Chinatown Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Ramada Manila Central Hotel, Binondo

August 26, 2012 by Janey

I have fond memories of Binondo as a child or teenager walking with her dad along the busy people-filled streets of Philippines’ China Town. I also frequented the area when I took up advance summer classes of Trigonometry and Geometry, Typing and Chinese classes at YMCA.

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Ivan Man Dy’s Binondo Food Wok

I also had fun doing a food walk tour with Ivan Man Dy at the helm guiding us while we snaked in between streets and corners to find the best spots for Chinese specialty food. I was back at the area again sometime July when The Food Club spent the weekend over at a newly built hotel in Manila.

Ramada Manila Central stands tall at the heart of Binonda, Manila, Philippines amidst neighboring historical sites like the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz, who happens to be the first Filipino saint. Launched this year, it is a comfortable respite at the center of one of the most historic sites in the country and the oldest Chinatown in the world, where cultures of Filipino and Chinese meet.

The hotel is quite accessible being situated in one of Manila’s central business, cultural and commercial districts. It’s also a few minutes away from big shopping complexes like Divisoria, 168, and 999 Malls. Bubba and I were first to arrive at the venue and initially parked at the basement but since there was a bit of construction ongoing in their basement parking, we opted to park outside beside the historic Binondo Church. We learned from the front desk that they actually have parking slots reserved there for their clients and they assured us that the car is secured with round the clock security.

Initially we thought of checking in at the ground floor but since we will be occupying the rooms at the Executive Floor, there was an express check-in waiting for us on that floor, 5th. We were assisted with our overnight baggage and showed us into our room.

All guest rooms offer hi-speed internet access, 32 inch LCD TVs for all room types, separ [Read more…]

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Restaurant 101 Sunday Brunch Buffet

July 8, 2011 by Janey

Restaurant 101 is now open on Sundays for brunch!

It features appetizer and dessert buffets, and main course served a la carte.

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Chinatown’s Best Restaurant, Banawe QC

December 27, 2010 by Janey

The Foodie Club was invited to Chinatown’s Best Restaurant a few weeks ago. Chinatown’s Best Food brings back a heap of nostalgia being located along Banawe Street corner Don Manuel Street in Quezon City. It was quite near to where I studied in High School and is a hop away from the same location as my high school friend Terri’s house –this was where a lot of dance, plays and cheer dance practices happened. That’s also the reason Chinatown’s Best Restaurant is not that new to me.

Blue and Gold Motif

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Chinatown’s Best restaurant is divided into three levels for dining area. From top to bottom, the 3^rd level serves as the function areas for big events and occasions. It gives you a whole floor for your private function needs. The 2^nd level is the more frequented floor when I visited since it houses the exclusive buffet area.

Chinatown’s Best Food offers all-day buffet! Get a delicious bit of everything for only one price per head. Price varies depending on when you dine in.

Lunch PHP 388

Dinner PHP 440

Weekends PHP 518

Buffet

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Buffet Section

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Tempura

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Look at the big crowd enjoying the buffet

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Sprinklers

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The 1^st level is where the Foodie Club spent most of the time since we were served mostly Ala Carte dishes.

On the Table

Chinatown’s Best Combination

This appetizer platter is part of the Lauriat set menu. Chinatown’s Best Combination includes hefty slices of soy chicken, century egg and jellyfish, and interestingly crispy deep fried pork (lechon kawali) and California maki.

It was served with 4 kinds of dipping sauces. I’m a sauce person and I particularly like it when restaurants give you a whole lot of it –and choices are great too!

Chinatown’s Best Fried Chicken PHP 240

Chinatown’s Best Fried Chicken really blew me away in a good way. I have this “taste perception” of how Chinese fried chicken would taste like and Chinatown’s version stands out with its much tastier skin and crusty texture of the chicken.

Lechon Macau w/ Winter Melon Hotpot PHP 260

There can be such comfort in eating this dish. The Winter Melon cooked just right and is quite tender harmonizing with the likewise tender lechon macau.

Cold Prawn Salad PHP 480

Irene’s favorite dish.

Crispy Fried Shrimp Dumpling PHP 98

Shrimp dumpling that’s fried. I prefer the steamed shrimp dumpling since the crispiness weakens after a while on the table.

Chinatown’s Best Hotpot PHP 280

Chinatown’s Best Fried Rice PHP 180

Topped with Broccoli, Prawns and large mushrooms

Birthday Noodles PHP 160

Steamed Crab w/ Onion and Ginger PHP 450/ half kilo

The crab claws were huge and that makes me a happy crab eater. I love crabs! Steamed, deep fried, with chilis, with sotanghon… crabs, crabs, crabs.

Fish Fillet Baked Rice w/ White Sauce PHP 220

Braised Patatim PHP 360

This was one of the dishes I enjoyed. It is pig’s leg braised in star anise, soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, garlic and vinegar that gives a rich, sticky sauce to the meat.

