The Purple Doll's Top 10 Picks for 2012

Tuesday, January 01, 2013
While 2011 has been a good year for me, 2012 was even better! From being a personal blog, I was able to really transform The Purple Doll into a food blog. I got to publish 206 entries, appear in GMA News TV's Pop Talk, emerge as an Influential Blog for 2012, and celebrate my blog's 1st year anniversary with a series of exciting giveaways. I'm also glad to have given my blog a make-over. And of course I'm thankful to have met new friends and acquaintances while enjoying tons of good food and drinks along the way.
The Purple Doll Top 10 for 2012

For all the blessings I've had this 2012, blogging or non-blogging-related, I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, may it be for being a friend, an acquaintance, a subscriber, a reader or even just a simple by-passer to my humble food blog.

And now, to wrap up my 2012, here's a list of my top 10 picks. I initially planned to rank them, but it was just impossible! I've had so many wonderful food this year, so in the end you'll just have to bear with me even if this top 10 list is not in any particular order.

The Lobby at Acacia Hotel Manila

The Lobby Acacia Hotel Manila

I've never experienced pampering as heavenly as that of my stay in Acacia Hotel Manila. And although their buffet failed to make a mark, their ala carte dining at The Lobby was exceptional! Their entrées and desserts remain to be some of the finest food items I've had until this very day, and I can't wait to get a taste of their dishes again, soon.

Relik Modern Tapas Bar & Lounge

Relik's Mixed Paella

Although it's been a while since I've last been to Relik, I still can't forget the taste of their orgasmic Baked Australian Brie. I've had numerous cheese encounters already, but their take on brie is just so good that until now, I'm still craving for it! Their Mixed Paella and Beef Tenderloin Salpicao are also memorable and definitely must-orders during a visit.

Yurakuen's Eat-All-You-Can Teppanyaki at the Diamond Hotel

Yurakuen Teppanyaki

Being an avid fan of Japanese cuisine, you can just imagine how foodgasmic it was to have tried Yurakuen's Teppanyaki selection. Every item the skillful chef cooked in front of us wasn't only for eye-candy, they were also really delicious! If not for the hefty price tag, I swear I would've been in Yurakuen's teppanyaki room every week!

Frank & Carol's Dark Chocolate Cake

Frank & Carol's Dark Chocolate Cake

There are a lot of good chocolate cakes out there. However, I feel like Frank & Carol's has been one of the really great ones. I've had countless slices of these chocolatey treat, yet I can't seem to find myself getting tired of it. I think it's because of its excellent quality -- super moist chocolate base cake covered with rich and smooth chocolate ganache.

Li Li Chinese Restaurant at the Hyatt Hotel

Li Li Chinese Restaurant Xiao Long Bao

Having eaten a lot of dimsum, I can say that I've become quite picky with it. However, the dimsum-all-you-can at Li Li Chinese Restaurant has really exceeded my expectations and easily made a good mark on my palate. So when I feel like downing loads of good dimsum, then I won't have to think twice and pick Li Li Chinese Restaurant right away.

Pipino Vegetarian Food by Pino

Portobello Inasal by Pipino Vegetarian Food

I don't think I eat a ton of fruits and veggies. However, during my visit to Pipino, I got to experience how vegetarians and even vegans can have some animal and animal by-product-free food without sacrificing flavor. Everything I had that day was creative and exceptionally good, and chatting with restaurant owner Ms. Alessandra was enlightening!

Kichitora of Tokyo

Kichitora of Tokyo Paitan Chicken Ramen

Among Japanese dishes, ramen isn't exactly ranking high on my list. However, after getting a taste of the offerings at Kichitora of Tokyo, I seriously can't help but crave for their Paitan Chicken Ramen ever since my last visit. Their gyoza is also a definite must-try! And now that I mention it, I already have to set my next trip to Kichitora of Tokyo.

