FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Cookies so rich, so luscious and so full of indulgence that patrons at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu christened it - Malicious Cookies . These chocolate chip cookies are among the best sellers and the only "malice" it can bring is to the waistline (you can exercise though or just eat in moderation).  BUT WHO CARES! You'll really have to give in to temptation for each bite comes a burst of delicious flavour of these rich and savoury bites that you'll surely ask for more. They were freshly baked when we had them at Cafe Marco at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel thus making it more delicious for every bite and every piece that we lost count how many we had then. So the next time I find myself in Cebu, I'd certainly drop by Marco Polo Plaza to experience more "malice" in the form of these delectable malicious cookies . Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu  Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Apas, Cebu City 6000 Pho...

Everytime I find myself in Cebu City, I make it a point to drop by Marco Polo Plaza Cebu . And as always there's something new waiting for my palate. This time, I had gastronomic fun at the Asian Station concocting my own ramen. This bowl has noodles, cabbage, shallots, mushrooms, shrimps, century egg and laksa soup base. Now that's a ramen! Also new was the mango-citrus cooler with bits of "everything", if I heard right. It had the right mix  mango and orange (and other citrus) that gave refreshing drink complementing these "food-tasting" portions I got at during the lunch buffet Cafe Marco.  As it was one day before Valentine, Cafe Marco was garbed in the most romantic way - with an arch of fresh flowers  at the entrance greeting the diners.   And then the buffet captured my attention - as always. Here's the Salad and Appetizer station with lots of healthy options. One can choose from the  already prepared...  ... or you...

On my third trip to Cebu City this year, I was with friends and we mostly discovered the gastronomic delights of the Queen City of the South. From the famous lechon and other native dishes at  CNT Lechon  and the barbecue galore at Larsian (missing those grilled choriso) to the lure of Brian's Ribs  at Casa Verde and   the sophistication of the   wines and croissants at La Vie Parisienne  - it was a trip with food written all over it. And of course, any of my trips  to Cebu with be incomplete without visiting Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. Be it an afternoon enjoying their Pizza Burger at El Viento , a morning treat of their signature (Christmas) Ensaimada , indulging with my (and everybody's) favorite - Malicious Cookies  or simply eating my heart out at the buffet stations at Cafe Marco. A  regular buffet or a themed one like the Swiss Alpine Festival Buffet  - doesn't matter since its all delicious 'til the last bit and morsel. ...

Celebrating the Swiss National Day last August 1, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu commemorated this event with its annual Swiss Alpine Festival buffet dubbed as Swissness from A-Z . Now on its 8th year, this gastronomic gathering at Cafe Marco coincided with the hotel's  Culinary Journeys  - a 10-day showcase of different world cuisines every month. And Swiss it was from August 1-10. I started the month of August in Cebu to attend the inauguration of the Kool Adventure Camp of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. in Balamban town. After the event, it was another few days of cool adventure in and around Cebu. And as always, a gastronomic visit to Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is among the top of my list just like my Cebu visit last May .  Just as I entered the always welcoming grand lobby, there was another Swiss welcome that became selfiest portion of its lobby. As I made my way to Cafe Marco, I can't help but notice the place (lobby and restaurant) donned for the festival. I...