What To Order: 15 Sensational Eats That Will Rejuvenate Your Tired Tastebuds
Too stressed to cook? Our list has everything from savory classics-with-a-twist to irresistible desserts
If you’re stuck at home like most of us, chances are you’re already sick of trying to do everything: working, house chores, raising kids or pets (if you have one), plus we’re dealing with the mental onslaught of being stuck in the longest and most ineffective lockdown in the world. It takes a toll on us. But today, allow us to ease one of the most tedious chores at home: cooking.
In these trying times, we highly recommend ordering out if you have the means to do so. Restaurants are still not allowed to have dine-in customers at any capacity, so their survival relies heavily on take-out and deliveries. Now, we know you want the best bang for your buck and that’s what we’re going to give you.
Here are some of the best food businesses launched during the lockdown period that you should definitely try.
Best Eats List
Best Eats List
Manila Inasal
Created by chef and restaurateur Natalia Moran and her cousins, Manila Inasal made the goodness of inasal available to more diners no matter your dietary preference or restrictions. Aside from classic Chicken Inasal made with Chef Nat’s signature marinade, they also have Bangus Inasal, Pork Belly Inasal, and even Tofu Inasal! And recently, they teamed up with Chef Him Uy De Baron for their Beef Ribs (‘Tadyang’) Inasal. Thanks to foodies, they now have two commissaries in San Juan and Makati. To order, message (0998) 998-1987, DM @sarapmanilainasal on Instagram, or go to www.manilainasaklgrillhouse.beepit.com
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Papa Pancitan
Papa Pancitan comes from the same group who brought us Manam Comfort Filipino, 8 Cuts, and Ooma, so it’s no surprise that this lockdown-launched delivery business became a hit. They capitalized on the Pinoy’s innate love for noodles in many forms and offered delicious classics with a twist like Crispy Pancit Canton, Crispy Pancit Palabok, Pancit Sisig, Pancit Squid Negra with Garlic Aioli, and Papa Kung Pow Noodles. They also have finger food (“pica-pica”) like Pork BBQ, Pepita Pao (fried bao), and of course Lumpiang Shanghai. And we know a party’s not complete without noodles or lumpia. To order, check out @papa_pancitan on Instagram or www.papapancitan.momentfood.com
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Taste & Tell
In 2020, when the lockdown started and everybody went crazy for sushi bake, this was one of the brands that rose to the top of the sushi bake list. From the common Kani Aburi sushi bake, they innovated on flavors and came up with more mouthwatering options to this lockdown favorite: Scallop & Salmon, Umami Unagi, Suteki Aburi, Spicy Salmon Tataki, and even Wagyu Mazesoba. Now they also have desserts like Mango Samurai and Inutak. Check out @tasteandtellmnl on Instagram. Order at www.tasteandtellmnl.com
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Baked by Machew
Another sushi bake favorite is Baked by Machew by Chef Matthew Lim, who is also the co-owner of Burnt Bamboo and Cargo Fish. His sushi bake creations are known for its generous toppings of premium ingredients, like Pure Kani, Salmon and Scallop, Unagi Supreme, and even Spicy Soft Shell Crab. His sushi bakes are so good that they now supply a frozen version to a major convenience store. Their menu has also expanded to more Japanese dishes with their own twist, like Inari Sushi, Onigiri, and Beef Donburi. Order at (0917) 857-7773, or send a DM to @bakedbymachew on Facebook or Instagram.
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Eleven Baker Street
You know a business was born during lockdown if they’re offering sushi bake, but Eleven Baker Street goes beyond regular sushi bake. Aside from their Classic Kani, they have premium creations like Uni Aburi Sushi Bake, Truffle Scallop Aburi Sushi Bake, and their GYU Rice Try featuring Angus Ribeye steak and their signature Mushroom Shoyu Steak Rice. Check out @elevenbakerstreet on Instagram. Order at tinyurl.com/11bakerst
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Lazy Oeuf
When the lockdown started and dine-in was restricted, fine dining restaurant Metronome had to find a way to cater to their loyal customers while keeping the topnotch quality of their gourmet dishes despite the rigors of transport. To address this, Chef Miko Calo and her team came up with Lazy Oeuf, the take-out and delivery arm of Metronome with a constantly changing menu to keep things exciting and diners curious. Their burgers are juicy, flavorful, and unique. We’re talking about French Onion Burgers, Duck Confit in Brioche, Bleu Cheese & BBQ Bacon Jam Burger, and at one point they had Pork Belly Confit Burger, which had the most succulent pieces of pork belly I’ve ever had. Because of their name, their quiches are a must-try. They’re creamy and delicate and flavorful, whether it’s the Truffle & Four Cheese, Chorizo & Gruyere, or Ham & Brie. Their desserts are also divine, so make sure to include their Brownie or Cookie Moelleux in your order. Check out @lazyoeufbymetronome on Instagram. Order at (0917) 147-3776 (Viber).
