Archive for the ‘Cebu’ Category
Published on March 19th, 2012 in
Cebu
Ayala Center Cebu has a newly renovated and well landscaped grounds that has a cool, relaxing, and family oriented place called Ayala Terraces Cebu. They are well known for their fantastic landscapes similar to the Ayala Center in Makati where they created a pond and a forest with a touch of modern theme. Here are some of the pictures I took during my last visit.
Ayala Center Cebu Picture 1
Ayala Center Cebu Picture 2
Ayala Center Cebu Picture 3
I was caught by surprise that the parking and some vacant areas were transformed in to something beautiful. I guess it was a long time ago that I visited Ayala Cebu. I visited Cebu a couple of times but I did not even bother to drop by the malls and I am glad to know that one of my favorite restaurant is located there. It is a previelage to go to Cebu and have a hearty meal at one of my favorite restaurant named Golden Cowrie.
Hukad
Now, they created a new restaurant situated in the new Ayala Terraces Cebu named Hukad. Hukad in Visayas means to scoop or a term use for ladle. Like want we do in our rice and soup meal. As an avid fan of Golden Cowrie, I tried their restaurant and as usual, they haven’t failed me yet when it comes to service, food taste and warm accommodation.
Hukad has a neo-Filipino atmosphere using the same traditional banana leaf look like plates. As my old time favorite, here are those that I always eat:
Crispy Pata
My First love for pork will always be the same. Hehe. Forget diet first. Do it tomorrow instead. Crispy pata first!!!
Baked Scallops
This has always been my pre-requisite to my Cebu travel. Baked Scallops. Very good as a viand as well as an appetiser.
Dinuguan
One of the best Dinuguan that I tasted!!! I have to admit it, I got carried away with the Dinuguan of Golden Cowrie. It was one of the best Dinuguan that I tasted. I never went to this restaurant without ordering this fantastic and very delicious dish. That is the same reason why I appreciate Hukad a.k.a. Golden Cowrie that much.
My meal at Hukad
As usual, the rice is overflowing. The waiters will ask you if you still want extra rice. Before all of the unlimited rice meal came out, Golden Cowrie has been doing it. Now, Hukad kept the tradition and that made them special. You have a choice if you want garlic or plain steam rice.
Inside Hukad
Its been almost a year since I went to Cebu and this trip made it complete again specially when I went back to one of my favorite place. They still serve the same good food, and fantastic service.
You may find Hukad at the second floor of Ayala Terraces Cebu, Cebu City. you may call them for reservations at 032-4171301.
Published on November 29th, 2011 in
Cebu
When I stayed at Cebu, I was looking for a resto that serves baby back ribs just like the famous Baby Back Ribs restaurant here in Manila. Luckily, I was lead by my good friend Lucio to this place that is famous for its mouth-watering baby back ribs. The name of the restaurant is Casa Verde. It was a charming greenhouse in the heart of the city. It was an old house transformed into a restaurant.
This charming house in the middle of Cebu city serves one of the best baby back ribs that I tasted. It was full flavored and the size is huge. This is what I called value for your money and belly.
Baby Back Ribs at Casa Verde
At first I was expecting a size just like the one that I am accustomed but they it came, to my surprise, the serving can even fit 3 persons. This really caught my attention. Even the sauce was great. They have perfected the taste and flavor. The barbeque was glazed with sweet barbeque sauce. The meat was very tender.
I also ordered for my favorite Mexican food and that was chicken fajitas. It was chicken breast served on a sizzling plate with separate sidings for tomato, lettuce, cheese, cream and tortilla to wrap all of this in one burrito.
Fajitas at Casa Verde
Fajitas Veggies
I really fancy this food since I got the choice to load and load all of my veggies and cheese to make it a one explosive warp meal. Speaking of explosive, it is best with the hottest of hot sauce.
Fajitas and Tortillas
This restaurant will always be in my Cebu itinerary. Not only they serve great food, they also have a warm ambiance that welcomes everyone who wants good food. The people are warm and accommodating. I recommend this to those who would visit Cebu and to the Cebuanos as well.
