FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

I just came back from my 9-day and 8-night trip in Cebu City and the flavors of Cebu are still fresh on my lips. Most of these taste memories were made at CNT Lechon restaurant across SM City Cebu with all the native Cebuano dishes lining up for a visual feast. The signature dish of Cebu and CNT is the lechon and everybody was lining up for it. Good thing they have a number system which makes ordering a portion of this roast pig more systematic. Famed for having no sauce to go with it, Lechon Cebu is packed with herbs and spices, that's why it is almost a mortal sin to ask for sauce for the lechon when in Cebu. I find most Cebu Lechon more on the salty side (add to that my sensitivity to saltiness in general) so that makes me go "big time" on the rice. Called " puso " it's cooked rice packed in coconut leaves which is almost like ibos for the Ilonggos, but just plain rice and not malagkit. It is most prevalent in Cebu ...

It was a post Valentine date with "me, myself and I" over this one of a kind pasta dish. Imagine the taste and aroma of angel hair pasta sauteed in cocoa butter with fried  longganisa , fresh basil, cacao truffle and topped with grated cacao de bola. And how about some chilled  tsokolate  drink with  hibiscus  essence on the side? These are just two of the more interesting menu items  during my  chocolatey  experience at  The Chocolate Chamber  in Cebu City.  On my second to the last day in my Cebu trip last February, I made it a point to visit this chocolate lovers haunt. I've passed up so many chances during my previous Cebu trips that its starting to haunt me.  As I was the first customer that day (I even knocked at the door since it was still closed), I had plenty of time to appreciate the effortlessly chic interiors and take lots of photos. The simplicity of the place gives it elegance - nothing more nothi...

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 pre...

I was in Cebu a few weeks ago and when I decided to drop by Marco Polo Plaza Hotel for some Christmas Ensaimada , it turned out to be more than appreciating this glitzy pastry - I was gastronomically lured by what  is considered to be one of the best buffets in Cebu City. Cafe Marco Assorted breads Japanese Station Chinese Specialties Peking Duck Cold cuts Dessert Station Fresh fruits with vanilla Halo-halo station They also have a Filipino Station which includes the popular Lechon Cebu (actually a whole station by itself) on top of Pinoy specialties. There's also a Continental dishes station and many other stations to choose from - we just came late for lunch for me to have my usual clicks and flashes session. Indeed the buffet experience at The Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is one big gastronomic feast and no doubt why it is considered to be among the top buffets in Cebu City.