Carryout diners often rely on ethnic restaurants for variety and reasonable prices. In addition to the ubiquitous pizza, we have plenty of Chinese, Mexican and Thai eateries where we can order dinner to go, but Manila Bay may be the only Filipino restaurant in Greater Cincinnati. On Calhoun Street, across from the southern end of the University of Cincinnati campus, Manila Bay is convenient for college students seeking exotic food at bargain prices. But don t worry about anything too exotic at Manila Bay.
Filipino food reflects the many cultures that have imprinted the indigenous cuisine of the islands.
Chinese, Indonesian, Spanish, Mexican and American are just some of the influences found in Filipino food. Much of Manila Bay s offerings will seem familiar to anyone who has eaten at a Chinese restaurant. Rice is a mainstay of Filipino food and all Manila Bay dinners come with huge servings of rice, as well as generous amounts of fried plantains. The plantains have just a wisp of sweetness that interplays with the sauces on the entrees. This, too, is fairly mild.