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.

Rainforest Park Cebu: Confused!

I had the chance to experience a different venue for a social function here in Cebu last Saturday. A friend of mine had the reception for his son's christening at the Rainforest Park Cebu somewhere in Panagdait, Mabolo, Cebu City, just infront of the Citi Park Hotel.

Although the "park" has many small stalls, the reception was done at the Oceanarium Restaurant. It is sad to note that nothing in that restaurant reminded me of where its name was based from. 

At the main entrance, a life-sized toy bear stands guard and a tiger (?) yawned at its souvenir stand. Inside the resto artificial forest vines and plastic leaves hang from the ceiling and trees on the side with an artificial rain dropping from time to time did not convince me it was an Oceanarium. The only semblance of an "ocean'' were the empty tanks with no water at all because they "were treating the tanks." 

Since it was a christening party, I was not able to taste what was on their menu. If the food they served during the function was also what they were serving on ordinary days, I have to admit they were passable if not good. The beef was tender and delicious.

What irritated me during the whole time we were there was the loud music outside of the establishment. The trees that supposed to "mute sounds in airports and terminals" as their signage claimed, could not even absorb the noise it brought inside. We have to shout at each other just to be heard. And the recorded electronic forest sounds of birds, macaques, and other weird sounds made the place irritatingly worst for a conversation. The confusion inside the restaurant was very visible and I hope the owner saw that. No, I don't think so.

Even here, they spell DIFFERENCE differently.

The only good thing that could be called "environmentally-friendly" there was the signages at the tables limiting your supply of paper napkins and drinking straws.

Even their comfort rooms were not comfortable at all. When you want to wash your hands, males have to go to the ladies room. The urinal at the men's is smacked right at the door of the toilet, a good opportunity for those who love watching men piss. Discomforting comfort rooms.

There are other stalls outside of the restaurant and a Jungle Adventure that featured a Wall, Zipline for kids, etc. But it is not a jungle out there, actually. My friends wanted to get out of there right after the reception so I was not able to explore the whole place. I am planning to come back and see it in a different setting.

I hope I won't be dismayed again. 

But if you are interested, you can make your reservations through Rainforest Park's phones at (032) 2390350 or 5168069. Goodluck!

The bear stands guard at the Oceanarium Restaurant

Inside the Oceanarium, plastic vines create a semblace of a forest

Outside the resto is a "Jungle" adventure

Where in Cebu City can you find this?

We went to dinner in one of the newly opened restaurants in Cebu City and ordered shrimp rebosado we found on their menu. It only said the best and sumptuous words restaurant copy-editors could think of and nothing of its simplicity and minimalism. Never mind the 170 pesos price if it could have been more than just a fried shrimp.

Guess where it could be ordered:

a. ZUBUCHON

b. NEONEO

c. SUGBAHAN.

In case you'd wonder what a Shrimp Rebosado is, here is a recipe I got from filipinovillage.com:

Ingredients:
1/2 kg. med. sized raw shrimps
vegetable oil for frying

For marinade:
1/2 white vinegar
4 garlic cloves, crushed
10 peppercorns, crushed
1/2 tsp. salt

For batter:
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. baking powder
1 c all purpose flour
1/4 c water
1/4 c evaporated milk
2 tbsp. atsuete (anato seeds) water
1 egg, well beaten

Instructions:
Combine marinade ingredients and marinate shrimps for 1-2 hours. Cover and set aside.

Sift together salt, baking powder, and flour. Set aside. Combine water, evaporated milk, black pepper, atsuete water, and egg. Gradually pour this mixture into the flour mixture, stirring constantly. Mix until smooth texture. Drain shrimps. Dip marinated shrimps in batter one by one and deep fry in vegetable oil. Drain in paper towel. Serve hot with Sweet & Sour sauce.

This is the PhP170 shrimp rebosado we ordered from a newly opened restaurant. Make a guess where, above.

> > > = = = = = = A N S W E R = = = = = = < < <

The answer to the question above on where we could order shrimp rebosado is B or NEONEO! Neoneo opened its SM branch a few weeks back at the 3rd floor of SM City Cebu. When asked if shrimp rebosado was available, the waiter readily answered a yes and so we ordered on at the hefty price of 170 pesos excluding government taxes.


Much to our dismay, the rebosado arrived in a white saucer unadorned, literally running around the plate due to a very spacious container since they were only five small pieces of them.


We called up the waiter to asked if they were wrong in serving the shrimps but their head waiter came and told us that shrimps that costs 170 pesos were actually for a hundred grams or so. He told us if he was the one taking our orders, he would tell us such. But I argued that it was not fair and that all people ordering shrimp rebosado have to see him. The girls who were with me asked me to just eat them so we could get out of the place.


