LAST year, we had one Filipino restaurant in the Top 20. This year, we have two!

The second edition of the Miele Guide, a restaurant guide whose objective is to be the most reliable and credible restaurant guide for Asia, was launched last September 30 at the historic Fullerton Hotel in Singapore. (Historic because the Fullerton used to be the Post Office of Singapore, while the Lighthouse Restaurant at the top floor used to be an actual lighthouse that would guide ships as they docked).

It was a historic night for Miele Guide as well because although this is only its second year, it has already introduced additional features. On top of a more extensive list (i.e., from 320 restaurants in Asia in the first edition to 450 restaurants in the current one), the Guide now also includes the Top Five restaurants in each country.

These were determined after four rigorous rounds of judging, which included a shortlist from each nation?s restaurateurs and top food critics, online voting, voting by select judges from around Asia and personal visits by judges from the group behind the Miele Guide.

It was also a historic night for the Philippines because while last year Antonio?s made the celebrated Top 20 list, this year Antonio?s is joined by Aubergine in the Top 20.

The gala dinner was an elegant event that included cocktails, dinner where each course was prepared by a selected guest chef from one of the ?best restaurants? in Asia, and a post-dinner party at the Fullerton Hotel?s Post Bar (clever name, as the post office used to have one of the longest ?bars? in Singapore ? not to serve drinks over but to receive mail).

Of the items served during dinner, I truly appreciated the Botan Ebi and Artichoke Veloute with Consommé Jelly (whew, haba ng pangalan), created by Chef Takashi Kimura of Sage Restaurant and Wine Bar in Kuala Lumpur. The Grilled Pork Cheek with Kai Lan, Pumpkin Purée and Crispy Ginger by Chef Diego Martinelli of the Fullerton Hotel?s The Lighthouse restaurant reminded me of our very own lechon minus the crispy skin (of course any Filipino would be partial to lechon!).

At the risk of sounding like the Sea Princess or Maurice Arcache (palanggas), I must mention that among the ?Noypis I spotted at the gala were ?my boss? Leica Carpo, Malu Gamboa of Tsukiji, Annie Montano of Mamou, Elbert Cuenca with the missus for Elbert?s Steak Room, Tonyboy Escalante with perennial Miele Guide date (his brother) Manapla Mayor Manolet Escalante, Colin McKay of Sala, David Pardo de Ayala of Verbena and Claude Tayag with his darleng Maryann.

While I was happy for the newcomers to the list ? hooray for Bale Dutung that?s not even really a restaurant! ? I was sad that some of the faces that we saw last year were not around this time. I blame the lack of votes on the lack of publicity in the Philippines (indirectly blaming myself for not getting the word out enough). Oh well, there?s always next year!

Nevertheless I was also happy to see that not only expensive restaurants made the list but favorite cheap eats such as Soms and C2 Classic Cuisine and mid-range or reasonably priced restaurants like Mamou and Abe were considered as well.

So here?s the list:

Asia?s Top 5 restaurants in the Philippines:

Antonio?s Fine Dining, Tagaytay
Aubergine
Mamou
Abe
Sala

Others that made the list (in alphabetical order):

Apartment 1B
Bale Dutung
Bigby?s Cafe and Restaurant
C2 Classic Cuisine
Cav
Cirkulo
Elbert?s Steak Room
The Highlands China Palace
Italianni?s
L?Opera Ristorante Italiano
La Regalade
Le Souffle at Fernando?s
Lili
Lolo Dad?s Cafe
Old Swiss Inn
People?s Palace
Restaurant Verbena
Shang Palace
Som?s Noodle House
Sonya?s Garden
Tsumura Sushi Bar & Restaurant

Congratulations to everyone who made the Miele Guide! Mabuhay ang mga kusinerong Pinoy! ?

Miele Guide 2009-2010. The Miele Guide will be available soon at major bookstores.