CARLOS RECOMMENDS!
A NIGHT AT THE ROUND TABLE
La Identidad Filipina
A Round Table Discussion
April 4, Tuesday, 7:00PM
Cocktails afterwards
Anybody wanna come with me to this one? Jessica Zafra, Fernando Zialcita, and Ambeth Ocampo, It's like the three tenors of Filipino popular culture. I'm definitely going to check it out. Then I'm thinking about maybe having dinner afterwards at this place...
Aptly called Ambos Mundos (which means "both worlds"), this little restaurant is literally a combination of the past and the present, the east and the west, the Philippines and Spain, and gentility and grittiness all at the same time. First opened in 1888 by Spanish immigrants, the Gaudinezes, Ambos Mundos (above) could be arguably Manila's oldest restaurant (unless of course, somebody knows another that's older). Originally located on Echague (now C. Palanca), right beside Plaza Goiti (now Plaza Lacson) before dragging their original narra furniture, carved wood detailing, and generations old recipes to their current location near the Rizal Avenue MRT-2 stop, near the corner of Florentino Torres and C. Recto St. (formerly Azcarraga) right down from the original TVT Building/Manila Times Office - which looks like it's being readied for demolition by the way.
But anyhoo, their menu (above) is definitely Rizalian. Written on a chalk board out front and also available in laminated form, their selections are strictly old school Manila fare, a mix of Philippine and Iberian specialties with paella prices looking like they came from an era long forgotten era as well.
But aside from the Nick Joaquin chic decor (Spanish plates (above), bullfighting posters, ceiling fans and capiz lamps), most importantly, their staff was friendly and their San Miguels came to the table ice cold and immediately.
According to the employees, a couple generations ago, the Gaudinezes married into the Leung family of Chinatown, after which they opened up the much more famous Cantonese restaurant Wah Sun right across the street from Ambos Mundos.
And I guess, as a celebration of familial love and unity, both restaurants keep matching pet pigs right in front of their establishments. Make sure not to trip on them on your way out (Ambos Mundo's pig above; Wah Sun's pig below).
And it isn't an easy place to find, mind you. So if you really need a landmark, Just look for the crumbling but stunning Deluxe Chinese cinema located right beside Ambos Mundos and at the corner of F. Torres and Soler (below). A million maraming muchos gracias to Anson Yu for the shout out about these little gems.
AMBOS MUNDOS
770-772 Florentino Torres Street.
Tel. 7336709
WAH SUN CANTONESE CUISINE
Right across from Ambos Mundos
Tel. 7344108
Aptly called Ambos Mundos (which means "both worlds"), this little restaurant is literally a combination of the past and the present, the east and the west, the Philippines and Spain, and gentility and grittiness all at the same time. First opened in 1888 by Spanish immigrants, the Gaudinezes, Ambos Mundos (above) could be arguably Manila's oldest restaurant (unless of course, somebody knows another that's older). Originally located on Echague (now C. Palanca), right beside Plaza Goiti (now Plaza Lacson) before dragging their original narra furniture, carved wood detailing, and generations old recipes to their current location near the Rizal Avenue MRT-2 stop, near the corner of Florentino Torres and C. Recto St. (formerly Azcarraga) right down from the original TVT Building/Manila Times Office - which looks like it's being readied for demolition by the way.
But anyhoo, their menu (above) is definitely Rizalian. Written on a chalk board out front and also available in laminated form, their selections are strictly old school Manila fare, a mix of Philippine and Iberian specialties with paella prices looking like they came from an era long forgotten era as well.
But aside from the Nick Joaquin chic decor (Spanish plates (above), bullfighting posters, ceiling fans and capiz lamps), most importantly, their staff was friendly and their San Miguels came to the table ice cold and immediately.
According to the employees, a couple generations ago, the Gaudinezes married into the Leung family of Chinatown, after which they opened up the much more famous Cantonese restaurant Wah Sun right across the street from Ambos Mundos.
And I guess, as a celebration of familial love and unity, both restaurants keep matching pet pigs right in front of their establishments. Make sure not to trip on them on your way out (Ambos Mundo's pig above; Wah Sun's pig below).
And it isn't an easy place to find, mind you. So if you really need a landmark, Just look for the crumbling but stunning Deluxe Chinese cinema located right beside Ambos Mundos and at the corner of F. Torres and Soler (below). A million maraming muchos gracias to Anson Yu for the shout out about these little gems.
AMBOS MUNDOS
770-772 Florentino Torres Street.
Tel. 7336709
WAH SUN CANTONESE CUISINE
Right across from Ambos Mundos
Tel. 7344108
posted by carlosceldran @ 6:24 PM
27 Comments:
AFAIK, these two eating places have a common menu. Meaning, when you're in Ambos Mundos, you can order the Chinese food from Wah Sun using the former's menu and vice versa.
The dishes are good and are reasonably priced.
