Plates & Suitcases
First-hand restaurant reviews, small-chain hotel stays and airport lounge visits from Marie Mendillo, with practical details from Ottawa, Orlando, the Philippines and destinations around the world. Browse restaurant reviews, hotel stays or airport lounge reviews.
Browse reviews by location: Alabang · Baguio · Cocoa Beach · Davao · Filinvest · Gatineau · Granada · Halifax · Liliw · Madrid · Makati · Manila · Manila Bay · Narita · Orlando · Ottawa–Kanata · Pampanga · Parañaque–BF Homes · Pasay–NAIA · Ronda · Seville · Tagaytay · Toronto–Pearson · Airport lounges
Latest reviews
White House 1938 — Homey Filipino Eats in Liliw, Laguna
Read review: White House 1938 — Homey Filipino Eats in Liliw, LagunaWarm service and comforting Filipino cooking, led by tender ginataang kalabaw, make White House 1938 a worthwhile Liliw stop despite smaller portions and parking logistics.
Aida’s Chicken House review: Michelin hype, zero service
Read review: Aida’s Chicken House review: Michelin hype, zero serviceA lunch visit defined by unavailable dishes, repeated ordering obstacles, and a wait of more than an hour with no food served.
Fogo de Chão Review
Read review: Fogo de Chão ReviewA milestone family celebration was disrupted by changing reservation instructions, a shortened dining window, and communication that never produced a reliable plan.
Basil Filinvest Review
Read review: Basil Filinvest ReviewA disappointing Thai meal marked by unavailable dishes, weak value, uneven execution, and basic cleanliness concerns at the table.
Teppan Edo Review — EPCOT, Walt Disney World
Read review: Teppan Edo Review — EPCOT, Walt Disney WorldFresh ingredients and an engaging teppanyaki performance could not overcome muted flavours, thin soup, and disappointing sauces on this family return visit.
Lola Ima Pampanga Cuisine — Lakeshore, Pampanga
Read review: Lola Ima Pampanga Cuisine — Lakeshore, PampangaA candid review of a Lakeshore stop with superb ginataang kuhol and sinigang na kambing, attentive recovery after a missed order, and a few dishes to approach carefully.