Kalami Cebu! - A Gastronomic Guide to Cebu

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, Best Food Blog in Cebu

I received an unexpected email from a Canadian who asked about restaurant recommendations in Cebu. The guy happened to own a restaurant in Vancouver. I realized that his visit would be an awesome opportunity for me to show him what Kalami Cebu means. So, I offered to be his food tour guide. It was not as easy as I thought but in the end, it turned out to be one tummy-filling experience for me and hopefully for them.

Met Patrick Tubajon. He is a Filipino-Canadian who was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. He traces his Philippine roots to Bohol and Leyte. We have a slight similarity in circumstances because my mom was born in Ormoc, Leyte and my Dad is from Jagna, Bohol. Patrick owns Gudrun restaurant in Vancouver. He literally built the restaurant with his own hands 8 years ago and he manages the restaurant with a handful of staff. One of them is Christopher Panadero who joined him in his 1-day visit to Cebu.

To make the trip more lively, I enlisted Nezte Virtudazo's help. Nezte is a Kalami Cebu regular and he happens to be in town for the Sinulog. He is now based in Siargao Island. Our challenge was how to bring them to as many amazing food spots in Cebu in the middle Sinulog week.

Here are the places where we took our Canadian visitors to:

Kalami Cebu Sinulog Food Tour

House of Lechon

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, House of Lechon

A Cebu food trip will never be complete without a visit to a lechon place. Lechon or roasted pig is synonymous to Cebu. Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain called the lechon he tasted while in Cebu as "the best pig ever!" and I guess, it would be funny if you do not let a guest eat lechon when they visit the city. Since my visitors were from out of town, I decided to bring them to a lechon restaurant. Nezte and I considered all the options and we decided to take our guests to the House of Lechon.

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, where to eat lechon cebu

Why House of Lechon? Well, the restaurant is still relatively new and they offer Carcar lechon. If we had time, I would have probably brought Patrick and Chris to Carcar Public Market. What makes the Carcar lechon different is the "sauce". The sauce is made of lechon drippings and it is usually poured on the lechon or rice. It is a salty and oily but appetite-inducing sauce. Another good thing about the House of Lechon is that they also offer spicy lechon. Spicy lechon has been really popular in recent years. The House of Lechon has a good selection of Filipino dishes that goes so well with the Lechon Cebu.

Here is what we had at our first stop:

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, Carcar Lehon, Lechon Cebu, House of Lechon

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, Spicy Lechon, House of Lechon

2 Kinds of Lechon

We ordered half a kilo each of the Carcar Lechon and the Spicy Lechon. Who would not want to eat lechon? Patrick and Chris liked the lechon and they liked the Carcar lechon more.

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, Crispy Chicken Skin

Crispy Chicken Skin

Kangkong

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, squid balls

Squid Balls

I was a bit full already when we finished at the House of Lechon. The meal there was a fantastic way to start a Cebu food tour. The House of Lechon is located at 415 Acacia Street, Cebu City. For inquiries you may contact them at 032-2310958.

Azul Tuslob Buwa

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, Azul Tuslob Buwa

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip,

When I learned that out visitors were a bit adventurous when it comes to food, we decided to go Azul Tuslob Buwa for our second stop. Tuslob Buwa is not for everyone but the adventurous types would really enjoy it there at Azul. Eating pork brains might not be fashionable for some but this is our vision of Yakiniku and other more famous cook-it-your-self dishes. In the past, I even labeled tuslob buwa as pork brains fondue. I always like bring out of towners to these kinds of places because it is something uniquely Cebuano. They can always boast to their friends back in Canada and say "I went to Cebu, I ate brains and actually I cooked it too".

At Azul, my newfound friends also had their first encounter with puso and I am pretty sure they liked it. Azul has a recipe on how to cook Tuslob Buwa to help first-time customers. Since my new found friends work in a restaurant I gave Patrick the honors of cooking the brains.

How to make a delicious Tuslob Buwa meal by Gudrun's Patrick:

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, Tuslob Buwa

Step 1: Heat the lard on the frying pan.

Step 2: Add the onions, shrimp paste, liver, and brains. Adjust the quantity to your liking.

Step 3: Season it some soy sauce.

Step 4: (optional) You may ask from some dried chilis for some added kick to your Tuslob Buwa.

Step 5: Taste what you are cooking and add seasoning if needed.

Step 6: Let the Tuslob Buwa simmer. When the stock is reduced, get some puso and dip it to the bubbling broth.

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Tour, Tuslob Buwa

Step 7: Eat and Enjoy!

A Tuslob Buwa set costs around 120 pesos. Azul is now offering an All You Can Eat Tuslob Buwa for only 100 pesos per person. Tuslob Buwa goes so well with beer. At Azul, you can also order popular pulutan (beer match) dishes like crispy pata, chicharon bulaklak and lumpia. Azul is located at Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City.

La Vie Parisienne

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, La Vie Parisienne, Cebu Food blog

Chris and Patrick asked us there is a wine shop nearby. We were in Lahug so the most logical place was La Vie Parisienne. It so happened that Patrick was fluent in French as he spent some years in France. We had some wine at the cellar of the wine shop. We were fortunate that nobody was staying at one of Cebu's most popular Instagram nooks. We finished a bottle of Prosecco before heading to our next stop.

Patrick said that he wanted to try lumpia. Since we were in Lahug, we drove to Salinas Drive and check the restaurants there. I wanted them to try Salinas by Golden Cowrie. Unfortunately, the restaurant was still closed when we went there. We ended up going to Mabolo area and I decided to make a stop at Abaseria.

Abaseria

Abaseria does not serve lumpia so we decided to have dessert instead. We ordered "Four Corners". Four Corners is a dessert made of banana turon with iba candy topped with vanilla ice cream and mangosteen jam. We also had some empanadas.

After eating at 4 amazing places, we drove Patrick and Chris to Banilad so that they can check in at Henry's Hotel. After dropping the visitors off, Nezte drove me back home. A few minutes into our drive, Patrick messaged me that Chris left his shades in Nezte's car. I told them that I will bring it tot here hotel after I pick up my wife from school.

Gorliz

I brought the Ray Ban to the hotel and the Canucks invited me and Steph for dinner. We went to Gorliz at Streetscapes Banilad. We enjoyed some tapas and wine before I drove them to Mango Avenue. We had of Marco Real along with some Fried anchovies and mushroom tart.

Patrick Tubajon, Christopher Panadero , Gudrun Restaurant, Kalami Cebu Food Trip, Nezte Virtudazo, Carlo Andrew Olano, Cebu Food Trip, Gorliz Tapas and Vino

The experience was fun and memorable. I never expected strangers from the other side of the world would email and ask me about Cebu. I consider it to be a big milestone for Kalami Cebu. I would like to thank Patrick and Chris of Gudrun and maybe, we could visit you guys sometime. I hope that our food trip was as memorable for you as for us. Even if we have not visited Canada, we already have a favorite restaurant in Vancouver. I really that we can do a Kalami Vancouver food tour in the future.

The Kalami Cebu team would definitely be open to similar opportunities in the future. We would always try to give any visitor that Kalami Cebu brand of hospitality. Should anyone wish to have a food trip/tour with us, just reach us via email at calolano911@gmail.com.

I recently received a gift from Globe Prepaid as part of our participation in the Cebu Blogging Community DigitalPro Blogging Bootcamp for Professional Bloggers. It was a Globe Tattoo MyFi device with a free SIM that has been preloaded with a GoSurf 999 data plan. It came at a perfect time as I just had my handy Xperia Z1 back from the repair shop. For the past couple of days, the Globe Tattoo MyFi has been a companion in my blogging activities and I really find it useful.

After a few days of using the Globe Tattoo MyFi here are the 3 best things about it:

3 Great Reasons to Use Globe Tattoo MyFi

1. Size

The device was given to me last weekend and I was really hesitant to use it. It's not that I don't need it but I just do not like bringing too many devices for my blogging events. I do not like looking after too many things because it disrupts my concentration. The good thing about my WiFi dongle is that it is small. It is just around 3 x 2 x .5 inch. It fits perfectly in my pocket and it does not give that noticeable bulge. My IPhone5 and the MyFi can easily fit in one pocket of my khakis.

The good thing about its size is that I can practically bring it anywhere. I can actually just put in my pocket and I become a walking WiFi router. People within 100 meters of me will enjoy a good connection as long as I give them my password. In fact, I was able to help travel blogger Gay Dumaguing win in an Instagram contest at SM Seaside City by sharing my connection. I am actually getting used to bringing my personal wireless modem every day for work, workout, food trips, and even road trips.

2. Shareability

The Globe GoSurf 999 Plan includes a 5 GB Data allocation. That is too much for me. At home, I do not turn on the MyFi because we have a broadband connection. My main smartphone is using a Globe Prepaid GS299 Spotify and I do not even consume all the 1.5 GB Monthly data allocation. It is a good thing that my Globe Tattoo MyFi device can connect up to 10 devices.

Just like what happened yesterday at SM where I give some WiFi to Gay, I was also able to share with Cebu's top tech blogger Ian Fuentes of Pinoy Metro Geek my connection when we covered a concept store opening. I am actually more than willing share some of my billions... of data to anyone who need it.

3. Battery Life

When I cover events, I usually bring two phones. While my IPhone 5 has an existing GS299 data plan, my recently resurrected Sony Xperia Z1 has no mobile data plan. I am basically bringing my Globe Tattoo MyFi device so that I can connect to Facebook, Instagram, and Gmail with my Sony phone. It is so cool because now, I do not need to switch Instagram accounts. Each of my Instagram accounts (Follow me @caloyolano and @kalamicebu) will be using their own dedicated phones.

Yesterday, I tested the devices battery life. I had an event at around 1:30 p.m. and another one at 3:30 p.m. I spent like 4-5 hours with the dongle on and I was able to get home around 6 p.m. with an active Globe Tattoo connection. Not bad! Plus, I have a car charger and the dongle can be charged using my Sony charger phone charger which makes it perfect for my planned road trips this summer.

