What I love about Zubuchon (and it's not even lechon!)

I am not a fan of pork or its products. But I am a fan of Zubuchon! That means one thing- they are not serving pork lechon ONLY!

I love Zubuchon in many ways. The place is clean, very welcoming, just like another home. The staff are courteous and they know what they are doing and what they are serving. Fast and efficient.

This is how I eat my Dinoldog- on top of rice.

Zubuchon's Dinoldog, squash and shrimps cooked in coconut milk, is my favorite of the veggies in their menu. And of course, there is Saguyon, that crispy-fried small fish from Mindanao. It goes well with an ice-cold beer.

Oh, mighty Saguyon, why are you so yummy? You're even exceptional
when there is cold beer around. I hate threesomes!

Lately, I learned that their Kamias Shake has evolved- Kamias Shake Margarita! And I totally have gone out of my mind!

Kamias SHake Margarita!

SAGUYON. DINOLDOG. KAMIAS SHAKE MARGARITA. Life is beautiful at Zubuchon.

QUICK INFO:
Zubuchon originates from ZUBU, the old name of Cebu and CHON, from lechon, that roasted pig. It was founded by the famous Marketman (Joel Binamira in real life) of Market Manila.

Zubuchon has branches in One Mango Avenue (032-2395697), Escario Central (032-2540247), Mactan (inside Mactan Marina Mall [032-2661310] and at the Mactan airport pre-departure area [032-5110005] and at The Walk (032-2368256) in IT Park, Lahug.

Price ranges from 50 pesos up to 550+ pesos, depending on what you order. You can even order a whole lechon and can be brought to Manila or anywhere in the Philippines you want it to be delivered. For a fee, of course. For a complete price list, you can browse their Facebook account.

They are introducing ZUBUDAGAT in two of their branches as of now- Mactan Marina and Escario. Zubudagat, (DAGAT is sea) as the name implies, offers seafood! That's the reason I can be at their Mactan and Escario branches anytime.

Zubuchon is given the Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor.

Zubuchon's website can be accessed here.

Nightlife in Alona Beach is more fun than in Tagbilaran City

Crostini

Yes it's true. While Tagbilaran's nightlife is like an all-time Holy Week celebration, Alona Beach in Panglao Island is getting more into the beat without getting invasive. Several cool and ambient places are sprouting like mushrooms, so to speak. The choices in Alona are more varied as compared to Tagbilaran's grill, grill and more grill options. I heard Tagbilaranons are now flocking to the island and having good times there.

Why not? At Alona, you can have a lot (and a variety) of food choices. When you are choked with the smoke of grilling, Swiss, Oriental, Mediterranean, and of course Filipino food becomes good, if not better alternative! I even tried an Italian menu in some nook where civilization really exist- behaved diners (meaning no noisy Koreans, thanks God!), soft and appropriate music, and good food. That nook was this restaurant- GRAZIELLA.

Bruschette

The menu at Graziella Restaurant is particularly interesting with all those Italian names, hence it is needless to say it is an Italian restaurant. I was tempted to order a dish without the server's interpretation so as to surprise myself. Take note, the servers at Graziella know what's on the menu, an exemption in Bohol where most, if not all, servers do not know what's the food in the menu they are holding. With Jollibee as an exception. I appreciate the chef's and the owner's generosity of briefing their servers on the food, and I imagined they have tasted them, too.

I feel like carbo-loading that night I ordered mostly carbo-based food. For starters, Bruschette with garlic, onions, tomato and oregano was served along with San Mig Light and regular Coke. The food came and they were serving them together with a bottle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sosyal!

For my main course, I ordered a hefty Al Gamberetti Tagliatiatelle in curry sauce (P275). The flat noodle was just tender and the shrimps cooked just right and to my surprise, generous enough. I mean, there were a lot of shrimps on the pasta. Some restaurants in Tagbilaran brag about seafood pasta but you could not see why their version is called as such. Even a heapful of Parmesan cheese came with the pasta, which is a very rare happening in Bohol.

Graziella is pure indulgence at an affordable price.

Unya mireklamo pa nganong midako akong tiyan!

Al Gamberetti Tagliatiatelle

Back at Garden Cafe in Tagbilaran

When I was in my college days and later when I worked at the provincial government of Bohol, my favorite hangout in Tagbilaran was the Garden Cafe, a restaurant owned by the Bohol Deaf and Disable Foundation (IDEA).

When you go there, you are doing a two-pronged activity- enjoy their food and help the deaf of Bohol. In fact, the waiters and waitresses at Garden Cafe are all deaf. 

