Cebu Restaurants

[Wicked Roger]

Now I might look as though I am just eating my way around Cebu. True I am but not only food gents LOL

And I like diversity and variety in my food as I do other things.

And I only go to the more upmarket eateries when I feel the need or there is a special reason such as a cutie's birthday

So there I was with birthday girl at the Cowrie Cove. The seafood restaurant by the water's edge at the Shangri La.

Pinays love seafood and love to eat lots of variety from the normal "please can I have prawns" variety so taking a pinay there always is a treat for me and for her.

This is not the cheap side of Manila which I also visit where the food from the boats is cooked in the restaurants nearby. This is a nice setting, nice food good service but at a price.

We had soups, clams, seafood platters (very good grub) and more fish. Total was PHP 5000 with no alcohol (as I said not for the cheap charlies). Tax to and from Cebu centre was around PHP 250 each way but can take time as earlier in the evening traffic is horrible.

Would I go there every week. No way as my wallet would scream out loud and my bank manager louder LOL but for a treat for a special occasion is worth it (well for me very worth it)

http://www.shangri-la.com/cebu/macta...s/cowrie-cove/

This is the link so you check yourself but if you have spare change give it a go. Tomorrow I will be in Ayala eating a brown rice dish with mushrooms (very healthy) at PHP 250 so as I said I like variety.

[Wicked Roger]

Long time since I visited Tinder Box but it has a selection of cigars that a friend asked me to look at (I know nothing about tobacco except it is harmful to your health). He wanted Filipino cigars and the Tinder Box had, I was reliably informed, a good selection (it did from my perspective)

It also has a nice but small restaurant reasonably priced and good quality. We had 2 very good pizzas, some beef and soups plus desserts. Now adding other things we bought as well, the price was great. Food cost with drinks (non alcoholic) was around PHP 1500.

It also has a big selection of wine (Good Enough please note for your next visit to Cebu) and an area for smokers (GE also please note) that had nice leather chairs while the non smokers had more upright chairs. Was tempted to sit in the smoking area for a change!

Service a tad slow but we were in no hurry and the ladies looked at the selection of imported food (cheese, sausages, has, biscuits, mustards etc) while we waited.

Location is just past Crossroads on the right hand side. Currently has scaffolding outside but the place is open. Is also good for lunch as the menu is varied.

[Wicked Roger]

[X Man]

Blue Elephant rooftop bar / restaurant is located on the 19th floor of the Apple One building which is a short walk from Ayala Terraces (no need to cross one of the big roads). In summary the food was okay for the price. I was expecting something really fancy and was glad to see it was casual and reasonably priced. Needless to say, the view and the vibe is nice and will surely impress your date.

Things started out badly. The taxi driver didn't seem to know where this 19 story building was, so I told him it was near Ayala Mall. As we got near Ayala, we could see the Apple logo. Which in all fairness doesn't look like an apple (see pic).certainly not the Beatles nor the Jobs Apple. The driver already had locked Ayala in his mind and apparently didn't know much English. Who knows, but with Apple ONe in plain sight, he did a quick turn and deposited us at Ayala Mall.

I was worried that we would have to walk across one of those big roads that surround Ayala mall, but we crossed thru the terraces and turned to the right in the area of the taxi stand, and we were soon at our destination. Things are looking up! I didn't mind the walk. The exercise was good, but there had already been substantial exercise in the hotel room. I was hungry and looking forward to the rooftop hotel and some cold beer.

The lobby was very quiet, hmmm, rode up to the 19th floor. As the elevators opened there were some stairs, walking up we were met by a tall good lookin gal who wasn't very welcoming. And then she asked if we had a reservation. We didn't and she expressed her displeasure with her face. Which suddenly seemed much uglier. Looking into the restaurant, it didn't seem open-air at all. There was a roof!

I walked back toward the elevator, down the stairs, and noticed some large elephant paintings. I decided to take a look and as I walked down the aisle I found myself in a large open air rooftop bar / restaurant. Wow. THe first guy we talked to also was unfriendly and asked about a reservation. My date and I worked some kind of charm and the dick went away. There was clearly an empty table right in front of us (high table, no chairs) and it was our intent to stand, have a drink and leave.

Much to our surprise, other employees quickly brought us chairs, menus, and some much needed hospitality. My date, who IS NOT some hick from the provinces kept looking for the guy we met upon entering. She wanted to have a word with him. LOL.

I'll let the pictures do the talking, but what you don't see is that there was a party with live band adjacent to the open air area. Which was covered, but is not the covered area I mentioned earlier.

My take is that management is trying to create some kind of exclusive vibe and are doing it very poorly. My advice is make a reservation if you can. I could have done that after the taxi driver left me at the wrong location. It really is more fun in the Philippines. Especially when a mild level of aggravation ends up in a pretty good meal and drinks on a 19th floor rooftop bar, followed by all night 12th floor shenanigans in my comfy hotel bed.

