Category: Dining

From afar, it was like a huge gazebo, seating northeast of the Mactan Newtown roundabout. Around 24 gigantic pillars in total stand firmly on the octagonal sides to support the massive roofing. No wall covers—not even temporary draping. 500 seats were arrayed around the sturdy wooden tables, spread within the inner perimeter. At the very center are the tenants who were handpicked by the developer to cater authentic Cebuano taste to their patrons. Oyster Bay is among the handpicked tenants of Mactan Al Fresco Mactan Alfresco is the flagship dining destination of Mactan Newtown. It gives foodies a one-of-a-kind gastronomic journey in ... Read more

Perched at Cebu’s spic neighborhood, Casa Uno by Circa 1900 is a food spot that you have to reach prepensely. Though getting there is easy with a cab, getting out would be a bit of challenge. For those who do not drive, Uber and Grab apps are rather convenient. Casa Uno by Circa 1900 The restaurant occupies the heritage house seating at the southern end of Sanjercas Ville Extension Road. The old-world charm compliments well with the well-landscaped front yard. Surrounded with greens, the place seems an ideal abode for nature sojourners. There is rustic feel despite being located smack within the city. South ... Read more

Gorgeous lasses greet you upon arrival. One of them leads you to a comfortable seat. She then introduces the specials and wait until you decided what to order. Royal, white leather seats are arrayed at the corners. A glass-topped table runs through the spacious section of the room. It is matched with cozy and comfortable chairs. At one corner, a small platform stands for performances. Beside it is the bar that serves beer, pure liquors, and cocktails. Moreover, the restaurant is strangely L-shaped. A weird divider adorned with firewood creates a lot of corners and smaller cubicles. It gives some sort ... Read more

I found it dimmer than usual at first glance. Though the lighting coordination complimented well to the interior design, I couldn’t say that the ambiance is inviting enough for the lower middle class. I heard that Dong Juan offers food for every “Juan”, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Ordinary individuals may find it too flashy, but not opulent enough to invite the rich. Or, maybe, I am just a confused blogger. Anyway, I noded to a Zomato’s invite after few months in hiatus. It brought me at the Persimmon branch of Dong Juan. Since I was the first to ... Read more

Sumo Sam is not a typical Japanese restaurant. The strokes of kanji printed atop the branding, the “hinomaru” circle on its logo, and the part of the name itself, sumo (a Japanese martial art) are your only clues. The restaurant’s look and ambiance, however, does not feel Japanese at all, despite the presence of some Nihon cultural figures and paintings displayed at the bar. The dining sets look modern and the ceiling lights are pretty contemporary, similar to any “hodgepodge” restaurants out there. Sumo Sam at Ayala Center Cebu Good thing that the selections on the menu cover a mélange of Japanese cooking. Your ... Read more

Ramen is a personal favorite. I could finish a large bowl in one sitting. However, I couldn’t have it as often as I wanted to. The price tag is not something that I can afford for everyday munch. So, when a friend recommended to try the ramen offered in a Japanese “carinderia” along Ayala access Road near Gorordo Avenue intersection, I visited the eatery immediately after office. The stall is pretty small, it can only accommodate up to 8 diners at any given time. The kitchen is cramped too, you can see them prepare your food. The menu is printed on laminated paper ... Read more

Oysters, shrimps, and pork sausages are mainstays – that was the only info I have about Creole cooking. I never tried one either, and was never curious. Aside from being rare in the Philippines, only few restaurants specialize such cuisine – most of them are too pricey. Creole traces back to Louisiana, more particularly in Big Easy or New Orleans. You may think of haunted houses, vampire movies, all-night parties, and the Mardi Gras. My idea about New Orleans though is obscure, and tainted mostly with fiction. I must admit, the lowdown I have about the Big Easy is almost next to nothing. New Orleans interior features ... Read more

The second to the last stop of the first ever Cebu Food Crawl, a foodie event organized by Cebu Bloggers’ Society (CBS), was Gibbs Hot Wings. I did not have any expectation. But the idea of having a hot and spicy treat after almost a day of great munch is worth anticipating. After our coffee break, we were driven to the Streetscape Lifestyle Mall branch of the Gibbs. Coy Oliva, the restaurant owner, warmly greeted us. He even talked about the humble beginnings of the business. A feast courtesy of Gibbs’ Hot Wings “We started simple. Our hot wing have ... Read more

Halla Paella’s specialty are paellas, as the name infers. However, it was the taste of chipirones that secured a spot in my food memory. I could remember well the distinct flavors of the dip that blends well with the roasted garlic toppings and the fried baby squid slices. The crisp gave a memorable munching experience. My personal favorite, Chipirones Yummy and Comfort Treat The food stall also serves chuletas which tastes really scrumptious. The tender pork rib chop seasoned with specially-made sauce leaves an interesting balance of sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness to your palate. Hala Paella’s Chuletas, Yum! If you are up for ... Read more