From a simple hut-inspired building, the Garden Cafe is now a showcase of American dining. The place has changed into a sort of cowboy-inspired diner, with all the boots and other Americana. Even the waitstaff are donning cowboy regalia sans whips. Interesting.

And the food too has become interestingly varied to suit the Montana theme. My friend brought me there to have a late iftar celebration. I ordered a chicken quesadilla and avocado shake. The quesadilla was quite exceptional specially with lots of salsa on it. I finished my meal with a slice of blueberry cheesecake which was so-so. I could have ordered coffee but my friend planned to do it somewhere.

If I will be in Tagbilaran, I will visit once again Garden Cafe.

Chicken quesadilla is the best (you can order beef, too)

Their blueberry cheesecake has more gelatin than cheesecake

The avocado shake I ordered is creamy and nice

Garden Cafe opens daily from 8 in the morning until 10 in the evening with exceptions on Sundays. The restaurant opens 1PM til 10 on Sundays. Garden Cafe has a themed room upstairs called Montana Room with several displays of Americana- stuffed animals, boots, skates, pictures, and the like. They also have a small function room and a music room. You can call for reservations at telephones (038) 4113701, 4112028.

Another chance of seeing Marketman change people's tastes and faces

If the foretold Rapture happened tonight I am very sure there will be a few who would remain on earth because no ecstatic or heavenly movement would be able to lift the bodies of about 40 people attending Marketmanila’s lechon eyeball. Never.

Yes. It happened again today, a few hours ago, the long awaited Lechon Eyeball of the fans and followers of Marketmanila.com. It has been more than three years,  I think, that I had my first taste of the culinary innovations of Marketmanila and my first attendance to a Lechon Eyeball. Yes, I never got to taste those lazy pigs crouching in a tray but everyone said it was the best.

And tonight was no exemption. Of course, nobody would say it was just a so-so affair!

When I arrived at the venue, everyone was already scampering ahead to taste the first treat of the night. What else but the famous lechon Anthony Bourdain confirmed to be the best. So far. He has traveled that far to discover and affirm that. And not just one lechon suffered at the hungry mouths of Marketman’s guests that night but, four, I counted. There was a lechon with whole chickens stuffed inside while they were grilled. I wonder what would they taste.

Grabbing a bottle of cold beer and making beso-beso with long-lost-co-bloggers-turned-friends, I stayed where I am comfortable with, near the cooking pits. Because Marketman was preparing a seafood paella.

It has been my desire to cook paella. Honestly, I am just scared to try because I thought it would require more patience and time. But after watching Marketman and his sidekick, Angel and their staff breezing it out, I was again inspired at the sight.

So I promised myself I will make a paella and would make it better than Marketman’s. Soon.

I left at the venue after an hour or so because I still have to work. I left bringing along with me a souvenir cupcake with the proud pig logo of Zubuchon and a pack of piyatitos from Lee.

I haven’t eaten them yet. I will wait for another ecstatic moment. At midnight, perhaps?

(The only thing that disgusted me at the Eyeball was that I have only my phone camera with me and I could not capture the intimacy of the selected few guests attending the event. I failed to capture the ecstatic faces of guests receiving the crunchy lechon skin from Marketman. I can only sigh.)

2AM Snacks: Halo-halo at Chowking

Ang binangkal ni Emie: A great and filling snack of the day

I do not know how other people call them, but here in the Visayas area, we call them Binangkal. Those fried mildly sweet balls of flour coated with sesame seeds we love to have as a snack or in my case, breakfast.

I am quite intrigue at how they are made and what are its ingredients since they are really my favorite. I found out lately, after being invited to observe, that making binangkal is quite easy. I am planning to make mine when I have the time.

All you need are these ingredients: a high grade flour for best results, about 5 cups; baking powder, about 5 teaspoonful; brown sugar, 2 cups or more if you want them super sweet; some eggs, about two or three; a cup of evaporated milk and some vanilla drops.

Mix the eggs and sugar together until the sugar dissolves. Pour in the vanilla (why not try lemon drops?) for some flavoring. Add flour and fold them well. If the flour hardens, add some milk until well mixed. Form into small balls, about the size of ping pong balls, and roll them over the sesame seeds.

Heat a pan of vegetable oil and put in the balled flour. Wait for them to turn golden brown and then shake off excess oil. Better put them in paper towels so that the excess oil are absorbed by the towels.

Your binangkal should be ready to eat. A good cup of coffee or a cold fruit juice goes well with the binangkal.

Enjoy.

Bloated for a day!

I have the privilege to "own" one of the most generous friends in the entire world. They are four actually and they treat me to an early birthday celebration. Guess where- a JAPANESE RESTAURANT!

One of my greatest love happens to be Japanese food. They are simple, fresh and always delicious.