I cried when I took a bite on one of those cute but dead headless shrimp that costed 34 pesos apiece.

Another spicy experience

No matter how bad is the service at Spice Fusion at SM City Cebu, we always go back there. The food is not the best but sure it is good.

But then again, it is always the service that counts. Like tonight.

When we went in, I suggested we stay at the table near the cashier and the kitchen for obvious reasons- so that we can be readily seen. Indeed, my suggestion bore fruits. We were served just in time when a customer fumingly walked out because she was seating in a corner for almost an hour and no one took notice of her. I even heard from the waiters saying that even if she ordered, she would not be served even for an hour because everyone forgot about her. What a shame!

Another group, a family I guess, wanted to seat inside. The waiters insisted they should take the tables outside, even if there were vacant tables beside us. Just an additional chair and I am sure they would stay there. But no, the waiter would not gave in. Like they do not want customers to come there.

You can even observe that the waiters would stay closely in one place- the counter near the cashier. Why? Did the owner specifically advise them to focus their attention at the cashier?

What is happening Spice Fusion?

The nasi goreng is exactly what I want: not oily, no pork and just as spicy.

Before that, we already were having a confusion at Spice Fusion:
• Spice (con)Fusion
• Bigby's: A pleasant surprise

O2 Spa is no longer appealing

After almost consuming our ordered quesadilla, a haphazardly done sauce of catsup and mayo arrived in exchange of the original salsa and sour cream. Disgusting!

====================================

UPDATE: May 31, 2011

Like a real fortune teller, my guess that O2 Spa will be closing its business seems right after all. For almost 3 weeks now, the O2 Spa's doors were closed and seems there are no activities going on there. I was not able to go and investigate, but one thing is very sure- they are closed.

====================================

I used to promote O2 Spa as the bar to be in Cebu. It used to have good food, affordable beer and a vibrant yuppie crowd.

Not anymore.

O2 Spa's usual 195 pesos a set of 4 beers + 1 is now 250 pesos. And the crowds have dwindled to a table or two the past two visits we had. Worst, their quesadilla becomes unappealing minus the salsa and sour cream. It infuriates me when bars and restaurants take your order and later serve them with lacking ingredients. It's like lying to your face. Only when we question for the lack did they explained the salsa and cream unavailable.

After a year of meeting at O2 Spa, my group decided to transfer somewhere affordable, with delicious food, great ambiance and serves you what's really in the menu. And no more replays of all Manny Pacquiao's fights like everytime they play it something new will happen.

We found the place- The Vienna Kaffehaus at The Gallery in Mabolo.

Rockin' on at Handuraw

It's been awhile since I have not returned to Handuraw in Lahug, Cebu City. My last experience there was not quite interesting but tonight we decided to give it a try.

But weekends at Handuraw is time to rock. Really rock! (Especially if you get hold of their sub zero beers at 45 pesos only.)

If you do not like places or concerts with high decibels then the place is not for you. You see, weekends at Handuraw are reserved for the up and coming artists of Cebu. Expect boy bands belting punk, rock, rock and roll, ska, reggae. Name it you have them, all original music. Yes, original music. They composed and arranged their songs all by themselves. College students in black, high school students keeping up, rastas of different sizes and all. Handuraw is one hell of a place for weekend music. In a sea of kids wearing black, I standout in red.

I wonder why, despite of all the people, their service is efficient tonight. Unlike when I visited the place last time on a sleepy luncheon meeting.

But tonight, we jam. The icy bottle of beer makes it more cool.

The last band sang their last song, a cover version of Oasis' Don't Look Back in Anger. A fitting tribute to a Handuraw returnee like me.

And so Sally can wait, she knows it's too late and she's walking on by \ My soul slides away, but don't look back in anger, don't look back in anger \ I heard you say...

2AM Snacks: Halo-halo at Chowking

Jollibee forever!

This may not be healthy but I have been eating Jollibee Hot and Spicy Chicken for about six meals in a row. And I love it!

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

O2 Spa's small pleasures

Whenever friends would try to make me drunk, I always bring them to O2 Spa. That small place in The Strip at the Capitol area in Cebu boasts a regular stream of young and yuppie customers from the nearby UNO.

The beer is cheap. The food above the ordinary. And the chef, a cute little lady with nice dimples, is the daughter of Felix, the owner. Being a chef and an owner make a whole lot of difference.