[Wicked Roger]

I visited Phat Pao for the first time, I pass on the way to Maya, Olio and A Café and had heard some good things. Operated by the Abaca group who also run Maya and A Café (as well as Tavolata).

Vietnamese. Small but good menu, limited wine (not bother me) , nice noodle soups, some very nice Vietnamese rolls (I had the pork one really good). Met the chef also, long chat and my cutie asked about the spicy food and liked what she was recommended (I don't mean me as that was later LOL)

Kitchen style seating and a small place so was busy around 8pm but by 9. 30pm quiet No westerners in ther except me at the time and mainly locals, Chinese and Koreans.

Prices around 1500 pesos for 2 including drinks and dessert so that keep some of us away for sure LOL.

Nice palce recommend you give it a go.

Location is Crossroads on the right hand side soon after you enter Crossroads, if you reach the KTV and Olio you have gone too far.

[Wicked Roger]

This is a new restaurant for me, fairly new in its current location too but been around a bit.

A tad quirky but some unusual theécor with a huge 14 seater table and massive high chairs make it look interesting. The chairs are so high that even a tall bugger like me can't reach the floor. Makes for some interesting sitting positions for the cuties.

Really enjoyed the simple menu and dessert was only 4 dishes but one was called "Monkey Business". Something RK and JSBach will understand the meaning of in a certain way. This was a crepe with bananas and chocolate, sweet like my dinner date who thought the name of the dessert was funny.

Very good steak and salmon also, and nice soups.

Location: Next to the Henry Hotel on Maria Luisa Road. Go along Archbishop Reyes Avenue past Country Mall. Go past BTC Banilad (on the right) , before the flyover, take the slip road (for reference to the right is AS Fortuna) , and turn left under the flyover. On the left immediately you will see the hotel and restaurant on the side (plus other restaurants in the same area)

Cost for all 3 courses (for 2 people) including some sodas and juices plus coffees etc was around 1500-2000 pesos so not for cheap charlies who think style is Jollibee but worth a visit as a pleasant yet quiet restaurant.

Nothing ventured nothing gained and this was recommended by a friend as I was looking for some more variety (I have already have that in other ways LOL) and he was right.

Google and you see some blogs on this as well plus somewhere there is a Facebook page I was told but fairly easy to find.

[MangoBob68]

MB.

Lets say $25 = PHP 1000 (reasonable assumption and being picky) and- by per couple you total or per head but whichever below are some ideas.

Try Vienna Café (see earlier FR) nice place, tends to be full with locals and expats. In Mango area, and I enjoyed many a meal there, nice pizza.

http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...=1#post1231650

That is a goo FR on it.

Also around Ayala Terraces there is a number of nice places to eat for that budget try Lemongrass, Gerry Grill get pinoy food there as well as nice fish) , even Tereyaki Boy has a nice rice dish and basic sushi. A Café in Crossroads would suit your budget is quiet though but food good, plenty to chose from especially at Ayala and in SM Mall also so you won't break the wallet.

Thank you for your reply and reference to older post about dinning out. I will check places out when I finally get back to Cebu and then I can give a quality report back.

[Wicked Roger]

Hello gentlemen,

Now I feel like a chicken with my head cut off. To the point. I would appreciate anyone who lives / spends a lot of time in Cebu to recommend good dinning for lunch / dinner costing say $25. 00 per couple Chinese / Pinoy / Italian / maybe buffet or? Liquor would be extra above the $25. 00

I say $25. 00 as a bench mark only. Not an absolute.

Thank you for any replies

MB.

Lets say $25 = PHP 1000 (reasonable assumption and being picky) and- by per couple you total or per head but whichever below are some ideas.

Try Vienna Café (see earlier FR) nice place, tends to be full with locals and expats. In Mango area, and I enjoyed many a meal there, nice pizza.

http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...=1#post1231650

That is a goo FR on it.

Also around Ayala Terraces there is a number of nice places to eat for that budget try Lemongrass, Gerry Grill get pinoy food there as well as nice fish) , even Tereyaki Boy has a nice rice dish and basic sushi. A Café in Crossroads would suit your budget is quiet though but food good, plenty to chose from especially at Ayala and in SM Mall also so you won't break the wallet.

[MangoBob68]

Hello gentlemen,

My last visit to Cebu was back in 2008. I used to visit Cebu a lot between 1996 to 2005 and I had my favorites for dinning. I remember Seafood city at JY Square. Not know if still there or any good now . But my "favorites" all disappeared over the years. I rememeber a place called courtyard. Since gone. With cafeteria style serving. Open. Outside. Watch sport games on a big screen. Very relaxing at night.

Now I feel like a chicken with my head cut off. To the point. I would appreciate anyone who lives / spends a lot of time in Cebu to recommend good dinning for lunch / dinner costing say $25. 00 per couple Chinese / Pinoy / Italian / maybe buffet or? Liquor would be extra above the $25. 00

I say $25. 00 as a bench mark only. Not an absolute.