Last Friday, they brought me to this eat-all-you-can Japanese restaurant called Wakamatsu Yakiniku Dinner (located at Pacific Square, F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo, Cebu City, telephone number 032-232-5897). Actually, I've passed through this place but I did not know that there is a Japanese restaurant in that part of Cebu. But one thing I know, Korean restaurants abound the area.

Les is serious with her food

We were quite disappointed actually when we arrived at Wakamatsu because the place was full with only one small table available in a corner. And there were six of us. Lesson- call in for your reservations before coming in. 

With the six of us barely breathing in the corner, our waiting staff informed us she would transfer us to a more comfortable area good for six people but it never happened until we were done paying our bills. Everyone, take note, every one seemed not keen on leaving the place.

Yakiniku means "grilled meat" but actually is a general term for everything grilled, be they meat or vegetables or whatever. So I was not surprised when the wait staff brought in a really hot pot of flaming charcoals and placed them in the center of the table. This was going to be our little kitchen for the evening.

And we love the idea of cooking our own food.

Gilda enjoyed the cooking

The Angus beef (Ranchi karubi yaki) was thinly sliced and was ready in just a few minutes of grilling. I also loved the Squid (Ika yaki) even if it was still raw because they were tender yet crunchy, aside from spicy. We only have a few orders of Prawn (Ebi yaki) because shelling them took time. The Scallops with butter (Hotate yaki) was not really that fresh so we only had a plateful.

The rest of my friends also ordered Beef liver (Reba yaki), Chicken drumstick (Doramu chicken),  and Wakamatsu ramen.

But what I loved eating that night was the Bibinba Japanese rice (Ishiyaki bibinba), a combination of Japanese rice with veggies and meat and egg mixed right before your eyes. The Korean style cold noodles (Bibin reimen) was also delicious in its cold spiciness.

We bloated ourselves more with their dessert of  crushed ice (they spelled it as CRASHED ICE, and reminded me of the gory state of the ice when they were served) dribbled  with mango syrup. We lingered more until the restaurant informed us they would be closing soon. 

Wakamatsu charges PhP570 per person with their buffet. They charge also PhP285 for children. Please note that you have to review the menu first because our usual interpretation of eat-all-you-can might differ with theirs. The drinks are not free of course and are quite expensive.

I would like to try this restaurant again if I have the money.

Cold towels were served first, a welcoming relief from the heat outside

The grill at the foreground

Glo and Reg were amazed by the way Ishiyaki Bibinba was mixed

A really hot grill

My favorite- Bibin reimen

Also this one- Ika yaki

The crashed ice with mango syrup

Ohhhh Georg!

This weird weather made everyone and everything crazy. It has been raining on and off since Sinulog and it seems this is just a "normal" weather pattern since no one (or at least I haven't heard anyone) claiming a storm is coming.

Even the internet at the printing press is not working since last week (and until now) and we lull ourselves with anything so we won't get bored. But working with projects that needs emails and downloads and without the internet is volatile. Very.

So when Gilda, who is missing the company of her sis, invited me to a dinner last night at Oh Georg! in Ayala Center Cebu, I readily agreed. You should know that Gilda is the type of mom who wants you to order what you want and she would pay for them. When I escaped from the office, it was drizzling so I brought my jacket with me only to realize that it was kind of humid in the Ayala area.

Anyways, after leaving our groceries in a deposit counter, we settled down at Oh Georg! and we were pleased that the restaurant was not yet packed for dinner. This little corner in Ayala is a favorite hangout of the elite few and foodies alike. I even thought we could not afford this kind of resto. Surprisingly, the food is affordable. Gilda ordered a Spicy Tuna Pasta (PhP195), I ordered Beef and Vegetable Casserole (PhP195). We had Hot Fresh Calamansi (PhP55 each) for our drinks.

The service at Oh Georg! was efficient. The food were served in less than 10 minutes and still piping hot. The beef tasted good but not tender enough and the vegetables slightly overcooked. But still it was good. Gilda claimed her spicy tuna pasta was good she devoured the whole plate.

The hot calamansi juice was amazing I could have asked for more if I have not started sweating.

We also ordered their Bluberry Cheesecake (PhP105) for dessert. That piece of cake was heavenly. I don't know how they made it. I have tasted some blueberry cheesecakes before but nothing can beat Oh Georg!'s creation! The only thing that crumbled in between my teeth was the gooey blueberry on top of the cake. The rest just melted in my mouth like there was no need for me to chew.

I was in heaven again.

After Ayala, I went to O2 Spa for a drinking session with bored friends who wanted to crawl on their way home. It did not happened.