New to their menu is the Beef Quesadillas (PhP115), a hauntingly beautiful mix of beef and spices put in-between a big pita bread. The only bad thing I saw from the serving were those small plastic cups of small amount of salsa like they were not keen on serving them at all.

But if you insists, the quesadillas are good for drunks who would no longer care. Unless you really are for good taste.

Link: O2 Spa: It's not what you think

Ohhh Georg! 2

We went back to Oh Georg! in Ayala Center Cebu again to have another round of good food. Still, we were not dismayed.

I had their California salad (PhP185), a good combination of sweet luscious mangoes, shredded crab meat, vegetables and other greens poured with a large dose of creamy mayo. Healthy or not, I devoured the whole serving.

I downed everything with a cold fresh calamansi juice.

Burp!

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.

MO2: The restobar that doesn't know what to do

There is a new restobar somewhere in the north reclamation area of Mandaue City that doesn't seem to know what to do with its clients. It is called MO2, whatever that means.

We checked that place last night for an advance birthday celebration of a good friend. At 9 in the evening the place was already somewhat full, the umbrellas with tables within were basically occupied we were standing on the sides waiting for vacant ones. 

When we were seated, we ordered our food and drinks. After already consuming several bottles of Red Horse, we wondered what happened to our food. We asked the passing waiter to follow up on our order. It took awhile for the food to arrive and they were not even exceptional. Aside from a pathetic serving, you speculate on why the food was cold in the center and hot on the sides when they were served on a sizzling plate. They were not even sizzling when served! I would not make so much fuzz if they made a try on the presentation side but there was nothing. It was like the cook (I would not dare call her/him chef) slapped the kare kare de pata (120 pesos) and the oxtongue shuffle (120 pesos) on the plate.

But one disgusting part at the MO2 restobar was it took us several calls to several waiters for us to be served. We were not even far from the main restaurant where a band was singing mushy songs. With this kind of service we knew we would be having a long night and predicted that this place would not last long. Maybe just a few days more after Sinulog. So we asked for our bill so we could transfer to the East West at The Walk in the IT Park where a better service awaited us.

A waiter, when asked for our bill, asked us who served us. We told him there were several of them. Another waiter took a list of what we ordered and brought it to the cashier. We waited for several minutes. Another visit from another waiter but still we were not able to get our bill. Our friend who knew the manager there went to the cashier to ask the bill himself but the cashier asked him again what our orders were. Another list. He came back to our table and waited. But waiting in vain is not a good idea especially if your clients meant to pay you.

Another waiter. Another list. Another waiting. We still waited in vain.

Irritated, we walked out from the place not paying.

Nobody called after us. Nobody stopped us.

Maybe this was the reason why the place was full.

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.)

My bad: drinking in public despite the liquor ban

I admit I have been bad without me noticing how bad I was.

Last October 25 at past one in the morning, I went to Doy's (Borja Street, Tagbilaran City, a few meters from Brewpoint; telephone 038.501.8724), and had my first bottle of Below Zero Red Horse in Bohol. I drunk all four bottles straight all in the honor of below zero beers in Tagbilaran. They were free, courtesy of Doy's owner.

Doy's is the best place to have videoke with friends in the comfort of their private rooms. I was so comfortable that I publicly challenged the law. Honest, this is not for the free beers I got from there.

On the eve of the Barangay Elections last Monday, I also raised a bottle of San Mig Light right infront of police officers at the Acacia de Bubu, the new place to have barbecue in Tagbilaran. They did not noticed and seemed not to care. Maybe because I am surrounded by beautiful ladies?

I only noticed my transgression with law when I finished all the beers.

Kampai!

 Kampai! Me raising a beer right infront of the police.

See those officers at the back? The girl infront is our picture-taker Chin-chin.

Another bottle for the elections!

Revisiting Laguna Garden Cafe

Laguna Garden Café (telephones 032.233.8600; 233.8602) at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu is one of the best Filipino restaurants in Cebu. The ambiance, the food, the service are all excellent.

But when we went there last week for dinner (6-7pm), we could hardly find a table for the three of us. When we were seated, even the service water took time to arrive.

I can see the waiters were working really hard so that they sometimes tend to ignore you. And I found it funny because when you are hungry, you also become confrontational and demanding.

The last time I was there having dinner, the waiter almost stayed at our side, leaving us only to get our orders. But that was 9 in the evening when all of the hungry crowd have been nursing already their full stomach.

So I believe there is a lesson here: Do not go with the hungry crowd, usually at seven in the evening, or else you will lose your diet. Go to Laguna before or after the hungry mass have been fully satiated.

Now let’s eat.