Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in San Juan & Mandaluyong for April 2015

Joining the make-your-own burger wagon is the highly raved about 8Cuts Burger Blends. ‘8 Cuts’ is a reference to the eight cuts of beef used in the five custom blends that only they offer. It’s for people who enjoy getting their hands dirty. It’s not for people looking for a quick take out burger. We recommend the Q-Daddy Burger.

Duck & Buvette is the old Cafe Provencal reinvented. It’s a French bistro and bakery specializing in duck confit and buvettes (the French version of tapas or small plates that uses seasonal produce and hand-picked ingredients). It’s for weekend lunches and dinners with family or friends. It’s not for children looking for spaghetti or fried chicken. We recommend the Maple Candied Bacon & Lemon, D&B Crispy Half Duck Confit and French Ice Cream Sandwich. Our insider tip is they serve Intelligentsia specialty coffee, a leading coffee roaster company in Chicago.

Rita’s is the largest Italian Ice concept in the world, with over 600 stores in the U.S. The popular chain offers a variety of cool treats including its famous Italian Ice, made fresh daily with real fruits, available in over 65 flavors. It’s for the kids and the kids at heart. It’s not for people watching their sugar intake. We recommend their Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard with Mango Ice. Our insider tip is certain flavors can get a tad bit sweeter than you want, make sure to ask before you order.

Conti’s is a pastry and bakeshop that serves a number of homegrown signature dishes and delicious desserts. It has grown from a simple family restaurant which began in 1997 to more than 10 branches in total, including 1 take out nook. The take out nook serves cakes to go. It’s for people looking to buy cakes for any type of occasion or for a quick takeaway. It’s not for people who are craving for their signature dishes. We recommend the Baked Salmon, Baked Prawns, Mango Bravo and Choco Overload. Our insider tip is their coffee has complimentary refill. Search for Conti’s branches on the Booky app to try their dishes.

Executive chef Chiloy Santos drew inspiration from his culinary travels to San Francisco and New Orleans, came back and created Kettle. Kettle offers traditional American comfort food like hamburgers, fried chicken and steaks and amped them up with their own sauces and spices. It’s for people who enjoy American style platters. It’s not for solo diners, servings are generous. We recommend the Pork and Potato Strips for starters and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Miso Glazed Salmon for mains. Our insider tip is all Kettle desserts are made by Chef Chiloy’s mom, Vilma Santos (no, not the actress). Try her Instagram-worthy Checkered Cake.

Tuan Tuan, which literally means ‘to put together’, best describes the restaurant’s goal of putting together the best of Hong Kong comfort food in a French brasserie setting. It is a homegrown concept from the Lugang group. It’s for casual but fancy and affordable lunches or dinners family and friends. It’s not for people looking for sushi, rice meals, pastas or other cuisines. We recommend theUS Premium Beef Rib and Tendon Curry, Ox Tongue Curry, Laksa, Steamed Halibut Belly with Light Soy Sauce and snowy buns. Our insider tip is don’t go mild on your Laksa.

Fireside offers the same home-style American comfort food from Kettle, including their signature Buttermilk Fried Chicken, but also features numerous meat dishes such as ribs, pork chops and steaks. It’s for groups or couples looking for meat choices. It’s not for quick and cheap dining. We recommend the Truffle Potato Chips, Boneless US Prime Ribeye and Buttermilk Fried Chicken Fingers. Here’s a fun fact: Fireside is from the same group that gave us one of Subic’s most popular steak joint, Meat Plus.

Green Pastures, another farm-to-table concept restaurant created by Chef Robby Goco of crowd-favorite Cyma, promises to deliver wholly organic and locally-sourced dishes. It’s for people who love salads and higher quality produce. It’s not for people who are craving a rice meal. We recommend their salads, homemade cheeses and juice selection. Our insider tip is Chef Robby constantly updates the menu ‘based on what’s in season, what’s new and what’s fresh,’ which is why their menu is stamped with a validity period.

Ippudo is the first branch of this international group in the Philippines.  A joint venture with the guys at Yabu, it specializes in Hakata-style Tonkotsu (pork-based) ramen produced in their kitchen and tailor-fitted for the Filipino palate. It’s for straight up ramen minus the fancy embellishments of modern cuisine. It’s not for people looking for an extensive Japanese menu. We recommend their Shiromaru Motoji ramen and the pork buns. Our insider tip is to come in pairs for quicker accommodation. “Kiddie sets” may be requested for your little ones.

Tim Ho Wan is Hong Kong’s most celebrated dim sum restaurant, after all it’s the cheapest One Michelin star in the world. It’s for affordable and fast dim sum. It’s not for people who don’t want to queue. Their crowd stealer is the Baked Bun with BBQ Pork. We also recommend their Wasabi Salad Prawn Dumpling and Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp. Our insider tip is is there are new items added to the menu just this February: Braised Chicken Feet in Abalone Sauce and Chow Mien Stir Fried Noodles. P.S. Tim Ho Wan is coming to the city of Manila, they are opening a new branch in Robinsons Place Manila soon.