Initial Thoughts on the Globe Tatto MyFi

All in all, I am quite happy with my Globe Tattoo MyFi device. It will be a constant companion to my food blogging and food trips. It is so small that I can slip it in any of my pockets. I can share my 5 GB connection to my friends so that they can also post a live "blow by blow" of our Kalami Cebu adventures. Lastly, it is reliable enough to last for a few good hours and it is rechargeable which comes handy in outdoor blogging events.

A lot of my upcoming social media posts about my food trips and events will definitely be made possible by my Globe Tattoo MyFi device powered by Globe Prepaid.

#MyGlobeExperience

The DigitalPro for Professional Bloggers Bootcamp is made possible by Global Hub Executive Suites (www.GlobalHub.ph) and Globe Prepaid (https://www.globe.com.ph/prepaid) in cooperation witheStratMedia and the Cebu Blogging Community.

The Social Cebu, Chef Robert Leonhardt, David Duckhorn, Food and Wine Pairing, Duckhorn Vineyard, California Wines, Best Restaurants in Cebu, Cebu Food Blog

A couple of nights ago, I joined a food and wine pairing event at The Social Cebu and I realized that this restaurant in a mall is actually an amazing place for wine and food here in Cebu. Ever since I worked in a wine a company a few years ago, my favorite alcoholic drink has become wine. In Cebu, I rarely drink wine because my friends would rather have some beer. It is quite refreshing to know that there are people who would exert an extra effort to introduce to Cebuanos the wonderful word of wines. For me, one of the best places for food and wine here in Cebu is definitely The Social.

Food and California Wine Pairing at The Social Cebu

Last Friday, several bloggers and some regulars of The Social Cebu were treated to an amazing 5-course dinner that featured fine California wines from Via Pacifica Selections and some magnificent culinary creations by The Social kitchen led by Chef Rob Leonhardt.

Reception Wine: Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier

We started our wine night with a glass of Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier which served as our reception wine. The blend was really easy to drink. I think I had at least 2 glasses of this refreshing wine from Napa Valley. It was really crisp and it had good acidity. It was mouthwatering, which made it a perfect wine to open up our palates.

After minutes of chitchat with David Duckhorn, the man behind Via Pacifica, and Chef Rob, we settled on our seats for our dinner. I was seated with Chef Rob's wife and some of their friends.

First Course: Beet and Goat Cheese Salad paired with 2012 Chamisal "Stainless" Chardonnay

For the opening salvo, Chef Rob prepared a fantastic salad dish that had beets, goat cheese, toasted pistachio, pomelo, aged balsamic vinegar, and basil. The salad looked terrific and it could really be perfect for Valentine's Day because of its color. I never enjoyed eating beets as much as that night. The pistachios brought out some amazing aroma and its hard texture balanced the softness and chunkiness of the beets. Acidity brought by the pomelo and balsamic vinegar was pleasant.

The unoaked Chardonnay from Edna Valley was minerally, fruity, and had a good acidity. The pairing was a good match as the fruitiness of the Chamisal "Stainless" Chardonnay gave the beets some character. As I said earlier, I never had beets this good.

Second Course: Smoked Lapu-Lapu paired with Oberon Sauvignon Blanc

The next dish was like a play of our local kinilaw and it had Smoked Lapu-Lapu, organic Japanese tomato Consomme, Calamansi, Seaweed Sorbet, and Nori Salt. The dish pleasantly reminded my tongue of the sea.

The 2012 Oberon Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley was half-dry with hints of citrus. It really elevated the flavors of the greens and my palate was bursting with an assortment of flavors with the pairing.

Third Course: Sticky Braised Short Ribs paired with 2012 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot

The braised USDA short ribs had corn puree, black truffle butter, blackened onions, parmesan, and potato galette. This dish was magical and I really told Chef Rob that they should put this on the regular menu. The meat has that melt in your mouth goodness and it was extremely delicious. My mind was saying "Kalami!" several times when I was eating this beef dish.

The Duckhorn family is actually like the royalty of merlot in the United States. The wine is David Duckhorn's family pride and it expectedly it did not embarrass our host. The wine was complex and it was quite bolder than a typical merlot. The tannin was polished. If this dinner were a play this pairing would be its climax. It was an experience that I want to feel more often. I really felt full but we were not done yet.

Fourth Course: Rack of Lamb paired with 2012 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon

We were given each a slice of a rack of lamb with Mayer lemon glazed asparagus, slow cooked lamb nori roll, and crispy clams. The plating was impressive and I love the play of flavors. Putting Clams with lamb was a unique version of Surf and Turf. The lamb nori roll was an interesting piece.

The cabernet sauvignon smelled so good. I really loved the aroma of the 2012 Rodney Strong. It was a wine that was really made for eating meat. It was an enjoyable combination that I was able to finish it all despite feeling full after the third course.

Fifth Course: Dark Chocolate Souffle with 2009 Seghesio Zinfandel

We capped our dinner with an interesting dessert paired with a California Zinfandel. Every spoonful of the souffle was enjoyable. I did not even put much of the salted caramel sauce because I was already happy with its sweetness. The pandan ice cream added a Filipino touch and a contrast of temperatures. Indeed, the wine was powerful which complements the intensity of the dessert. By then, I was really smiling because I had just one of the best meals in years.

The Social Cebu: Late at Night

We finished our meal but the fun did not stop as The Social metamorphosed from a fine dining place into a party joint. The Social Cebu turned into a different type of animal as we were singing songs as if we were in a karaoke bar. We had some beer, we drank some tequila shots, and we had excellent conversations. I do not think you can find a place as versatile as The Social here in Cebu. It is a restaurant/sports bar/pub/all-day breakfast/date place.

Exciting Times Ahead...

I had a fantastic time eating and drinking everything that was offered in that wine and food pairing. Chef Rob gave me their Valentine's menu and I think I have found the place where I want to go this Valentine's Day. I would certainly bring Steph at The Social today or sometime in the near future.

As for Via Pacifica, I think the wines that they offer will definitely be accepted in the market. As long as they collaborate with restaurants like The Social, they will gain some loyal following. Their wines might not be cheap but the wines that David will be bringing in are typically rated 90 and above in Wine Spectator. I look forward to them setting a shop here in Cebu!

The Social Cebu is located at the 4th Level of the New Wing of Ayala Center Cebu.

KPub BBQ Cebu, #kpubbbqcebu, eat-all-you-can restaurant in Cebu, Korean Barbecue, meat all you can, restaurant review

In the past couple of years, Korean Popular Music or K-Pop has conquered the world. K-Pop has just invaded the world of eating with the opening of KPub BBQ Cebu. KPub BBQ Cebu is a meat-all-you-can restaurant where diners enjoy a fantastic Korean barbecue at a place that is more of a K-Pop Superclub than a restaurant. If you love K-Pop Music, you will miss half of your life if you do not eat here.

What Makes KPub BBQ Cebu Different?

3 Super-Sized Music Video Screens

You cannot find any place in the Philippines, perhaps, that has three large L.E.D. screens playing simultaneously your favorite KPop Music videos while having lunch or dinner. If you are one big fan of 2Ne1, Psy, Super Junior, Red Velvet, EXO, or Ga In, KPub BBQ Cebu will probably become your favorite restaurant in Cebu. Even if you are not a fan of Korean music, you will likely still get mesmerized by those skinny and skillful artists from Korea. It is just a totally different experience. Can you imagine having an eat-all-you-can restaurant in a middle of a concert? That is the experience that KPub BBQ Cebu will give its diners.

Meat-All-You-Can served from the Kitchen

This Korean barbecue restaurant is not a buffet. Yes, it is an all-you-can-eat place but you do not get food on a buffet table. The food is served from the kitchen. Why is it better? This method of serving is more hygienic. It avoids contamination because the raw meat is not exposed to the elements, flies, or clumsy diners. The meat and all the appetizers are served by your friendly KPub Cebu staff.

The most affordable package includes seven signature meat dishes: beef sukiyaki, pork belly, Korean-style bacon or Samgyeopsal, sweet and spicy pork belly, sweet soy chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, and pork chop. It also includes several side dishes.

When you enter KPub BBQ, you will then be seated at a table with a smokeless grill. Once you decide what meat to get, the waiters or waitresses will then serve you a full complement of side dishes. Once they start serving the meat, the staff will assist you in grilling the yummy cuts of chicken, pork, or beef. They also serve seafood in the more expensive packages.

4 Different Meat-All-You-Can Packages to Choose From

KPub BBQ Cebu offers 4 different eat-all-you-can packages for customers: Eat and Run, Level Up, No Limits, and To the Max.

Eat and Run

Price: 499 +

Meat Inclusions: beef sukiyaki, pork belly, Korean-style bacon or Samgyeopsal, sweet and spicy pork belly, sweet soy chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, and pork chop.

Side Dishes: cabbage kimchi, mashed potato with egg, onions with chili, cucumber kimchi, tofu, kimchi, anchovies, kimchi fried rice or steamed rice, Korean Kimchi pancake, house salad, lettuce, and soup of the day.

Time Limit: 1-hour

Level Up

Price: 699+

Inclusions: Same as Eat and Run plus garlic butter shrimp, marinated fish fillet, japchae, fish tofu, calamari, lamb chorizo, and Korean-inspired pizzas.

Time Limit: 1 hour

No Limits

Price: 899+

Inclusions: Same as Level up with the addition of KPub So Galbi (marinated beef short rib), L-A Galbi (marinated cross-cut beef short rib), So Bulgogi (sweet soy beef), Dwaeji Bulgogi (sweet soy pork), dried seaweed roll with kimchi or bulgogi, bibimbap, and Korean ice cream.

Time Limit: None

To the Max

Price: 999+

Inclusions: Everything on No Limits package plus salmon belly, salmon steak, fresh prawns, crab sticks, tempura platter, seafood pizza, seafood kimbab, seafood japchae, fried dumplings, assorted vegetables, and fried spring rolls.

