The White Plains Revival: 10 Dining and Drinking Spots to Visit

(SPOT.ph) The stretch of road loosely referred to by most people as White Plains has gone thru quite a transformation of late. A bunch of new restaurants and food trucks have cropped up, lending the street a new energy. While many Quezon City and Marikina residents once thought of this street as just another stretch of Katipunan Avenue, just another road to work and a way to avoid the unpredictable traffic situation that is Bonny Serrano, now it demands attention. It’s hard not to look at the colorful facades of its new dining spots or get curious as to what people are lining up for.

When before you know White Plains only for the reliable La Creperie, or the R. Lapid’s Chicharon store just before Temple Drive, now there’s Army Navy, a Choi Garden outlet, a matcha spot, a sashimi spot, a taco truck and more. There’s even a couple of Grade-A places where you can drink and chill. Which we imagine can only be good news to residents of the villages near the strip and neighboring areas. These days, White Plains is no longer just your daanan to get to where you’re going—it can most absolutely be your destination.

Unsure as to where to start your White Plains food crawl? Allow us to help you out with a guide to the 10 spots you need to pay attention to the next time you’re in this QC hotspot.

Also read: The Legends of San Juan Dining Keeping The Flame Alive

These White Plains restaurants and food spots are the ones to try

Grapevine

Grapevine easily stands out from the rest of its neighboring establishments with its Gatsby-meets-SoHo-loft design. It also boasts a menu that easily goes from brunch to late night. Dining in this dreamy space will make any meal feel special, which makes sense seeing as this is the “dream restaurant” of owner Tiffany Roque. 

Roque tells us she put all her favorite things into Grapevine, from its look to its food. There’s a little something for everyone here: all-day breakfast meals, cakes, drinks, filling entrees, and more. The Fried Baby Calamari (P325) is a staple starter that everyone in the table would demand a piece of. But the Tender Roast Beef (P699) you'd want all to yourself: it's a fork-tender cut of flavorful meat with silky mashed potatoes served au jus. Don’t miss out on the apple sauce for a little sweetness. For a more sophisticated plate, we recommend the Feta Shrimp Risoni (P499). Tomatoes and risoni pasta make a hearty base for fresh shrimps, with the bit of crumbly feta cutting through the tartness and the sweetness.

Drinks are not an afterthought here, especially as the place is definitely giving “afternoon high tea” setting. A classic choice is the Grapevine Signature Hot Chocolate (P188) which is served in a porcelain teapot with whipped cream—yep, you can make your tea party dreams come to life here, too. The bar offers a good selection of cocktails. We chose the Tonic Twister (P399) and got a magically refreshing blend of Tanqueray, tonic, and herbs.

Grapevine is located at White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

Señorito

The newest cool kid on the block has to be Señorito. This no-frills taco stand calls a spacious parking lot home, which means you can easily pop in and grab a birria whenever the craving hits. Heck, we won’t judge you if you just scarf them down in your car in between errands or as a little treat on the way home – we’d do the same.

This food truck serves up all the Mexican hits: tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and even taquitos. You come in, tell them your order, and you get gifted with savory comfort—it’s a quick and direct process we truly appreciate, especially when all you want is a good bite of something. We gave the set of three tacos a go, filled with classic birria, pork sisig, and chipotle chicken. Their tacos are just the right size, and each has that perfect touch of crispness too. The birria had the right notes of spices blending with cheese, and the consomme gave it that meaty, greasy depth that makes everything right. The sisig and chipotle chicken were familiar flavors that hit the spot just right, too. What’s great is that they also do party trays. So now you know where to go if you want to be the potluck winner at your next get-together. 

Señorito is located at 42, White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Golden Catch

Good quality salmon sashimi is hard to come by in the Metro. Great quality sashimi? Even harder—unless you have access to Golden Catch. Right across Señorito in the same parking lot is this little gem. This cleverly constructed takeout stall has a little dine-in counter inside its air-conditioned space that can fit three seafood enthusiasts. Golden Catch serves up Norwegian Salmon with prices starting at P450 for a solo serving. Each slice is perfectly plump and tender, with just the right amount of umami and fatty goodness. 

