Blackbird Makati

Located in the building that was once Manila’s first International Airport, Blackbird is a favorite of many Manila residents and is one of the hot spots from Scottish-born chef Colin Mackay. He settled here more than 20 years ago and is credited with igniting the city’s fine dining scene with his mini gourmet empire. The terminal from the 1930s, Nielson Tower, sits in the heart of bustling Makati on an oasis of greenery in a sea of skyscrapers. The building’s Art Deco origins have inspired the restaurant’s design, and what was once the arrivals hall is now a bar, while tables fill the former departure lounge and spill outside to what was the airport tarmac. The best seats are upstairs in the former control tower.

The contemporary Asian menu features delicious riffs on Southeast Asian classics, like salt and pepper squid and shrimp with sweet soy and ginger; prawn scotch eggs on betel leaves with coconut chili sambal; and southern Thai seafood curry with coconut, lime and jasmine rice. Save room for desserts like the mango and passionfruit baked Alaska and sticky date pudding, served with a caramel sauce and vanilla seed ice cream.