Thirteen establishments were hailed Manila's Best Restaurants in various categories in the recently concluded 2009 Nescafe Gold Spot Awards on March 17 at the Encore (formerly Embassy) at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Now on its second year, the Nescafe Gold Spot Awards aims to honor the best establishments in the city and celebrate Manila as a dining destination. With four brand-new categories–namely Best Buffet, Best Restaurant Chain, New Restaurant of the Year and Restaurant of the Year, over 489 restaurants were nominated by SPOT.ph readers for thirteen categories in this year's awards.
Nominations were shortlisted by a panel of judges composed of Yummy editor-in-chief Becky Kho, Chefs Him Uy de Baron and Aileen Anastacio, popular blogger Franco of Table for Three Please (awarded Best Food & Beverage Blog by the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards), food writer and SPOT.ph food blogger JJ Yulo and actress and foodie Cherie Gil. Over 270, 000 online votes were cast for 55 restaurants in 11 categories from December 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010. Winners for New Restaurant of the Year and Restaurant of the Year were selected solely by the panel of judges.
The awarding ceremony was attended by Logan O'Brien, Consumer Marketing Manager, Coffee Business Unit, Nestle Philippines; Myrza Sison, editor-in chief, SPOT.ph and the 2009 Nescafe Gold Spot Awards judges, as well as key figures and players in the Manila dining scene.
The winners for the Cuisine Awards were determined both by the readers and the panel of judges:
Cuisine Awards
Best Japanese: Inagiku
Best Chinese: Shang Palace
Best Filipino: Abe
Best Italian: Paparrazi
Best Steak house: 22 Prime
Best Buffet: Spiral
Best Deli: Santi's Delicatessen
Best Dessert Place: Cupcakes by Sonja
Best Bar: Cav Wine Bar and Resto
Determined solely by the readers through mobile and online votes, Cibo emerged as the big winner for the People's Choice Awards:
Best Restaurant Chain: Cibo
Best Service: Cibo
The panel of judges decided on the winners for New Restaurant of the Year and Restaurant of the Year.
New Restaurant of the Year: Lusso
Restaurant of the Year: Lolo Dad's
