Al dente pasta and cheese are inseperable — they just truly belong together. The best combination that perfectly explains their delicious marriage in every forkful is the classic macaroni and cheese. Mac and cheese, a classic comfort food of the west that melds together chewy pasta and gobs of melted cheese, has been satisfying the cravings of Americans since the 1800s. The earliest history of its consumption in the United States was at a state dinner where US president Thomas Jefferson had the dish prepared. Apparently, he was infatuated by the pasta when he traveled in Italy, and he even brought home a pasta machine, and imported Italian cheese and macaroni to get his mac and cheese fix.
Fast forward to now, and we're still deeply in love with this simple cheesy dish, the go-to pasta for every turophile (cheese lover). Whether you're craving it classic, cheesy, unique, or upscale with all the add-ons, head to these ten restaurants in Manila for your macaroni and cheese fix.
1. A Steakhouse
Acacia Hotel Manila (Alabang)
www.acaciahotelsmanila.com | FB: /AcaciaHotels | IG: @AcaciaHotels
Order: Baked Macaroni & Cheese (P180) side dish to pair with your choice of steak
2. Alley Restaurant
The Grove by Rockwell Pasig
FB: /alleyrestaurantph| IG: @alleyrestaurant
Order: 4 Cheese Mac (P279) – smothered with four cheeses (house made cheese pimiento, cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan), and topped with toasted breadcrumbs
3. Backyard Kitchen + Brew
UP Town Center QC, The Grove Pasig, Circuit Makati
FB: /BackyardPhilippines| IG: @backyard_ph
Order: Mac & Cheese Nachos (P485) -nacho chips are mixed with mac & cheese and topped with cheese sauce, bacon, homemade longganisa, jalapeno, sour cream, pico de gallo, and guacamole
4. The Belle & Dragon
Legazpi Village Makati
FB: "The Belle & Dragon" | IG: @thebelleanddragon
Order: Masala Mac N' Cheese (P320) – macheroni with masala spices, cream, chicken breast, and cheddar; Mac & Three Cheese Pie (P500) – macheroni with lardon, cheddar, leicester, bleu cheese, and topped with bacon lattice
5. The Bowery
Forbeswood Heights BGC
FB: "The Bowery NYC Comfort Food"| IG: @thebowery_ph
Order: Classic Mac and Cheese (P360) – with yellow cheddar, gruyere, and gouda; Lobster Shrimp Truffle Mac & Cheese (P1,300-P1,500/Seasonal) – with creme fraiche, cream cheese, cracked black pepper, garlic, mozzarella, truffle oil (Add Smoked Bacon for P80)
6. Dulcelin Gourmet
UP Town Center QC
www.dulcelin.com | FB: "Dulcelin Gourmet"| IG: @dulcelinuptown
Order: Pulled Pork Mac N Cheese (P330) – smoked shredded pork with carmelized onions over penne tossed in a three cheese sauce
7. The Hungry Hound
Globe Tower BGC
FB: /HungryHoundPH| IG: @hungryhoundph
Order: Hungry Hound's Mussel Mac N' Cheese (P437) – gramigna pasta with chilean black mussels and bacon, and gruyere, cheddar, parmesan
8. Le Petit Souffle
Century City Mall Makati
FB: /Lepetitsouffle| IG: @lepetitsouffleph
Order: Just Mac and Cheese (P395) – with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, shimeji crimini, and Hungarian sausage; Foie Gras Mac and Cheese (P755) – topped with seared foie gras
9. Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar
City of Dreams Manila
www.rubyjacks.ph| FB: /rubyjacksmanila| IG: @rubyjacksmanila
Order: Lobster Mac & Cheese (P500) side to pair with your choice of grilled steak
10. Torch Restaurant
Greenhills, Katipunan, Trinoma, Greenbelt 5, Circuit Makati, Molito Alabang, High Street Central BGC
FB: /torchph| IG: @torchresto
Order: Burger Mac & Cheese (P334.95) – cast iron mac and cheese topped with US Angus beef patty
