It was my mom's birthday last August 1 and we celebrated it in one of our favorite restaurants, Red Crab, in Shangri-la Plaza Mall. I don't even know if this restaurant is of authentic Filipino origin but the food is so good that any visitor to Manila will just have to try it at least once.

Red Crab has become a dafault destination for special celebratory meals. A hearty meal for four people could easily ring up about $91.

Our standard fare includes Crab Maritess, which is crab smothered in olive oil and crispy garlic bits. My dad just LOVES this one and could finish a whole crab by himself. The other mainstay is the Thai Chili Crab which comes swimming in a spicy curry and coconut sauce. For starters we usually opt for the baked mussels although everything else usually pales beside the crabs.

I think I'm getting hungry now...