Inside Casa Verde
You may find CASA Verde perpendicular to PONDS st. Down town Cebu just near the Fuente Circle. The exact street address is 69 V. Ranudo st. Cebu City.
When in Cebu, never forget to drop at Casa Verde for a sumptuous meal of Baby Back Ribs and Fajitas. They also have a wide array of foods that you may also try but never forget the two; Baby Back Ribs and Fajitas. It is another jewel found of Rapsa.
Casa Verde
Published on August 12th, 2011 in
Cebu
Lechon at CnT, Cebu
What specialty food that rings to your mind when you hear Cebu? Yes, of course, it is lechon. Lechon Cebu is truly delectable and tasteful. No need for liver sauces since toyo, calamansi, sili and a bit of vinegar will do. What is one of the tastiest part of Lechon Cebu? That is the belly and part of the ribs. It is because, it is where the spices are stuffed before the whole pig is grilled.
The Place where the Lechon is cut
Katayan ng Lechon
In Cebu, there is this institution when it comes to lechon and that is CnT Lechon. They know how to cook lechon right. Even, the leg parts are also tasty. That is because of their technique in cooking. No wonder, they are one of the known place in Cebu when it comes to Lechon.
Inside CnT
Its a good thing tough since they have an ample parking covered parking. They have a new building and the whole of first floor is parking area. There is a ramp going to the second floor and there you will see the area where people take their orders and eat. Lechon Cebu ( for me) is best eaten with Puso ( hanging rice) and cold softdrinks. It was really and heavenly treat to taste the Lechon of CnT.
CnT Lechon Building
Where to Find
CnT is located infront of SM City Cebu. It is a cute yellow building just perpendicular to the main entrance of SM Cebu. It is something you should not miss when you visit the Queen City of the South. Eating lechon with Puso is truly a gastronomic experience most specially when you have it at CnT.
Outside CnT
Published on June 1st, 2011 in
Cebu
It’s been a while since I went back to Cebu and this time, I told myself that I will go to a place where I always wanted to. Why? Because I was told by my friend that it was a haven to have a good drink, a cool sound and a wonderful thin crust pizza. Although I am familiar with Handuraw which I made a blog entry a few years ago, my friend Lucio told me to try their Gorordo branch.
It was indeed very nice. The ambiance was different. It has a signature of its own. It gives you a feeling like you are in a bar that you see in the TV commercials. I hope other will feel the same. Just like what I felt, parang Artista. Hehehe!!! I was told that this is frequented by artist and the like. I guess its niche also contributes to its ambiance. Cool people and young professionals.
We started with the nachos and a few bottles of beer. I tried it with Cerveza Negra and it was a perfect match. As you can see, my Cerveza was ice cold.
It was also my first time to meet one of the owner and I was also pleased that they appreciated my first blog entry about Handuraw Pizza. It was indeed a very good chance for me to have another visit to their place. In fact, I always frequented they Mango branch and the one in Katipunan at Quezon city ( now along Xavierville Avenue). I never failed to get appreciation to those who I referred to try their pizza.
Thanks you Eric for accommodating us and for the wonderful Handuraw’s Special. It never failed my expectation. Your thin crust pizza always rings a bell every time I crave for a good pizza. I will certainly visit your new branches in Eastwood and if I have a change, I will also visit your Merville branch in Paranaque. Just let me know if it is open already so I can refer my friends near there. Cheers and kudos to Handuraw Pizza.
Published on January 31st, 2011 in
Cebu
After office in Cebu, I was invited by my friend to taste the best “chicharon bulaklak“ in the area. It was not that far when we reach Mabolo district. He even told me that the best way to enjoy it is with their Dinuguan. I never say no to different combinations of food and he knew that will always look for this hidden food jewel everywhere I go.
It was indeed a truly delicious chicharon bulaklak and it can only be found at Pareng Vics Carinderia. After which, we tried it with his recommendation to eat it with rice and dinuguan. It was fantastic!!! The Dinuguan was so good. All was served hot and the combination does give a superb taste.