Panciteria San Jacinto is probably older. I can't remember exactly but I think they opened in 1865 (or thereabouts). While it's not in its original location on T. Pinpin anymore (burned down 15 yrs ago), they're still serving great (and unbelievably inexpensive) Chinese food along Quezon Avenue, still using some furniture they saved from the fire.
The franchises in Pasig and Cainta are more expensive, and not all dishes taste like those of the original.
those pet pigs are probably doing so much better than Gretchen Barretos' party favors.
If you are driving to those two restaurant, go first to Lawton and follow the jeeps going into Santa Cruz / Blumentritt. Follow the jeeps driving pass Sta. Cruz Church, while avoiding the jeeps turning right at the foot of the bridge near Plaza Fair Dept. Store. In a short while you should be approaching the corner of Soler St and Florentino Torres. The Deluxe cinema signage should be in sight by then. You can park your car at the parking lot next to the cinema and from there walk over to the two restaurant.
afaik I guess means, As far as I know? Did I get that right?
Another place to go once the paycheck arrives. :)
Is Ramon Lee still open? Just wondering...
Ramon Lee Fried Chicken? Yes. It is.
Carlos,
I'll go to the talk if you are — sounds interesting.
Lali
Hi Carlos, AFAIK is as far as I know. Medy nahihilig din ako sa mga usong abbreviations. I even use them in my formal communication with my colleagues.
Ramon Lee is still alive. Meron pa nga silang videoke machine sa 2nd floor nila.
If I remember correctly, there was a Panciteria Jacinto in BF pero pinalitan na ng Toho which is a panciteria style eating place also. Astig din ang mga pagkain - mostly Chinese style.
If I may recommend, pasyalan nyo rin yung sa may Ongpin - Estero. Kung medyo nagtitipid ka and you want to have some orig Chinese -this will be the place. Steam lapu-lapu in black sauce for P100 to P120, mixed seafood hot pot for P80, Yangchow fried rice for P35. Walang VAT and service charge. All the mentioned dishes are good for two. I also like their oyster omelet.
Well today is Saturday. I think I'll visit the place today for an early dinner. Nagutom ako sa post ko.
Ya, Im going. Wala lang. I also want to see the new Instituto which is annexed to Casino Espanol. It's a striking building.
how was the food at ambos mundos? any recommendations?
Darn, I wish I had seen the post earlier (kept overlooking it after I read he Mabini money changer incident). I'd have gone with you too! Will have to venture out one day to check these two places soon.
We still can go. It's tomorrow.
Play by ear. I hear the fabada at Casino Espanol is great too. Cocktails afterwards too.
I have a dinner to attend to tonight at De la Salle in TAft. If I can get out early and drag some people, I'll text you.
As for what to order at Ambos Mundos. My recommendation are the lengua and patatas con giniling with morisqueta tostada (fried rice) on the side. The paella is great as well. You might also want to try the estofado, but didn't like the embotido.
how are the prices at ambos mundos?
Not bad. I actually took a photo of the menu.
150 to 200 ish range.
Sounds good! Will definitely be making a beeline for both places next time I'm home. And those pigs, more of that surreal Manila that I think should be a new tour theme.
has anyone seen the book?
am thinking of having it sent over as it looks quite interesting..
mayumi_m
hmmm... mapuntahan nga.
Read this entry this morning and had lunch at Ambos Mundos later on -- lengua estofado. It was excellent. Now, I need not travel to Malate or Greenbelt (Cafe Havana) for some Spanish dishes. Thanks much for the tip!
Besides the four pigs who probably eat better than most Manilenyos, I also saw a monkey next to Dagul!
Haha... surreal. Four pigs and a monkey! No wonder I love Manila.
Thanks for the recommendation!
The easiest way to get to Ambos Mundos is to take either the LRT-1 or MRT-2 lines to Recto/Rizal Avenue junction and walk a block past Rizal Avenue towards Divisoria along the Southern side of the road (the MRT-2 line will be above you on the right).
Hindi ko pa nakita ang Ambos Mundos.Madami nang nagsabi sa akin , masarap ang pagkain sa menu nila. Sana makapunta ako at matikman ko Callos ninyo .
correction lang po. it's located at F.Tores St. (not Torres)....look it up on Google Maps and you will see it near Soler, F. Torres is way out in Pandacan.
It is Florentino Torres...These restaurants are tradition to our family. When my sister and brother were baptized and even during birthdays of my relatives and now my kids - Wah Sun, Ramon Lee and Ambos Mundos are surely the venues to eat. We used to reside in the area, that is why
The Ambos Mundos that my family patronized in the 50s and 60s was located on David Street in
the Escolta area. In 2005, after many years abroad, I returned to F. Torres St. to eat at an old haunt, but Charlie's (mami and siopao) was no longer there. I was surprised to see Ambos Mundos across the street. Needless to say, it was like a magnet and I seized the chance to relive my youth by sampling its fare, albeit in new surroundings. Parang kahapon lamang.
Ventures
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