Manam - Uptown Mall

Manam Uptown Mall — Modern Pinoy comfort. Crispy crowd-faves. Busy but warm.

Casual Filipino comfort food with a modern twist; mid-range pricing

Menu Highlights:
– Crispy Sisig (often praised for crunch and flavor)
– Sinigang — pork/sampaloc and beef short ribs with watermelon (polarizing but popular)
– Crispy Pata
– Kare-Kare (oxtail)
– Crispy Pancit Palabok (fun concept; mixed outcomes after mixing)
– Beef Salpicao
– Garlic Rice
– Baby Squid in Oil; Gising-Gising
– Ube Sago and Mango shakes; Buko Pandan milkshake
– Calamansi Tart dessert
– Caramelized Chicken Wings in Patis

Service Highlights:
– Fast, attentive service even when the place is packed; managers check in at tables
– Friendly team; knowledgeable with recommendations
– Accommodating touches (e.g., seating considerations, allowing luggage)
– Cozy, stylish interiors; some tables overlook the dancing fountain
– Can get noisy during peak hours

Notes:
– Watermelon beef sinigang can taste sweet/tomato-forward; some found beef fatty
– Flavor profile leans sweet on certain dishes; purists may find the “modern twists” hit-or-miss
– Inconsistent execution reported on a few items (e.g., caramelized wings); occasional order-size mix-up
– Coffee is average
– Portions not huge; value-for-money sentiment varies
– Long waits at peak times; a few complaints about queue management
– Crispy Palabok can lose its crunch once mixed

Logistics:
– PWD accessible
– Expect waitlists during peak hours; they open early, which some diners appreciate

Manam Uptown Mall draws crowds for Filipino comfort food with playful tweaks. Diners rave about the crispy sisig—crunchy, savory, and a reliable table favorite. Sinigang gets a lot of love too: the pork/sampaloc version delivers that comforting “tamang asim,” while the beef short ribs with watermelon is a signature that some find delightfully balanced and others find a bit sweet or tomato-forward, with a few noting fatty beef pieces. Crispy pata, kare-kare with oxtail, garlic rice, and even baby squid in oil often complete the spread. The crispy palabok is a talking point—some folks enjoy the novelty, while others say it ends up like regular palabok once the sauce is mixed in. Ube sago, mango shakes, and buko pandan milkshakes are standouts, and the calamansi tart makes a bright, creamy finish.

Service is a strong suit here. Many diners mention quick turnarounds and hands-on managers checking tables even when the dining room is full. Specific shoutouts went to team members like Vin, Lou, Joy, Carlo, and Ali for warm, attentive care, smart recommendations, and small courtesies like finding space for luggage. The vibe is stylish yet comfortable, with some tables overlooking the Uptown dancing fountain—though the energy can get loud at peak times. Most meals arrive hot and fast, but a few guests noted the occasional hiccup like a wrong size on the chicken wings or uneven caramelization.

Value and portions get mixed reactions. Some customers feel servings are generous and well-priced; others say portions aren’t huge for what you pay. Flavor-wise, many enjoy the creative angle—like the ube drinks or caramelized wings—while a few purists prefer classic, no-frills versions and find certain dishes too sweet or salty. Queueing can be part of the experience at busy hours, and at least one group called out inconsistent door management; still, most describe the place as family-friendly and efficient once seated. Overall, people come for familiar Pinoy flavors, the crispy hits, and the lively dining room—just expect a modern spin that some adore and others debate.