Kalami Cebu's Experience at KPub BBQ Cebu

I have eaten at KPub BBQ twice already. The first one was way back in December when the place was still on its soft opening. I ate with Kalaminion Angela Madura. We just both got the Eat and Run package. At first, I thought that the time limit would not be enough for me to be satisfied. I was wrong. The timer only starts when the meat is being served. The waiters will first serve the delicious appetizers before they will serve the meat. The package price does not include drinks. You can have bottomless iced tea at 50 pesos.

Among the appetizers, my favorites are the anchovies, kimchi, and Korean pancakes. I usually use the lettuce as a wrap for the grilled meat. The food servers were awesome. They were so attentive to our needs and they even grilled the food right in front of us. It was fun. I also liked the way they set-up their table. It looked Instagram-worthy. For the meat, we tried all 7 available. My top choices would be the beef, the bacon, and the sweet spicy chicken.

One hour was really enough to get stuffed with the delicious protein offerings and the nutritious side dishes. The music videos were great. The atmosphere was really festive. I would surely want to come back here some other time with my family.

My second visit in this new eat-all-you-can restaurant in Cebu was during its press launch just a few days ago that was organized by Bigseed PR & Events. On the launch, I was able to talk to the KPub management led by their president George N. Pua. I was able to ask them about their restaurant concept and future plans. I also got to try the other the dishes in the other packages and the Oppa Chicken offerings. I really had a grand time. I loved the seafood offerings and the premium beef selections like the KPub So Galbi.

I recommend this place to all K-Pop fanatics. The screens are really large and their sound system is excellent. It is like you are right in front of the stage on a Super Junior concert. If you are also into Yakiniku or Korean barbecue, this is a good place to try. This is similar to places like Pearl Meat Shop but with a Korean Dance Club vibe. Among the packages, I still think that on your first visit you just try the Eat and Run then move on to the more expensive packages if you think you can handle more.

KPub BBQ Cebu Meat-All-You-Can is located at Ayala Terraces, just beside Fully-Booked. The newest Korean Barbecue Eat-All-You-Can restaurant is just a few meters away from Starbuck's Ayala Terraces. To get updates on their latest promos and events, you can follow KPub BBQ Cebu in Facebook. For more inquiries and reservations you may reach them at (032)410-7590 or (032)410-3592.

P.S.: If you are celebrating your birthday, you should let the KPub BBQ Cebu staff do a K-Pop birthday song number for you.

It is almost summer and for me, summer means seafood. During summer, I always go to the beach and the best beach food for me is Sutukil. I do not have to wait for summer anymore to enjoy some delicious Sutukil because Isla Sugbu Seafood City is now offering a Sutukil package for 4 people for only 1,600 pesos. Fresh Sutukil cooked in a top notch kitchen is just a 15-minute drive from home.

What is Sutukil?

If you are not from Cebu or nearby islands, you might not understand what I am talking about. Sutukil is short for Sugba, Tuwa, and Kilaw. These are the 3 most popular ways to cook seafood in our part of the world.

SUgba

Grandcon, Isla Sugbu Seafood City, Sutukil, Seafood City, Winglip Chang, Jericho Rosales, Top Flood bloggers Philippines, Seafood Restaurant in Cebu

Sugba means to grill the fish, seafood, or meat. We usually use charcoal to grill meat or fish. My favorites for sugba would be mol-mol (Parrotfish), anduhaw (island mackerel), tulingan (bonito), kitong (Rabbitfish), katambak (Sea Bream), and tuna. When I was younger I rarely got to eat tuna because it was not readily available. Now, tuna belly and panga are available in most supermarkets. At Seafood City, I found some kitong, mol-mol, tuna, and katambak.

TUwa

In the Visayas, we rarely make sinigang. I think the first time I had sinigang was in Manila when I was 16. Our fish soup here is normally tinuwa, which is salty rather than sour. It uses simple ingredients. All you need is some fresh fish/shrimps/seashells, water, salt, tomatoes, and some other available greens. It is a clear broth that I typically sip from the bowl or pour on my rice.

KILaw

Kilaw or kinilaw is known as kilawin in Luzon and it is similar to Ceviche in other parts of the world. All you need is fresh fish like tangigue, bolinao, bangse, or tuna, vinegar, onions, kalamansi, sili, and sometimes coconut milk.

If you have a sugba, tuwa, and kilaw dish in one meal, we call it SUTUKIL.

The most popular SUTUKIL place in Cebu is located in Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City. It is around 20 kilometers away from the city and it could be an hour drive due to some heavy traffic in Mandaue City. There are many restaurants that offer SUTUKIL in Cebu, but nothing is as upscale as Isla Sugbu Seafood City.

SUTUKIL at ISLA Sugbu Seafood City

Isla Sugbu Seafood City has the reputation to be one of the most expensive seafood restaurants in the island of Cebu. Of all the restaurants at the New Grand Convention Center, this was the only restaurant that I have not been to. I love the All-You-Can-Eat buffet at the Grand Majestic. Tsay Cheng's classic Chinese dishes are also excellent. Isla Sugbu was just out of my league... 'til now.

I was impressed when I went inside Isla Sugbu and got overwhelmed with the fresh seafood section. The section can put to shame most, if not all supermarkets in Cebu. Supermarkets cannot rival the freshness of the seafood that they offer. They have live lobsters, prawns, Lapu-Lapu, crabs, and seashells.

It is a good thing that the restaurant management led by Winglip Chang has introduced their own brand of SuTuKil. Now, more people can eat and try the other specialties of the restaurant. Their Sutukil package is good for 4 people and it only costs 1,600 pesos. Each package has one sugba or grilled dish, 1 tinuwa dish, and 1 kinilaw dish. Aside from that, they include a FREE appetizer, dish of the day, and rice platter

Seafood City Sutukil Packages

Package A

Inclusions: Fish Sugba, Shrimp Tinuwa, Fish Kinilaw, appetizer, the dish of the day, and rice platter.

Package B

Inclusions: Squid Sugba, Shrimp Tinuwa, Fish Kinilaw, appetizer, the dish of the day, and rice platter.

Package C

Inclusions: Fish Sugba, Fish Tinuwa, Shrimp Kinilaw, appetizer, the dish of the day, and rice platter.

Package D

Inclusions: Squid Sugba, Fish Tinuwa, Shrimp Kinilaw, appetizer, the dish of the day, and rice platter.

Isla Sugbo Seafood City Grand Launching

The grand launching of the Sutukil packages was held last Friday (Feb. 12). Many of the guests had to fly in from Manila, including TV stars Jericho Rosales and Mylene Dizon. Jericho Rosales is the celebrity endorser of Seafood City's sister restaurant Kuya J. The two had a celebrity cook-off, which Mylene's team won.

The seafood restaurant also invited some of the famous lifestyle bloggers in the country, like Camille Co, Laureen Uy, David Guison, and Khryz Uy. Seafood City also invited food bloggers from Manila, W.Visayas, and Cebu to enjoy their Sutukil and other specialties.

Kalami Cebu's Experience at Isla Sugbu Seafood City Sutukil Launch

It was really my first time to eat at Seafood City. The launch was set at 5:30 PM and I was already there around 4:30. I was pretty much the earliest to register because I was really excited to finally eat at Cebu's premier seafood restaurant. The nicest thing about being the earliest is that I was able to take photos of the fresh seafood offerings without any competition. I got to talk to the staff and I took photos of them. It is actually fun to talk to the staff before everything gets so busy.

When the other bloggers started to arrive, I made sure to make friends with bloggers from other places. I spent around 30 minutes being a fanboy. I had photos with Winglip Chang and with lifestyle bloggers. Afterwards, it was back to food blogger mode as I settled in a table with fellow food bloggers. I was seated with Brennan Mercado of Baktin Corp., JP of Chubby pero Happy, Richard of Tales from the tummy, Sheila of Our Awesome Planet and Chichi of Happy Tummy Travels. I enjoyed talking with them and sharing notes about the different places to eat around the country, which brings me back to my sutukil experience at Seafood City.

3 Good things about Seafood City Sutukil

Ingredients

Ingredients really matter when it comes to sutukil since the preparation is pretty straightforward. My best sutukil experiences happened when I am on the beach with family and we made sugba, tuwa, and kilaw using the freshest catch available. Well, Seafood City gave me an experience similar to that. The fish that was iced were really fresh and the lapu-lapu, pompano, lobsters, and prawns were even swimming in their own fish tanks. You cannot go fresher than that. They have a great variety of seashells as well. Diners are definitely assured that the seafood that is served is one of the freshest that you can find in the whole island of Cebu. Another thing to note is that I never saw a fly when I went there. Not a single one.

Kitchen

The team behind the restaurant has been in the industry for decades and it is hard to beat experience when it comes to consistency of flavors. They have already established what is "lami" or delicious. The food coming out of their kitchen is always spot on. At Isla Sugbo Seafood City, you can actually see how your food is prepared. From the seafood section, you can see the kitchen and what the cooks are doing. I noticed that they have a very clean and organized kitchen.

Ambiance

Seafood City is definitely the classiest place for Sutukil in Cebu. The restaurant is located in the heart of the city. Parking is never a problem as The Grand Convention has ample parking space, especially now that they added a new parking building. The place is cool, clean, and it has amazing ambiance for families to enjoy seafood dishes. I am not surprised why many are willing to pay extra to dine here. It is really a notch above your typical seafood restaurant.

Kalami Cebu Verdict

When it comes to seafood, I will definitely recommend this restaurant. It is a bit expensive than your normal Cebu restaurant but it is worth it, as the quality here is way above average. To experience what I am writing about, you should try their 1600-peso Sutukil packages and taste the difference. Aside from Sutukil, Seafood City offers a dishes like crabs, lobsters, seashells, and even veggies. Check out Isla Sugbu Seafood City at the Grandcon, Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City. For inquiries and reservations, you may call 032-260-8000.

Globe Surf20 promo, Surf20, Kalami Cebu Adventures, MyGlobeExperience, DigitalPro

My #Summer2016 started pretty early this year. Last weekend, I joined my wife and her classmates to have a summer kick-off in Badian. I was pretty much prepared for everything except putting some load for an internet connection. Good thing, Globe Prepaid has a Surf20 promo that is really perfect for any Cebu escapade this month. Thanks to Globe, I was able to post pics on Instagram while I was in Carcar, Barili, and Badian.

