The Michelin Guide for Manila and Environs & Cebu 2027 announced its newest restaurant selections at an awarding ceremony held on Oct. 29 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, raising the number of Philippine establishments recognized by the globally renowned guide from 108 last year to 127 this year. The selection, which began in France in 1926, also celebrates its 100th year this year. This year's selections span restaurants in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, as well as Cebu, Pampanga and other areas represented in the guide's Bib Gourmand and Selected lists.

Helm, led by chef Josh Boutwood, retained its distinction as the country's first two-starred restaurant, an honor it earned at the inaugural awards last year. All eight restaurants awarded one star last year kept their status, joined this year by Makati's Flow. The one-starred roster comprises Asador Alfonso, Celera, Gallery by Chele, Hapag, Inatô, Kása Palma, Linamnam and Toyo Eatery, bringing the Philippines' total of Michelin-starred restaurants to 11.

Bib Gourmand

The 2027 Guide also adds ten restaurants to its Bib Gourmand selections. “The Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction celebrates establishments offering good-quality cooking at moderate prices,” the Guide said. “In the Philippines, these restaurants offer an accessible introduction to the country's culinary diversity, from familiar comfort foods and regional specialties to contemporary interpretations of local favorites.” The distinction gives diners an option beyond the starred establishments while highlighting restaurants the Guide identifies for quality cooking at moderate prices.

The ten new Bib Gourmand restaurants are:

• Apag Marangle (Pampanga)
• Ato-ah (Cebu)
• Azela (Manila)
• Balay Dako (Cavite)
• Bawai's Vietnamese Kitchen (Cavite)
• Butcher Boy (Las Piñas)
• C.H.E. Bacolod Chicken House Express (Makati)
• Kalipay! (Cebu)
• Tatang's Lechon (Cebu)
• Tito Boy (Pampanga)

The complete list of this year's Bib Gourmand restaurants is as follows: Abaseria Deli, Bolero, Brick Corner, Cabel, Cochi, Em Hà Nội, EsmenKumba, La Pita Poblacion, Lampara, Lasa, Los Tacos, Manam at the Triangle, Morning Sun Eatery, Palm Grill Diliman, Pilya's Kitchen, Sarsa, SOME THAI Tomas Morato, Taquería Franco, The Pig & Palm and The Underbelly.

Michelin-Selected Restaurants

Meanwhile, 18 new establishments have been added to the list of Michelin-selected restaurants. “These restaurants are analyzed in exactly the same way as Starred restaurants, and the same criteria are used to evaluate them,” the Guide said. “A listing in The Michelin Guide means guests can be assured of the freshness and quality of ingredients and that the chefs know their craft.”

“Being selected for The Guide also means that the establishment is already on Inspectors' radar, so it could receive other awards in the future. Michelin-selected restaurants are sometimes promoted to Stars or Bib Gourmands in subsequent years.” Butcher Boy and Ato-ah, both on this year's Bib Gourmand list, were promoted from the Selected list last year. The movement of those two restaurants illustrates how the guide's categories can change from one edition to the next as establishments receive new distinctions.

The new Selected restaurants are:

• Abé (Taguig)
• Bombvinos Bodega (Makati)
• Cyria's Kandingan (Cebu)
• Digámo (Marikina)
• Elaia by Cyma (Cavite)
• Haliya (Parañaque)
• Idalia (Makati)
• Kong (Makati)
• Kumedor (Cebu)
• Liyab (Taguig)
• Makanai (Taguig)
• Marjo's Pochero (Cebu)
• Mila's Tokwa't Baboy (Pampanga)
• Oyster Bay (Cebu)
• Playa (Cebu)
• Souq (Pampanga)
• Tadhanà (Makati)

The following retained their Selected status from last year: 12/10, Abli, Aida's Chicken, Antonio's, Aurora, Automat, Ayá, Benjarong, Blackbird, Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez, Canton Road, Carmelo's Steakhouse, Chie Chie's Pancit Batil Patung, China Blue, Cirkulo, COCO, Cru Steakhouse, Deo Gracias, DIP, El Poco Cantina (Malate), Ember, Enye by Chele Gonzalez, Fong Wei Wu, Fresca Tattoria, Ginza Nagaoka, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, Goxo, Hálong, House of Lechon, Iai, Juniper, Kamakura, Kei, Kodawari (Salcedo), Lantaw (Compostela), Locavore (Taguig), Lola Helen, Lore, Mamacita (Taguig), Man Ho, Maya, Metiz, Now Now, Oak & Smoke, Offbeat, Old Manila, Origine, Osteria Antica, Pablo, Papillon, People's Palace, Ramen Ron (Makati), Sala, Seva, Sialo, Socarrat, Steak & Frice, Summer Palace, Super Uncle Claypot (Makati), Tandem, Taupe, Terraza Martinez, The Test Kitchen, Txanton, Uma Nota, Umu, Yamazato and Your Local.

Special Awards

Finally, the Michelin Guide presented four special awards: the Best Opening Award to Frances Tariga of Tadhanà; the Young Chef Award, presented by WISK, to Francis Lacson of Digámo; the Service Award, presented by Mazda, to Restaurant Manager Clyde Joshua Zafra of Tito Boy; and the Exceptional Cocktails Award to Ron Job Sanchez, Bar Beverage Manager at Automat.

Source: BusinessWorld | Joseph L. Garcia