Manduca Taberna - One Ayala Mall — Restaurant in Makati

I made the mistake of celebrating my birthday at this branch of Manduca Taverna, and it turned out to be one of the most disappointing dining experiences I’ve had.

We ordered three dishes, and not a single one was worth the prices we paid. The Croquetas de Jamón were bland, and the jamón was old, dry, and the edges were clearly discolored. The Pork and Chorizo Paella was flavorless, missing socarrat, and the pork on top was dry and unseasoned. The worst by far was the Secreto Ibérico Pork because half of it was raw, and we only realized after tasting it. It left an awful raw taste in my mouth, and worse, I had stomach issues for two days after.

When we complained, the waitress said that the chef insisted that was how Ibérico pork should be cooked, but having dined in many authentic Spanish restaurants, I know that is not the case. What upset me most was that he didn’t even ask to see the dish himself even if there were very few diners and the kitchen was not busy. It felt as though, perhaps because we were only in our mid-20s, our concern wasn’t taken seriously. For ₱4,000 for two people, I expected so much more. The only saving grace was the kind waitress, who offered us a complimentary dessert after we complained. But by then we had lost our appetite and were already too upset to accept it.

This was supposed to be a memorable birthday dinner. Instead, it left me feeling offended, unwell, and deeply disappointed. We won’t be...

A Heartwarming Father's Day Feast at Manduca, One Ayala – 10/10 Experience

We visited Manduca in One Ayala, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable meals we’ve had as a family.

We ordered their Father’s Day Special, which came with a full-course spread: Croquettas de Jamon (4 pcs), Goat Cheese Salad, Seafood Paella, Lengua Estofado, and Chocolate Soufflé — all for a very reasonable price. Honestly, it felt like we were dining in the heart of Spain.

Aside from the amazing food, the ambiance was cozy and welcoming, and the staff were incredibly attentive without being intrusive. You could feel that they wanted everyone to enjoy their time.

For the quality of food and overall experience, it was worth every peso. It was a beautiful way to celebrate any occasion or just want to spend time with your friends and loved ones — with a table full of food that was clearly made with love and attention to details.

Final Verdict: 10/10. We’ll definitely be coming back — not just for the food, but for the feeling of being taken care of. Manduca made our day feel...

So firsy off, this is a pricy place so I had high expectations going in. Overall. I must say Manduca isn’t anything special. But let me elaborate further:

Let’s start woth the positives: The staff were really polite and attentive and there was no wait. The ambiance was nice. Has a chill, posh vibe to it. The food arrived reasonably on time. The Iberico kare kare was a treat. Loved the flavors on their bagoong..

Now for the negatives: Seafood Paella (the soupy, risotto version) was too salty, which is a shame because all the right flavors were there. Just way too much salt. For their high prices, nothing was amazing. The value for money is just on the low side.

If you’re curious, we ordered Iberico Kare kare, Prosciutto pizza, The soupy paella (I don’t recall the actual name), Cheese Flan for dessert and G&T and Mojito for drinks. This set us back by Php4,000.

So to conclude, Manduca is an okay place if you really have money, but in my opinion, you can probably get a better dining experience at much...