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

Organico Gourmet is an organic restaurant and gourmet super store in one by Chef Gloria de Vera, who decided to live healthy to help her daughter overcome her weight problem. The cafe serves all-natural organic food that includes a range of cold-pressed juices, while their superstore stocks a wide range of imported superfoods. They also offer healthy diet delivery programs.It’s for the health conscious crowd looking for one-stop shop for everything healthy. It’s not for people looking for greasy options. We recommend the Grilled Porkchops with Apple Chutney, Tamarind and Honey Glazed Chicken, and Truffled Four Cheese Pizza. Here’s a fun fact: The location they are in used to be The Frazzled Cook.

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, a 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.

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.

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. P.S. We heard they are heading South next.

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. P.S. Catch their limited Katsu burgers in stores now.

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, which is a wordplay on Uma meaning ‘good’, promises bold Japanese flavors at affordable prices. It’s for people who are 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.

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. Catch their new and limited Spicy Black Ramen. 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.

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.

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. They just opened their 5th branch in Robinsons Place Manila.