Pata Tim

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Other dishes served:

Salted Egg Prawn PHP 480

Dried Scallop w/ Sea Cucumber Seafood Soup – its part of the set menu (no price)

Beef Brisket Reddish Hotpot PHP 260

Pork Spare ribs w/ Taro Hotpot PHP 260

Braised Tofu w/ Black Mushroom PHP 180

Shrimp Stuffed Frog Legs – its part of the set menu (no price)

Steamed King Fish w/ Tauso PHP 280/ 350g

Crispy Noodle w/ Seafood PHP 180

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The Foodie Club had such a feast with the overflowing food that was served. If you want to enjoy a slow dinner of Chinese fares, instead of a buffet, it’s good to know that Chinatown’s Best Food ALSO serves an ala carte menu with a wide range of dishes.

Chinatown’s Best Food

#589 Banawe Street corner Don Manuel Street,

Quezon City, Philippines

(632) 711 1444/ (632) 740 8649/ (632) 712 4249

Chinatown’s Best Food Album

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Ivan Man Dy’s Binondo Food Wok

June 5, 2009 by Janey

Like Phoebe, I’ve wanted to try this food wok of Ivan Mandy for years! I’m so glad that Samsung gave us the opportunity to join his tour as well as test their newest camera models.

jane's

Photo Credit (Phoebe Ann Ramos of Pass the Sauce) (I’m borrowing all of Phoebe’s photos. Eeps.)

The start off point of the tour was Ivan’s preamble on the brief history of Manila and the difference between Indios and Mestizos.

Basilica de San Lorenzo Ruiz just across the street was the next in Ivan’s chronicles. I remember San Lorenzo Ruiz because I was in grade school when he was anointed as the first Filipino saint. It’s always part of the quiz.

Our first pit stop was at Mr. Ube’s Café Mezzanine. This 2-storey café is also known as the Volunteer Fireman’s Coffee Shop. Mr. Ube was popularized by his most successful business, Ube Hopia. I used to be so addicted with the Ube Hopia. Two years back, my dad always brought home a bunch. It was my comfort food at work. Mr. Ube is also a part-time volunteer fireman that’s why he dedicated the coffee shop’s earnings to the group. He also donated one huge purple fire truck. And according to Ivan, you will never catch Mr. Ube in any other shirt color than… you guessed it, PURPLE.

this one is mine

I will not delve so much as to what was served to us so I can still leave some curiosity in you to try it out. The experience is different walking the streets of Manila listening to Ivan Mandy’s recount of the old Binondo walkways and streets then and several decades after.

mine too

Our second pit stop was my favorite in the tour. I even dared to locate this dumpling place with merely a name in my pocket. No addresses. We weren’t able to locate it no matter how hard we asked around so we ended up eating at Sincerity restaurant.

I was so giddy upon seeing the name Dong Bei on its signage. So this is where you’ve been hiding all along! The Dong Bei dumplings have many variants but all were awesomely clean in taste and it was pretty good! Just as I imagined it would be. The dumplings are all handmade and made from scratch. It’s similar to the dumplings in Shang Palace, where it goes down smoothly and light in your stomach no matter the quantity. Compared to Shang Palace, Dong Bei dumplings are so affordable!!! Get 15 pieces for only PHP 100! Great tasting dumplings at a fraction of its usual cost? I love it!

There were four more stops following Dong Bei. I like how Ivan Man Dy schedule the food stops. The intervals really created a good steady eating pace with a bit of burning (because of all the walk! which was surprisingly not cumbersome. I guess Ivan Man Ddy knows how to entertain. The heat didn’t even bother me that much).

I had an absolute blast! Much love to Ivan Man Dy and Samsung!

Binondo Food Wok Album

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Pass the Sauce’ The Big Binondo Food Wok with Ivan Mandy

The Best Feature of the Samsung WB500

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Crepe de Chine

May 12, 2008 by Janey

I invited CW’s mom and grandma to a lunch at Crepe de Chine. The restaurant is located in the lower ground level of the World Exchange Building in Binondo, which is kind of a weird location to be in since you can only see from their window the shins of the people walking by. You have to take the stairs down to the restaurant. CDC has a garden ambience with its décor and a pair of swing chairs.

Other than the savory and dessert crepes, they also offer pasta dishes and sandwiches.

On the Table:

Braised Beef Crepe

Adobo Crepe

Mangoteena Crepe

Pasta Nepolitina (2)

Frutti Mare

Pasta Italiano

cdc6

It’s quite a different take on crepes that infuses Western and Eastern flavors. The crepes were worth the travel to Chinatown, while the pasta dishes are average. CDC is committed to provide its clientele quality dining experience through its food and good customer service. Crepe de Chine is located at LG-2 World Trade Exchange Building 215 Juan Luna St. Binondo, Manila. Contact them at 2442270.