Category Archives: Restaurant

Dec 14 2016
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Awesomeness Break, Food, NKRecommendation, Restaurant

Rico’s Lechon at Axis Vibo Place – Escario

In Cebu, lechon is a commodity. We use it to feed our guests, comfort our weary souls, celebrate big and little successes, and even just to perk up an ordinary day. With a very high demand like that, it is quite expected that most restaurants selling whole lechon will run out hours before they close. This month alone, I have been declined twice. There were just too many diners. Restaurants already ran out of lechon as early as 8:30PM.  An additional restaurant would be a pleasant progression on the authentic Cebuano lechon experience.

My favorite lechon, Rico’s Lechon, is quite aware of the scarcity and has been on a constant lookout on how to accommodate the very high demand.

Last September, Rico’s Lechon inaugurated its new commissary in Talamban which can accommodate 125 lechon cooking simultaneously for 2 to 3 hours.

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 And now, just when the year is about to culminate, Rico’s Lechon ends the year with a bang as it opens its newest and most spacious branch at Axis Vibo Place in Escario which is set to conquer uptown Cebu’s upscale dining scene with Cebu’s staple and celebrated food, the lechon.

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It’s a two-storey facility with interiors designed by Cebu’s famous interior designer Marie Sheila  L. Solon. The general ambiance is homey and classy. The dining area is wide and can accommodate up to 100 persons dining at a time while the function room has 100 seating capacity.

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There may be enough room for everyone but it is still advisable to call the branch for reservation at this telephone number: (032) 233 4144. You may reserve your lechon order ahead too to avoid being run out of it.

Patrons may also reserve or order whole lechon at this branch. One whole Rico’s Lechon is  priced from P3,500 to P8,000.

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Sep 15 2016
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Awesomeness Break, Food, Press Release, Restaurant

Thai Fun Food Festival at Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu

Very recently Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu opens “Thai Fun Food Festival” at The Sails restaurant wherein diners will have a chance to win a round-trip ticket to Phuket, Thailand courtesy of Cebu Pacific, inclusive of two nights hotel stay at its sister hotel, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket.

In between courses, I flexed some muscles to make room for more spicy food!

Everyday from September 10-18, 2016, The Sails will showcase the best of Thailand cuisine prepared by real Thai chefs from Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket. The three guest chefs will be seen in action around The Sails, cooking and serving authentic and diverse specialities that reflect the Thai culture, ingenuity and tradition.

It’s difficult to choose if I should have Tom Yum Soup or Chicken with Coconut Milk so have I have both.

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Tom Yum Soup and Chicken with Coconut Milk Soup

Chef Christian Bouby, the executive chef, is proud to put the spotlight on the three guest chefs from Phuket, Thailand, namely Wiwat Yong-en, Sutee Yamkratho and Teenasit Nakrua.

“Thai cuisine captures the interest of many, not only for its enigmatic and exotic cultural influences, but also for the interplay and harmony of flavours present in each dish,” explains Chef Bouby. “The playful and creative nature of the Thai people is visible on every plate they serve. They are very adventurous when it comes to texture and essence.”

Here are some food on the buffet:

goong-sa-long-stir-fried-prawns-with-vermicelli

With this alone, the trip to Movenpick is already worth it. 

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The salad and appetizers were big teasers.

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Another stellar dish from Thailand. I usually make Thai Beef Salad at home. 

thai-fun-food-festival-at-movenpick

Thai food is always a food adventure.

beef-in-masaman-curry

How can I forget you? I will go back to Movenpick just for this. 

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Dessert? My favorite of course is Thai’s Sticky Rice. I really don’t know why I can’t hack it at home. 

“We live by our service philosophy of bringing something fun and fresh, to be a trailblazer of genres and flavours,” says Mr. Harold Rainfroy, general manager. “We always aim to bring in new excitement in various seasons to delight our guests of different nationalities.”

chefs-with-the-gm

GM Harold Rainfroy, Exec. Chef Christian Bouby with guests Thai Chefs: Sutee Yamkrathok, Teenasit Nakrua and Wiwat Yong-en from Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket  and  F&B Manager Mr. Jerly Tio

“Our team is excited to work with these three kitchen superstars,” adds Mr. Jeryl Tio, food and beverage manager. “They are bringing with them years of experience and innovation in Thai culinary traditions, with age-old recipes tweaked with modern sensibilities. The menu selections they’re preparing for this food festival will use special ingredients they’ve sourced from Thailand. That’s as far as we go when it comes to bringing authentic flavours to the table, and it’s definitely something we all look forward to.”

