MANILA, Philippines?The next time you want to enjoy a good meal, think and do like the preppies and other office workers of Makati do. They explore their backyard.

More and more, the streets of Makati business district?specifically the Legaspi and Salcedo Villages?are becoming a complete neighborhood; people not only work there, they also dine and play hard there, way after office hours. That?s why these tree-lined neighborhoods are no longer ghost towns at night or on weekends. They?re developing a warm ambiance, especially when outdoor cafés line the streets.

Lately, these areas have also been culinary destinations of foodies or just stressed-out rat racers who want to pig out and unwind.

You have an alternative to the mall. Arm yourself with this map, explore the streets of Legaspi and Salcedo Villages, and discover the countless treats awaiting you behind these 13 doors.

Apartment 1B

Cozy and homey, this beloved little restaurant serves gourmet comfort food.

Address: G/L, Unit 1-B, One Lafayette Square, 132 L.P. Leviste cor. Sedeño Sts., Salcedo Village, Makati

Digits: 8434075, 8554560

Operating hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-12 midnight, Friday-Saturdays; closed on Sundays

How to grab a table: Call 8434075 or 0920-8554560 for reservations.

Bestsellers: Meatloaf (garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, sauteed vegetables), P340; Spaghetti Vongole (Manila clams, tomatoes, basil, white wine, garlic, olive oil), P340; Foie Gras (pan-seared goose liver, pineapple compote, raspberry-Merlot sauce), P1,320

121

A lunch favorite of Makati employees because of its filling rice meals, 121 turns into a late-night al fresco hangout where the chow is good and the beer cheap.

Address: G/Level, Adamson Center 121 L.P. Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati

Digits: Tel. 8928301

Operating hours: 10 a.m.-2 a.m., Monday-Friday; 6 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturdays; closed on Sundays

How to grab a table: Just walk in

Bestsellers: Pork Chops, P135; Chicken Kebab, P135; Liempo, P135

Tsumura Sushi Bar and Restaurant

People flock to Tsumura for the excellent sushi and sashimi. You can?t expect anything less from a restaurant that?s owned and run by a Japanese sushi chef.

Address: 2/L, 88 Corporate Plaza, Sedeño corner Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati

The digits: tel. 8874848 to 50, 8121393

Operating hours: Lunch is from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner is from 5:30-10:30 p.m. every day

How to grab a table: Call 8874848 to 50 for reservations.

Bestsellers: The sushi and the sashimi. Japanese food fans love Take (P493), a sashimi platter made from fresh local ingredients; Ume (P862), a sashimi platter made from ingredients imported from Japan and Aoi (P986), a platter of 11 different kinds of sushi.

Fig & Olive

Two restaurants in one, Fig & Olive has a double menu of Spanish and Mediterranean dishes.

Address: G/L, Level GF & Partners Bldg., 139 H.V. Dela Costa corner Sanchez Sts., Salcedo Village, Makati

Digits: 8120016

Operating hours: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Monday- Thursday; 11:30 a.m. -2 a.m., Fridas; open for dinner on Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Sundays

How to grab a table: Call 8120016

Bestsellers: Lamb kebab, P380; Callos, P360; Lengua, P420; Gambas Aligue, P295; Paella Mariscos (saffron-infused Spanish rice with shrimps, mussels and shrimp), P950 or P475 for half

Alexa?s Deli Café and Wine Bar

Give your favorite coffee chain a break and try Alexa?s, a haven for both coffee and wine lovers.

Address: G/L, Classical Condominium 112 H.V De La Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati

Digits: 8137097, 8134218

Operating hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. every day.

How to grab a table: Just walk in.

Bestsellers: Deli Breakfast (bacon, ham or sausage, fried eggs, bread, jam and butter), P140; Banana Macadamia Nut Pancake, P220; Greek Salad, P150; Shrimp Pesto Fettuccini, P175; Angel Hair in Fresh Tomato Basil Topped With Feta Cheese; Turkey Sandwich, P195

Malcolm?s

Malcolm?s is home to Wagyu everything, from steak and burgers to corned beef and sisig.

Address: 108 H. V. Dela Costa Street Salcedo Village, Makati

Digits: 8440000

Operating hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-11 p.m. on weekends

How to grab a table: Just walk in

Bestsellers: Wagyu Rib-Eye, P1750; Wagyu Burger (ground wagyu beef patties rolled in spices), P300; Wagyu Sirloin, P995; Wagyu Striploin, P995; Salmon Says (spaghetti with smoked salmon and lemon cream sauce), P220; Shrimply The Best (shrimp and garlic pasta with tomato sauce, white wine and lemon), P250

The New Bombay Canteen

New Bombay may be expanding (it now has branches in Glorietta and will open in The Podium next month) but the original home of this authentic family-run Indian restaurant is still as good as ever.

Address: G/F, Sagittarius Building De La Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati

Digits: 8192892

Operating hours: 9:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. every day including Sundays and holidays

How to grab a table: Just walk in. It gets crazy-full during lunch, though.