We started our summer kickoff weekend with a lechon lunch in Carcar then we headed to Molave Milk Station in Barili for some Ice Cream. I was easily able to connect to Globe and post some awesome pics on Social Media. The Globe Prepaid Surf 20 promo gave me 400 MB of internet surfing for 24 hours. This is probably the most "sulit" internet promo in Cebu.

The Globe Prepaid Surf 20 promo is only available for Cebu customers. To register you just text SURF20 to 8888. After a few seconds, Globe will send you a confirmation. This promo is good for 400 MB and it will expire after 24 hours or when you reach your data cap. You will receive an SMS when your Surf20 expires.

While in Badian, I played with a surfboard and pretended to be a surfer. Thanks to Globe Prepaid Surf 20, my "surf" photos were all ready for upload on the Internet. I really find this promo useful when you go for a quick trip to the Southern part of Cebu. Globe has really good signal in Moalboal and nearby towns. The Surf20 promo is perfect for people who plan to have adventures in the area like going to Kawasan Falls, canyoneering in Alegria, scuba diving in Moalboal or snorkeling in Badian.

It was a great start for summer and I will be embarking on more adventures and food trips in the coming weeks. Since my schedule is a bit full, I decided to get a GS299 Spotify promo for 1.5 GB Internet for 30 days plus Free Facebook, Viber, online games, and Spotify after my Globe Prepaid Surf20 expired. Globe will definitely be instrumental in my #Summer2016 #KalamiCebuAdventures.

#MyGlobeExperience

This post is part of the DigitalPro for Professional Bloggers Bootcamp that is made possible by Global Hub Executive Suites (www.GlobalHub.ph) and Globe Prepaid (https://www.globe.com.ph/prepaid) in cooperation witheStratMedia and the Cebu Blogging Community.

Rico's Lechon, Lechon Cebu, Rico's Lechon Mactan Promenade, Lechon Restaurants in Cebu, Filipino Restaurants in Cebu

When it comes to Lechon, one of my personal favorites is the spicy lechon of Rico's Lechon. I also loved the fact that one of their many branches is just a 3-minute drive away from our house. Recently, this favorite lechon brand opened a new branch in Mactan Promenade. The new restaurant looks different and it is offering new tasty dishes that you rarely see in typical lechon places in Cebu.

Lechon is Cebu's pride and a lot of restaurants and stall would claim to be the best. Well, Rico's Lechon is staking its claim to the title of the best by launching a new branch and a slogan of the "Da Best Gyud!". Mactan Promenade is a new restaurant complex near the Mactan Cebu International Airport that features some of the best local restaurant brands. The Rico's Lechon at Mactan Promenade looks so upscale thanks to interior designer Sheila Solon.

The lechon restaurant also revamped its menu to offer new exciting dishes that promises to excite the palate of a wider array of customers. They now offer other meat dishes and different kinds of rice. they now serve items like Caldereta na Kambing, Pusit na Pinaputok, Pinakbet, Lechon Chili Rice, and Northern Cebu Rice Pilaf. Rico's Lechon also serves desserts like Budbud ug Tsokolate and Pandan Tapioca.

Kalami Cebu Verdict:

Rebranding is good but by offering more dishes, they are now challenging a broader but much more competitive Filipino food segment. Instead of being a specialty restaurant, Rico's Lechon in Mactan Promenade is now more of a Filipino Restaurant that serves lechon. The gamble might pay off but when I go to Rico's Lechon, I will still just get my usual serving of lechon, dugo-dugo, and good old plain rice. Check out their new branch in Mactan Promenade and tell me your thoughts about the new Rico's Lechon. Is it really #DaBestGyud?

Kate's Bakeshop, NY Bagels, Ayala Center Cebu, Kate's NY Bagels, Where to buy bagels in Cebu, Bagels

A few days ago, I was walking around Ayala Center Cebu and I found this interesting new food spot. Kate's Bakeshop is trying to start a bagel-mania here in Cebu. Kate's new stall specializes in New York Bagel. I love bagels for breakfast so I really got curious. My curiosity led me to buy a half-dozen of bagels that I happily took home.

This new bagel shop is actually a good alternative to the usual coffee shop. They also serve coffee and Kate's NY Bagels can be eaten on its own or you can have it as a sandwich. I really love bagels with cream cheese or butter. At Kate's, you have lots of options, they have Nutella, peanut butter, and even premium combinations that have smoked salmon, tuna, and even adobo.

I just had lunch that time so I was more interested in their bagels. The bagels come in an assortment of flavors. You can choose between several variants like rye, whole wheat, plain, cheese, garlic, multigrain, raisin, chocolate, and many more. Each bagel costs around 40 pesos on the average.

For people who want to try sandwiches, you can pick a bagel flavor then the crew at Kate's Bakeshop will make a bagel sandwich right in front of you. It can either be sweet (with Nutella for example) or the usual sandwich (with Ham and Cheese for example).

One cool thing of this bakeshop is that they have a special offer if you buy lots of bagels. Buy 6 and you will get one for FREE. If you buy 15 NY Bagels, you will be given 3 extra, free of charge.

The deal was kinda hard to resist so I decided to get 6+1 bagels. The 7 can be of different flavors and the cheapest one will be free. For seven bagels I paid Php 232.

I went home with the bagels and I had one for breakfast in the past 2 days. The NY Bagels from Kate's Bakeshop were awesome. For best results, you should toast it just before eating. If you want the bagels to last long, just put it in the freezer.

If you love bread and you got tired of eating those sinfully sweet doughnuts, I think bagels are great alternatives for breakfast, lunch, or during times you need to load up on carbs. If you want to try some of the best bagels in Cebu, head down to the 2nd level of Ayala Center Cebu and check out the new NY Bagel stall by Kate's Bakeshop.

Chik Chow Food Express, Chinese Lumpia, Lengua Estofado, Lechon Belly, Eat all you can buffet, All you can eat restaurant

I recently discovered another interesting Eat-All-You-Can Restaurant in Cebu. Chik Chow Food Express in General Maxilom Avenue is the only All-You-Can-Eat place that serves an authentic Chinese Lumpia. This place also boasts of delicious lengua estofado and roast pork. Chik Chow Food Express is a must-try for people who are looking for an affordable Eat-All-You-Can place in Cebu.

Chik Chow Food Express is a restaurant built in a house at Mango Avenue. It is near the USC North Campus area. It is just on the left, a few meters after you pass USC North from the CIC Junction in General Maxilom Avenue.

The Food at Chik Chow

An Eat-All-You-Can restaurant is only as good as their best dishes. Chik Chow does not boast of having the most number of dishes, but their specialties are really good. The restaurant offers some dishes that will surely give you a #happytummy. Here are some dishes at Chik Chow:

Two Kinds of Rice

At Chik Chow, there are 2 kinds of rice: the plain rice and Chik Chow fried rice. The restaurant's fried rice is very good with pancit, lechon belly, and other "dry" food. I mostly ate plain rice because the restaurant's specialties have sauces that are more appreciated with the good old plain rice.

Meat Specialties at Chik Chow

A lot of us love meat and for me, the meat dishes should be one of the highlights when you eat at a buffet restaurant. Chik Chow Food Express gives you a lot of yummy choices when it comes to meat. Here are some of the sumptuous meat dishes at this restaurant:

Lengua Estofado

According to the owner Ervin "Chik" Lim, his dad's Lengua Estofado has always been a favorite among friends and family. When they opened Chik Chow, they made sure that the Lengua Estofado should be served every day. I can say that they really have one of the best lenguas in town. I really like eating lengua or tongue because it is meaty and flavorful. Their version is really tender and the sauce is just perfect for the rice. If you love this Spanish ox tongue dish then Chik Chow Food Express will be synonymous to All-You-Can-Eat Lengua Estafado. At 288 for lunch, it is definitely a bargain since this dish does not come cheap in other restaurants.

Roast Pork

If the beef tongue is too exotic for you then your favorite dish here would be the roast pork. Just like the lengua, this is another Lim family favorite.

All Meat Dinuguan

The Dinuguan at Chik Chow does not use any innards. The blood stew features only use meat. It is spicy and sour which makes it another great dish with rice.

Skinless Longaniza

When I ate here, I had at least 2 longanizas. It really looked appetizing even for a buffet dinner.

Lechon Belly

One difference between their lunch and buffet dinner is the inclusion of their lechon belly. The lunch buffet is 288 while the dinner buffet is 388. According to the owners, they roast their own lechon belly.

Seafoods

Not everyone is into eating meat. Some people go to buffets for seafood. Chik Chow also has some offerings for seafood lovers.

Seashells

When I ate there they had some mussels or tahong. On some days, they would serve kinason or whatever seashell is available in the market.

Seaweeds

They had some delicious and crunchy lato when I dined at the restaurant. On other days, it could be another type of seaweed like guso.

Crispy Baby Anchovies

One of the best local appetizers is the crispy fried dilis which I usually enjoy with some onions, tomatoes, and vinegar. Chik Chow's version of this dish is pretty fun to eat.

Sweets

For desserts, they have banana-choco, fruit salad, watermelon, and pineapple.

Chinese Dishes at Chik Chow Food Express

Chik Chow wants to pride itself with its Chinese dishes as well. They have some dishes that will definitely delight our Chinoy friends.

Chicken Feet

They serve some tender and well-flavored chicken dish. If you love this chicken part, you can have this the whole night at this Eat-All-You-Can restaurant.

Pancit

Chik Chow also serves a delicious Chinese noodle dish, making this place a good restaurant to celebrate a birthday.

Chinese Lumpia

The owners are really proud of their authentic Chinese lumpia. It has 23 ingredients, including peanuts, garlic, and different kinds of greens. They really follow a family recipe that even the one who mans the lumpia station is part of the Lim family.

Here is a demo by Jesi Lim on how to make their special Chinese Lumpia.

