Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in BGC, Taguig for February 2017

Hey Handsome is a hip Peranakan restaurant famously headed by Chef Nicco Santos of Legaspi Village cult favorite, Your Local. In case you didn’t get the memo, Peranakan cuisine is a combination of Chinese ingredients and Malay/Indonesian spices. It’s for foodies with curious palates. It’s not for people who prefer traditional Asian dishes. We recommend their Bebek Penyet (duck), Kambing Buah Keluak and Nasi Lemak. Fun fact: The restaurant name came from the “friendly greeting uncles and aunties would give to customers lining up for food in Singapore”, as reported by CNN Philippines. Watch out, they’re about to open for lunch service soon.

Ooma is a modern Japanese restaurant by the Moment Group and young acclaimed chef Bruce Ricketts, the same partnership that brought us Mecha Uma. Ooma, a wordplay on Uma meaning ‘good’, promises bold Japanese flavors at affordable prices. It’s for people looking for quality sushi at affordable prices. It’s not for people looking for ramen. We recommend the Soft Shell Crab Taco-Maki, Hangar Steak and Uni Udon. Our insider tip is that at Ooma, you get to ‘brush’ (not dip) soy sauce on your sushi. P.S. Servers roam around with buckets giving out unlimited rice.

One of South’s best kept secrets, Bar Pintxos Y Mas is a little neighborhood Spanish restobar serving authentic Catalan and Basque-inspired tapas, pintxos and more by Miguel Vecin and Tinchu Gonzalez. In case you didn’t know, pintxos are bite-sized pieces of bread with various delectable toppings, usually spiked with a toothpick. It’s a great place for catch ups with your squad over good food and wine. It’s not for those unwilling to brave the Southern commute. We recommend the Salmon Pintxos, Ternera (ribeye) and Foie Gras Pintxos, as well as their Iberico Platters and Pulpo A La Gallega. Also ask for the daily specials! Our insider tip: You can get P500 OFF your bill at Bar Pintxos Alabang.

Single Origin is a new hangout spot where coffee and alcohol lovers can find common ground. Single Origin features a hefty breakfast & lunch menu, a dinner menu and a beverage list that includes specialty coffee and alcohol-based drinks. It’s for all types of eaters and drinkers, from breakfast to lunch, to dinner until late night. It’s not for diners who want alone time as tables are meant to be shared here. We recommend the Single Origin Burger, Surf n Turf Beer Dough Pizza, S.O. French Toast. Don’t forget to try their Valrhona Mocha Latte, Orange-infused Cappuccino and Bacon-infused Bloody Mary. Our insider tip: They serve specialty Lamill coffee blends from California. Full feature here.

True to its name, Locavore serves only locally grown and produced Filipino dishes with a French touch, curated by Chef Mikel Zaguirre. It’s for people who enjoy a good twist on local classics. It’s not for intimate occasions. We recommend their signature Sizzling Sinigang, Lechon & Oyster Sisig, and the underrated Ginataang Kalabasa. Also check out their new Duck Lugaw Foie Gras, Champorado ni Speedy and Beef Silog. Our insider tip: Their special brunch menu is only available at this branch for now. Service starts at 9AM.

From the same team behind Las Flores, Rambla and La Lola, Tomatito is a sexy tapas bar from Shanghai serving Spanish-influenced dishes by acclaimed chef Willy. Its aesthetic is inspired by Spanish bars in the 80s which provides a retro fluorescent atmosphere. It’s for friends looking to dine out over great food and drinks. It’s not for diners who prefer traditional Spanish dishes, as their cuisine focuses on fusion interpretations. We recommend the Salmon TNT, Explisiones de atun y Tomatito, and the Montaditos de Gambas. Our insider tip: Their tables fill up fast, so make sure you call ahead to reserve!

Shaburi is an all-you-can-eat healthy Japanese shabu-shabu from Japan that offers unlimited premium meats, fresh seafood, organic vegetables and a buffet of appetizers and other bites. Unlike other shabu-shabu restaurants that have one communal pot for cooking, Shaburi offers each guest their own personal pot. It’s for big family or barkada dinners. It’s not for anyone who don’t enjoy eating quickly, there’s a time limit. We recommend their value-for-money Shaburi Wagyu all-you-can-eat course. Our insider tip is: The same course menu should be selected by all customers in the same table. Read more here.

Jin Joo Korean Grill is a hip Korean restaurant offering a mix of the classics and a whole new set of fresh innovative Korean dishes. They are the first to offer the Cheese BBQ Ribs, a dish most probably inspired by the popular James Cheese & Back Ribs in Seoul, South Korea. It’s for young foodies looking for a unique Korean experience in Manila. It’s not for people looking for unlimited BBQ deals. We recommend Jin Joo’s 8 Flavours Samgyeopsal, Dak Galbi, Cheese Dung Galbi and Galbi Jim. Our insider tip is you can wrap your ribs with cheese on your own or ask a server to assist you. Read our full feature here.

Va Bene (which means “it’s good” in Italian) has been named one Manila’s best Italian restaurants one too many times and is known for serving fresh handmade pastas by Italian Chef Massimo Veronesi. It’s for pasta lovers who can’t get enough of perfect al dente pasta dishes. Portions are good for sharing, if you’re not a big eater. It’s not for people who hate carbs. We recommend Chef Massimo Veronesi’s bestsellers, which are the Black Ink Tagliolini and Organic Eggs Tagliatelle. Even the complimentary bruschetta with salsa dip is good. Our insider tip is ask fir their chilli olive oil for a spicy kick. Read our full feature here.

Named after an American celebrity Chef, Todd English offers food from all over the world in an upscale food hall setting. It has 9 different food stations including: salad & charcuterie, sushi, raw, Asian, pizza, pasta, grill & ocean, and the wine & tapas bar. It’s for people who like big menus or want to eat in a big group. It’s not for dieters who are vulnerable to temptation.  We recommend their Fig & Prosciutto flatbread, truffle pasta, T.E. Porkchop and Torched Nigiri Stairs. Our insider tip: They’re open until 11pm, perfect if you’re getting a late dinner after a movie date.