Top 5 Most Loved Restaurants in the South for January 2015

The Black Pig is a modern restaurant and bar, a place to gather for ‘good food, good wine, and good company’. It serves a variety of European-inspired and local dishes, as well as a wide selection of beers, wine and cocktails for pairing. It’s for people who are looking for a place to unwind after work or during weekends. It’s not for children. We recommend the Mushroom Risotto and their Black Pig Lunchboards. Our insider tip is they serve complimentary homemade marshmallows for dessert.

After his short stint with Robot Restaurant & Lounge, Chef Bruce Ricketts opened Sensei Sushi Bar, a humble local and seasonal Japanese and Asian-inspired restaurant along the now popular Aguirre Avenue in BF Homes. His 12-course Chef’s Omakase received numerous praises for taste, creativity and affordability. It’s for adventurous foodies. It’s not for people who don’t eat raw. We recommend the Chef’s Omakase. For a la carte, order their Torched Salmon Belly and Chutoro Sashimi. Our insider tip is there is no corkage fee, you can BYOB (bring your own bottle).

Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen is one of South‘s biggest neighborhood secrets, but because good restaurants can’t hide forever, it is now a foodie’s destination for authentic Italian eats. It’s for families and children who enjoy eating in a homely setting. It’s not for people who don’t like to brave the Southern commute (but good news, they’re opening a branch up North soon). We recommend the Risotto Tartufo Funghi, Spaghetti Seafood Olio and Pizza Tabarnes. Our insider tip is you can request to have 1 pizza halved in 2 flavors.

The Girl + The Bull is the brainchild of hip and young couple Gab Bustos (the bull) and Thea de Rivera (the girl). Their combined passion for food and art is translated onto every plate they serve. It’s for people who love to Instagram their food. It’s not for people looking for a formal dining experience. We recommend the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Bibimbap and the wildly raved about Faux Twix bar. Our insider tip is the Buttermilk Chicken is only available on Fridays and Saturdays, and we heard that only about 14 are served in a day.

Ramen Yushoken serves tonkotsu broth ramen using a recipe from famous ramen master Yamagishi Kazuo. It’s a casual restaurant with traditional Japanese sensibilities like fast service and not offering any eating utensils other than chopsticks. It’s for ramen lovers in the South. It’s not for people who are closer to Megamall. We recommend the Miso Tonkotsu Ramen or the spicy Tantan-men with Aji-Tamago on the side. Our insider tip is ask for what’s NOT on the menu.