Well, I am happy with their lumpia. I have been a big fan of Chinese lumpia since I was in High School. I can finish around 3 to 4 in one sitting. One of my favorite lumpia places then was in the basement of Robinson's Fuente. Well, Chik Chow's was pretty awesome. I was able to finish 2 and I think I could have finished more. It is actually one of the highlights of my buffet dinner.

Kalami Cebu Verdict

Aside from the lumpia, I feasted on the memorable lengua and the all-meat dinuguan. Their meatballs in white sauce (I failed to take a photo!) were awesome too. In a buffet, I usually just pick 3-4 dishes that I focus on. Chik Chow has specialties that you want to go back to again and again. I will definitely come back here sometime in the future, but most likely during lunchtime because I am so partial to the lengua and lumpia.

About Chik Chow Food Express

Chik Chow opened last month. It is an affordable eat-all-you-can buffet restaurant that offers some Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish favorites. It is owned and operated by the Lim family who transformed their house in Mango Avenue into a restaurant. The one managing the business is Ervin, but the kitchen is ruled by his dad Edgar. They had these recipes for years and they usually enjoy their father's specialties during celebrations like birthdays, Christmas, and New Year. Now, Cebuanos will get a chance to taste what the Lim's were enjoying in the past years.

Chik Chow also accepts short orders for their specialties. Each order is good for 20 people. They offer the following dishes for orders:

Lengua Estofado (Php 1,500)
Roast Pork (Php 1,400)
Chicken Feet (Php 700)
Meatballs in White Sauce (Php 1,200)
Panga (Php 1,300)
All-Meat Dinuguan (Php 1,200)

For inquiries and table reservations, you may call 032-255-9959, 0927-4671733, or 0923-4019402.

June Rhoses Fernandez, Scape Skydeck, Azon Residences, Jervi Monsanto-Sumayang, Kalami Cebu, Cebu Food Blog, Restaurants in Mactan, Romantic Restaurants in Cebu

If you are looking for the best restaurant to view the sunset in Cebu then my recommendation would definitely be the Scape Skydeck at the roof deck of Azon Condominium in Mactan, Cebu. When you plan to dine here, I suggest that you come as early as 5 pm so that you can witness the glorious summer sunset over some burgers and cold drinks.

I have always been curious about this restaurant and I was really planning to brave the Mandaue-Mactan traffic to check what it offers. I was planning to go here on a weekend when I received an invitation from their chef. I decided to go there along with my wife on February 25 because it was a holiday and I thought the Mandaue traffic will not be as bad.

The traffic was still bad. It was a good thing we left early and we managed to arrive just a few minutes past 5 pm. We were one of the first diners to arrive. The view at Scape Skydeck was just unbelievable. In the air-conditioned part, you can see the 2 bridges that connect Mactan from Cebu mainland. On that same side, you can see the sun slowly heading towards the mountains as its sets. On the opposite, you have a view of the airport and you can see airplanes fly out of the Mactan International Airport. Another angle will have the view of Mactan and the towns of Consolacion and Liloan.

After satisfying our eyes with the breathtaking sites, we settled on a table and checked out their menu. Chef June Rhoses Fernandez then introduced himself and said that he will be preparing some of the best dishes that the restaurant has to offer. Operations Manager Jervi Monsanto-Sumayang prepared their signature drinks. Chef June and Jervi spent years working in Cebu's most luxurious hotel resort. Chef June is a champion chef winning several local, national, and international competitions. My first encounter with him was way back in 2012 when he won the HRACCI Hamburger Throwdown. Jervi, meanwhile, is an award-winning bartender. He is the only guy in the Philippines who has a drink named after him in Shangri-la's menu. With these two preparing your food and drinks, you cannot help but get excited about your dinner.

The Superb Dishes and Drinks at Scape Skydeck

Refreshments

While waiting for our food, we ordered some drinks. I had a mocktail called Virgin Mojito while Steph had watermelon shake. It was fun drinking these while watching the Cebu sunset. Scape Skydeck has a Happy Hour promo from 5 pm to 7 pm where you get 1 extra drink for free for every order of your favorite drink. This kind of offer would make me want to come here every sunset.

Asian Pho Beef Soup - One of best soups ever (Php 285)

Vietnamese-inspired soup with beef, meatballs, beef tendons, fresh vegetables with a twist, in an aromatic exploding broth.

To start our meal we were served with a Vietnamese Pho-inspired soup. It was presented with a bowl filled with the dry ingredients and a soup kettle that was heated by candle. It was like Pho without the noodles.

The way it was presented was like you are in a hawker stall where the dry and wet ingredients are prepared separately. It has beef, mung bean sprouts, meatballs, garlic, and other interesting ingredients. To begin enjoying the soup, all you have to do is pour the broth on it.

All I can say is that this is the best soup that I have had in years. The aroma was pleasant and delicate. The flavors were spot on. The soup will simply transport you to Vietnam. My wife loved it so much. I could have gone home after drinking the soup and I would still end up saying I had an awesome meal in Scape Skydeck.

Crispy Pig Ears (Php 345)

Crispy Barbecue Pig Ears with Asian homemade chili sauce and sinamak

Crispy Pig Ears are pretty common in London according to Chef June and he took his inspiration from the Duck and Waffle restaurant. Locally we normally eat the ears for sisig or as barbecue in the neighborhood barbecue stall. Chef June wants to prepare it differently. My first encounter with fried pork ears was in Salinas Restaurant by Golden Cowrie. I loved it then and I still love it now. The ears were really crunchy and for sure, it will go so well with beer. The dish was mildly seasoned and it reminded me of "kinupusan". The crispy pig ears are best dipped in their vinegar, which Chef June fondly calls as Pinakurog.

The Scape Skydeck Hamburger (Php 485)

100% seasoned pure beef, smoked bacon, barbecue sauce, gherkins, tomatoes, onion confit, cheddar, and truffle brie cheese. Served with hand-cut fried and side slaw

Chef June is probably one of best burger "designers" in Cebu and he has brought his creativity at Scape Skydeck. This signature burger is stacked with a bunch of premium ingredients that would give a massive dose of #happytummy. It was pretty good and the ingredients worked out. It was flavorful, balanced, and filling.

Buffalo Wild Wings (Php 385)

Classic Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing

The wings were milder than expected, but it is one of the good nibblers in their line-up. Scape Skydeck also has nachos, Scape dynamite, nacho carnitas, and garlic parmesan fries on their menu.

Truffle and Mushroom Pizza (Php 405)

Truffle Oil, Shitake Mushrooms, Mozzarella Cheese

This is one of the highly recommend dishes of Chef June. The crust is thin and crunchy. This pizza has a really powerful aroma. It is quite filling, making it a perfect dish for groups.

Truffle Carbonara (Php 345)

Carbonara with scented black truffle served with crunchy homemade herb garlic pizza bread

If you love truffles, you have to go here. Their carbonara was packed with flavor. My wife enjoyed it a lot.

Smoked Baby Pork Ribs (Php 575)

Tender Pork Ribs with homemade barbecue sauce served with a choice of fries or buttered veggies

Their ribs were tender, succulent, and full of flavor. It is a good dish to share. This is another one of the highly recommended dishes by the chef.

Beef Salpicado (Php 405)

U.S. Tenderloin Tips, Roasted Garlic, Salpicao Sauce, Chili Pepper

I got to taste their Salpicado and it was excellent. This dish is so perfect with garlic rice. This is the type that I would surely enjoy any day. The beef was tender and the sauce would make anyone a rice eater.

Mustard Tubes

This is a combination of 4 drinks designed by Jervi. It has one non-alcoholic drink, while the 3 others have rising alcohol levels. For more explanations check out the video)

Mango Cheesecake (Php 285)

To cap our delicious meal we tasted their desserts. They have mango cheesecake, which was perfect to cleanse the palate after such an awesome dinner. It was a very balanced dessert. The acidity of mangoes goes so well with the mild sweetness of the cheesecake.

Creme Brulee Sample (Php 260)

The creme brulee sampler is good for 3. Each cup is cup is filled with a creamy creme brulee. The sweetness is not overpowering making it a perfect ending to a night with excellent food, stimulating conversation, and a spectacular view.

Kalami Cebu Verdict

The Scape Skydeck is definitely one of the best places for a date in Cebu. This is the right place to take a girl to watch the sunset and enjoy great food. It will definitely be a memorable date. It offers high-quality dishes that can rival any restaurant in Cebu. This place can boast of its food, as much as its ambiance and view.

I liked the soup so much that I can say it is one of the best soups that you can find in Cebu. The salpicado was also wonderful and I would probably order that when I go back. Their drinks promo is also perfect for the sunset viewing date.

Price-wise, the food is a bit expensive but if you count the ambiance, view, and service then it is all worth it. The price of drinks is a bargain for this place. No wonder why I see a lot of people coming here after work.

In the end, I can probably say that we found our favorite spot in Mactan. We would like to thank the Scape Skydeck team, led by Chef June and Boss Jervi for the awesome dinner.

Scape Skydeck is located at the Roof Deck of Azon Residences, ML Quezon National Highway, Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City. For reservations, you may call (032) 494 0898 or (032) 232 2192. For now, they are only open from 5 PM onwards.

Mystical Eastern Buffet, Mutton Curry, Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, Le Mon Restaurant, Aaron Que, best hotel buffets in Cebu

I was recently invited to Golden Prince Hotel to check out their special Mystical Eastern Buffet that will be served only this week. Since their Taste of Heaven Buffet is one of my favorite buffets in the city, I made sure that I was able to make it on their first day. I even brought along my video partner Emjae Argallon of emjaefotos.com and Chicken Pork Adobo network colleague Kiddie. The Mystical Eastern Buffet at Le Mon Restaurant at Golden Prince Hotel is definitely unique and highly recommended if you want to introduce your palate to Middle-Eastern, Meditteranean, South-East Asian, and Indian Cuisines.