Dinner buffet is at PHP1,600 nett per person.

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Aug 15 2016
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8/10, Events, Food, Places, Restaurant

Bollywood Tandoor and Curry On!

At the foot of the Banilad-Talamban flyover, there is a thriving Indian community of students and some businessmen that inspires many establishments within the vicinity to cater to their needs. Bollywood Tandoor is one of those that aspire to serve them and the Cebuanos with authentic Indian food and entertainment.

Media and the Bloggers at Bollywood Tandoor

Named after one of the biggest film industry in Asia that has produced several good and award winning films that even appeal to the tastes of the Filipinos (my personal favorites are: “3 Idiots”, “PK”, and “My Name is Khan”), Bollywood Tandoor embodied the international flare of Indian culture and the curious and explorative taste buds of Cebuanos. It serves Northern Indian food and other popular Indian dishes using original ingredients and sprices and traditional method of preparation. It even has to fly in some chefs and cooks from India and Dubai just to ensure that it only serves authentic Indian food.

Bollywood Tandoor

 

A week ago, Bollywood Tandoor proprietor, Soni Vasnani, invited us to dine at their restaurant to celebrate in advance the Indian Independence Day to be celebrated on August 15 in India. Soni is not new to the business. He has worked in a restaurant since he was 15 years old. He has travelled the world and cooked for several peoples. In Cebu, he has been here for 12 years. His most successful venture before Bollywood Tandoor is Mr. India in Countrymall.

The place is not difficult to find as is just by the road near the flyover. Ample parking spaces are available for diners.

Bollywood Tandoor Main Dining Area

One of the function room of Bollywood Tandoor

As you enter, you know that you are in for a big feast as several air-conditioned themed function rooms that can accommodate the whole board or office. The restaurant can serve up to 200 pax dining together at a time. It is not the typical Indian Restaurant that we may already get used to. It is clean, huge and inodorous. The spices are fragrant and can be adjusted according to your liking.

Some of the food served to us during the event:

My personal favorite was the TDF (to die for) Pork Curry. Too bad, they run out of mutton that day. I would have liked it too. Unfortunately for me, it was sold out during lunch to a big group of Indian students.

Bollywood Tandoor also offers live Belly Dance Show every Friday and Saturday from 7:30 to 10:00 PM.

Contact Number: 0933 950 3612

Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/BollywoodTandoorCebu

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May 11 2016
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Awesomeness Break, Food, Press Release, Restaurant

Vikings Luxury Buffet Cebu opens! 

Finally, the long wait is over. Vikings Luxury Buffet Cebu is now open in SM City Cebu with more than 350 seating capacity and 2 VIP areas. 

Vikings Luxury Buffet – Cebu


Weekday Lunch

Kids Below 3ft – FREE

Kids between 3.1ft to 4ft – P188.00

Kids between 4.1ft to 4.6ft – P388.00

Adults – P688.00

75 years old and above – 50% special discount
Weekday Dinner / Weekend & Holiday Lunch and Dinner

Kids Below 3ft – FREE

Kids between 3.1ft to 4ft – P288.00

Kids between 4.1ft to 4.6ft – P588.00

Adults – P888.00

75 years old and above – 50% special discount
All prices are subject to 5% Service Charge. 
Promo Alert: Dress like a Viking (any gear) and get 50% discount until May 12, 2016. 

Reserve your seats by calling (032) 255-3888 or 09989969888. They open 11:00 AM for lunch and 5:30 PM for dinner. 

Two more restaurants by Vikings will open soon at SM Seaside City. Watch out for it soon here. 


#EatLikeAViking #cbsForever 

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Feb 03 2016
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Awesomeness Break, Food, NKRecommendation, Places, Restaurant

Rico’s Lechon Mactan is now open!

How about Cebu’s Lechon as welcome and farewell dinner just 3 minutes from the airport? 

