The restaurant scene in Manila has been very competitive this year (2016) and we've witnessed the changing atmosphere when it comes to dining. Filipinos have become more adventurous when it comes to food preference that even the old dining places have been improving and updating their menus. We can also say that Madrid Fusion Manila and the World Streetfood Congress Manila helped a lot in changing the conventional palates of most Filipinos.

So before the year officially ends, I am sharing my twelve restaurant picks for 2016.


12. Biscuit-thin pizza, sizzling sinigang ribs, and steaks are just some of the popular dishes that you can order at Beeffalo by Hotrocks. Would love to dine here again and again but Antipolo and Marikina are too far for me. But if I really happen to go there, I'd gladly visit the restaurant again.

This holiday season, surprise your family and friends by making Swiss Meringue Gems like Anna Olson.

Asia Food Channel treats its viewers with delectable goodies this December with the brand new season of Bake with Anna Olson. Anna may have been a baking wizard but she is so nice that she wants to share her baking tips and tricks with every one. There's a whole lot of savory souffles, pancakes, and other mouthwatering baked goodies.

Coffee has been around for ages and it is still one of the most favored drinks today. But coffee today is not as simple as it was before, it has reached that level of pop-culture and even fan-dom and cult-followers. Yeah, no kidding.

Laing is a popular Bicolano dish that's been adopted by some restaurants in their menus. It is made with dried yam leaves (gabi), and cooked in coconut milk. Some laing variations include dried shrimps (hibe), or sardines.

And here is Chef Jessie's version of Laing for Noche Buena.

Merry Christmas from Bizu Patisserie!
This holiday season set your table with unique and flavorful choices, both savory and sweet, only from Bizu. 
            A new offering is the Roast Lamb Leg slow-cooked with garlic and rosemary and served with mint jelly and lamb au jus. Another is the Porchetta, a slow-roasted Pork Belly marinated in garlic and fresh rosemary with crispy crackling skin with a duo of Arugula Pesto and Apple-Mango Chutney sauces.

Christmas came early at The Maya Kitchen when Chef Jessie Sincioco prepared a gastronomic array of Christmas dishes during The Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite Series last December 10.

"A lot of times people would ask me for advice about what to prepare for their Christmas meals," says Chef Jessie. "So I really think of everything special. It doesn't have to be the most expensive, but it has to be something that you really want to eat."

It is A Christmas Tradition in the Philippines to have a sumptuous noche buena spread to pair with the merriment that comes with Christmas.

And at Mario's, they place importance on Christmas Tradition. Have a feast of delicious Roast Turkey with a choice of Herbed Corn Bread, American Style Bread, or Relleno de Pabo stuffing.

Culinary Icon Chef Martin Yan returns to AFC this January as he share his decades worth of culinary knowledge and kitchen tricks on Martin Yan's Asian Favorites. The show begins on January 5, Thursday at 9pm on Asian Food Channel.

A fun way to eat your favorite churros at La Lola Churreria is its latest Lola Loops. This is a classic freshly made classic churros in the shape of a 'lazo,' or ribbon/bow.

The Christmas Season is a time of bringing cheer and merriment, and what better way to spread love this season than sending a box or two of the delicious jams by The Fruit Garden Luxury Jams.