Editors' Note

As such an amazing decade drew to a close, T.Dining was lucky to have witnessed the openings of so many game-changing concepts, and more recently, thrilled to see exciting new entries such as Metronome, Osteria Daniele, The Test Kitchen, and Wildflour Italian. But as we kick start 2020 with the launch of the 16th edition of the Best Restaurant Guide (BRG), and face another decade filled with opportunity, we cannot wait to see what our vibrant dining scene will churn out. In this volume, we tried and tested the best rosés and warm weather sips for you in Think Pink, p. 14, and Summer Wines, p. 18, respectively. In From Pots to Pages, p. 22, we recommend four Filipino-produced books that should be on your shelves (or in your kitchen!). Lastly, we had a good look at the country’s most beautiful ancestral properties, which have either been turned into restaurants or charming event spaces in Dine Down Memory Lane p. 32.

For a quick and easy reference to the overall dining experience of the 203 restaurants listed in this guide (it must be mentioned this is the most we’ve had ever!), each restaurant has been rated in four key areas—setting, food, wine, and service. The system is employed year-round by all T.Dining reviewers, whether they are appraising a restaurant for the guide or for the latest review published on Philtatlerdining.com.

To ensure that our experience of each restaurant was as close to that of a regular diner, each venue was reviewed anonymously during the compilation of this guide. The final ratings are a result of the reviewer’s findings, plus the general recommendations of our expert editorial panel.

The ratings are displayed at the bottom of each review through the use of easy- to-read symbols. The key areas are each rated on a scale of one to ten, and take into account myriad factors related to the dining experience.

It is with our reviewers and expert editorial panel that we arrive at the speciality awards—five “Best Of” categories that highlight those at the top of their class. This year, these are Best Bar, Best New Restaurant, Local Champion, Best Service, and Chef of the Year. After reviewing all eligible entries, a shortlist is compiled and a vote carried out to determine the ultimate award recipients.

And, of course, the unveiling of the prestigious annual Top 20 is always a thrill (turn to p. 62 as well as Philtatlerdining.com for the full list and extended profiles).