Photo: Hirana Studio \ Instagram
Cover Photo: Hirana Studio \ Instagram

Welcome to Foodie Finds! This is an article series by Tatler, chronicling where and what to order according to the food-obsessed

I myself have never understood non-foodies. How can one not love flavours, spices, aromas and all the cultural nuances and memories that come with every bite? Dining is an experience meant to be savoured and is even more fun when shared with loved ones. Dining around a table means sharing, conversing, bonding and learning. A dish can tell you so much about a person, a culture, and a country. It speaks volumes of a nation’s history and is an art form on its own. Skilled hands are trained over years or are born out of pure passion and practice. Professional chefs and home cooks alike, from young stars to grandmothers, have been cooking up meals filled with emotion and have truly made us foodies, happy.

Through Foodie Finds, we ask our epicurean friends to share their favourites. In this feature, we tackle takeout and delivery. Hear what chef Don Baldosano of Linamnam has to say. He shares his go-to shops for takeout here: 

See also: Tatler's Guide to the Best Burgers in Metro Manila

Tatler Asia
Chef Don Baldosano
Above Chef Don Baldosano

1. Gang Green Falafels

@gang.greenfalafels 

A store that is a must for anyone looking for a flavour punch and a filling meal. Gang Green doesn’t offer up your usual falafels. Once you taste this you’ll understand why people love them. Not only is it enticing to look at but it is also so delicious; you just can’t stop eating it with the wide array of textures in each bite. This is the brainchild of Mikel Zaguirre along with Gino Palma and JC Rivera, the guys behind the also ever delicious Aguirre Fried Chicken. There are a lot of falafels on offer in Gang Green but don’t let that intimidate you. You can close your eyes and choose one and for sure you will still have one of the best falafels you’ve tried. My favourites are the no. 03 and the no.05 that has bananaganoush in it. Even their buchi with hummus inside is bomb too! 

See also: The Future of F&B is in the Cloud says chef Mikel Zaguirre

2. Harina Studio

@harinastudio

Harina Studio isn’t just your normal bakery that offers your usual bread line-up. They have a variety of pastries, breads, desserts and cakes by Shelly Cledera. Whenever I try their products, what always comes to mind are three things, the nostalgia, creativity and deep flavour for each of the things they make. You definitely need to try their strawberry cookie crumble; think Filipino strawberry cracker on steroids. Their apple hand pies have this amazing crust and gooey filling that will make you want to eat the entire pie. 

See also: Where to buy the Best Pies in Metro Manila

3. Bombvinos 

@bombvinos

If you fancy daytime drinking and easily drinkable wines, then natty wines are for you. Bombvinos is where my natural wine paradise, offering various natty wines from all over the world by Paolo Monasterio and Joey Osmeña. It would be hard to go wrong with a bottle here, especially if you’re looking for lovely pet nats. They have a wide array of wines from different countries and regions. One of my favourites from them is the line-up of Konpira Maru from Australia; you especially need to get Mt. Midoriyama and Admiral Ackbar. 

See also: Paolo Monasterio of Bombvinos on his Passion for Natural Wines

4. Anybody Wines

@anybodywines

This is another natty wine store that is one of my go to’s when looking for interesting choices of wines. Marco See even goes to Europe just to get his wonderful line- up of natural wines, and talks to some of the wineries before carrying their wines. You can get any bottle here and I think you will be pleased. But try and get the II Rose and The Beast a natural sparkling rose that will surely go with any Filipino dish. Although not a wine, their cider named Fuente Guijarro Sidra del Sur is a must. Definitely don’t miss any bottles from their Korab wines line up as well. 

See also: Natural Wines in the Philippines

5. Easy as Pie, Piece of Cake (EAPPOC)

@eappocpizza

Detroit pizza is all the rage now and EAPPOC features one of the best in the country. They offer up different flavours for their Detroit pizza, but still perfecting the classics. Must-haves are the OG red and the Pep for me!

See also: Where to Order the Best Pizzas in Metro Manila

6. Jts Manukan

@jtsmanukan

A current favourite of mine, offering up your classic Visayan fair with the must-not-miss mouthwatering inasal na manok. Don’t expect anything fancy here but, expect good food, Filipino-esque ambience and an extremely full tummy after eating. Things that I usually get are the pecho, corazon or chicken hearts, and their oddly addicting cheese sticks. I also heard that they offer up pancit and gambas in certain places that I have yet to try.

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