Chef Halim Ahmad was the guest chef for the Mystical Eastern Buffet. According to Aaron Que, Golden Prince's VP for Corporate Communications, the special buffet is just a start as the hotel will take its patrons to a "World Culinary Journey" in the coming months. Next month, Le Mon Restaurant will feature some of the best dishes Down Under while bringing an experienced Australian Chef.

The Mystical Eastern Buffet featured dishes that were really full of flavor. As expected, it was spicier than the local cuisine, but somehow the chef was holding back with the heat which was just right for me.

My favorite for the brunch buffet would be the mutton curry. It is a cousin of our goat caldereta. It was tender, tasty, and diet-busting when paired with the fragrant basmati rice. I probably had at least 2 platefuls of that combination. For the food stations, they have one for mee and nasi goreng (fried noodles/ fried rice), roti john, and laksa. I did not get the laksa because I had their Soto Ayam (spicy chicken soup) for soup. It had a refreshing aroma. I loved the kick it gave that opened up my palate.

The buffet did not have a pork dish which was really expected. If you are looking for pork, you better check out other restaurants in the area. The Mystical Eastern Buffet had Tandoori Chicken, Chicken and Fish Tikka, and a host of delicious vegetarian dishes like Aloo Gobi and Raita.

All in all, the brunch buffet that I had was really filling. It reintroduced my tongue to a lot of unfamiliar tastes and aromas, which would take some time to get used to. This cuisine was a bit familiar to me because I enjoy eating at Indian or Persian restaurants. It was a bit overwhelming though to have these dishes in a buffet setting. I decided to stick to my early favorites like the mutton curry and mee goreng and not try to binge on everything. It worked and I really had a pretty awesome meal. To cleanse my palate I asked for their halo-halo, which really helped in balancing everything. I really recommend that you cap your meal with some sweet and cold halo-halo.

If you love spicy food and Indian/Meditteranean/Southeast Asian cuisine, the Mystical Eastern Buffet at Golden Prince Hotel is perfect for you. The buffet is available for brunch and dinner on March 14-20, 2016. The brunch buffet is at 388 and dinner buffet is at 588.

Golden Prince Hotel and Suites is located at Acacia Street corner Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City. To reserve seats, you may call +62-32-230-1500.

Cfood Basket, Toto Lu, Bryan Egasan, Tuna, Where to buy Tuna in Cebu, Panga ng Tuna, Tuna Belly, Sashimi, Noecil Fresh and Frozen Marine Product

It's Holy Week and this week is the peak season for fish. It is hard to find high-quality fish this week at a good price. If you like Tuna from Gensan, you would surely love to buy kilos of it at the newly opened Cfood Basket. Cfood Basket sells tuna and other marine products from Noecil Fresh and Frozen Marine Product of Manny Pacquiao's hometown General Santos City.

Cfood Basket sells popular Tuna products like Panga (jaw bone), Belly, Saku or Sashimi, Cubes, Steak, and buntot (Tail). Tuna is such a wonderful fish that you can eat it raw, grilled, fried, or in a soup. It is an awesome fish for SUTUKIL of Sugba, Tuwa, and Kilaw. Aside from the usual parts, Cfood Basket also sells processed tuna, tuna bagaybay (sperm sac), tuna bihod (egg-filled ovary), salmon, pompano, and other varieties of fish.

CFood Basket Pricelist

The price of their items is cheaper than the ones at the supermarkets. The store is also backed by a solid company from the Tuna Capital, General Santos City. I would definitely buy some tuna here in the coming weeks and cook it to my liking.

My favorite ways to prepare Tuna is by grilling or kilaw (ala ceviche). I always love eating the meat under the bones of a grilled panga ng tuna. Local restaurant Orange Karenderia specializes in Fried Buntot, as well as, Tuna Sisig. I also tried Adobong Bagaybay and it was awesome. Some people love eating bagaybay and bihod as they believe that that these organs are aphrodisiacs. Tuna is such a versatile fish and it is an excellent alternative to red meat.

What are your favorite Tuna recipes? Comment and Share it with us!!!

Cfood Basket is located at Archbishop Reyes corner Molave Street. You may call them at 0930-0602943.

Cebu Blogging Community, Hannah Dumaluan, Empty Nest Vacation House, Bohol Trip, Seas the Day Bohol

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited by fellow blogger Lyza Ares to join the "Seas the Day Bohol Tour". Lyza is the lovely blogger behind Coffee, Tea or Death. Just like me, she has lots of relatives in Bohol. Lyza invited 8 other bloggers to check the different places to stay, eat, and relax in the island of Bohol. The bloggers from the Cebu Blogging Community were hosted by Hannah Datoy-Dumaluan.

Miss Hannah is a Department of Tourism-certified tour guide and she manages Empty Nest Vacation House where we all stayed for FREE. Empty Nest is a vacation house perfect for families or groups who are looking for affordable accommodation in Tagbilaran, Bohol. The house is at 42 E. Inting Street, Mansasa, Tagbilaran City. It is just walking distance to the highway.

Our group took the last Oceanjet trip to Tagbilaran on the evening of February 28. After the short 2-hour trip, we met Hannah and she brought us to Abi's Seafood and Grill to have a buffet dinner. I go to Bohol yearly and it was my first time to eat at an affordable all-you-can-eat restaurant in Tagbilaran. I really enjoyed dinner that featured seafood, balbacua, and other local favorties. I am sure that my fellow bloggers had a grand time as well.

We then proceeded to Empty Nest Vacation House. The house had 3 rooms with aircon, 2 toilets, kitchen with refrigerator and microwave, dining and living area. Empty Nest is a furnished bungalow that will make you feel at home. It is situated in a safe and quiet neighborhood. According to Hannah, the overnight rate is 3,000 pesos for 4 people. She said that extra persons pay an additional 500 pesos each. The house can accommodate up to 10 people. Hannah is such a gracious host and I am sure that people will enjoy their stay at the house. Hannah also told us that if ever guests got hungry, they have a delivery service called Green Dash which will bring food from many different restaurants in Tagbilaran.

After a good night sleep, we had a busy February 29. We started off the leap day with a breakfast at Estrella Bakery. Estrella Bakery is an awesome place to enjoy morning coffee with an assortment of delicious bread and pastries. The owner trained abroad to be able to offer to Bol-anons some of the best baked creations like croissants, scones, and turnovers.

After breakfast, we went to a museum tour. Hannah guided us to the National Museum in Tagbilaran and to the old house of former President Carlos P. Garcia. It was a nostalgic trip for me as it has been years since I learn about the history of Bohol and the story behind the famous Bol-anons.

I was still a bit full when Hannah told us that we are going to have lunch at Sun Cafe. I had a serving of ribs whic made me really full. While we were having lunch, Hannah got an invite for us to check out the Loay River Cruise which also comes with a buffet lunch. We proceeded to the town of Loay and joined the river cruise via the Rio Verde Floating Restaurant. We had good food, awesome music and we are able to mingle with a tribe.

After the river cruise, we headed to Panglao and check out Dumaluan Beach Resort. At Dumaluan, wpaddlers e checked out their new rooms and we had an afternoon of kayaking courtesy of the Bohol Paddlers Association . Dumaluan Beach is one of the top value-for-money white sand beach resort in the country.

For dinner, Hannah took us to Gustus in Tagbilaran. At Gustus, we were treated to a feast fit for a king. Since I just had a wicked kayaking workout, I really appreciate their delicious protein offerings.

After dinner, we went back to the house. I slept around 2 A.M. because I played card games with the other bloggers. I woke up around 6 AM because we had to leave early.

Our last stop before going home to Cebu was Jojie's Painitang Bol-anon. I had an awesome breakfast. I love the Cusahos and different delicacies that I enjoyed eating when I was kid like Linusak, Dinumogan, and Cassave Cake. If I go back to Tagbilaran, I would definitely drop by Jojie's.

Before we left for Cebu, we were given a pasalubong pack courtesy of Tienda Boholana. Tienda Boholana is famous for its peanut polvoron, peanut crunch and baked polvoron. Their products can be bought at Angel's Basket and Aproniana Souvenir Shop. You may also order from them directly by calling 038-422-0040.

I also would like to give props to JMJ Transport Service for taking care of our transport needs while in Bohol. You may call them at +63 38 412 5271.

All in all, it was an awesome trip and I would like to thank Lyza and Hannah for making it happen. The trip was really perfect for Kalami Cebu because I discovered so many "lami" things to do in my Dad's home island. In the coming days, this blog will be filled with posts relating to this awesome Bohol trip. I would be using the hashtag #KCgoestoBohol on these posts.

If you want to have a similar tour like ours, you may contact Hannah Dumaluan at 0918-3132009.

Abi's Seafood and Grill, Buffet Restaurants in Bohol, Eat All You Can Restaurants in Bohol, oysters, binangkal, lato, balbacua, beef menudo

I have been to Tagbilaran several times in my life but I never really explored the food options in the only city in the island of Bohol. A couple of weeks ago, I went to Tagbilaran with some of my friends from the Cebu Blogging Community. We tried this new All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant place called Abi’s Seafood and Grill. I have eaten in a lot of buffets and this Tagbilaran restaurant ranks well among buffets under 300 pesos.

Eat All You Can at Abi's Seafood and Grill

I am a fan of Eat All you can or All-You-Can-Eat restaurants. My usual strategy in eating at these places is to just pick a few dishes to binge on. There is no use of tasting everything because most likely you will end up overwhelmed. The nice thing with Abi's Seafood and Grill is that their selection is not too big. For 250 pesos, you can feast on Balbacua, Beef Menudo, Pork Adobo, Chopsuey, Buttered Chicken, Sinugbang Isda, Talaba, Kinilaw, Lato, fruits and desserts. The selection might be limited, but it did not stop me from having a delightfully filling dinner.

