RP restaurant ranks 10th in Asia's 'top 20'

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine restaurant in Tagaytay City in Cavite province ranked 10th in a newly created "Top 20" list of restaurants in Asia. Tagaytay-based Antonio's Fine Dining was lauded in The Miele Guide, which bills itself as Asia's first truly independent and most authoritative regional restaurant guide. "Standing for over five years now, Antonio's menu has proven to be as spoon-worthy as its ambience is swoon-worthy. It has consistently been considered among the top five restaurants in the Philippines and a favorite for proposals and intimate weddings," the group described the restaurant in its website. It said chef Antonio Escalante's commitment to fine cuisine remains strong, adding a la carte ordering is simple enough although the pre fixe menu may prove "a little tricky." "Don't skip the salads as Tagaytay offers the best greens in and around Metro Manila. Duck has also been known to steal the show, especially the duck confit in Grand Marnier beurre blanc or the roasted duck breast served with foie gras. The service here at Antonio's is excellent. The wait is never long and within minutes you are seated, handed a menu and offered the restaurant's signature dalandan juice," it said. The Miele Guide 2008/2009 edition evaluates restaurants in 16 Asian countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. It ranks and profiles restaurants across the region's major cities, categorized by country, city and cuisine. "Unlike most guides, there are no arbitrary, secretive selection procedures, and the public's vote plays a big part. A shortlist was drawn from the region's top food critics and thousands of food lovers responded to the chance to shape culinary history by voting for their favorite restaurants," it said. Voting for the 2008/2009 edition closed last July 31. Online news site Visayan Daily Star reported that Escalante is the brother of Manapla mayor Manuel Escalante III. Iggy's, a modern-European eatery in the Regent Singapore hotel, was named Asia's best restaurant, and the Hong Kong outlet of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon took second place. Les Amis and Gunther's of Singapore took third and fourth places, Mozaic, in Bali, was fifth, and Robuchon a Galera, the French chef's Macau establishment, took sixth place. Other winners were Garibaldi, Singapore; Yung Kee, Hong Kong; Hutong, Hong Kong; Caprice, Hong Kong; Zuma, Hong Kong; L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Tokyo; Bukhara, New Delhi; Grissini, Hong Kong; Nobu, Hong Kong; Mon the Bund, Shanghai; Fook Lam Moon, Hong Kong; Zanotti, Bangkok; and Kyubey, Tokyo. The Miele Guide is the brainchild of Singaporeans Aun Koh and Tan Su-Lyn, created out of what they perceive to be the lack of an authoritative reference to restaurants in Asia. The winners will be included in a guide book to the top 20 restaurants in Asia for 2008-2009 published by Singapore-based Ate Media, and officially sponsored by the German home appliance maker Miele. Other official partners include Time Magazine, Visa Inc. and Hyatt Hotels, the website of the organizers said. - GMANews.TV