Mama Meena's takes the "family restaurant" part of its name seriously. When we visited, kids sat in the corner and watched cartoons while their parents took orders. The walls are the color of a farm kitchen in the Midwest, the tablecloths checked. The restaurant puts you in a mood, but not the mood. Here, happy eating isn't a cliché. It's best for: a date whose frown you'd like to turn upside down. More

Halo halo! An icy dessert with all sorts of sweet tidbits, this time from the Philippines. Halo halo is typically shaved ice that is placed in a cup or bowl that has already been filled with various fresh or jellied fruits and beans, then topped with ice cream. More

At one point a decade or two ago, Filipino restaurants were as common as Momofukus in the East Village. Those days are long gone, but with the opening of Sa Aming Nayon a few months back, we may be witnessing a rebirth. More

Filipino food may be ready to have its breakthrough moment in New York City. Philly Pinoy provides a new reason to head out to Red Hook, and now Sa Aming Nayon, newly opened in the East Village, is getting a lot of positive attention. Of course, Filipino food is best known for pork and seafood. In fact, almost every dish in the "Vegetables" section of Sa Aming Nayon's menu features pork and/or shrimp. Luckily for vegetarians, the staff is happy to accommodate us. More

or some restaurants, brunch is the afterthought; for Filipino pop-up Maharlika, it's the only meal served. The menu is filled with words and terms likely unfamiliar to the average New Yorker, and the result is an adventurous and exciting dining experience--not only for its uniqueness, but for the quality of the cooking and the jovial atmosphere it instantly encourages. More

With its minimalist chic and unconventional location, Umi Nom is best for: a date whose coolness quotient you wish to evaluate. More

Editor's note: In "Apps Only," Ben Fishner will be eating his way through New York's appetizer, bar, and lounge menus as your guide to fine dining on a budget. He blogs at Ben Cooks Everything. Sisig, a dish of... More

Editor's note: In "Fast Food International," Krista Garcia will take us around New York to the many international fast food chains that have landed in the five boroughs. She blogs at goodiesfirst.com. Country of Origin: The Philippines Locations Worldwide: Around... More

The last time I saw this big a crowd at a fast-food joint on Roosevelt Avenue was back when Pollo Campero opened in Corona. So many people have been lining up outside the new Jollibee in Woodside that I'm... More

Even though I don’t shop there often Phil-Am Food Market fascinates me. Maybe it’s because I feel there’s much more to learn about Filipino cuisine. Then again, maybe it’s because I’ve been trying to work up the nerve and... More