First-time in You Jie Xiao Chao Restaurant

…and Manila’s other hole-in-the-wall eateries

It was another holiday in the Philippines as we commemorated the Day of Valor, celebrating the bravery of Filipino soldiers who fought during World War II. Supposedly, my friends and I were scheduled to go to Corregidor Island, the fortress of Japanese soldiers. Unfortunately, the cruise liner called the day before our trip to inform us that the vessel taking us there experienced mechanical trouble, thus, our schedule was canceled.

Not to waste such a good day, we decided to visit various churches in Makati, Pasay, and Taguig, cities in the National Capital Region of Metro Manila. It was an extended Holy Week for us, minus the crowd and throngs of pilgrims.

But the highlight of our day was a dinner in a hole-in-the-wall eatery that one of our companions recommended. When you’ve been living in a place for a long time, you seem to look for unfamiliar places to eat, to try something novel, and to enjoy a newly discovered joint. It’s like finding out a secret and then you’re dying to share it with only your close circle of friends, but careful not to shout it out to the whole world. Nevertheless, it was a good secret to tell, and I’ll explain why.

We went to a modest neighborhood in Makati. The restaurant was inconspicuous with only a simple facade, looking as if just another apartment door. It was until we approached the entryway and read an announcement from their management that confirmed we found the right place. The note stated that the restaurant, named You Jie Xiao Chao, would be undergoing renovation a few days after, a symbol that it was gaining a following.

As we swung open the frosted glass door, we were surprised to find all seven or nine tables full. Most of the customers were Chinese. A framed paper with Chinese characters hung on the wall, giving us a hint of the kind of cuisine we would expect from this restaurant.

The waitress handed us a compilation of photos of their menu. Enthusiastically, we perused what she handed us, huddled in the center of the tiny eatery. While customers were focused on their food, we were equally busy getting our pick and placing our order.

When one table became available, we immediately took the recently vacated chairs as more people arrived, peeking behind the restaurant’s door and waiting for their turn. After a few minutes of waiting, our rice orders came along with the fried string beans and chicken with peanuts.

What followed was a large bowl of steamed fish covered with red hot chili, which we mistook for tomatoes. The fish was truly tasty. Despite its spicy flavor that stung our mouths, we gorged the delectable fish head.

A plate of spare ribs and another one of dumplings were placed before us. We never realized we had so much food! But what can we do when we have so many mouthwatering offerings shown to us?

So, a few days after I found out this little secret of my friend, I’m sharing this hole-in-the-wall, You Jie Xiao Chao restaurant, with you. Be sure to try it out yourself, and keep this little secret close to your heart.

Now, here are some little secrets that can be whispered to your ear.

SOMS

Near You Jie Xiao Chao, within the Rockwell area, is another hole-in-the-wall called Soms, specializing on Thai cuisine. The restaurant looked like an apartment row with tables and chairs spilling outside at the small road.

The first and only time I ate there with friends, we enjoyed the pad thai which was truly flavorful. However, we had to contend eating inside the warm eatery which lacked ventilation. But the other night when we passed by the area, Soms looked all lit up, larger and with glass walls. It seemed renovated and pretty new. That was understandable given the influx of diners going there with a business school nearby. But I hope it won’t get too commercialized that the homey and intimate feel will be eased out.

*Update: Soms has upgraded and its space is wider and can accommodate more diners.

Fat Michael’s Place

Located in a corner apartment in one of the dense residential and commercial area of Makati, Fat Michael’s Place does not seem a sought-after restaurant. They even do not promise anything, warning their customers that they cook slow.

Yet, diners do not mind, if only to get a bite of their ever delicious pizza, pasta, paella, and other specialties.

The pizza uses crispy crust, white cheese, fresh ingredients, and chili oil, that makes everything more mouthwatering. The paella is cooked just right with a variety of Chinese sausage, shrimps, and sea shells. On top of that, you’ll crave for the frothy iced tea.

 

They truly cook slow as they prepare their food fresh. We usually call and place our orders ahead of time, but we still have to wait for our order. We don’t make a big deal out of it because the restaurant has magazines and books available to keep us preoccupied as they cook our meal.

Fat Michael’s Place may be a bit dark because it is covered with plants. It is a bit old, because it seems like a house converted into a small eating joint. But it’s also its homey feel and  privacy that lure customers to this restaurant. It also projects a romantic feel. The interior has a bohemian look, using old scarves to cover lamps, laces on the sofa and tables, and mix-and-match set of tables, chairs, and couch as well as plates, utensils, and glasses. There are postcards, paintings, and old photos adorning the walls. European songs complete the whole ambiance.

I’ve been to this place several times and I couldn’t get enough of their food. Still, I don’t know who Fat Michael is.

*Update: Fat Michael’s Place in Evangelista is now Le Bistro Agithe.

Cafe Juanita

The first time I ate at Cafe Juanita, I felt a bigger and more elaborate Fat Michael’s Place. There were many shelves around the restaurant with sets of porcelain and China wares that, I believe, were up for sale. There was a small fountain in one corner, various lamps hanging overhead with laces on them, mirrors everywhere, and other intricate decorations on the walls.

Food were more of Filipino and other Asian food, prepared deliciously. We had fried fish that was utterly crispy and mouthwatering. The beef that we ate was tender and flavorful. The dessert was also superb! We had the mouthwatering ice cream with fresh mangoes on the side.

So, if you happen to be in Manila and crave for home-made flavorful food, you don’t have to go to the malls and march with the crowd. You can opt for a private restaurant you can enjoy with a few diners and indulge yourself in the delicious menus of these holes-in-the-wall.

*Update: Cafe Juanita has moved to the location across its original restaurant in Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

This post participated in the Lonely Planet Blogsherpa Blog Carnival #11 on Food Around the World hosted by Tie Dye Travels.