Bigby's: A pleasant surprise

If it was opened tonight, I would have another dinner at Spice Fusion in SM City Cebu, my fourth in a month's time and probably I would still be mumbling about their service. I am so glad they were closed for their Christmas party.

Actually, I was quite surprised because the girls (Glocel and Leslie) promised to close the restaurant and have it all to ourselves whenever they get their separation pay. I thought this was the night.

So the girls decided to go up the second floor and try Bigby's Cafe and Restaurant. I would not have recommended Bigby's if I was asked, but the girls were already seated when I arrived. I was able to avail Bigby's lunch buffet sometime last year in Ayala Center Cebu but was not amazed with their food. They were all plain and very commercially done. Maybe because it was a buffet for only 250 pesos per pax.

But when our ordered food arrived I was quite impressed. The Boomerang Shrimp with garlic dip and pilaf rice was delicious to say the least. The shrimp was grilled just right, crisp to the bite and spicy from the Cajun style grilling. It goes well with the pilaf rice. Gilda and I ordered the same dish.

Boomerang Shrimp. Cajun-spiced grilled shrimp skewers with rice pilaf and garlic dip.*

Leslie ordered Chix Ahoy, a sizzling boneless chicken with garlic flavors. Looked yummy too but was already too full to try. I am planning to order it next time.

Chix Ahoy. It sizzles and its hot! This boneless chicken dish unravels a distinct garlicky flavor that will keep you coming back for more.*

Glocel has her Pasta Daviola and was tempted to taste it despite the Hungarian sausage. If not of those, I would love to devour the whole plate because of its spiciness.

Pasta Daviola. Hungarian sausage, shrimps and chili flavors this garlic-and-oil pasta dish.*

The Basket of Chips we ordered was almost untouched because it came with our meals even if we requested that it be served first. Anyway, the chips were interesting. Aside from the colors of yellow, orange and brown chips, a coat of salsa fresca made it more palatable.

Basket of Chips. A basket of nachos served with your choice of garlic dip or salsa fresca.*

We downed our food with green mango shakes and a can of Coke Zero.

I am still patting my stomach until now.

(*Description of all the dish pictured above was taken from Bigby's website.)

"You gonna love it"

Someone gave me a box of cream puffs from Chewy Junior because an admirer also gave him those. To deter probable cause of getting attracted too soon, he gave me the whole box. Like I was the experiment. 

At first I thought it was just some donuts but when I tasted them they were different. More like bread with something creamy inside. I hate the sweetness of donuts but the dough made by Chewy Junior is, yes, chewy but not too sweet. The cream inside and the fruit jelly toppings make it a luscious breakfast. With coffee of course!

You may say I am a virgin, and this is my first and I love them! I wish I could have such an admirer.

Anyone?

Paella night with friends

There is a little known discovery I made of a Spanish restaurant somewhere in Guadalupe, Cebu where authentic Spanish cuisine are made daily to some very few customers they cater. It is like having an exclusive entry to this small resto and feeling prouder for getting there.

I am quite tempted to post here their address but I won't because of selfish reasons. One, the resto is just a small place finding everyone there would cause frequent suffocation. Two, the coming of guests would hinder me to have my paella served on time. Three, I am selfish, period.

We pre-ordered our paella actually because there were about ten of us. A big paella pan made my mouth water upon serving. The big pan is priced at 500 pesos and still survived the deluge of the hands of 10 people.

The gambas ajillo was really good and crisp, the extra sauce I used as dip for the accompanying toasty bread. I did not taste the kalderetang kanding though but the lengua was so soft I am tempted to say it melted in my tongue.

We paid less than 2,000 pesos for ten persons including our drinks.

The owner, Angel Ibarlucea y Arano, asked us in his funny Cebuano intonation, to come back in his resto. He handed small chocolates on our way out.

The company you keep matters

Food becomes more palatable if you are in good company. And more appetizing when serve hot.

That was the case when I was invited by the Ortega sisters to a dinner at Chikaan sa Cebu at their SM branch. Glocel and Gilda timely asked me to come after 6, since they knew I am fasting.

Ginataang Monggo

After the sweet tea was served and drank came the Ginataang Monggo (mung beans with coco milk), my favorite, of course. It was only Glocel and I who consumed the big bowl since Gilda, pregnant of her second child, was not in the mood to join. She instead attacked the fried Buwad (tuyo) and the Pinakbet (mixed veggies with pork rinds) with gusto. Then came the Kinilaw which I quite did not like because the fish they used was not quite fresh enough. The buwad and the monggo was enough to fill me. I was even guilty of overeating!

The really nice Sylvannas completed our meal.

Thank you ladies.

Buwad (nice presentation)

The not-so-fresh Kinilaw