  
In an effort to preserve its original recipe,   Rico’s Lechon keeps it as a family business and opens a new family-owned two-storey restaurant at Mactan Promenade beside the Airport Road in Lapu-Lapu City, three (3) minutes away from the airport and just a few meters across Starbucks Marina Mall. It can accommodate upto 100 customers dining at the same time. 

    
Aside from the original and spicy lechon they also offer new food items on the menu like the chicken halang-halang, spicy lechon rice and lechon salpicao.

  
   
  

  
 
Enrico Dionson, CEO and General Manager of Rico’s Lechon,  recalls his humble beginning as a “masyador” in an illegal cockfighting to a booming and nationally (make that internationally) well-known lechonero. Now on it’s second branch (the first is at Panagdait, Mabolo, Cebu City), the family is looking forward of opening 2 to 3 branches within Cebu City. 

  
The new restaurant is updated, hip and cozy with intagrammable spots. Dining there is an internatioanl Cebuano dining experience. 

  

The restaurant and take-out counter are both open to serve diners as early as 8:00AM and will close at 10:00PM to cater late flight. Enrico encourages costumers to call a day ahead for bulk orders. Their telephone number is : (032) 345-5688.

Don’t forget to use their official hashtag #DaBestGyud. 

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Jan 12 2016
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Events, NKRecommendation, Places, Press Release, Restaurant

Andy Caldwell in Ibiza Beach Club’s Oh Ship! for Sinulog 2016

If your idea of going to Cebu for Sinulog 2016 is to party by the beach with an international DJ spinning in the booth while enjoying the best wines and steaks in the island, you’ve got to be at Ibiza Beach Club in Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu for Oh Ship! — a hip and happening party on Saturday, 16 January 2016, featuring renowned international and local DJ’s. The event is set to run from 4.00 pm to midnight.  

 

International DJ, Andy Caldwell, an established veteran of dance music based in California, leads the pack that includes DJ Italo from Brazil, as well as seasoned DJ’s Jess Milnes, Kristian Hernandez, Abdel Aziz and Miro from Valkyrie and Palace, Manila. Caldwell’s dynamic DJ sets have won over fans everywhere from London and Berlin to Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

  

Ibiza Beach Club, the premier party destination in Cebu, offers travellers a unique dining and entertainment experience, amid stunning architecture, spectacular ocean views and stylised space under the stars. Named after the party capital of the world, Ibiza Beach Club in Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu regularly welcomes a stellar roster of celebrities and guest artists, making this social establishment a scene to be seen. As a trailblazer on trends, performance genres and flavours, Ibiza Beach Club aims to bring in new excitement in various seasons to delight its guests of different nationalities.

   
 

Secure your tickets for the Oh Ship! event on or before January 16.Tickets are priced PHP 800.00 (nett) per person. For reservations and enquiries, +63 32 492-7777. Doors open for sunset beats at 4:00 pm, with back-to-back DJ performances all the way to midnight.

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Nov 27 2015
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Awesomeness Break, Food, Places, Restaurant

Ocean Garden Restaurant: The Undiscovered Food at A.S. Fortuna

There’s an unassuming filipino restaurant at Bakilid, A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue City that is not only affordable (actually, really very cheap) but also exquisitely good. Ocean Garden Restaurant is the third stopover of the CBS Cebu Food Crawl. 

From its humble roots of being a turo-turo style restaurant, it now hosts private parties and events serving international and filipino seafood and meat dishes. 
The standout favorite of the group is the Spanish Style Bangus (P155.00) and the Chili Crabs (P120.00 per 100g). 

 

Spanish Style Bangus


  

Chili Crabs

 

My personal favorites are their dinuguan, monggos and baked scallops. 
They also cater private events on their restaurant (Seafood Buffet) at as low as P250.00.       

 

Chopsuey with Scallops

  

Tempura

  

Sinanglay na Isda

  

Pork Barbecue with a special sauce

  

Calamares with a very special tartar dip

    

Baked Scallops

  

The Best Guyabano Shake is served here too!

 

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Nov 27 2015
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Awesomeness Break, Food, Places, Restaurant

A Mango Affair at Cebu City Marriott Hotel

Cebu Food Crawl’s second stopover is at Cebu City Marriott Hotel. General Manager Patrick Carroll welcomes the participants while brilliant hosts Nico Velasquez and Frances Alfafara warms up the food crawlers with some social media games.  
  
