This list is a compilation of restaurants which I feel have made an impact on the overall foodscape in the metro during the past year. I chose these restaurants considering many factors—unique concept, public reception, trend setting and growth. You may agree or disagree with some of my choices but if you have eaten in at least one of the establishments below, you will surely agree that there is a definite quality in them that deserves recognition. (List is arranged in no particular order.)

145˚F Fahrenheit

There are many steak houses in the city but 145˚F Fahrenheit rose above the competition this year as the best steak place to dine in. What makes the establishment’s steak extra special? It is the quality—and make no mistake, 145˚F wants you to taste it! It is a fact that the grade of a steak is best determined when cooked in medium temperature. This is why the restaurant has decided to adopt this namesake. It champions the medium cooking temperature so that the quality of their meat comes out. Take for example, their house specialty, the Tomahawk Chop. This extra large steak is nearly two inches thick and is as big as a whole chicken. When eaten, you’d find the meat ultra-moist and tender—unlike anything you’d ever tried before. Even if you think the price tag of P3,900 is too much to pay for a steak, its size could sate two to three people. It is an experience well worth the price.

Address: Upper Ground Floor Il Terrazo, #35 Tomas Morato corner Scout Madriñan, Quezon City
Tel. nos.: 7032725, 3321955

1521
It is hard to find a Filipino restaurant that is truly unique but 1521 along Shaw Boulevard fits the bill perfectly. The restaurant was named after the year the Spanish discovered the Philippines. While this may sound quite traditionalistic, you’d be surprised to find that the menu offers heirloom Filipino recipes and fusion dishes, which sit comfortably beside each other. Must orders are the Potchero ni Tankeko and the Tom Yum Inasal. For those who love something with a twist, try the Laing Ravioli and Grilled Kare-Kare. Finally, don't forget to down everything with the most ordered, Kamias Cooler for a refreshing experience.

Address: 547 Shaw Boulevard, Barangay Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City
Tel. no.: 7940433

Ristras Mexican Grill
Interest in Mexican food got a boost with the recent and growing popularity of Ristras in San Juan. If you think you know what a burrito is, think again. At Ristras, the burrito comes in an extra large size that's good enough for two people. And the choice of fillings will amaze you. Choose from chicken, pork, steak, shredded beef and even vegetarian variants accompanied by the beans of your choice. And what’s more, the prices in the restaurant are quite affordable. Haven’t tried the evolved burrito at Ristras yet? It’s high time you jump on the bandwagon.

Address: J. Abad Santos Street corner Lopez Jaena Street, San Juan

Lorenzo’s Way
Located at Greenbelt 5, Lorenzo’s Way is a showcase restaurant that features the finest dishes the LJC Group has to offer. The LJC Group manages successful restaurants like the award-winning Abe and all-time favorite Café Adriatico, to name just a few. They took all the best dishes in their restaurants and made them available in Lorenzo’s Way. How could you ever go wrong with a restaurant concept like this?

Address: G/F, Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center, Makati City, Philippines
Tel. nos.: 7290047, 7290013

Amici
It’s hard to imagine life without Amici before it started popping up across the city in record-breaking time. Name somebody you know and more or less, he or she had already eaten there. This is a great feat considering the restaurant’s humble beginnings in the Don Bosco Church compound in Makati. When the company who manages Red Ribbon bought the restaurant, it undertook an aggressive expansion program in the hopes of spreading the Amici addiction. Its authentic Italian fare captured the taste buds of Manileños practically overnight. Today, just look at the jam-packed restaurant branches in Tomas Morato and Greenhills and you’ll get an indication of the Amici fever at its peak. And there’s no stopping this Italian chain. More branches are set to open like the one in SM North EDSA Annex.

Address: Bellagio Square, T. Morato cor. Sct. Fuentebella, Quezon City / Connecticut Street, Greenhills / Arnaiz Avenue and Pasong Tamo, Makati City / 3rd Floor Atrium, SM Megamall

Red Mango
Yogurt ice cream was something people cringed about before Red Mango made its debut in TriNoma. Now, everyone seems to be going gaga over this healthy frozen concoction, with numerous similar restaurant concepts sprouting in just about every mall you go to. Perhaps what makes Red Mango so popular is the perfect balance in taste—it has the ice cream flavor we are so used to but with the right tarty flavor that is distinctly yogurt tasting. Also, if you haven’t had a chance to try their waffles, you should do so immediately. Red Mango’s freshly cooked waffles are a definite pleaser!

Address: Eastwood Mall, SM Megamall, TriNoma

Choi Garden
Chinese living in Greenhills know that for some time, Gloria Maris had held a strong dominance over diners in the area. With the opening of Choi Garden along Annapolis Street, it seems that the restaurant giant has been given a run for its money. Take note, Choi Garden is far from your typical fluorescent-light resto. The interiors are designed to look like a lounge with a modern ambiance. And while the menu offers traditional Chinese dishes, diners are encouraged to order off-the-menu. Inquire about the daily special and find out for yourself why Choi Garden is the new and “in” Chinese restaurant you should be eating in right now.

Address: 12 Annapolis Street, Purdue St., San Juan
Tel. no.: 7276042

Dusit Thani Hotel's Crossover Buffet
There is nothing more decadent than having a buffet in a first class hotel. But for some time, all hotel buffets looked the same. That is until Dusit Thani Hotel introduced a new concept called the inter-restaurant buffet. Usually, your buffet is just confined to one restaurant within a hotel. At Dusit Thani Hotel during Sundays, they charge a buffet fee of P1,450 net, which allows you to participate in ALL their in-house restaurant buffets. This means you can have sushi first in Umu, then head over to Benjarong for a helping of Thai food, then hop over to Tosca for pasta or pizza. and then have dessert or coffee at the Basix café. No hotel buffet has ever given this much value and satisfaction.

Address: Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Center, 1223 Makati City
Tel. no.: 8673333