Ambos Mundos

      

            I coaxed my friend into driving me to Ambos Mundos, which is considered to be the oldest restaurant in Manila. The restaurant was built in 1888 by the Gaudinez family who were immigrants from Spain. The restaurant is located at 750 Florentino Torres Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

            We stopped and asked questions for directions. We ended up circling around Recto Avenue and Tomas Mapua Street to get to Florentino Torres Street. There were a lot of no U-turn signs and no left turn signs. We had to go 2 blocks to go straight to Florentino Torres Street. When we got there it was a one way street, we went to Recto Avenue to turn right to go back to Florentino Torres Street. 

           I spotted an open pay parking lot and I told my friend to park there and we will just walk to Florentino Street because we were not sure if there was a parking space in front of Ambos Mundos. We walked almost two blocks going to the restaurant. The place was dingy and I would suggest not to wear anything fancy that would attract attention because this place is notorious for muggers and snatchers.

         As we entered the restaurant, two black boars greeted us by the door. Just like Wah Sun Panciteria (owned by the Leung family whose descendant is married to a Gaudinez); across the Street two black boars are placed by the entrance. According to my research the owners put them there for good luck.

        I asked the waiter if we could go upstairs to be seated and he obliged. We were given a menu it contains Spanish, Filipino and Chinese cuisine. I ordered the asado rolls and arroz caldo and my friend ordered the pancit canton.

      When our order came, the pancit was on a big plate good for 3 to 4 people for a regular size it costs around 240 pesos. The 2 asado rolls were huge at 75 pesos each. The arroz caldo was also in a huge bowl good for 2 people at 129 pesos. I must say that the arroz caldo was one of the best arroz caldo I’ve tasted. The asado rolls were very good too and the pancit canton was very tasty. Our total bill was 541 pesos which I find reasonable.

       This gastronomic experience is unforgettable. If one is in search of history and good food, I would recommend Ambos Mundos.