Personal, amiable, attentive, knowledgeable, and quick, the team at M Dining does not leave any stone unturned. They listen to their diners; they learn their guests’ names; and they know their regulars’ favourite orders. Walking into this restaurant feels like you are stepping into an extension of home, a space where diners can rest easy knowing that their every whim and craving will be catered to and quenched.

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Industrious is a term perfectly suited to this culinary veteran. In 2022 alone he engaged in a range of collaboration dinners, launched two new tasting menus, plus opened Sea.Food, Samira, two new deli shops, and a Chef’s Chele’s Kitchen brick-and-mortar location too. From R&D workshopping new dishes for his flagship Gallery by Chele, overseeing the menus at his other establishments, fine-tuning the logistics of Deli by Chele, and operating his consulting firm Adviche, this chef continues to uplift the Philippine dining scene.

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At Mott 32, you dine in style. On top of the signature food that has put its name on the map, this world-famous restaurant is known for its decadent interiors, and the Cebu location does not disappoint. Mott 32 Cebu was done in collaboration with interior designer Joyce Wang who artfully designed a space that is a cultural blend of New York industrial style with Chinese imperial elements. This branch showcases wide-open spaces, gold details, dark wood, and carefully selected materials referencing the landscape and the enchanting natural beauty of the Philippines.

Read more: Mott 32 opens in Cebu at Nustar Resort and Casino

This award recognises the Hapag’s immense contribution to promoting local produce through their spectacular menu that has continued to impress diners. Through their intimate knowledge of Filipino ingredients, a diverse range of regional flavours are displayed across their plates. Here, guests will have a newfound appreciation for what it means to eat Filipino food and perhaps be a little bit more proud to be Pinoy.

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Despite countless new restaurant openings and exciting F&B buzz, this trusted omakase destination has remained top of mind among the metro’s most discerning epicureans. Led by the brilliant chef Bruce Ricketts, the sophisticated, modern restaurant never ceases to impress. Presenting maddeningly creative bites that continue to honour Japanese principles of quality ingredients, omotenashi, and culinary mastery, there are infinite reasons why guests continue to come back to this fine dining staple.

See also: Chef Bruce Ricketts discusses his cooking style and the importance of quality craftsmanship

Jorge Mendez is certainly no newcomer to the Philippine dining scene. Evidenced by his portfolio of casual restaurants, cloud concepts, consultancies, and R&D work for one of the country’s most notable culinary titans Margarita Forés, the humble chef has found much success toiling away in the industry for quite some time. But with the opening of his modern fine dining Japanese restaurant Mōdan, Mendez puts all he’s learnt on delicious display. In forging a stellar dining experience that competes with not only his peers but his seasoned mentors, this rising star chef takes his rightful place in the limelight—and this is only the beginning.

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