They source yellowfin tuna (starting at P280) and uni (P320) locally too. Whether you’re buying yourself a little treat—they’ve got Nigiri, Maki, and a salad as well—or popping by to get something to share, Golden Catch is the sure answer for fresh sashimi slices. Our pro tip is to order salmon on Fridays or Saturdays, as their supply is usually flown in at the end of the week. 

Golden Catch is at 42, White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Crêpe Central

If there's anything this spot proves, it's that the possibilities are endless when it comes to crepes. Crêpe Central is a homey two-story restaurant with decent WiFi and a few sockets here and there. It's a great place to work or hold meetings, especially since you’ve got excellent crepes and coffee to keep you company. 

Their special crêpe has got enough body without becoming chewy. The Blairmont (P380), which has banana, Nutella, almond, and ice cream, has everything you could want in a dessert crêpe. They even flambé the dish with deep cognac, making for a truly grown-up not-too-sweet treat. If it's a savory crêpe you're after, then give the Macquarie a try. This crêpe uses a special buckwheat batter that gives it more depth, and with its filling of sauteed onions, sausages, mushrooms, and cheese (an order even comes with a side salad), you won’t be looking for anything more. Except maybe for a sweet crêpe to follow. 

Crêpe Central is at 112A White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Toka Wine

If wine is your go-to contribution for every gathering, then Toka Wine is where you should get your next, well, toka. This cozy and chill spot occupies a little nook along White Plains—a bit of an unexpected place to find an extensive range of whites, reds, sparkling wines, and champagnes, we know, but trust us when we say it has a well-curated selection of wallet-friendly bottles you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in Manila.  

This shop originally began as the retail counterpart of owner Butz Tenchavez’s online shop Gran Hacienda Wines, but he quickly realized there was merit to allowing for a sit-down space too. Thus, Toka Wine was born. You can simply choose a wine from their well-stocked cabinets and display shelves—Toka Wine’s friendly and knowledgeable team are always ready to help you pick—then sit down and sip away.

Toka Wine can accommodate around 20 people in their space, and yes, you can book the whole place for an afternoon of wine tasting and munching. They’ve also got a few permanent dishes on their menu, the star of which is the Truffle Gnocchi (P420), an earthy dish that will pair well with a classic wine. They also have special menus they do with guest chefs. Be sure to check out their social media pages for special events and collabs. 

Toka Wine is at 141 White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. Open Monday to Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 12 midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 midnight, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Fei Fei by Choi Garden

You can think of Fei Fei as the younger, more casual sibling of Choi Garden. And where Choi Garden is a surefire way to guarantee a great sit-down Chinese feast that can go on for hours, Fei Fei is where you can go for a quick and easy fuel-up.

Fei Fei’s bright exteriors are sure to catch your eyes from the street. Mix in lots of parking and seats and you’ve got the makings of your next go-to for a good, filling Chinese meal. Fei Fei has all the Chinese classics, from dumplings to rice bowls and even roasts like Peking Duck (which you have to order two days ahead). They have classic Choi Garden crowd-pleasers like Xiao Long Bao (P198) and Hakaw Shrimp Dumpling (P198) and roasting plates like HK Roast Pork Belly Lechon with Rice (P400). On the more unexpected side of the menu, you can find sizzling plate options (chicken or pork for P680) and sandwiches (Clubhouse for P380). 

Fei Fei by Choi Garden is at 30, White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Buttery & Co

They say man cannot live by bread alone, so Buttery & Co upped their bakery game at their White Plains flagship store with a whole slew of mains, drinks, and desserts too. This restaurant occupies a much bigger space than is expected in White Plains, and they’ve got great parking too—perfect if you’re looking for a venue for a special occasion. 

While you shouldn't skip on their staple pastries like the Buttery’s Puff (P140), a delicate and flaky take on the cheese roll, they also serve a good Grilled Cheese Sandwich (P480) which comes with a rich tomato soup, and a classic Tocino silog (P490) for breakfast any time of the day. Cap off your meal with a slice or two from their dessert menu. Top of our recommendations is the rich Tiramisu (P298).

