fresh Flavors of Vietnam

12 East Capitol, Dr. Kapitolyo,

Pasig City

(02) 893 7359

Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm

# 8 is a toss-up between Banoi’s and Open Kitchen.

8. Open Kitchen

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Open Kitchen by 48 Concepts 

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Its restaurant façade with floor length glasses is in white and earth tones. One can see straight through the dining room from the outside whose focal point is the well-lighted open kitchen that gives diners full view of the action.

What to Order:

Fisherman’s Staple P165

The dish was served with a seafood cake in the middle and the soup being poured on the side to surround it. The soup had a light sweet acidity that’s really present and pleasant.

Steamed Bamboo Shells P290

Garlic / White Wine / Chili

I was ecstatic to see bamboo shells on the menu. Open Kitchen serves their bamboo shells sautéed in garlic and white wine. I wanted a little more heat but loved the light, clean taste of the dish with the slithery velvety texture of the seafood that has an inside crunch.

Open Kitchen by 48 Concepts

71-B East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo

Pasig City, Philippines

(02) 738 0102 / (0927) 443 9061

7. Silantro Mexican

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Silantro 

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I appreciate how Mexican cuisine is gaining ground in becoming a choice cuisine in the Metro.  Some are trying their hand in marrying Filipino flavors with Mexican, thus calling it Fil-Mex.  There’s one good Mexican place in Kapitolyo whose dishes are priced P200 and below.

What to Order:

Beef Nachos P160

For its price, the beef nachos satisfied.  It was generously topped with cheese, which is always a good thing and the nachos had just the right portion of soggy from the sour cream and crunchy parts.  The beef strips were cooked just right and weren’t tough to chew like I was half expecting.  I could probably finish a basket of these nachos by myself next time.

Grilled Mahi Mahi P165

I’m trying to incorporate a lot of fish on my diet lately.  The grilled mahi-mahi had a lot of good flavors going for it but still tasted light.

Silantro’s Pork Ribs P195

Pork is something I am trying to avoid but how can I bear not to give in if it has barbecue basting and grilled?

Silantro

75 East Capitol Drive,

Kapitolyo, Pasig City

0917 508 4748

Operation Hours: Open daily, 11am to 12am

6. Poco Deli

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Poco Deli, A Revisit

In Crumbs: Poco Deli

Take a Poco Deli 

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Poco Deli, situated unassumingly along East Capitol Drive in Pasig City, has only 5-6 tables including those outside.  Upon entering, you’d notice Dave’s Natural Yogurt stand near the counter, display cases of cheeses and other deli products like sausages, and wine display at the end of the dining area.

What to Order:

Spanish Callos P320

A family recipe, slow cooked for 10 hours with choice of beef tripe and chorizo, served with bacon rice

Pomodoro PHP 155

The pasta pomodoro arrived 5-8 minutes after ordering.  It had that sweet light tomato base on angel hair pasta.

Poco Deli

21 East Capitol Drive,

Barrio Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Philippines

(632) 664 0519

5. Mad Mark’s

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Mad Mark’s

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Mad Mark’s is a small diner within the Kapitolyo neighborhood. The restaurant has an easy motif of black and red and white, typical hues of American diners.  In a blackboard, words are painted that essentially portray what Mad Mark’s can offer.  It’s a no-nonsense place for certified Angus beef, wings and all things that can quell your cravings.  “We put all our money in our food.  No compromise.”

What to Order:

Wings and Fries PHP 220

Wings with a Zing have interchanging tang / zing and spice playing in your mouth.  I love how Mad Mark’s wings are so juicy and plump then covered with all those flavor.  If you want your buffalo wings with a zesty kick, this is where you should get your fill.

Cajun Fries PHP

Thick cut potatoes are coated in a spicy mixture of Cajun seasoning then deep fried until crispy.  Mad Mark’s Cajun fries’ coating provides really crusty parts that are addictive to munch on.

Lumberjack PHP 170

Crusty bread smothered with delicious shredded Angus beef, mushrooms, caramelized onions, green and red bell peppers and finished with mozzarella cheese.

Mad Mark’s

23 East Capitol Drive

Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City

(632) 342 6802

4. Nav Modern Thai Cuisine

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Nav Modern Thai Cuisine 

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If you’re looking for a Thai restaurant within the area that has some interesting take on Thai cuisine veering away from the conventional and with little surprises in between, NAV is worth a visit.  Nav Modern Thai Cuisine has free wi-fi in the restaurant and parking space in front.

What to Order:

Crab Cakes P230

Crab cakes are one of my favorite seafood dishes since I love crab.  It eases out nitpicking crabs by my own hands or a crab picker and supposedly packs a meatier aspect with the other ingredients thrown in.  It’s a little dry on the inside but they serve it with sauce on the side that can compensate.

