Part 2

MANILA, Philippines?Like Aristocrat, Milky Way was established in the ?50s as an ice cream parlor in the Old San Miguel before it was bought by the Araullos in 1962. It became known for heavy merienda fare such as halo-halo, dinuguan (meat stew), sandwiches, cakes and regional cuisine.

Some cooks from the original kitchen are still around. Conrad Calalang recommends this restaurant to the balikbayan. ?They have good Filipino and Pampango dishes. The hito is simple but good.?

Veteran journalist and foodie Teddy Montelibano says, ?The adobong pusit (squid), adobong pato (duck), sinigang na baka or salmon, and?best of all?lechon kawali made from lechon de leche and other classic Filipino staples, are all delicious.?

(Located at 2/F Milkyway Bldg., 900 Pasay Road, Makati City, 8434124/ 8437124; Rockwell Power Plant, 7565026; V-Mall (Virra Mall) G/F, Greenhills Shopping Center, 7265541)

Aristocrat

Founded in 1936, this restaurant paved the way for other Filipino restaurants. The original Aristocrat faces the famous Manila Bay. Chef Eduardo Quimson declares the barbecue is unmatched.

?The barbecue is continuously being ordered so there are no precooked ones that will dry out or get tough,? says Nancy Reyes-Lumen. ?It?s all cooked a la minute, reaching the customer still steaming hot and fresh from the coals. Worth the good wait. And would you believe our coffee is one of the best in town? Continuous food traffic means always fresh brew available.?

(Located at 432 San Andres cor. Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila, 5247671 to 80; 146 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati, 8950275/ 8950725; Robinsons Place Manila, Pedro Gil wing, 5233923)

Kamayan

Foreigners usually get their first taste of the lechon (roasted suckling pig) at Kamayan, observes Reyes-Lumen. The Kamayan Lechon de Leche is its signature dish, made from a month-old pig.

Kamayan?s concept was eating the traditional way?with the hands. Today, it thrives on the eat-all-you-can buffet that features over 50 home-grown dishes. It also includes the Sizzle and Grill fare.

(Located at Glorietta, 8928898; Megamall, 6363780; P. Faura, Ermita, 5281723; West Avenue, Quezon City, . 3728845)

Fely J?s Kitchen

This new restaurant consolidates the top dishes of the LJC restaurants. There are very long tables set for reunions and meetings. The popular dishes are pork soup with jackfruit, St. Peter?s fish with plum sauce, bam-i or a combination of thick noodles with glass noodles and pork adodo, temple crab and unpeeled shrimps with green chilies. Everyone is raving about the local version of the apple pie, which uses guava instead.
(Located at Greenbelt 5)
(More next week)