Joanna James
Makati is the central business district in Manila a place where all the business ventures that shape the Philipines gather to carry out their business. You will find plenty of headquarters and offices of major corporations in this area. So if you are visiting for a business trip here's what you can do in Makati.
You'll be hungry after your business meetings and maybe don't want to go back to one of those 2 bedroom hotels in Manila that you checked into for dinner. This is where Hole in the Wall at Century Mall comes in. It is a contemporary food court that has a relaxing and cool ambience and contains eleven food stalls that sell everything from tacos at Tacqueria Filipina to Japanese cheesecake at Green Cheese. There are just so many options you will not be able to choose. It is open from 11 am to 10 pm every day.
The parking lot of Legazpi Park comes alive on Sundays for the Legazpi Sunday Farmers' Market which is a great place to visit for a quick breakfast or to root around looking for groceries and fresh produce, as well as laidback music that you can sit back and enjoy. Of course, you won't need to cook your meals if you are staying at a resort, like Berjaya Makati Hotel, but you can always get some fruit to take back to your room with you. The farmers' market is open from 8 am to 2 pm every Sunday without fail.
Finders Keepers is a full bar located in an abandoned warehouse with a strong speakeasy vibe going on with the décor and the atmosphere. It makes for an interesting place to stop by after your meetings for a drink and some bonding. The cocktail menu is very clever and regulars swear by the drinks called F*ck Squirt and the Sangria so be sure to check those out. It is a non-smoking establishment but you can always catch a smoke outside.
Jolly-Jeep is the street food truck in Makati that you must get a bit out of before you leave Manila. The food is far cheaper than at fast food outlets and for a nominal cost, you can enjoy a wholesome bowl of Sinigang or Kakanin and the delicious Turon, wrapped in banana. Keep an eye out for them on the back streets.
Little Tokyo is where you go if you are craving some Japanese food, and let's face it, who isn't? There are plenty of places where you can get some sushi or ramen. The whole area looks like it came from the page of a manga. There's Okonomiyaki at Kagura, a delicious Japanese buffet at Urameshi-ya Yakiniku and salmon sashimi at Nodasho. You can also visit Shinjuku Ramen for a steaming bowl that would make a hearty meal at any time of the day. There's also a bento shop called Yamazaki Bento serving delicious tonkatsu on rice.
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