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Masa Madre Bakehouse
Multi-awarded pastry chef Kris Edison Tan brings his expertise to his very own bakery, Masa Madre Bakehouse. One bite of their signature croissant or heavenly cheese pie will make you think a Parisian viennoiserie opened in the middle of Caloocan. Their creations are new and exciting and constantly changing, so every week feels like a buttery adventure. The best kind of adventure, if you ask foodies. Check out @masamadrebakehouse on Instagram or Facebook.
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Crumbs & Grubs
Owned and operated by hotelier Jeanna Marfal, Crumbs & Grubs offers sweet and savory baked goods with Pinoy embellishments, like butter croissants filled with fresh Benguet strawberries, locally made and grass-fed soft cheeses like burrata and mozzarella, sausage rolls, and at one time they also had ube rolls and hand pies. These handmade goodies are not just delish, they socially conscious business also tries to help out by occasionally donating to charitable organizations with every purchase. Check out @crumbsandgrubs on Instagram. Order at www.crumbsandgrubs.com
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Gang Gang Chicken
Korean fried chicken is one of the best things in life. Business partners Joey Marcelo III and Chef Julius Necor know this fact, so they opened Gang Gang Fried Chicken to give the irresistible crunchy goodness of this Korean favorite new and exciting flavors, like Salted Egg, Sriracha Mansi, Cheesy Bacon, Cheesy Jalapeño, Chipotle BBQ, the recently launched Empi Chicken (yes, Emperador Light glaze), or my personal favorite, Takoyaki! Their classic Gangnyeom Chicken is just as good, but make sure to order other flavors, too. They’ve been aggressively expanding throughout the lockdown period and Gang Gang Chicken is now available for franchise. Check out @notganggangchicken on Instagram Order at www.ganggangchicken.com.
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White Flower Tea House
Just like certain scents, food has the ability to transport us back in time. And it’s this nostalgic hit that keeps me coming back for more of White Flower Tea House, Chef Decker Gokioco’s stall at The Grid Food Market at Power Plant Mall. His menu is inspired by the food from his childhood, but Chef Decker also made sure to give customers new ways to enjoy old favorites, like Sate Mi, Maki Mi, Shrimp Popsicles, Char Siu, Noodles, and with more new items coming very soon. Check out @whiteflowerteahouse on Instagram. Order from thegridfoodmarket.com.
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Kodawari
Banker turned food business owner Jake Aycorda isn’t new to the challenges of operating businesses during the lockdown, so he turned his gaze to home-based operations and launched Kodawari. Having only two items in his menu, Jake made sure he sold the best of the best Gyudon and Shroomdon in the metro. His formula of tender marinated beef strips (or four kinds of mushrooms, if you’re vegetarian), Japanese rice, fried talbos ng kamote, and almost pornographic 63-degree egg worked flawlessly as he’s now selling tray after tray and getting sold out and fully booked every week. Order at @kodawari.ph on Instagram.
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Anghelica's Desserts
Chef Anne Atanacio worked as an instructor at the Center for Culinary Arts, but she also taught a lot of foodies how desserts should be: decadent but not too sweet, rich but not cloying, and meant to be savored, not just eaten. Her desserts are so easy to eat, which makes it dangerous because that also means you can eat a lot of it in one sitting without getting sick of the flavors. Her Ube Leche Flan Cake is one of the first things I tried, but it’s her S’mores Bars and S’mores Tub Cake that won me over for good. Order at @angehlicas on Instagram or @Anghelicas-Desserts on Facebook.
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Bakerton
Bakerton’s delicate desserts are the perfect crowd-pleaser if you bring it to any get-together or as a thank you gift or (let’s face it) as a weekend snack. Their original items are the Duke of Earl (a crumbly pie crust filled with cream flavored with Earl Grey tea) and Anton’s Olive Cake (a simple yet flavorful and moist cake that goes so well with coffee or tea), but lately they launched two Pinoy-inspired pies: Maja Blanca (crumbly crust filled with maja blanca custard) and Turon (banana cremé pie filling with saba and langka and topped with shards of melted sugar). Order at @bakerton.ph on Instagram.
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Don Adam Chocolates
Chef Sonny Mariano knows how to treat chocolate well and every bite of any item from Don Adam Chocolates proves this claim. Catering to any chocoholic, you can enjoy different creations of either dark, milk, or white chocolate. The Loka Truffles (which comes in Toffee, Dark Toffee, and Matcha) are melt-in-your-mouth good, the Criscuits (hand-dipped crunchy biscuits in Belgian chocolate and topped with sea salt) are addictively good, the Namaimo Bars (a coconutty cross between Nama chocolate and Canada’s nanaimo bars) are chewy, nutty, and extremely chocolatey, and the Woffies (chocolate barks made of crumbled cookies and biscuits) are the perfect midnight snack. Check out @donadamchocolates on Instagram. Order at www.donadammudroom.com.
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Lead photo: Manila Inasal, Kodawari, Lazy Oeuf