Thank you for any replies

[Irony Monger]

Was persuaded by Irony Monger to go to Maya . Not been there for a long time as not a great lover of Mexican food but I'm assured me he was an expert and loves the stuff.

WR, just wanted to say it was a pleasure seeing you and your lady friends at Maya the other night. They are simply gorgeous and have that perfect combination of classy and naughty that I find completely irresistible. I must apologize though as I am afraid I left one of them with a taste for North American delights. On parting I offered her a choice of chocolate: Cadbury or Hershey. Guess which one she chose ;)

Regarding Maya, I'm a big fan of Mexican Food, and I recommend this place. The carnitas was quite good as was the chicken achiote, and their Patron Silver margarita was on par with top shelf margaritas at good Mexican restaurants around the globe, which is saying a lot because 90% of the margaritas I have tried in the Philippines are better used as paint thinner. In short, I will go back to Maya in the future, and I am glad I had a chance to show WR that real mexican food is something other than Taco Bell.

[Wicked Roger]

Was persuaded by Irony Monger to go to Maya . Not been there for a long time as not a great lover of Mexican food but I'm assured me he was an expert and loves the stuff.

Was pleasantly surprised by the food. It did have some taste. But this was down to I'm knowledge of what was good on the menu (some of the pork is excellent and not spicy)

So I will add this again to my list of restaurants to go to some time.

Thanks to I'm for teaching this old dog a few things about Mexican food as I have always thought it bland and tasteless LOL (some of those I know will still say that regardless).

[Stroker Ace88]

Menu is expanding. Food still excellent. But for those taking your cuties here remember. There is NO RICE served in this restaurant.

It may seem strange but this is true.

IMHO, this fact should be celebrated not lamented by pinays. The ones I have taken here all seem surprised at first but then accept and enjoy the food and its quality.

The restaurant does offer some tasty roasted potatoes instead which 2 cuties really enjoyed recently.

Worth a visit if you have time and want to get away from Ayala

Tavolata started a simplified lunch menu November 1st. A few choices of pizza, pasta and panini sandwiches. Excellent food (for Cebu) , but with all abaca group restos the hype over a new resto is big and that means large crowds that surge in to sample the fresh offerings. I will sample the roasted potatoes next visit, I'm still busy eatting my way through the pasta section.

Cheap charlies will choke on the menu and order three rounds of service water to go.

[Wicked Roger]

Menu is expanding. Food still excellent. But for those taking your cuties here remember. There is NO RICE served in this restaurant.

It may seem strange but this is true.

IMHO, this fact should be celebrated not lamented by pinays. The ones I have taken here all seem surprised at first but then accept and enjoy the food and its quality.

The restaurant does offer some tasty roasted potatoes instead which 2 cuties really enjoyed recently.

Worth a visit if you have time and want to get away from Ayala

[Wicked Roger]

Visited Tavolata Restaurant for the first time. Operated by the Abaca Group who also own Canvas, A Cafe and Maya (the first 2 places I like the latter not a favourite as I am not a fan of Mexican)

http://theabacagroup.com/tavolata-cebu/

Soft opening from 6-10. 30pm and the chef from A Cafe (a lady) is also running Tavolata.

Nice place, nice design and setting / ambience. Menu was excellent. A mix of Italian and Mediterranean. Steak was good, well presented in a skillet and the pizza is very tasty. Had meatballs to start (Cebu hottie liked and I had to agree) and just some 'rustic' bread with live oil / balsamic. Bread I have not seen in Cebu before so was a nice surprise.

Wine list is good and simialr to Canvas so plenty for any wine buffs.

Location is on AS Fortuna and P Remedio St (in Banilad / Mandaue City about 10-15 minutes from Ayala past Country Mall). Opposite the restaurant is Oftana Suites and Dewfoam (for those who need a landmark)

Dessert menu is small as soft opening and the menu is changing regularly as they see what the customers want / like. Friday I was told it had 60+ walk ins which if true would be a great advertisement as the location is nowhere near any tourist trade (ie it is not like Ayala which has passing trade naturally)

I liked it a lot and will definitely return. So did Cebu hottie.

Three courses (well we stuffed ourselves!) , but no wine for 2 persons was around 4000 pesos so not for the cheap charlies but worth a vist even for the main courses (meat, pasta, wood fired pizza)

Off the beaten track for many (ie not AYala, SM or a Jollibee / Chowking LOL) but go see.

PS : If the guy who came in with the pinay and the tight white dress is reading this. She had a nice t-back and ass LOL

[BrainDrain]

I have not visited this resto. If you visit post a report and give your thoughts on the place.

As it turned out the plans changed. The girl was happy to dine on the free fruits at the hotel. That was cost effective.