Michelin Holiday Feast

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Traffic and more traffic—I guess that’s the scourge of the Christmas season. Notwithstanding, we embrace the frenzy: the shopping, the preparing, the endless parties, and the cherished get-togethers with family and friends. Like the rest, I am guilty of plunging right into the festive chaos!

For my various circles, the Christmas group meal is a non-negotiable ritual practiced for many years. In fact, it was my longest-standing group of friends, sometimes called my Cuatro Cantos, that started this ritual of having monthly get-togethers. The constant challenge used to be selecting a venue: "Will the food be good?"

Thankfully, that guessing game is now over. The arrival of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines has given us a fantastic roster of trusted choices. With 107 Michelin-named establishments—including one two-star, eight one-star, 25 Bib Gourmand, and 74 selected restaurants—the choices are abundant!

The Three Feasts

The journey began with my long time friends, the Cuatro Cantos, at the Spanish favorite, Cirkulo. This Michelin-Selected spot provided the perfect warm backdrop for our pre-Christmas ritual. We skipped the drama and went straight for the classics: paella, callos, and repeat orders of their stellar tapas—especially the chopitos a la plancha and cabeza de Cerdo. Paired unexpectedly with fried rice, this combination was a simple, winning stream of comfort and flavor.


Next, the Maginoo Group gathered for a decadent Chinese feast at the Michelin-Selected China Blue by Jereme Leung in Conrad. The dim sum was immediately incomparable, setting a high bar that the rest of the meal easily cleared. We savored the luxurious 8-hour golden broth with generous scallop and shrimp, culminating in the spectacular Golden Peking Duck, served two magnificent ways. It was pure indulgence, proving some food is simply worth the splurge.


Finally, with my Foodie Group, the experience elevated to cultural immersion at the one-Michelin-star Hapag. This was less dinner, more an exploration. Their 12-course menu, dedicated entirely to Western Mindanao, felt utterly fresh. Every course, from the smoky Tiyula Itum to the rich Riyandang Maranao, was explained by the chef, seamlessly blending history with flavor. Watching the action in the exposed kitchen, it was a flawless stream of sublime perfection that capped off a holiday season of truly exceptional dining.


These three majestic culinary journeys—each distinct, yet all perfectly executed—prove that the best food and company are worth fighting the Christmas rush for. The Michelin Guide, it turns out, is the perfect map for truly sublime dining.



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