My 5 favorites at Abi's Buffet

We arrived late. I think we had dinner past 8:30 PM. I was really hungry and I was looking forward to this dinner. I thought Abi's Seafood and Grill was just a typical seafood restaurant. I was actually surprised that it was a buffet restaurant. The first thing I did was to check out the buffet table. I thought that they will not refill the dishes anymore since it was late but they did which was so nice of them. Some of the easy picks were the dishes that I have not eaten for quite a while like Balbacua, Lato, Binangkal, and Talaba. Here are my top dishes at Abi's Seafood and Grill buffet:

Balbacua

The fat was as soft as butter and the soup was mild. If not for its fat content I would have eaten 5 servings of this in one sitting. They really know how to cook their balbacua. With a sili or two, their balbacua would be the perfect pulutan. This dish is rarely found in buffets since this takes a long time to cook. I was fortunate that I was able to enjoy their specialty on a late dinner.

Lato

This unassuming seaweed is an awesome appetizer. The lato at Abi's was fresh and crunchy. It goes so well with some vinegar and kalamansi. I usually take this seaweed for granted since I grew up in the coastal town of Jagna where seafood is a daily thing. When I moved to Cebu, I missed eating the fresh seafood that was easily available in Bohol. I am glad that I somehow got "reunited" with lato because to be honest, it has been a while since I ate kinilaw na lato.

Talaba or Oysters

In Cebu, I usually go to Tong's when I crave for oysters. Diamond Tong's now has a Boholana cousin, as Abi's Seafood and Grill offers unlimited oysters on their buffet. If you love grilled fresh oysters then you can have your fill at Abi's. People with a mammoth appetite for this seafood would really find the 250-peso price of this buffet a big bargain. All-You-Can-Eat oysters at 250 pesos ($5.30), you now know where to go if you crave for this "aphrodisiac" in Bohol.

Beef Menudo

I love beef. It is probably my favorite among red meats because back when I was a kid, I could only eat beef during tabo (which was Saturdays in Jagna). Beef for me was a luxury. Well, the Beef Menudo was excellent. Menudo is the type of dish that you usually find in fiestas because it makes people eat lots of rice. The sauce is good enough to be a viand for some. As they say in Tagalog, "Sarsa pa lang, ulam na!". I had at least 2 servings of menudo that night.

Binangkal

When I was a kid, I always like eating this fried brown bread that has a sesame seed coating. It was kind of surprising to see binangkal among the buffet offerings. I grabbed a couple and ate it like a kid on a lazy summer afternoon.

For the price, Kalami Cebu would give Abi's Seafood and Grill a strong recommendation. The buffet may not have the usual stars like lechon, crispy pata, and shrimps, but it gave me a pleasant gastronomic trip down to memory lane. The dishes I feasted on were really worth it and I would want to come back to this place. I am giving Abi's Seafood and Grill the first ever Kalami Cebu seal of approval!

Abi's Seafood and Grill is located at CPG North Avenue, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The restaurant is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Abi's also operates a grilling station at Dumaluan Beach Resort. For inquiries and reservations, you may text or call 0922-844-2799.

I would like to offer my special thanks to tour guide extraordinaire Hannah Dumaluan and blogger Lyza Ares for making this dinner possible. The buffet dinner at Abi's Seafood and Grill was the first stop of the Seas the Day Bohol Tour.

Dimsum Break, Xie Ping, Halo-Halo, Chinese Shaved Ice dessert, Kalami Cebu seal of approval

It has been a scorching summer so far. On most days, I just want to eat something cold. I was perfectly happy with the halo-halo at Chowking and the Snow Ice Halo-Halo of Majestic, until I discovered Dimsum Break's Xie Ping. The popular Cebuano Dimsum joint is marketing this new dessert as Chinese shaved ice dessert. For me, it is really just halo-halo with ube-flavored ice (well, some halo-halo places put ube on the classic Filipino dessert anyway). I actually liked it a lot and for that I am giving this dessert the Kalami Cebu seal of approval.

3 Good Reasons Why Dimsum Break's Xie Ping gets a Kalami Cebu badge

Coolness Factor

Summer 2016 is so hot and Dimsum Break made the right decision of launching an ice cold offering. Dimsum Break is my go-to place when it comes to steamed rice, spring rolls, hakaw, siomai, and other dimsum offerings. With the addition of Xie Ping, the restaurant became a perfect spot for summer snacks.

Price

Guess how much their version of the Pinoy Halo-Halo is? It's only 85 pesos and the serving is good enough to share. You can take a girl to a Dimsum Break and share a Xie Ping. Mag-Xie-Ping sa Dimsum Break (It does not sound right though). The dessert is perfectly priced. Some trendy Korean joints offer these kinds of dessert at 4 times the price. With the money you save, you can order steamed rice value meals. It's not only for dates but this dessert is perfect for the family and barkada.

Enjoyment Factor

You might think that since this is cheap then the quality might be bad. You are wrong if that's what you thought. The ice has that creamy goodness like the snow ice halo-halo at Majestic. If you love, Ube Ice Cream you will go crazy with Xie Ping. Dimsum Break did not scrimp on toppings. The new cold dessert has leche flan, kaong, sweetened beans, and even jackfruit. You will really enjoy this one.

I can say this dessert is a must-try. The only downside is that they do not offer other flavors. I know a lot of people who do no like ube and they would not enjoy the Xie Ping. If you are looking for a good dessert to quell the heat summer, you better head down to the Dimsum Break outlets nationwide and try the Xie Ping, Chinese shaved dessert.

P.S.

Knock Knock!

Who's there?

Xie Ping

Xie Ping Who?

Sa Mayo 9, wag kalimutan XIE PING Lacson sa balota.

Lol!!!

A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante, SM City Cebu, Ellen Go, Mary Anne Benedicto, Katherine Neave, Timoteo Ignacio, Pizza Places in Cebu

If you love pizza, pasta, and other American-Italian favorites you should check out the recently opened A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante at the lower ground floor of SM City Cebu. The newly opened restaurant specializes in New York-style pizza, pasta, salad, calzone, and sandwiches. The SM City Cebu branch is A Veneto's 7th branch in the country and the first one in Cebu.

3 Ladies Behind A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante Cebu

A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante would not have arrived in Cebu if not for three gorgeous ladies. Ellen Go, Mary Anne Benedicto, and Katherine Neave teamed up to manage this new pizza and pasta franchise. A Veneto is owned by the Ignacio family who used to have a pizzeria in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. For now, the restaurant has 6 other branches all in Metro Manila.

I am a "rice" guy when it comes to breakfast. I have been that since I was a kid. Given a choice between a Tapsilog and a McMuffin, I would choose the Tapsilog 99% of the time (save for the McDonald's National Breakfast Day). In my recent trip to Bohol, I had breakfast at Estrella Bakery and it made me realize that delicious bread and pastries can replace any rice meal on some days.

Ella Mae Labunog, Estrella Bakery, #KCgoestoBohol, Kalami Bohol, Hannah Dumaluan, Scones, Best Bakeries in Bohol, Pastry Shop in Tagbilaran, Illy coffee, Cebu Blogging Community, Seas the Day Bohol Tour

Estrella Bakery is a bakeshop/cafe located at the Aldea Business Center (Near the Saint Joseph the Worker Cathedral) in Tagbilaran City. The place serves some of the finest bread and pastries in the whole island of Bohol. If you love coffee, this cafe is the only establishment that serves Illy Coffee in the island.

Price-wise they might be more expensive than the usual coffee place in Bohol but compared to Cebu bakeshops, Estrella Bakery is quite a steal. I tried some of their specialties and for an hour, I forgot about rice. I am really impressed. Owner Ella Mae Labunog intimated to us that she trained abroad to learn advanced techniques. Her family has been in the baking business for years and Ella will continue the family tradition in the years to come.

The bakeshop is clean and the interior is impressive. In that short trip to Tagbilaran, Estrella Bakery came out as one of the most Instagram-ready places in Bohol. The food is #foodporn-worthy while there are several nooks there where a girl or a couple can take their #OOTD pic.

The Best of Estrella Bakery

Here are some of my instant favorites:

Scones - My mom and my two siblings live in Australia and when I visit them I usually have these in the afternoon. In Cebu, I tried the scones at The Chocolate Chamber with some hot chocolate. The version at Estrella Bakery was pretty awesome because it came with different fillings. The one with strawberry jam was heavenly.

Croissants - This french pastry goes so well with coffee. At Estrella, you can have it plain or as a sandwich. You can have a chicken or tuna"croissandwich".

Crepe- If you are a sweet tooth, you definitely enjoy brunch with some crepe topped with vanilla ice cream. I really enjoyed eating this but for now, they are taking this off the menu. I was fortunate to be one of the last costumers to enjoy such sweet treat.

Pain Au Chocolat - For afternoon snacks, a typical Boholano or even Cebuano would probably buy some Spanish Bread or Pan de Coco. This is the upscale version of bread with sweet filling. This French pastry creation at Estrella Bakery has the texture of Croissants and it has a delicious chocolate filling. Kids would definitely like this.

Blueberry Muffins - This baked goodie smelled so good and it is a delight for fans of blueberry. It is another great companion for that hot Illy coffee.

In the end, I would surely want to go back here should I have time to roam around Tagbilaran. There might be more bakeshops and cafes that have opened in Bohol in the recent years but Estrella made a good impression on this humble blogger food blogger from Cebu.

Check out Estrella Bakery at Aldea Business Center at corner J.S. Torralba and CPG Avenue. You may call them at 038-4161344. They are open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Daily. You may also like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/estrellabakerycafe/

Estrella Bakery earns a Kalami Cebu seal of approval for its fantastic pastry creations.

Our breakfast at Estrella Bakery was another stop in our Seas the Day Bohol Tour organized by Miss Hannah Dumaluan. You may call her at 0918-313-2009 for a guided tour in Bohol. Special thanks as well to her cousin Lyza Ares who is also a member of the Cebu Blogging Community.

I recently partnered with +Emjae Argallon of Emjae Fotos to produce video content for this blog. One of our first collaborations was during Foodpanda Orange Awards held at Mandarin Plaza Hotel. Foodpanda is the country's No.1 food delivery app and recently, they feted their 50 best restaurant partners. Nineteen of the fifty top restaurants came from Cebu. Check out our video:

Top 50 Restaurant Partners of Foodpanda in the Philippines

Frankie's

Andok's

Pho Hoa

Dimsum Break

Juju Eats

Greenwich

Casa Verde

Pepper Lunch

Yoshinoya

Yakski Barbecue

Bonchon

Omakase

Orange Brutus

Hala Paella!

