Ah yes, Makati City: The country’s busy and packed central business district.
It’s not just home to multi-national companies and burgeoning start-ups. Makati is also a foodie haven! Whether it’s a family lunch on a weekend, a midweek brunch with friends, or late night cravings after partying, Makati has something for you. Sometimes, you can find it all in just one street!
To explore the entirety of Makati’s food map is perhaps one of my biggest plans, but for now, let’s focus on one of its best known foodie hubs: Jupiter Street.
LUDO Boardgame Bar & Bistro
The concept of boardgame cafes have been around for a while in Europe and North America, but it recently took Manila by storm when LUDO Boardgame Bar & Bistro opened in 2014.
Six friends and hobbyists — Jay Mata, Aaron Tanco, Christine Palma, Carlos Sandico, Mario Sandico and Mark Fernandez— were just thinking of having a place where they could hang out, eat, and play boardgames. And boom, Ludo opened their first branch in Quezon City, the biggest city in Metro Manila.
Just a few months after opening in QC, the group decided their space isn’t enough to fit all the people who want to eat and play games, so they headed south to Makati for their second branch. Bigger, wider, but still packed as ever.
Do not miss their: Boardgames! Hundreds of boardgames for all moods and ages. As for the food, do not forget to try their Lemon Pepper Chicken, Chicken Yakiniku, and Salted Caramel Milkshake. To keep things interesting, they also have monthly events like Murder Mystery Parties and Puzzlebusters.
Bring your: Friends or families who looking for an alternative to the usual family dinner where people actually talk to each other — and have tons of fun— not just stare into their gadgets.
Ludo Boardgame Bar & Bistro is open from 5:00PM to 1:00AM on weekdays, 12:00PM to 2:00 on Saturdays, and 12:00PM to 12:00AM on Sundays. They are located at Jupiter Street corner Planet Street, Makati City. For inquiries and reservations, you may call (02) 810-7125 or (0920) 921-8482. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Lazy Bastard & ABV
Despite being called the “Big Apple,” New York came up with some of the greasiest and tastiest food around. So when New Yorker Patrick Cuartero moved back to the Philippines, he knew he wanted to bring all that greasy goodness to the Philippines.
The unstoppable Cuartero opened NYC hotdog and burger joint Lazy Bastard and speakeasy and absinthe bar ABV in April 2015. And just a few months after their first anniversary, they also opened Lazy Bastard at the UP Town Center in Quezon City. Now, they’re working on their top secret third location. So apparently they’re anything but lazy!
Believe us when we say Lazy Bastard is the place where your diet will be happily laid to rest.
Do not miss their: Bacon Cheeseburger, Honey Parmesan Dog, Chili Dog, Chicken Sandwich, and everything on the breakfast sandwich menu. Their sides are dope, too! Make sure to try their bacon-wrapped tater tots called Tater Bombs.
Bring your: Pals who are hardcore meat lovers, late night party-goers, and people who get the munchies in the wee hours of the night. Just follow the neon sign leading to the basement. We’re serious, the basement is where it all goes down (pun intended).
Lazy Bastard is open daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM. They are located at Jupiter Street corner Galaxy Street, Makati City. For inquiries, please call (02) 832-5330.
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
From Hubert Young, the man behind UCC Coffee Shop, Coco Ichibanya, and Crepes & Cream, comes another hit: Mitsuyado Sei-Men House of Tsukemen.
If you’re a fan of heart Japanese food and interiors straight out of a Hayao Miyazaki film, this is the place to be.
Their servings are hefty, too, so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
Do not miss their: Tsukemen, of course! They have Karashi Tsukemen, Double Cheese Tsukemen, Tantanmien, Spicy Ramen. They also have rice bowls like the Chicken Black Pepper Don and Charsiu Curry.
Bring your: Family or amigas who want to enjoy great, hearty Japanese meal with a quiet ambiance.
Mitsuyado Sei-Men is open daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. For more information, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mitsuyado.seimen.