Buttery & Co is at 104, White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. 

Ujisan Matcha

Matcha is a newfound love for many in the Metro, and if you want to take your relationship with Japanese tea to a more serious (Read: more concentrated) level, then this gorgeous cafe is the place for you. At Ujisan Matcha, you can customize your beloved Matcha Latte (P220) to have the levels of intensity you crave, from starter at Level 1 all the way to Mythical or Level 7 (P260). We went for a beginner-friendly Level 2, dubbed Lover (just add P40) and were pleasantly surprised with a truly earthy but not too in-your-face level of flavor. The matcha blended incredibly smoothly with the rich milk, creating a well-balanced drink. The Hojicha Latte (starts at P220) proved to be just as good, but with a deeper, chocolatey note that mixed so well with the milk it felt like drinking cocoa. 

Owners Derica Ngo and her sister Danica are serious matcha lovers. The pair sources their own brand of matcha in Japan, and Ujisan is actually named after a place called Uji in Kyoto which is famous for its premium green tea. The sisters also spent a year creating a specially formulated milk from Kyoto to pair with their matcha. Meanwhile, to make their own creamy and earthy soft serve, they use Hokkaido milk. Derica and Danica opened their shop with one main goal: to bring Japan to Filipino fans. With the top-quality matcha and even hochija drinks you can get here, as well as the place's Zen vibe, we say mission accomplished.  

Ujisan Matcha Cafe is at 2/F WPP Building, White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. Open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Lao Tai Pei

Missing the flavors of Taiwan? If you’ve made a trip to Kapitolyo gem Lao Tai Pei before to satisfy your craving, you'd be happy to know there's another spot to visit, and it's quite a spacious one.

Lao Tai Pei is known for generous servings and familiar flavor profiles. Top of mind for people looking for a taste of Taiwan are the Chicken Chop (P240) and Taiwan Beef Noodle Soup (P320); you can choose tendon only (P360) or both meat and tendon (P340) when ordering the latter. The chicken chop is a nostalgic hit, with a juicy fillet in a crisp fried batter that has all the familiar spices. The beef noodle soup is a big comforting bowl of goodness. You can also give the Radish Cake (P200) a try—here it's soft blocks of radish paste, shrimp, and sausage, excellently fried for that crisp-outside-chewy-inside experience. End the meal with their indulgent Custard Bun (P190) which has a soft and gooey center and a subtle hint of salted egg. 

Lao Tai Pei is at 42 White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. Open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12 midnight. 

78-53-86

This underrated bar remains to be one of White Plains’ best-kept secrets. Not many people know that you can get top-tier cocktails in this once-quiet lane, but it's all good for its founder and owner Jay Amante. A low-key “neighborhood bar that would sit a few people” is exactly what he envisioned eight years ago when he first opened it—and that’s the vibe it’s managed to keep through the years. 

78-53-86 is an understated bar with a few tables and chairs, as well as stools and a counter where you can sit and watch the bartenders work. What stands out is Amante’s massive collection of vinyl records that fill an entire wall, just part of the collection he’s amassed for decades. It was this “obsessive nature of collecting” that led him to open The Grey Market Records, which is also in White Plains, and which led him to open three 78-53-86 bars—they serve as shelter for the vinyls. “The spaces [are there] so I can store my collection and at the same time be able to host record and jazz fans.”

All cocktails at 78-53-86 are at P400. Their Cosmopolitan uses Stolichnoya as its base, then dressed up with orange liqueur, fresh lemon, cranberry juice, and an orange peel spiral. The In a Silent Way is the drink version of Miles Davis’ smooth tones in his similarly named studio album: it has a bourbon whiskey base with cozy notes from cinnamon-y Goldschläger, orange liqueur, and an apple slice. Whether you’re there with company or just yourself, 78-53-86 is a great chill place to be in. “Since the commercial boom, it's become busier, but 78's purpose is still intact. It's still that quiet little jazz joint in White Plains.”

78-53-86 is at 2/F White Plains West 42, White Plains, Katipunan Avenue. Open daily from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.