From a list of almost 500 restaurants endorsed and nominated by Spot.ph readers last year, the judges thereafter shortlisted the nominees. This lead to the announcement of 13 admired restaurants in each of their categories recently concluded at the Nescafe Gold Spot Awards 2009.
Encore (previous Embassy Superclub) was filled with food industry players, food enthusiasts and the media for an afternoon of foodie glamor and tasty anticipation for the would-be winners of Nescafe Gold Spot Awards 2009.
Nominees, Foodie Enthusiasts and Guests
This year’s judges include Chef Aileen Anastacio, Yummy editor-in-chief Becky Kho, Chef Him Uy de Baron, award-winning blogger Franco of Table for Three Please, food writer and blogger JJ Yulo and actress Cherie Gil.
Ms. Myrza Sison, Editr-in-Chief of Spot.ph with Jonel Uy of NomNomClub.com Food Blog
Mr. Logan O’Brien, Consumer Marketing Manager, Coffee Business Unit, Nestle Philippines
Sponsored by Nescafe, online voting via Spot.ph ended last January 31, 2010. With more than 250,000 votes cast for 55 restaurants in 11 categories (2 categories were purely by the judges), without further adieu,
Manila’s Best Restaurants for 2009 are:
Best Japanese Restaurant – Inagiku
Best Filipino Restaurant – Abe
Best Steakhouse – 22 Prime
Best Delicatessen – Santi’s Delicatessen
Best Bar – Cav Wine Bar and Bistro
Best Chinese Restaurant – Shang Palace
Best Italian Restaurant – Paparazzi
Best Buffet – Spiral
Best Dessert Place – Cupcakes by Sonja*Best Restaurant Chain – Cibo
*Best Service – Cibo*New Restaurant of the Year – Lusso
*Restaurant of the Year – Lolo Dad’s
*Best Restaurant Chain and Best Service was solely determined by readers through mobile and online votes while New Restaurant of the Year and Restaurant of the Year were purely from the panel of judges.
22 Prime - Best Steakhouse
Inagiku - Best Japanese Restaurant
Cav Wine Bar And Bistro - Best Bar
Santi's Delicatessen - Best Deli
Abe - Best Filipino Restaurant
Cupcakes By Sonja - Best Dessert Place
Best Buffet - Spiral
Best Chinese Restaurant - Shang Palace
Paparazzi - Best Italian Restaurant
Cibo is the only one which brought home the bacon for two categories while Lolo Dad’s got the most coveted title of Restaurant of the Year.
I have tried Lolo Dad’s Brasserie in Makati where I met Chef Ariel Manuel but I haven’t been to their main branch in Malate. I hope to do so soon.
I shared these information earlier online on-the-spot during the event through my twitter, plurk, and facebook network accounts. Among my networks, Shang Palace got the most cheers which tinkled my fancy about the restaurant.