Lunch at Manila’s Chinatown – President Restaurant
07-04-06 · Food trips & events Tags: restaurants
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It was a double celebration of sorts and a family reunion as well last Sunday. My husband celebrated his birthday last month, got a much welcome promotion at work and my brother-in-law Richie is home for a short vacation from Beirut. I would have preferred an all-day swimming party but there was not much time for planning. Besides, it’s been raining intermittently lately. My husband asked for suggestions, thought about Kowloon West, but I thought the President Restaurant along Ongpin Street in Manila’s Chinatown district was a better idea. A Chinese lauriat is always a good idea when we eat out with his family.
The place was full when we got there. We had no reservations because we weren’t exactly sure what time we would be there. With large family gatherings, synchronizing time is almost always a bit of a problem. After about a 15-minute wait, we were ushered to two round tables. But even while waiting, the hostess suggested we place our orders so the food could be prepared immediately. Of course, I chose the menu; we were hosting the luncheon, after all.
Not only was the food great at President Restaurant, the service was good too. From the moment we stepped in, there was a hostess who saw to our requirements. She supervised the serving of the food, made sure we lacked nothing… little things that should be the stock-in-trade of every food establishment but sorely lacking in so many, including the President Tea House at SM Megamall that folded up several months ago. Perhaps, that’s one reason why the President in Chinatown is still around, still patronized by customers who bring their kids and grandkids who, in time, will probably bring their own kids and grandkids. I’m speaking from experience, of course. It was my father who first brought me to the President, oh, so many years ago.
Click here to view the photos from our fabulous Chinese lunch.
Click here for photos of Chinatown.
I like your list of recommendations. Hope you don’t mind if I borrow a couple of shots and mention your blog on my site. Let me know if this is not ok by sending me an email to
Thanks.
AC
Thanks to you for a nice website.
I grew up dining in at the Wa Nam Restaurant near Quiapo and I wonder if it’s still there. If not, I hope someone could let me know where they transfered.
Am thinking of taking a group of 10 to President Restaurant soon. The prices quoted here has been almost 6months old. I’ve been looking at the pictures of the dishes you ordered, would P3,000 be enough for my group? Hoping to receive a reply from you. May God bless. More power to you and to your wonderful website. Thank you. IBy
AC, you’re supposed to wait for me to say it’s OK before you take anything from my blog. And NO, it is NOT ok. You cannot use any of my pics.
Alain, it is NOT my restaurant. Did you read the entry at all?
IBy, to give you an idea, we were a group of 15 and the bill was a little over P6,000.00.
Hahahaha napagkamalan kang may ari ng presidents. Nyweiz, im Jamie, 19y/o from binondo (chinese, ofcourse).
i live in downtown binondo where Ongpin, Tutuban, Divisoria is few steps away.
my family and I ate at president countless times (actually, naabutan pa nmen yan nung bagong bukas palang yan). Sawa na nga kami eh.
Presidents is for starters. Maraming foodstores na masarap din like waying, and the infamous ESTERO. for me, the best ang estero. Ung place, hndi nga lang kagandahan dhil tabi siya ng estero. hehehehe my top bet is camaron and buttered chicken.
My mom and I once ate at presidents, we ordered BEEF HOFAN. Hofan is a flat noodle made of sticky rice. WE were in the midst of eating beef hofan when i saw a tiny COCKROACH in it. Instantly, parang gusto kong sumuka. But, what the heck!, bahala na ang gastric juices ko dyan. My mom complained cympre. The manager said that she wouldnt charge the hofan, and would give us another hofan (CLEAN!!) for free (take out cympre). hindi ko sinisiraan ang presidents ah, i was just telling a funny experience.
Do u know that there is two PRESIDENTS in ongpin? the other one is where you can ate MORE dimsums. Actually, we prefer to ate there kasi dun sa isa for bigger groups un.
TRIVIA: Before the presidents was established, the place that it occupies is a former MOVIEHOUSE. kaya pansin nio, may malaking wall. hehe un ung moviehouse ng mga chinese, puru pinapalabas jan mga movie ni bruce lee o kaya ni jackie chan, bsta puru kungfu. Yun lang ang tanging moviehouse na pinasukan ng lolo ko at ng papa ko.