March 2003
Destination: Manila

Malate, Evolved
by Chavez

Malate offers a unique blend of music and relaxation. Its clubbing days are gone and have evolved into a new phase: fine dining and lounging. Fine dining has conquered Malate a couple of years back after the underground rave scene has died down. There are still couple of loud rocking places on the block such the verve for people with eclectic taste in music and unplugged for acoustic settings. There is also Ladida and Coyote Bar for the partyphiles. Malate crowd has gone through the process of metamorphosis so to speak. It has evolved to its new level of maturity. Laid back, creative and mature. Here is a list of places I recommend for an evening of creative fine dining and lounging:

Acquario
Is the best place to unwind and relax. With its spacious and unique and all white interiors nothing could go wrong. Projected trippy colorful images on the wall accentuate the place and of course satisfies the visual cravings of warped minds. With wide selection of beverages that suite the taste of every Acquario goer from hippie to yuppie.

Café Breton
Crepe and Jazz lovers! This is the perfect place for you. Wide selection of crepes to choose from to suit every palette and you can even make your own! Quaint, cozy and affordable. This place is a MUST to go to. Enjoy the soulful tunes of Billie Holiday and Louie Armstrong while savouring your mouth- watering crepe.

Fidel
French/Moroccan inspired dining/lounging place. Owned by Firma owners Chito Vijandre and Richard Danao. Its tasteful and elegant interiors are something you could expect at Fidel. You must not leave this place without trying their rich,nutty and chocolaty dessert called Dementia. It will definitely blow your mind and make a demented person out of you!

Bravo
Foccaccia, Prosciutto, salads, pizzas are their specialty! If Italian cuisine is on the top of your favorite dishes, then you might want to try Bravo! Their wine list is also very impressive.

Golden Triangle
Thai food at its best at Golden Triangle. Superb ambience and very laid back setting. Pillows,mats and antique furniture will set the mood for an evening of thai food and a perfect place for blissful relaxation.

The Verve
It has been in Malate for several years now and still undefeated. A night of music and drinking at verve will want you to come back for more. This place is the epitome of ultimate fun and music.

Mamma
What's good about this place is that it is spacious and very elegant. The dining area is located at the top floor while the bar/lounge is at the ground floor. The bar area creates a stylish, laid back atmosphere that makes the place a perfect hang out. Also easy house, laid back Italian 60's music and Italian house remixes complements the hip environment.

Ladida
If you want to mingle with wild crowds and party til you drop, Ladida is the place for you. With its red motif and lively atmosphere, you wouldn't want to leave the place til sun rise.

Café Havana
It has been around since 1998 and it was the first Cuban restaurant in the Philippines. The music, cigars and food are only some things to look forward to at Café Havana. Authentic Cuban, African and Latin beats are played to entice guests to let loose and show their moves.

Raj
The most stylish, creative and expensive (But it's worth it!) Indian restaurant in Malate. The interior is pretty amazing. Its rich blend of colors and elegant setting can set the mood for couples and would-be couples. Romantic and intimate… Perfect for dates.

Komiks
Inspired by the local komiks character Bentong, the place is known for its excellent food. Though prizes may be a bit expensive but it surely is worth it. I highly recommend their salad and chicken with mango toppings. Inside Rizal Shrine-also an old brick barracks-are the doctor's manuscripts of his novels Noli Me Tangere ("Touch Me Not") and El Filibusterismo ("Subversion"), as well as his tools, clothing and other curios like the Rizaliana Furniture Exhibit.

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Malate offers a unique blend of music and relaxation. It has evolved into a new phase: fine dining and lounging.

If California has San Francisco as its "Art Hub", then the Philippines has Manila as its center for culture and arts.

Long have I wandered the streets of Manila in search for a place of comfort, long have I wandered the streets of Manila in search for a place of refuge.

A long long time ago, before World War II, or urban development, two buildings stood in quiet majesty along a narrow kalye behind the University of Santo Tomas.

Before packing your bags and buying your travel tickets, though, why not consider staying in Manila for a while and checking out its own notable tourist destinations?