Raise your spoons and forks—two Filipino restaurants in the US have landed a spot on The New York Times‘ Restaurant List of 2021.
The Times honored Archipelago, a Filipino fine dining restaurant in Seattle, Washington and Kasama, a Chicago bakery and restaurant known for soulful takes on our favorite Filipino classics, in the inaugural 50-strong list released last week.
“You could easily get lost in the deliciousness of the modern Filipino food,” the Times wrote of Archipelago, “but [founders] Aaron Verzosa and Amber Manuguid do more than send out excellent food.”
The couple opened Archipelago in 2018, offering an upscale dining experience—not quite easy on the wallet at US$167 per head—with its seasonal, multi-course tasing menus. The intimate eatery seats no more than 10 people at a time, according to its website.
Meanwhile, located in Chicago’s East Ukrainian Village neighborhood is Kasama, known for its modern yet authentic rendition of Filipino cuisine. The Times recommended the restaurant’s “unpretentious and soul-warming” Filipino staples like lumpia and adobo.
On Instagram, Kasama shared their honor of being named in the list. “We are here because of all of YOU. You came and came back and told your friends and families and we are so grateful for your support. Cheers to you all!” the restaurant wrote in a post last week.
The US-based list, featuring seasoned establishments and newcomers alike, was put together by critics, editors, and reporters at the paper’s food section. The carefully curated restaurants reflect the “rich mosaic of American dining — from the melding of Thai curry and Texas brisket in the Pacific Northwest, to heritage crab rice on the South Carolina coast, to vegan soul food in the East Village,” the Times wrote.
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