Two Filipino restaurants, modern fine dining restaurant Gallery By Chele in Bonifacio Global City and Antonio’s in Tagaytay City, are among Asia’s 100 best restaurants, according to the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy.

Antonio’s and Gallery by Chelle ranked at 84 and 90, respectively.

It’s the first time the academy released their list of Asian restaurant rankings from 51 to 100. The academy, comprised of over 300 culinary leaders from all over the world, will release the Asia’s Best 50 Restaurants list on March 25 yet.

Chefs Chele Gonzalez and Carlos Villaflor head Gallery By Chele. The restaurant’s modern cuisine is inspired by Spanish-European and Southeast Asian influences, as well as Chef Carlos’ Filipino heritage.

Antonio’s Tagaytay, founded by award-winning chef Tonyboy Escalante, is a getaway spot known for its refined, homey menu and romantic ambiance.

The top 51-100 list, which was released on Monday, March 22, was lead by Sugita from Tokyo, Japan; Ultraviolet by Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet form Shanghai, China; and Quintessence from Tokyo, Japan. Restaurants from Bangkok, Seoul, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Kyoto, Penang, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Singapore were also part of the list.

Japan and Thailand both lead the list this year, with 9 restaurants each, while China bagged 8 spots. It is also the first time a restaurant from the Maldives made it. Aragu, a resort on the Noonu Atoll, landed at 96th place.

Netflix Street Food Asia star and Bangkok street food chef Jay Fai also received an accolade for her restaurant, which placed at 62. She was recently awarded Asia’s Best Icon Award.

The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy decided to release the latter half of the list for the first time, in order to “shine a light on a wider array of establishments across the region that will inspire food lovers as they consider their future dining and travel plans,” William Drew, Director of Content at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, said in a statement.

“This in in order to recognize a greater number of venues than ever before. The global pandemic has been devastating for hospitality and it is vital that we support restaurants across Asia in their recovery,” he added. – Rappler.com