The year 2009 saw a handful of restaurants opening shop in Manila hoping to get a big chunk of the already over-saturated dining crowd. But novelty is just one quality that keeps a new restaurant appealing.

Nescafe Gold Spot Awards judge Franco of Table for Three, Please believes that “new restaurants not only have to tackle the challenge of establishing a name for themselves with the dining public but also settle into their own skins—setting their standards for both their food and their service. The first year of any restaurant is always hard. The nominees for this year are real stand outs. While still working out their shortcomings, many have already established themselves as restaurants that provide very memorable dining experiences.”

“The best new restaurant has to have exceptionally great food, service, ambience and has to have that extra quality that makes it distinct from the rest,” adds Chef Him Uy de Baron.

Yummy editor-in-chief Becky Kho thinks a cohesive concept and menu is part of what makes or breaks a new restaurant. Fellow panelist Aileen Anastacio agrees. “I look for something really unique in concept or a very good menu backed up by good quality food. It doesn’t have to be fancy but the experience should leave a lasting impression on my palette. I should also be able to recommend it to my family and friends.”

Nescafe Gold Spot Awards judge JJ Yulo shares “smaller, more specialized restaurants are a good idea in this congested restaurant town of ours.”

The winner for the Best New Restaurant category will be picked by the Nescafe Gold Spot awards panel of judges. This year, five new restaurants emerged as the cream of the crop:

Azuthai

Serving home-style Thai food, Azuthai’s kitchen is managed by owner Chef J. Gamboa with Chefs Tip and Bow from Phuket, Thailand. The minimalist interiors are done in earth tones and artifacts from Thailand displayed around the dining room provide a backdrop for Thai food dining.

Menu stand-outs include Shrimp and Fish Cakes, Crispy Duck Salad, Massaman Lamb Curry, Prawns with Glass Noodles in a Hot Pot and Ruamit, Thailand’s version of halo-halo.

Restaurant Ciçou

Chef Cyrille Soenen created a Michelin-inspired French menu at Restaurant Ciçou, located at Makati’s Hotel Celeste. Together with his wife and business partner, Anna Ascalon Soenen, Cicou brings no-frills French cuisine to Manila.Le Cassoulet, Millionaire’s Pasta (which is cooked with lobster and foie gras), Pork Slow Braised Caramelized Belly and Sea Bass are some of the top menu picks at Restaurant Ciçou.

Crystal Room

Crystal Room is one of the restaurants at the chic dining complex, The Establishment at the Fort. Making waves for serving exquisite French food in Manila, its dimly-lit interiors are perfect for cozy meals with an option to order dishes from the other restaurants within the complex: the Tulipan Spanish Bar and The Hall, which serves Continental fare. Pan-Seared U.S. Beef Tenderloin with Lychee Truffle Sauce, Salmon Tartare, Grilled Prime Beef Striploin and Sole Meuniere are some of the items on Crystal Room’s fine-dining menu.

Lusso

Lusso is restaurateur Gaita Fores’ newest venture. A champagne bar with a menu that’s a mix of luxe dishes and comfort food, delectable selections like the Foie Gras Burger, Foie Gras Croque Monsieur, Pan Seared Salmon and Chicken Pot Pie go deliciously well with your glass (or bottle) of bubbly. Lusso’s interiors by Jorge Yulo exude elegance and sophistication with luxurious details like opulent chandeliers and velvet-laden cushioned seats.

MoMo

MoMo’s new branch at the Eastwood Mall opened in July 2009. Opened by Raintree Restaurants, the team behind Chelsea, Museum Café and Mr. Jones, MoMo stands for “Mo’ food, Mo’ drinks,” and offers comfort food in big portions, or “homestyle cuisine with an edge,” according to owner Martin Wisniewski. Together with Chef Kalel Chan, he created a menu featuring hearty and hefty comfort food favorites such as the Chargrilled Beef Burger, Fish and Chips, and Country Herb & Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf.

Which spot do you think will be awarded the Best New Restaurant for 2009?
Keep posted for the results of this year’s 2009 Nescafe Gold Spot Awards.

Photographs from azuthai.com, kikiandlala.wordpress.com (Lusso), Allan Ko (Crystal Room), Michael Wisniewski (MoMo) and Charles Yulo (Restaurant Cicou).

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