Jack Frost Premium Ice Cream

Jack Frost Premium Ice Cream

As a dessert lover, I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting sweets, and what I came across the past year was beyond amazing. Jack Frost may not be easily available in the market, but it's worth paying a trip to. With shocking yet delicious flavors, this brand screams creative and artisan. Oh, if you're curious, my favorite is their Basil flavor.

Sariwon Korean Barbecue

Sariwon Korean Barbecue Galbi

This 2012, I got to delve more into other cuisines. And for Korean, it was Sariwon which sparked a love at first taste. Okay, it wasn't exactly my first Korean food trip, but it was the first and the only one to have left me a very lasting good impression even until this day. Their galbis were just heavenly and their Haemul Pajeon was simply delicious!

Lechon Degustacion at Pepita's Kitchen

Pepita's Kitchen Spanish Manilena Lechon

I hope you guys won't shun me for having a vegan food spot and a stuffed lechon in one post. But as much as I enjoy trying out vegetarian and vegan dishes, I can't deny that I still love my lechon, especially if it's from Pepita's Kitchen which makes one of the tastiest lechon de leches in the Metro. And of course, after trying four of Pepita's Kitchen's lechon creations in one single night, there's no way it wouldn't make my top 10 picks for the year. It was simply one of the most memorable dinners I've had for 2012.

And there you have it, my top 10 picks for the previous year. Time flies so fast, no? Although some days and weeks felt like months, 2012 for me just flew by. I guess I was having a lot of fun along the way. Anyhow, I hope you had a wonderful 2012 too. And if not, don't worry 'cause this new year brings new hope for all of us. So let us face 2013 with optimism, and may we enjoy more blessings and more food trips this year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE PURPLE DOLL!!! :)

49 comments:

  1. awards, new blog themeGood food and place to eat and more, you really did great, it is quite an achievement.

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  2. Happy New Year! Aww.. I missed your Pop Talk guesting. Yung kay Az lang ang napanood ko. Do you have a link? :)

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    1. I'm not sure if it's on Youtube eh, pero I'm feeling na clips lang yun and not a full episode, if ever ^^ Happy new year too, Mrs. Kolca! :)

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  3. Happy New Year Sumi! See you again soon! :)

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  4. Congratulations on a successful 2012 Sumi. I always love eating your foodie post but it still a riddle to me how you can remain thin despite all the food. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks and happy new year! :) Nah, there's really no secret but to exercise and stay active despite eating a ton ^^

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  5. ay ang taray ng 206 blogs! I don't think I even made 100 posts this year. :(

    napatakam lang ako sa chocolate cake. On New Year's morning!!!
    Congratulations! It's definitely been a successful year for your blog! Cheers to many more years of blogging and eating! :)

    Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks sis! Naku, I didn't even expect na aabot ako ng 200 posts for 2012. Di pa rin pala ata ako ganun ka-busy XD

      Anyway, happy new year sis! :)

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  6. what a sumptuous year!!! Can't wait for your 2013 reviews :)

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    1. Thanks Jaws and congratulations for winning 2 of my giveaways! :) Hope you'll stay tune for more food porn this 2013. Happy new year!

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  7. You have a very productive year. The food adventure you wrote are something. I wish you a better 2013 and keep on munching or chomping the best food in Metro Manila:)

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    1. Thanks sir Orly! :) Wishing you a better 2013 too. Happy new year!

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  8. Congrats Sumi! u deserve to be recognized. you did great this year. Naalala ko yung Poptalk nainvite din nila ako kaya lang nsa Siargao ata ako nun. I am searching your episode in youtube now. Happy New Year

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    1. Thanks for the compliment, but nah, we all deserve to be recognized for all our hard work :) Sayang naman, di bale I'm sure there's next time. Happy new year! :)

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  9. Happy New Year Sumi! What a great year for your blog was 2012. More power and all the best to one of the best Food Blog!

