No it’s not a Chinese restaurant. It’s a Thai restaurant in Greenbelt 3.

What’s more intriguing is that the dishes are not prepared by a Thai chef, but instead are prepared by the Scottish chef Colin Mackay. Chef Mackay doesn’t just whip up ordinary Thai food, he lovingly prepares them with a modern twist. The regulars in the menu include Chicken with Pandan leaves, Crispy Fried Squid and the Kapi Fried Rice.

Address: Ground Floor, Garden Side, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati

Telephone: 632 729 2888

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Part of the RainTree Group of Restaurants, that includes famous names like M Cafe, Momo, and Chelsea, Mr. Jones Restaurant is what can be called a diner for the upscale crowd. The food here, although these are your diner staples, are meticulously prepared and presented. The restaurant has become famous not only because of its loudly designed interiors – that harks you back to the swell period of 1950s but also because of its Superman Burger.

Address: Ground Floor Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center, Makati

Telephone: 632 501 3111

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Located at the ground floor of Ayala Museum, Museum Cafe offers museum-goers a break for their tired feet by offering pleasant meals. The dishes of the museum cafe can be described as Asian Fusion, with dominant influences of Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. Specialties of the house are its Spring Rolls and Xiaoxing Pork Belly. The prices at M Cafe are not as steep as compared to more upscale restaurants.

Address: Museum Cafe Ayala Museum Greenbelt 4, Makati Avenue, Makati City

Telephone: 632 757 3000

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Lu Restaurant, or “Lu Lu” as some people prefer to call it, is a Moroccan/Mediterranean restaurant in Rockwell Center Makati. It is the setting of dinners for business people during early evenings, and converts itself to a bar by 10PM for the yuppie crowd.

Favorite dishes at Lu are its Couscous and Brochettes. For cocktails, Lu whips up its own version of the Mojito, aptly called the “Lujito.”

Address: Joya South Tower, Rockwell, Makati City

Telephone: 632 403 3991

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Kai Restaurant is located in the hip Greenbelt 5 of Ayala Center in Makati. It offers a mix of Japanese and American dishes suited to fusion cuisine fans. The favorites in Kai Restaurant are its Soft Shell Crab Roll and its Wasabi Oyster Tempura. Kai is a very ideal venue for intimate get-togethers with its dishes priced mid-range.

Address: Unit 112 Ground Floor, Greenbelt 5, Makati City

Telephone: 632 7575209

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Gustavus is one of those restaurants in the city where you can have nice date or dinner with close friends. The restaurant is located on the quiet Palanca Street, away from buses and jeepneys of Ayala Avenue. Inside, Gustavus is tastefully decorated with plush couches and gentle lighting. The restaurant prides itself with its New England-style chowder, Gustavus Oysters, and its USDA ribeye steak. For dessert, Gustavus does not have a set menu. Ask what they have for the day, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Address: 109 C. Palanca Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City

Telephone: 632 813 0475

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If you’ve been wondering what the hype is all about this Italian restaurant, then you must try it for yourself. With hundreds of Italian restaurants in the city, Bacci Ristorante Italiano is tagged by foodies as the best Italian restaurant in Manila. It sets itself apart from the other Italian restaurants with its selection of wines and bread baked in-house, which means it only serves fresh bread.

Bacci offers devlivery services within the Makati area.

Address: 107 Ground Floor, Legaspi Towers 200, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City

Telephone: 632 8282235

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AzuThai claims that it is the only restaurant that offers homestyle Thai cuisine. Its two resident chefs straight from Phuket Thailand ensures you get nothing less, with their homestyle dishes based on their family recipes. The restaurant itself is tastefully designed and homey. Specialties of the house include shrimp cakes, crispy duck salad and the Pad Thai.

AzuThai is open daily for lunch and dinner. You can call ahead for reservations.

Address: Ground Floor Milky Way Building, 900 Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati City

Telephone: 632 817 6252 / 632 813 0671

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Astralis Restaurant is located inside the posh Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center. It serves continental dishes that are fairly priced – almost to the level of casual dining restaurants of the city. The menu includes dishes such as Mozzarella Salad, Mushroom Soup, Prawn Risotto and Stuffed Chicken with Gorgonzola, Mozzarella and Stilton. Astralis also offers great desserts that are sure to delight diners, it has Chocolate Truffle with Lemon Curd and a Fruit Platter with Sherbet.

Address: R1 – 144 Lopez Drive, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati

Telephone: 632 8907124

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Chef Jessie’s at the Rockwell Club is a mainstay in the exclusive Makati Lifestyle club. At Chef Jessie’s guests are treated to a warm and cozy retreat that is elegantly decorated. For the food, the restaurant whips up sumptuous Mediterranean delights.

The restaurant has two levels, with the mezzanine level great for more intimate events. There is also a private room for even smaller functions.

Operating Hours: 11 AM to 11 PM

Address: Ground Floor Amorsolo Tower, Amorsolo Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati

Telephone: 632 897 7516

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