Chingolo - Niles

From the outside, Chingolo looks like a nondescript deli, selling overpriced meats for you to cook at home. I wanted a dining experience and was ready to eat and was just about to walk out the door when one of the staff approached us and we said we wanted a table for two. She led us to a discreet door which opened up to a very cozy and romantic dining area, with decent seating. We didn't have an appointment, but there was an available table and we were able to bunker down and choose our orders. We got the Garlic Parmesano Fries and Soup of the Day (Pumpkin) for starters, Beef Salpicao, Chili Con Carne, and Beef Tacos for mains, and my friend and I each ordered a box of Beef Empañadas for takeaway. All the dishes were served without having to wait for too long. The fries were cooked to perfection. The soup was too watery for my taste, but you can taste the pumpkin and it's not too creamy. The Salpicao was heaven, first bite and the juicy meat would burst in your mouth. The tacos were amazing but the chili was a little too salty and savory for just tortilla chips as the side. Throughout our meal, the staff made sure to refill our water and clear our small table as we finished eating so that there was enough space. We thoroughly enjoyed the taste and the ambience of Chingolo. It was really intimate and we had a great experience.

Not sure why I haven't visited sooner, but their food was really good! My favorites where the steak and the empanadas! Wow! Food: 5 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4

A hidden gem in the metro! small but cozy restaurant serving food that’s worth your money! Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Love the picanha and all empanada, won’t go wrong with any flavor Service: Take out Meal type: Other Price per person: ₱200–400 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Finally, I had the chance to dine at this restaurant, which I've been wanting to try for a while whenever I'm in Makati, and today was the day. We arrived around 2:30 pm, and we were the only ones in the restaurant, which I appreciated. The staff were friendly, but unfortunately, my experience didn't quite meet my expectations. My friend ordered the beef salpicao, and while the meat was good, it was overly salty, as she rightly pointed out. I tried it myself and agreed. However, my beef lasagna was delicious, so I can't complain about my own order. We also decided to purchase some frozen meat to take home. One suggestion I have is for the restaurant to provide bags that can maintain the temperature of the meat during transit. We're from Pampanga, and when we asked the staff for something to pack our purchases in, they didn't offer any assistance. I even inquired about foil, but they only suggested purchasing a merchandise bag for over 500 pesos. Thankfully, the bus we took was cold enough, so we managed to keep our meat fresh until we could put it back in the freezer at home.