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  10. Happy new year! More foodtripping this 2013! cheers :D

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  11. As much as i love your blog but really, all this weight i gained during the holiday season is too serious i need to take a break on visiting food blogs, at least for now. Haha! And yes, this entry made me hungry... again. LOL! I'm a fan and i wish you more good things this year and peace of mind - more than ever! HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

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  12. Congratulations Sumi, you have gone so far and this is because you work so hard and smart. Keep it up!

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  13. Wow! Ang sarap naman nyan! congrats Sumi! lalo akong ginugutom sa blog mo. hehehe.. Happy New Year and More Power!

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  14. Oh the Korean BBQ! Wish I could have a taste of it. Congrats for the successful year, sis!

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  15. omg! all those foods are such a wonderful blessings already last 2012 dear! just thinking of trying all of them all year round is one hell of a ride!! more to come this 2013!! xx

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  16. Thank you, Ms. Sumi for considering us to be in your top 10 for 2012! Here's to more surprises for 2013!

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  17. These are really great recommendations. i can't wait to try them all. congratulations on your achievements last 2012, Ms. Sumi. quite shocked though that this actually revolved into a food blog. everytime kasi i visit, i always have the impression that this is a beauty blog. must be because of your name and the pretty profile picture. all the best for 2013!!!

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  18. You are really an achiever this year, Sumi. keep it up! more people are looking forward to your posts, happy new year!

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  19. Congrats sis you really deserve all of these. Really happy for you and for your achievement. Looking for more blogs from you.

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  20. everytime I visit your blog I feel hungry lol, I love all your photos of food Happy new year and congrats

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  21. Congratulations to a great 2012! Wishing that 2013 will even be better! Your photos are amazing as always.. You're one of the food bloggers I like to read.. galing! Alam ko kc mahirap maging food blogger eh.. I always run out of words to describe how a food taste, except for masarap, yummy.. haha! :)

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  22. Happy New year Sumi, you have achieved lots in 2012. Hope 2013 brings the best for you.

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  23. You really did good last year and I'm sure you will do better this year. Happy New year to you and your family!

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  24. by seeing the cake I want to eat it. congrats to to you and more power this year

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  25. nice variety to the list you have here. might try some of them real soon. :)

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  26. Wow , congratz and you really did awesome great food trips! Happy New Year Sumi! .More blessings, more trips, , . .more power ! where can i find Jack Frost ice cream ?

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  27. Actually, this is one of my favorite food blogs. I congratulate you with those accomplishments. Your blog truly deserved the awards and recognition. Your presentation of various food posts are really outstanding especially the way the foods are taken... they look more delicious.

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  28. saving the best for last... lechon degustacion, i wonder how it taste but just thinking of it, the aroma and taste of lechon affects the rice inside... hmmm. yummy. happy new year, sumi. Yahweh bless.

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  29. Hello Sumi!

    I am so happy to hear about the achievements you've had as a blogger in 2012. kakainggit ka naman. Keep up the good work and I believe that 2013 will even bring you more blessings.

    Happy new year!

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  30. This is great picks for the top 10! Happy new Year!

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  31. Hi Sumi! Thanks for posting top 10 picks for 2012 the food places you had been to. I might as well try some of them like Lechon Degustacion at Pepita's Kitchen it is so tempting at the pictures! thanks and Happy New year!

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  32. OMG! I never got to try at least one of those listed! Another ten for my bucket list. Coming from you Sumi, it should be must-try's.

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  33. Happy New Year, Sumi! You've gone a long way! <3

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  34. Happy New year! That was a great year for you, hope for more amazing and yummy post this year:))

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  35. Great post! Happy New Year! May this year be better than last year! :))

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  36. Your blog post makes me want to eat all of those foods.

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  37. WOW I love the Frank & Carol's Dark Chocolate Cake...

    naglalaway na ako hehehe :)

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  38. i <3 The Lobby! i also love the lunch and dinner buffet especially the customized crepe section..=)

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  39. Wow! You've really gone far Sumi, congratulations! Keep living the dream.. ;)

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  40. I love the top 10 picks:) katakamtakam...

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