It was one Sunday morning when my home office desk was buried under a heap of overflowing travel documents. I was finalizing the pre- and post-tours, the before and after of a 10-day cruise — The Best of Italy, Croatia and Montenegro — all in all, slightly more than three week pilgrimage-holiday.

There were air tickets, hotel vouchers with all the bed specifics — and mind you, no bathtubs please, as we’re all seniors — rooming lists, tour confirmations, more copies of passports, printed itineraries and travel insurance pamphlets scattered everywhere. My five siblings and a spouse, plus our three most-traveled-with buddies all prefer print versions — they abhor anything digital.

To take a much-needed breather, I reached for one of the national Sunday newspapers, being one of only two subscribers in the building. A story caught my immediate attention: The 100 Most Iconic Restaurants in the World. I am, admittedly, a sucker for lists. My interest was piqued — curious, intrigued, fascinated, captivated — and at times, even in disbelief.

The index is formulated annually by TatseAtlas, a Croatia-based online guide founded in 2018 for traditional food which emphasizes authentic recipes and local fare. The criteria gives credence to longevity, reliability, and their contribution to the spirit of the city.

To our pleasant surprise, much-loved-for-generations The Aristocrat made it to number 73, recognized for its lumpiang shanghai. Patrons have always associated it with chicken and pork barbecue, Java rice, and that oh-so famous sauce. Still owned by the Reyes clan, the location remains the unchanged — a classic, never fail choice for all reunions. Of late, most OFWs get together with family and friends after Sunday Mass at the nearby Malate Church.

Another Manila favorite, the much-talked-about Café Adriatico, appeared at number 90 for its adobo, though I fondly remember it for their beef salpicao, most of all. The late Larry Cruz, the most-admired culinary visionary leading the pioneering root, later created other memorable dining institutions around the metropolis.

But the biggest surprise came at number one: Figlmüller — Home of the Original Wiener Schnitzel — right in Vienna! It slowly dawned on me, following the itinerary by memory, the last day of our holiday before flying out was none other than the capital city of Austria.