Bestsellers: Samosas, P70; Saffron Rice (basmati yellow rice mixed in dried fruits), P150; Chicken Tikka Masala, p170; Mutton Roghan Josh (cooked with ground almonds, tomato puree, Indian cream), P170; Chicken Tandoor, P160

Teazann

There?s more to Teazann than just tea. It serves good filling meals at affordable prices.

Address: Unit G-02 139 Corporate Center 139 Valero St., corner Sedeno Salcedo Village, Makati

The digits: 8170427

Operating hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Mondays-Fridays; 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays; closed on Sundays

How to grab a table: Just walk in

Bestsellers: Grilled Fillet of Fish with Sweet Sour Glaze, P285; Crispy Knock-Out Knuckles (deep-fried pork knuckles with roasted garlic and finger chili), P595; Sate Beef Noodles (tender cooked beef in mildly spicy sate sauce on a bed of oriental noodles with garlic, chives and cilantro), P255

Coquina

Restaurant by day and hot entertainment spot at night, Coquina serves Filipino, Spanish and American dishes.

Address: G/L, Somerset Bldg. De La Costa cor. Leviste and Soliman Streets, Salcedo Village, Makati

The digits: 8886650

Operating hours: 7 a.m.-12 midnight, Monday-Friday; 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturdays; 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays

How to grab a table: Call 8886650 for reservations.

Bestsellers: Salpicao, P245; Fillet Mignon, P370; T-Bone Steak, P370; Steak and Prawns, P395; Gambas, P245; Hot Pepper Steak, P370; Porterhouse Steak, P370

Murphy?s Irish Pub

Walking into this bar will transport you to another world, where 40 kinds of beer and great fish and chips are served.

Address: Citiland Condo III Building 105 V.A. Rufino cor. Estaban Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati

The digits: 8941884, 8131378

Operating hours: 10 a.m.-1 a.m. every day, even on Sundays

How to grab a table: Just walk in. But walk in early; the place is packed at night.

Bestsellers: Samosas and Chutney, P175; Bangers and Mash, P330; Fish and Chips, P315

La Grotta Cucina Italiana

Fans of La Grotta love this Italian restaurant not just for the food but for the personal service. The staff actually remembers which pasta you like.

Address: G/L, AETNA Building V.A. Rufino St. (formerly Herrera St.), Legaspi Village Makati

The digits: 8941320, 8173306

Operating hours: Lunch is from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner is from 5:30 p.m.-11 p.m. every day

How to grab a table: Call 8941320 for reservations.

Bestsellers: Tagliata Manzo Al Albese (US beef tenderloin with black truffle sauce), P980; Roasted Chicken, P800; Tagliatelle Di Tartufo (homemade flat pasta mixed with porcini and parma ham in truffle cream sauce), P384; Fettucini Alla Grotta (pasta with Italian sausage and Italian bacon in ricotta cream cheese), P341; Bianca Pizza (ricotta cheese, gorgonzola cheese, prosiutto and mozzarella), P390

Caffe A-go-go

Staying at Caffe A-go-go feels like hanging out at your best friend?s place?if he or she can make good paninis.

Address: G/L, Kalayaan Bldg. 164 Salcedo St., Legaspi Village Makati City

Digits: 8921743, 8138813

Operating hours: 6:30 a.m.-12 midnight, Mondays-Fridays; 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays; closed on Sundays

How to grab a table: Just walk in

Bestsellers: Tuna Panini, P115; Spicy Sausage, P155; Sausage Platter, P399

Tabu

Tabu transforms itself throughout the day, from a lunch stop to a dinner venue to a hip club where pretty much anything can happen.

Address: 235 Salcedo St. Legaspi Village, Makati

Digits: 8177523

Operating hours: 11 a.m.-5 a.m. every day except Sundays

How to grab a table: Reservations aren?t necessary except on Tuesdays and Thursdays when it hosts Models Night and the place is usually packed.

Bestsellers: Bojie?s Mix (grilled pork marinated in special lime juice and herbs), P175; Cheese Rolls (special recipe of blended meat, cheese and vegetables stuffing served with sweet and sour sauce), P185; Beef Curry, P395; Kare-Kare, P395

Gweilos

Gweilos Makati doesn?t really need bands to make sure people keep coming back. The laidback vibe, the food and the beer are enough.

Address: G/L, F&M Lopez Building 109 C. Palanca St., Legaspi Village Makati

Digits: 8176083

Operating hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-3 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays; closed on Sundays.

How to grab a table: Just walk in

Bestsellers: The pizzas?especially the Native Pizza (tuyo flakes, basil pesto, feta); P250 and Roast Beef Pizza (cajun roast beef, mushrooms, bell peppers), P290; Salpicao and Gambas Combo (beef cubes and shrimp drenched in a marinade with garlic and stir fried), P220; Chuletas de Pollo (Split Leg and Thigh pounded into fillets, deep-fried and served with gravy and french fries), P170; Sizzling Sisig, P180; Gweilos Burger with Chili and Cheese, P230 and Nachos, P155.