Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in San Juan & Mandaluyong for July 2015

Cafe Sanso is a small cafe serving Spanish specialties such as chorizo platters, paella, callos and churros. It serves as an ode to Juvenal Sanso, an internationally-renowned painter. It’s for people who apprecite Spanish cuisine. It’s not for people looking for a big menu. We recommend the Serano Especial platter, Francesinha sandwich, and their Churros and Leche Frita (or Fried Milk) for desserts. Our insider tip is just next door is the Sanso Museum, which is a showcase of the legend’s 65 years in art. It houses the artist’s personal collection with many works and award-winning masterpieces that have never been seen by the public.

Chef Laudico Guevarra’s is a 1920’s heritage house restaurant and events place where guests can enjoy an upscale but affordable Filipino buffet dining, in function rooms or outdoor setting, from Chefs Roland and Jacqueline Laudico. It’s for special business meetings and family celebrations. It’s not a place to treat your friends if you’re on a tight budget. We recommend the angus beef tapa, kare-kare, grilled gindara and cream dory with mango curry sauce. Our insider tip is their clean plate policy charges you P100 for every 100 grams left. P.S. Buffet price is half for kids 4 feet and below.

Hai Chix & Steaks is a restaurant where East meets West under one roof. It is an Asian fusion restaurant specializing in steaks and Hainanese chicken. They first opened in Ortigas in 2012, opened a 2nd branch in Makati the next year, and this 3rd branch this year. It’s for everyone craving for some Asian and American specialties without having to visit 2 different restaurants. It’s not for very young kids who only want fried foods. We recommend their bestselling US Angus Ribeye and the Hainanese Chicken Rice. Our insider tip is have your steaks cooked medium. P.S. We heard their red velvet ice cream is a must try.

Green Pastures, another farm-to-table concept restaurant created by Chef Robby Goco of crowd-favorite Cyma, promises to deliver wholly organic and locally-sourced dishes. It’s for people who love salads and higher quality produce. It’s not for people who are craving for some good grease. We recommend their salads, homemade cheeses and juice selection. Our insider tip is Chef Robby constantly updates the menu ‘based on what’s in season, what’s new and what’s fresh,’ which is why their menu is stamped with a validity period.

Ippudo is the first branch of this international group in the Philippines.  A joint venture with the guys at Yabu, it specializes in Hakata-style Tonkotsu (pork-based) ramen produced in their kitchen and tailor-fitted for the Filipino palate. It’s for straight up ramen minus the fancy embellishments of modern cuisine. It’s not for people looking for an extensive Japanese menu. We recommend their Shiromaru Motoji ramen and the pork buns. Our insider tip is that cute “kiddie sets” may be requested for your little ones. P.S. Ippudo Matsuri cards are now available. Customers get free ramen after completing all 5 ramen sidekicks stamps.

Duck & Buvette is the old Cafe Provencal reinvented. It’s a French bistro and bakery specializing in duck confit and buvettes (the French version of tapas or small plates that uses seasonal produce and hand-picked ingredients). It’s for weekend lunches and dinners with family or friends. It’s not for children looking for spaghetti or fried chicken. We recommend the Maple Candied Bacon & Lemon, D&B Crispy Half Duck Confit and French Ice Cream Sandwich. Our insider tip is they serve Intelligentsia specialty coffee, a leading coffee roaster company in Chicago.

Executive chef Chiloy Santos drew inspiration from his culinary travels to San Francisco and New Orleans, came back and created Kettle. Kettle offers traditional American comfort food like hamburgers, fried chicken and steaks and amped them up with their own sauces and spices. It’s for people who enjoy American style platters. It’s not for solo diners, servings are generous. We recommend the Pork and Potato Strips for starters and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Miso Glazed Salmon for mains. Our insider tip is all Kettle desserts are made by Chef Chiloy’s mom, Vilma Santos (no, not the actress). Try her Instagram-worthy Checkered Cake. P.S. Kettle has just opened their 2nd branch in Eastwood.

Yabu is the leader in all things Katsu (meaning cutlet in English). Owner John Concepcion of Uniliver RFM Ice Cream, Inc. brought in Chef Kazuya Takeda from Tokyo to partner with and create this specialized dining experience with him. It’s for people of all ages who like their food deep fried. It’s not for people looking for a wide Japanese menu selection. We recommend the Kurobuta Premium set (‘Kurobuta’is also known as the kobe beef of pork). Our insider tip is fill up their VIP form and get a ‘surprise’ e-mail (a.k.a. free Katsu) on your birthday. P.S. If you don’t already know, ‘The Yabu Promise’ is they will serve you within 20 minutes or it’s free.

Rita’s is the largest Italian Ice concept in the world, with over 600 stores in the U.S. The popular chain offers a variety of cool treats including its famous Italian Ice, made fresh daily with real fruits, available in over 65 flavors. It’s for the kids and the kids at heart. It’s not for people watching their sugar intake. We recommend their Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard with Mango Ice. Our insider tip is certain flavors can get a tad bit sweeter than you want, make sure to ask before you order.

Tim Ho Wan is Hong Kong’s most celebrated dim sum restaurant, after all it’s the cheapest One Michelin star in the world. It’s for affordable and fast dim sum. It’s not for people who don’t want to queue. Their crowd stealer is the Baked Bun with BBQ Pork. We also recommend their Wasabi Salad Prawn Dumpling and Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp. Our insider tip is take out orders are now allowed and there is a separate queue. And Tim Ho Wan just confirmed it, watch out for their next branch in Robinsons Place Manila.