Definitely one of my favorite Chinese restaurants... Emer's Food Center is a humble, hole-in-the-wall restaurant located in the basement of Makati Cinema Square. For a small establishment, it satisfies my basic requirements for a good dining place: delicious freshly-cooked food, courteous and attentive staff, and value for money. Thus, I give Emer's a five-star rating and my highest recommendation.
At first glance, Emer's is not the usual commercial or high-end Chinese restaurant that attracts people instantly. The ones who dine here are regular customers who have known the restaurant for years -- like me. It's interior is uncomplicated, but the menu offers a wide selection of lutong-bahay type of Chinese food. And yes, food is cheap, really.
I'm basically a soup-person, so I always start my meal with a generous serving of hot soup. Most Chinese restaurants serve soup in big bowls, and they have no smaller orders. In contrast, a nice thing about Emer's is that they serve soup that is good for one person. In cup, that is. The photo shows chicken-asparagus soup. Plain chicken broth with chicken cubes, asparagus slices, and vegetables. Unassuming but very tasty, for only Php40.
This is Mom's favorite. Saucy pancit canton. Rightly cooked canton noodles with plenty of sahog: shrimps, pork slices, and fish balls. Serves 2, for only Php120.
One of their best, salted shrimp with vinegar sauce. Eight pieces of large shrimp plainly seasoned with salt and deep-fried. This is literally "sarap to the shell". As in I eat the shell, tail and head, and the flesh goes to Mommy. Good for 2-3 persons, for only Php180.
Mom and I savoring a very satisfying lunch at Emer's. Our total bill (inclusive of the drinks and the senior citizen discount): Php337.50