Son-in-Law Eggs P180

What can be exciting about these eggs?  The egg slices have an outer coating that gives it a crunchy exterior before the soft plush of the egg bites.  It sits atop the serving dish with a thin-layer of sweet tangy sauce and wansoy leaves for garnish.

Nav Modern Thai Cuisine

16-C, United St.

Pasig City, Metro Manila

655.8395

# 4 is a toss-up between Nav Modern Thai and Ninak Asian Comfort Food.

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4. Ninak Asia Comfort Food

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Ninak Asian Comfort Food 

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The restaurant is under the management of the same brothers who opened Brothers Burger.  They aim to hit flavors close to home so the menu is largely influenced by Asian cuisine.  Ninak’s dishes are not over the top and bring an amount of earnestness in their food, priced very reasonably.

What to Order:

Green Mango Salad P

Sweet and sour green mangoes tossed in Ninak’s spicy Thai dressing with toasted crunchy peanuts, shallots, red chili and cilantro

This starter was a playground of Thai flavors.  The peanuts’ crunchiness dances with the snaps of the fresh lettuce, onion and sour freshness of the green mango.  Thread carefully since the red chilies could easily spike the heat range.  The spicy Thai dressing was enough to let its presence felt – zesty, sweet and hot, pretty much how I would define myself but my friends would rally against it.

Pad Thai P208

Stir fried noodles with tamarind sauce, sliced chicken bits garnished with fried eggs, cilantro, peanuts, and bean sprouts

Pad Thai is like the spaghetti of my adulthood.  I can eat a plateful of it with all the stir fried ingredients melding into each other.  The taste of the fish sauce, sugar, vinegar and tamarind sauce enjoining and beautifully present and balanced highlights the dish.  Squeeze a bit of lime juice to spruce up the dish and leave vivacious notes against the chewy rice noodles and crunchy bean sprouts.

Bagoong Rice P149

Shrimp paste fried rice with tangy green mangoes, sweet pork, chili, scrambled egg, green beans, shallot with a wedge of lime

Ninak

Unit 101 Seven East Capitol Building.

East Capitol Dr. cor. Sta. Rosa St.,

Kapitolyo, Pasig City

(02) 655 6902

3. Café Juanita

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Café Juanita

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I discovered Kapitolyo in 2007 only because of Café Juanita. It was my favorite go-to-restaurant whenever I’m in the area then and it was still the old Café Juanita at the corner of United Street. There was a season I was very addicted to Café Juanita and rightfully so.

What to Order:

Beef Rendang P440

My favorite beef rending in Manila is found at Café Juanita. Their version is a little different and drier than the very saucy stew-like usual beef rending but its meat is packed with stark curry flavors. The tender beef cubes had crispy beef flakes as garnish.  It’s beautiful.

Café Juanita

No. 2 United St. cor. West Capitol Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

632 0357 / 0916 554 8107

Operation Hours: 530-10pm

# 3 is a toss-up between Café Juanita and Kanina Au Gusto.

3. Kainan Au Gusto

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Kainan Au Gusto 

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A Carinderia cannot get as artsy and eclectic as this.  Kainan Au Gusto reflects the environment owner Dr. Boy Vasquez, same owner as the famous Café Juanita. Enter an unassuming door/small hallway that leads to the unique Kainan Au Gusto restaurant slash carinderia/cafeteria.  The place is naturally ventilated (although they have a few electric fans you can turn on when it gets really hot) and the century-old pieces of furniture are certainly distinctive and arresting.

What to Order:

Beef Caldereta PHP

This was a surefire winner for me.  Beef Caldereta is a kind of Filipino beef stew (sometimes goat meat) that’s tomato-based and loaded with potato and carrot chunks.  Some variants can be on the really spicy side but Au Gusto’s version just had the right heat in it.

Turon P7

Beautiful turon that you can get addicted to.

Great Filipino dishes that are affordable and an ambience that is unparalleled to any other cafeteria-style dining, Kainan Au Gusto is truly one of its kind.

Kainan Sa Au Gusto

21 United Street,

West Kapitolyo, Pasig City

# 3 spotlight is also shared by Charlie’s Grind and Grill. Like Café Juanita, it was one of the first few restaurants I kept visiting within the Pasig / Ortigas area.

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Charlie’s Grind and Grill 

2. Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant

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Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant

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Glass chandeliers have pink flowers snaking around it reminiscent of cherry blossoms during spring time in Japan.  Japanese fans and umbrellas decorate the walls.  The sushi bar greets you as you enter the door and then the rest evokes eclectic Japanese.

