O Kitchen, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave, Libis

Rating:
This one's a bit hard to find. To get here, make sure you're on the same side as Shopwise on E. Rodriguez Ave., libis-- Hang a right at a small eskinita right after Caterpillar, before the big Floor Center. You'll see a single storey, nondescript building to your right-- "O Kitchen".

Though it could use a better name, what it lacks in creativity, the resto more than makes up for it with it's classy, intimate look and food. This would be more at home in greenbelt instead of this small side street!

The pinoy food is delicious and best of all, the plating and presentation is unexpected for its affordable php100 - php150 per dish.

Try their tilapia steak, binagoongang lechon kawali, crispy adobo flakes and grape shake. Their crispy sizzling sisig was more sticky than crispy. The rice is presented artfully (in triangles instead of the usual cup), however it was a bit nakakabitin because of the smaller portions.

At the end of our meal, we were pleasantly surprised when we were presented with a complementary plate of kamote topped with caramelized sugar. Apparently, they do this for all their guests. A classy touch that earns the place four and a half pawikan points.

Zuppa, Cyberone Mall, Eastwood, Libis

Rating:
This is my all time favorite places to have lunch in Eastwood City. Located on the 3rd floor of Cyberone Mall (right beside IBM Plaza) is Zuppa Cafe, they're open 24 hours and I must say that these guys serve the best rice-toppings.

Each dish costs about Php80 - Php110, the portions are big and it will definitely hit the spot. If you're watching your carbs, you may want to share with a friend. I highly recommend their Thai Bagoong rice (sweet beef strips topped with shredded green mangoes), spicy Bulgogi Gogo and the calamares. I wasn't too happy with their seafood bowl because it's mostly processed food like squidballs, fishballs and crabsticks-- better stick to their non-seafood fare.

This is the place to go to have a quick, no-nonsense, nutritious, tasty and affordable meal and I give this four and a half pawikan points.

"Heaven and Eggs", Eastwood City Libis

Rating:
"Heaven and Eggs" is the newest restaurant to open in Eastwood City, Libis. I've been hearing a lot about this place so I figured i'd give it a try, grab a quick meal and see what the fuss was all about.

I like the stark, white, clean-looking "happy" interiors with its plain white tables and "heaven" theme. The place makes you feel like you're eating at home but what an expensive meal it is! Expect to pay Php300 - 500 per meal.

For starters, the shrimp and orange salad was basically just lettuce, five shrimps and five strips of orange with a cream based topping. It was... so so. My main course was the Mango Adobo Tuna. I'd describe it as bold and different but nothing to die for.

I had their freshly squeezed orange juice which tasted anemic. It was more water with a touch of orange. (I'd enjoy Tang better).

Dessert was the white chocolate cheesecake (which rates a 2 on my pawikan cheesecake scale). The first bite had a plastic-y aftertaste but you'd get used to it. This is a cheesecake that you shouldn't t eat alone. Share it with someone because the taste is nakakaumay.

Major minus points for the unsafe high chair that they let the diners use. It has a short backrest which allowed a little four year old girl slip and hit head first on the floor! We all heard the thud when she hit her head but I'm glad she came out ok. She was crying a lot but she seemed ok.

This place gets a two for me. No gran cosa. Nothing great to experience here. Maybe next time I should try the breakfast.

Check out the other reviews of Inquirer and Manila Bulletin.

The Brown Paper Bag, Libis

Rating:
Situated in that small eskinita behind Citibank Tower at Eastwood City, Libis, is a small hole-in-the-wall eatery called The Brown Paper Bag (not to be confused with Brown Bag). You won't miss it along the rows of other carinderias because it's the only one that plays music. The day I visited, it was jazz but it varies day to day (chill out, rock, new wave, etc...) the only thing they don't play is R&B (the chef has a thing about r&b).

This is a place to get an affordable lunch or a place to unwind after a long day's work. In fact, you can see people drinking beer almost 24/7 as the call center people who work in the area troop here at the end of their shifts.

The food is a fusion of many things-- Japanese, European, lutong bahay and it is surprisingly good given the very affordable php50 - 100 price per dish. The portions are a bit too small for me but then again I eat a lot.

I spoke with the owner/proprietor who is known as "tita" and she is a very charming and personable woman. Her son who studies at the CCA concocts the dishes while she runs the whole place. The cozy interiors were designed by a Fine Arts student and the whole place emits this cool, steady and intimate vibe.

Because of Oktoberfest, beer for the whole of October costs only Php20!

I'm giving this four pawikans because of its Saguijo-ish no-frills feel, tasty food, music and cheap beer. Minus points for smelling like stale cigarette smoke after eating inside (eat in the open-air area instead!).

Pho Hoa

Rating:
I had lunch in Pho Hoa's Eastwood City, Libis branch and I was pleasantly surprised that the food was very good-- from the outside, this Vietnamese restaurant doesn't look too appetizing and the menu could use a little redesign but don't let looks deceive you. Dishes typically cost from Php150 - 250 and the portions are reasonably sized.

Try their pomelo shrimp salad, the spicy/garlic-y beef tenderloin served on a sizzling plate and their fried noodles. Four pawikan points™ for the good food but minus points for the restaurant's plain look.

Jack's Loft, Eastwood City, Libis

Rating:
Plus points for the ambience (indoor curtains, comfy seats, high ceiling and earthy color combination) but big minuses because of the stale smoky smell since smokers are allowed on the loft (second floor). The price of a meal is from Php150 - 200 and the portions are more than enough for a hungry guy.

My comments on the food:

• Mongolian chicken (heaps of rice and chicken cooked mongolian style for about Php110). Nakakabusog.
• Vegetable Lasagna - so so. obviously reheated in a microwave because half of it was cold. This is a far cry from Pasto's yummy eggplant lasagna!
  
• Jack's cheesecake with mango toppings - 4/5 on my cheesecake scale. This was by far the best dessert among the 3 we ordered (the 2 others being the ice cream eclair overflowing with whipped cream and the mango mousse.)

It's a nice place to have a despedida lunch because it feels cozy and the atmosphere is conducive to kwentuhan. I wouldn't eat here everyday though-- it's too expensive for a regular office lunch.

NYFD Diner (Cybermall Eastwood, Libis)

Rating:
Today's lunch was at NYFD Diner (New York Fries and Dips) at the 3rd floor of Cybermall in Eastwood City, Libis, QC. They serve sandwiches, cakes/desserts and some lunch fare. We ordered their pasta with meatballs, hamburger steak, hungarian sausage and cajun chicken pasta.

• For a small place with about 12 tables, the service was bad, our food wasn't served simultaneously and it was difficult to get the attention of the waiters.
• The food was so-so. Nothing great.
  

Maybe their sandwiches are better but I won't stick around to find out. 2 Pawikans for this place. Minus points because of slow service.