IF the film industry has a lot of award-giving bodies for over a decade, the Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets (MBKRS) Awards unrolled its own red carpet to recognize the best in the food and beverage industry beginning this year.
The MBKRS Awards was born from the MBKRS book published last year, according to Ines Cabarrus, President and CEO of Manila’s Best Kept Secrets, Inc.
“I think we haven’t really haven’t had a chance in this town to really celebrate the best of the dining scene. We have so much to offer as a city,” added Cabarrus.
Around 111 nominees competed for 22 categories. Below were the winners for each category.
Best Filipino Restaurant-Abé
Best Thai Restaurant-People’s Palace
Best Japanese Restaurant-Sugi
Best Steakhouse Restaurant-Elbert’s Steak Room
Best Italian Restaurant-L’Opera
Best Spanish Restaurant-Terry’s Selection
Best French Restaurant-Je Suis Gourmand
Best in Continental Cuisine-Lolo Dad’s
Best Chinese Restaurant-Zong
Best Central European Restaurant-Old Swiss Inn
Best Specialty Restaurant-Hossein’s Persian Kebab
Best Bistro-Sala Bistro
Best Enoteca (Wine Library)- Barcino Gourmet
Best Fusion Cuisine (East meets West)- M Café
Best Newcomer-Aubergine
Best Restobar-Nuvo
Best Wine List-Cav
Best Hotel Restaurant with International Buffet-Spirals
Best Hotel Fine Dining-Tivoli and Prince Albert
Best Hotel Specialty-Benjarong (Dusit Hotel)
Best Chef-Ariel Manuel (Lolo Dad’s)
Lifetime Achievement Award- Larry Cruz (posthumous)
Winners were selected by 85 judges composed of food critics, diners, restaurant owners, who voted and responded via email.
“We sent around 100 survey questionnaires through email and 85 of them responded,” said Cabarrus.
Cabarrus related that MBKRS Awards would be an annual event, which she thinks will motivate the spirit of competition among hotels and restaurants.
“If we have these awards, those restaurants will strive to do better and better,” said Cabarrus.
January 12th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I will definitely get the book and try out all their recommendations.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Where can I get a copy of the book, Manila’s Best Kept Restautant Secrets?
How often i9s it published?
Thanks.
December 1st, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I wish you printed their respective addresses and locations also for our OFW kababayans who wish to visit these restaurant when the go on vacation.
December 1st, 2008 at 10:08 pm
This is very informative. Many thanks for sharing this!
December 1st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Hi…I am a food lover and would appreciate much if you could send me the address/location and contact numbers of the restaurants mentioned above…Thank you and will wait for your response.