El Viento Restaurant and Pool Bar at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu

It was one hot Saturday, a few weeks back, when I found myself enjoying a wonderful lunch at El Viento, a poolside restaurant and bar located at the posh Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu. As it was the last day of my Cebu trip, I decided to take refuge in the comfort and luxury only Marco Polo can offer.

With a commanding view of Cebu City, the hotel offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of boomtown Cebu. A few minutes cab ride brings in a sense of calmness as one goes up along the hillside. The iconic structure beckons with its geometric gracefulness and the elegant lobby welcomes with Cebuano pride and hospitality.

Then there's El Viento - an al fresco restaurant and pool bar with its Spanish-derived name meaning wind. The turquoise blue waters looked so inviting that I was tempted to have a dip but without extras, I just contented myself relaxing with in its "sights and sounds".

The El Viento Pool Bar and Restaurant caters those who prefer the outdoors. Relax with a cool drink, beer below zero and select wines over entrees, sizzling dishes and freshly baked pizza from the mango wood-fired oven. On sunny days, get a tan at the poolside and then have a refreshing dip at the mango-shaped pool with Jacuzzi. Read a book or enjoy Free Wi-Fi internet access in a corner table with a cup of freshly brewed coffee anytime at El Viento. Enjoy live music entertainment nightly. (Source)

And lunch was served starting with the Soup of the Day which I forgot the name. It's a combination of a mushroom and egg drop soup with hints of being a minestrone. Light yet savory, it was a perfect start for the parade of gastronomic creations that are about to come my way.

Drumbeats please for Bresaola Salad. Yup, I remembered the name of this mix of greens, poached pears (these alone were very good), crispy capers, caramelized balsamic red onions and parmesan cheese. The star of course was the bresaola which is salted beef that has been air dried and aged for months (preferably 2-3) until it becomes hard and turns a dark red, almost purple colour. The taste and texture combination proved to be a perfect appetizer, whetting my appetite up for more.

If this doesn't make you hungry or salivating the least, I don't know what else will. This Ultimate Pizza Burger still haunts my gastronomic dreams even if it was almost a month ago when I fell in love with it at first bite. This is Marco Polo Cebu's take on two of the world's most beloved and most popular food items made into one ultimate treat. Basically, an order consist of a burger served with "succulent" fries, coleslaw and dip.

Made with a big 100% pure beef patty, it is then made to look and taste like a pizza with the addition of mushrooms, peppers, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. The lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and other makes make up the burger part. Even after a few minutes of my clicks and flashes session, the perfect pan grilled patty was still oozing with its juices!

And capping off the already sumptuous lunch was Pork Saltimbocca in Calvados Rosemary Cream with Black Olive Risotto. It was a last minute lunch addition for this item is part and served only during dinner. Good thing, kitchen rules can be bent sometimes, that I got to enjoy this well seasoned lean pork marinated in apple brandy.

Downing all these was this refreshing four-season smoothie made with real fruits - a perfect and delicious cooler that Saturday afternoon.

Here's Chef Ricky who was hands-on in preparing this sumptuous lunch. He made sure not only everything tasted delicious but also pleasing to the eyes. And he really did a good job especially with the Ultimate Pizza Burger! Thanks Chef!

All good and even delicious things do come to an end. That one afternoon will just only be but memories to live by and great tastes to remember. But the nonetheless it was unforgettable gastronomic adventure at El Viento at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu. 'Til we eat again...

El Viento Restaurant and Pool Bar

Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu

Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Apas

Cebu City, 6000, Philippines

Open Daily: 10:00AM–12:00MN

For inquiries and reservations:

Cebu: (63 32) 253 1111 | Manila: (63 2) 887 1263

Facebook: MarcoPolo Cebu

NOTE: The Marco Polo group is rumored to build a hotel in Iloilo City.

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