What to Order:

Dynamite Roll P320

Sushi roll with spicy tuna, salmon, Japanese cucumber with a coat of tobikko

Each bite has exact portions of each ingredient making each of their freshness present. You get a taste of the best of the sea from the fresh spicy tuna and salmon while the julienned cucumber adds a crunch and clean swab. I just love the roll of tobikko inside my mouth and nibbling the miniature orange pearls with my teeth. I no longer dab my rolls in soy. I simply put wasabi on it and plop it inside my mouth.

Tori Kuwayaki P268

Fried chunks of chicken, glazed with the Chef’s special sauce

I love the crackle from the crispy skin that covers parts of the chicken pieces. The honey soy garlicky sauce evenly coats the pieces wrapping moist chicken meat inside.

Haru Sushi Bar and Restaurant

#21 West Capitol Drive,

Barrio Kapitolyo, Pasig City

(632) 631 0597

Open daily for lunch and dinner

The #2 spotlight is also shared by the new players in the area, specifically Capitol Commons, who have brilliant dishes in their menu too, other than becoming the new watering hole: Tipsy Pig and Black Olive.

2. Tipsy Pig

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Tipsy Pig

Gastropub is a pub, bar or tavern that offers meals of high quality taking the usual pub grub of burgers, chips, lasagna, chili con carne, bangers and mash, steak, fish chips and spinning it into a fresh and gourmet revival.  It’s a concept that reinvigorates both pub culture and British dining.

What to Order:

Zuppa di Tomate P150

Hearty slow cooked tomato puree, crème, mozzarella, cheddar

The sweet acidity of the tomato soup repressed by the coolness of the crème was a great opener.  The cheddar adds just the right saltiness to complete the balance while the nachos add a bit of crunch unless those parts subdued already by the liquid.

Beer Can Chicken P750

Roasted whole chicken, a can of Pale Pilsen, grilled tortillas, and BBQ sauce

I totally ignored the tortilla as I went for the chicken meat which was incredibly juicy, I could see tears gush out of it, and it yielded to the tender touch of fork and knife.

Lava Cake P180

Molten chocolate cake oozing with warm chocolate ganache, topped with vanilla ice cream

Tipsy Pig Gastropub

U-21A & R-2B Capitol Commons,

Meralco Ave. cor. Shaw Blvd., Brgy. Kapitolyo,

Oranbo District 1, Pasig City

(02) 570 4620 / 0916 734 2837

Operation Hour: Daily 4pm to 3am

2. Black Olive Cerveseria

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Black Olive Cerveseria

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The two-level restaurant with an outdoor patio dining area only has its yellow signage as its spot of color.  Stepping inside, the dimly lit dining room akin to a beer cellar is decorated in warm tones of beige and rich brown wood surrounded by glass walls.  The long bar fronting the kitchen and the high ceiling add a dramatic touch to the interiors.  Diners can enjoy cocktails or beers while waiting for a table or right before dinner –or vice versa.

What to Order:

Black Olive’s Barbecue Pork Riblets P415

I had a good feeling about this order and it lived up to expectation.  Pork riblets were tender and smothered evenly with the barbecue basting that each bite was flavorful.  They serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side to get you addicted enough.

I could eat a bucket of this with my fingers, nitpicking and nibbling every meat in sight, not caring if I have barbecue sauce mustache on my face and messing up my shirt.  Not entirely sexy, but hey, my fat belly totally threw the idea of the window.

Black Olive Paella P635

Pork, Chorizo, Prawns, Squid, Mussels, and Clams

The paella looked very wet at first that I doubted it will crisp up the bottom layer of rice resulting to my favorite part, soccarat.  It looked oily too after scooping spoonfuls of paella but we all justified it is good quality olive oil so we totally abandoned health concerns.

I’m giddy to note that there was burnt rice part at the bottom after a while and of course, it had my name written all over it.

Pan Seared Beef, Arugula, Gorgonzola Pizza P485

Black Olive

Capitol Commons, Kapitolyo,

Pasig City

1. Nomama Ramen

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New Attractions at Nomama

Nomama Restaurant

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Artisan means someone who has a skill in a trade.  Chef Him Uy de Baron is definitely skilled in the kitchen, without a thread of doubt.

What to Order:

Mushroom Gyoza

No need for any dipping sauce, just put a dash of hot sauce.

Wagyu Beef Cheek Ramen

Wagyu beef relents to the fork and to the bite.  Poached eggs add to the tasty milky broth that slices through the beefy flavor –all these flavors allowed me to drift away.  So much for loss of words?

Spicy Tongue Dry Noodle

Tender ox tongue in Korean spicy sauce, black tofu, in garlic stuffed in tomato and noodles in garlic oil

Nomama Artisan

Capitol Commons,

Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Did I miss anyone significant on this list?

Let me know who made your TOP TEN Best in Kapitolyo.

Happy eating! Cheers!

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