The Purple Doll's Top 10 Picks for 2012

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!! :)