  
 
The biggest surprise is the mango coffee themed break set-up. Everything in the buffet is made from mangoes, a clever representation of everything cebu. 

   
    
    
 
  
The malunggay infused siphon tea is a perfect treat for the bursting tummies of the food crawlers.

  
Please follow Marriot’s social media account for announcements. 

  

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Nov 27 2015
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Awesomeness Break, Events, Food, Places, Restaurant

A Spanish Spread at Ipar’s Restaurante y Bar de Tapas 

Nestled at the heart of the City, at the lush green street of F. Ramos is that spanish restaurant that preserved the spanish influence in Cebu. The first stopover of CBS Cebu Food Crawl is at Ipar’s Restaurante y Bar de Tapas.
  
With a very concise menu of pure and unadulterated Spanish goodness (nothing fusion), the food is cooked and served the way Spain does. 

  
We are served with the bestselling house starters to kickoff Cebu Food Crawl, the first meal of the event.

  
The paella dribbled with the generous stream of olive oil is the best thing in Spanish dining in Cebu! Finish it with kalimotxo cocktail to perfect that pure spanish experience.

Of course, you should not miss Cebu’s best leche flan here. 

  
More details about the restaurant at http://www.ipars.com.ph, follow the at @iparsrestaurantecebu in instagram. 

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Jul 05 2015
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7/10, Food, NKRecommendation, Restaurant

RESTAURANT REVIEW: La Nostra Pizzeria Napoletana at Streetscape Banilad

There is a new buzz in town; a pizzeria that serves the latest food craze to hit Cebu—the classic neapolitan-style lean dough pizza. While still on its soft opening La Nostra Pizzeria Napoletana continues to draw curious crowds and A-listers to try its good Italian stuff prepared by, no less than, italian chefs themselves.

 

A neapolitan pizza is a classic pizza in its simplest form. It is made from a lean dough: a mixture of flour, water, salt, and yeast. It has no oil, no sugar, nothing. The flour is generally a high-protein flour, often of the Italian “OO” type. Simple and few ingredients but complicated preparations —the slightest mishandling of the wood-fired modern brick oven that should be kept at blazing hot temperature would mean adverse impact on the product. La Nostra had already got the hang of it.

 

It was rather a quiet Wednesday night —maybe because of the gloom and drizzles —when we visited La Nostra. An hour before they will close at 11:00 PM, 3 out of the approximately 12 tables were occupied. The menu is straight forward with 5 courses: pizze (P480 – P560), pasta (P210 – P350), main dish (P350 – P440), desserts/gelato and drinks. It is limited, they explained, because they are still on their soft open. Some items, like the star pizza, are not even on the menu but you may ask the servers for their availability.

Our order came fast in less than 15 minutes —a surprise for us since most friends who already tried La Nostra were complaining about the waiting time. Pizza was delivered at the right temperature and the wine was poured on time.

 

We had Pizza La Nostra (P520/2) half ‘n’ half with Quattro Formaggi (P550/2), Pizza Nutella(P260) and a glass of wine. I was from a meeting an hour ago where I had to eat, hence, I was very conservative with my order.

La Nostra literally means “ours” while Quattro Formaggi means “four cheese”. Pizza La Nostra is the house’ very own creation. Ham, butter and basil with Flor di Latte and cream sauce on top the Neapolitan-style pizza lean dough. Four cheese is a combination of flor di latte, gorgonzola, ricotta and asiago with olive oil.

 

Their pizza came thin (but not very thin) spotted with small dark spots surrounded by paler dough —it must have been from a good charring in the oven— with an aroma distinct to a classic pizza. It was crispy on the outer crust but was moist and chewy on the interior. The flavor of the dough compliments the toppings either the ham or the Nutella.

Everything we ordered was perfect. The Ham was great and excellent with the basil —no wonder La Nostra Pizza is their best seller. I will definitely come back for the Ham. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with Nutella. Just by its name, it’s already instagram worthy.

 

La Nostra Pizzeria Napoletana is located at Streetscape, Paseo Saturnino, Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad, Cebu City. They are open on Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. For reservation, you may call (032) 3507872.

NKRating: 7/10

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