Where to Find
Pareng Vic’s Carinderia is located along Tudtud st., Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City. It is a known eatery at the area because it operates 24/7. It became popular to those who are fun of chicharon bulaklak. People who are working late at night frequented this place. They also serve good food that taste great. One of which is their torta. It was like food prepared by my grandmother.
When you are in Cebu, always take the opportunity to go to Pareng Vic’s Carinderia.It is a real deal to your appetite and to your pocket. I will surely visit them again when I return to the “Queen City of the South”.
Published on September 1st, 2010 in
Cebu
Tasi is a fish that is found in Samar, Eastern Visayas. This meaty and very tasty fish gives a flavorsome experience to one who indulges him/herself to it spell. That is the only description that I can say about this fantastic fish. It can be grilled, with soup or eaten raw with vinegar, chilis, pepper, onions and tomatoes. It is also the reason why Part Ebelle restaurant is full of people willing to wait for them to satisfy their craving for this.
This was a good food tripping experience I had with my friend in Cebu. He brought me there just before noon time and I was so amaze that in this part of the reclamation area, there is this restaurant that is always full of people. The more it made me curious about this fish. When I tasted my first sip of the soup, it was indeed a gastronomical experience that I want to repeat again and again.
Where to Find
Tinolang Tasi can be found at Part Ebelle, reclamation area, Cebu city. It is along the street perpendicular to the main entrance of SM cebu. The best time to go there is around 11am for you to have a seat. When you arrive past 12NN, you might be waiting for your turn to be seated.
Part Ebelle also serve grilled fish belly, kinilaw and other dishes. You can also order native lechon manok upon request. Part Ebelle has been known to serve the freshest fish specially tasi. When in Cebu, don’t miss this opportunity to have a taste of the Tinonlang Tasi of Part Ebelle.
Gyudon is a Japanese beef bowl with onions simmered in fish stock, soy, rice wine, leeks and topped with raw egg. I was first introduce with this during my days in gradeschool where I remember, falling in line in our school canteen to have a Japanese food. It was this (Gyudon) aside from Katsudon were the bestsellers and I can still remember it well, it was served at 5pesos per beef bowl. Those were the days when your 10 peso bill was more than enough to survive. Hehe.
When it was about time for me to let my kids taste this, I brought them to Rai Rai Ken. They have created it well more than I expected. It was the tasted and harmony of flavor that this restaurant is always consistent even if you transfer from one branch to the other. About the sauce, it was very delicious. It is the one that gave the full flavor and tastiness of the beef bowl.
Eating at Rai-Rai Ken
Where to find
Rai Rai Ken can be found almost everywhere in the metro but for this entry, we tried it in Island City mall in Tagbilaran, Bohol. To my surprise, they are really consistent to standard of their restaurant and most especially to the food. Many have creating this wonderful dish but authenticity and flavor does not come together. For Rai Rai Ken, it does.
Rai-Rai Ken at Tagbilaran, Bohol
This is longitudinal clam and is also called “Angel wings” which is in Panay island. In Roxas city, they have a celebration for this delectable clam called “The Diwal Harvest Seafood Festival“.
Just a brief background, this clam was almost wiped out to due excessive harvesting. Now, the harvest is controlled and the people at Panay are allowed to harvest it if the size is already 5 inches.
This can be eaten right after grilling it or served with butter and Chinese sauces. In my stay in Iloilo, I was able to taste it at Nato and Helen. The taste was different from the tahong and it has its own distinct flavor. It has a sweet and juicy taste that has a soft texture.
There is also one restaurant that is very familiar to those who dwells in Metro Manila and that is at Pier 1. However, diwal is only available in their Cebu branch at Parkmall. Correct me if I’m wrong but that is the only Pier 1 that I was able to have it.
For the one in Iloilo, it is located at Nato and Helen near SM Mandurriao and for the one in Cebu, it is located at Pier 1, ParkMall Reclamation area.
This is one shell fish not to be missed. It is the flavor that made it distinct from other clams.