Wee Nam Kee

Papa John's

Amici

Cafe Mediterranean

New Bombay

Mister Kebab

Red Kimono

CYMA

Jafar's Shawarma

Paris Delice

Handuraw Pizza

Chowking

El Presidente ofBinondo

Ila Puti

Mooon Cafe

Fat Cow Burgers

Hummus Elijah
Draft Gastropub
Bad Boys Wingz
Brique
Mr. Choi Kitchen
The Burger Joint
Charlie's Grind
CIBO
Wingman
Big Mao
Tapa King
Balamban Liempo
La Bella Pizza
KKK
Caiburger
Alejandro's
My Greek Taverna
Hongkong Noodles
Wasabi Warriors
Icebergs

Please Subscribe to the Kalami Cebu Youtube Channel to see our latest videos.

Zomato Review, Harbour City Ayala Center Cebu, Dim sum, steamed rice, siomai, hakaw, spring rolls, Kalami Cebu Seal of Approval

Call me old-fashioned but when it comes to food that I crave for when I live away from Cebu, Dim Sum from Harbour City is on my personal Top Ten list. I just consider steamed rice with some spring rolls and siomai as the best lunch option on some days. This love goes back to over 25 years ago when I discovered this type of food in the old Ding Qua Qua near STC in Mango Avenue. Even up to now, I always associate this type of food to good times with family and friends.

Fast forward to #Summer2016. A couple of days ago, I went to work out at Gold's Gym after taking another one of those "bears in winter" hiatus from the gym. So, I did some weights and some cardio exercises which made me really hungry. After taking a shower, I was one hungry bear looking for food. Along the way home, I passed by my old favorite dim sum place. It surely looks better than their old location and the temptation was too much. I went in and had lunch like a hungry bear coming out from his cave.

The interiors might be more upscale and modern than their old location but thankfully, they serve the same food that I grew up loving. When I go to this place and its siblings like Dimsum Break and Ding Qua Qua, I usually know what to eat way before I sit down.

My Favorites at Harbour City Dimsum

Steamed Rice

When you are in a dim sum place in Cebu, you must get some steamed rice. Steamed rice is not short for steaming white plain rice which is what I usually get when I order steamed rice in Manila restaurants and it always get me disappointed (hehhehe).

Steamed Rice is fried rice topped with a Chinese-flavored meat sauce that has pork/beef plus shrimps and some veggies like peas. It is actually a meal on its own but it is the perfect partner to all those dim sum favorites. If you like some heat, then you can order the spicy variant.

Spring Rolls

This is my wife's favorite. She loves everything that resembles the lumpia and the spring rolls at Harbour City is one of its finest forms. It's crispy and it surely gives a contrast in my mouth when paired with the steamed rice.

Siomai

Who would not like steamed meat dumplings? At Harbour City, they have several kinds of siomai like plain, mushroom, and quail egg (pictured above). Aside from siomai, the Chinese restaurant offers many kinds of steamed and fried dim sum specialties.

Hakaw

I normally order hakaw or steamed shrimp dumpling aside from siomai. You typically have to wait for 15 minutes before you can enjoy the hakaw but it is definitely worth the wait.

If I am really hungry, I can finish all these in one meal just like what happened a couple of days ago. Call me a traditionalist or old-fashioned but eating Harbour City can easily trump any of the fast food options that are available in the mall. A meal at this dim sum place will always be scored between 4 to 5 stars by me. I was definitely a happy bear in my latest visit at Harbour City.

This place deserves the Kalami Cebu seal of approval!

Do you also love dim sum? Please let me know by leaving a comment.

Vikings Buffet, Kalami Cebu, Cebu Food Blog, Grand Opening, All-You-Can-Eat Buffet, Eat All you can cebu, Best buffet restaurants in Cebu, Carvings

When I watch movies, I always feel some jealousy looking at medieval kings and warriors feasting after a victory. I sort off salivate when I see Vikings eating a whole leg of lamb using one hand. I fantasize doing just that while eating some drumsticks. Well, my fantasy turned into reality when I went to the opening of Vikings SM City Cebu.

The invite was on a short notice but I instantly prepared myself to go to "war". I was not able to sleep much the night before. It was not only because of Vikings. I was monitoring the battle between Leni Robredo and Bongbong Marcos for VP. I slept at around 4 am and I woke up around 6:30 am to drive my wife to the hospital for her internship. I slept a bit in the morning, but I was awake most of the day because I kept on checking who won the local and national elections.

The nice thing about being sleep-deprived is that you get so hungry. I did not eat much at lunch because I wanted to preserve my hunger. The call time for the Grand Opening of Viking SM City Cebu was at 5:30 pm but I arrived early wearing a #DU30-inspired outfit. Eating at Vikings was my own way of celebrating the victory of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who is going to be the King, I mean, President of the Philippines.

I was one of the first people who went inside. I was able to take a lot of food photos. There were so many good things that I wanted to try but I know I cannot taste all 300 dishes. So, I started devising a strategy. I took a mental note of the things that I want to taste first and made an imaginary list.

My Favorite Targets at Vikings SM City Cebu

Vikings Restaurant has one of the most comprehensive buffets in the country. They are unbeatable when it comes to quantity and quality of dishes among stand alone buffet restaurants. I strongly suggest that before picking up your first plate, you must browse the stations and see what they offer. I do not want you to be stuck at one station and miss the other dishes. Here are some of my favorites at this newest All-You-Can-Eat restaurant in Cebu.

Carving Station

Their carving station is filled with all meaty goodness that you rarely see in any restaurant in Cebu including the 5-Star Hotel buffets. On opening night, they had some leg of lamb, U.S. Beef Ribs, Turkey, and Beef Entrecote. If you are on a restrictive diet, you better stay away from this station because it is just too tempting. If you want to salivate, then check out these pictures:

Vikings Buffet, Kalami Cebu, Cebu Food Blog, Grand Opening, All-You-Can-Eat Buffet, Eat All you can cebu, Best buffet restaurants in Cebu, Carvings, Vikings SM City Cebu

Vikings Buffet, Kalami Cebu, Cebu Food Blog, Grand Opening, All-You-Can-Eat Buffet, Eat All you can cebu, Best buffet restaurants in Cebu, Carvings, Leg of Lamb

Japanese Station

When I go to a buffet restaurant, one of my favorite appetizers would be Japanese dishes like sushi and sashimi. Vikings Luxury Buffet has it too. Aside from the raw specialties, they also have a tempura-inspired fried station where you can different items fried a batter.

Thai Station

If you are into Southeast Asian Cuisine, then you will be impressed with their Thai station. They have curries, rendang, fried rice and many other savory dishes.

Filipino Station

Balikbayans will also enjoy having a meal at Vikings SM City Cebu because their buffet also features some of the Filipino classics like Pinakbet and Beef Mechado.

Grill Station

This station at Vikings SM City Cebu had Tanigue, salmon, tuna, kebabs, shrimps, scallops, crabs, and mussels. This is the perfect station for people who love seafood and for those who are avoiding fried food.

Italian Station

Pasta and Pizza lovers will also rejoice at Vikings. They have a station that keeps on making fresh pizza and calzone. They also have a dedicated cook who will make a personalized pasta dish of your choice.

Lechon

Vikings SM City Cebu features our very own Lechon de Cebu. Their Lechon comes from the famous Rico's Lechon. I know a lot of people who loves this Lechon brand. Myself included.

Appetizers

The salads and appetizers station has around 20 unique dishes that can be perfect meal starters. Just do not eat too much because there are so much more to eat in the other stations especially the carving station.

Western Cuisine

Beside the famous Carving station at Vikings Luxury Buffet is an area filled with Western-inspired dishes. On the night I was there, they had slow cooked Ox tongue, Chicken Ballotine, Seafood Cioppino, and Baked Porkchops and Roast Chicken. If these dishes were on a "regular" buffet here in Cebu I would have tried these first but I never got a chance to taste even one because of the sheer number of choices here. I would surely take a closer look at this station on my next visit.

Greek Cuisine

Eating at Vikings is similar to having a trip around world. A dinner could take you to different places in the country and the other side of the world. Their Greek offerings included Moussaka (baked eggplant), Garides Saganiki (Shrimp with Tomato and Feta Cheese), and Vegetable Rice Pilaf.

Korean

Our Korean friends will also feel at home here with dishes like Bulgogi, Japchae, and Galbi.

Dessert

The Sweet Tooth will always enjoy buffets because every All-You-Can-Eat place in Cebu offers amazing sweet items to cap a fine meal. Vikings Buffet is no different. They have countless of desserts that can give anyone a sugar high.

Other Stations:

Aside from these stations, Vikings has a Chinese station that features noodles and dim sum. They also have countless of options for soup including shabu-shabu. They also have a crepe station in addition to their desserts. Vikings Restaurant has countless of drinks that include beer, sake, watermelon shake, milk tea, coffee, tea, juices, and even fruit-infused water.

Sunday Specials:

On Sundays, the corporate head chef told me that the chefs will serve a "Sunday special". Depending on the mood of the chefs, they will create a special plated dish for customers.

Promos:

Now is the best time to try out the buffet because of their Opening Promos. On the first 3 days, they offered a 50% discount to all diners who wore Viking costumes. If you want to get a 25% discount from May 13 to May 26, you better like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vikingssmcitycebu/

If you plan to eat on May 27 to June 9, you better follow them on Instagram. There is also a 10+1 promo for a group that is more than 20 people. There are also discounts for birthday and wedding anniversary celebrants. OFWs also get to dine for FREE as long as they have 3 paying guests with them. Check out: www.Vikings.Ph for more details.

Kalami Cebu Verdict

Definitely, this place gets the Kalami Cebu Seal of Approval. At a price below 1000 pesos, the Vikings Buffet can rival any All-You-Can-Eat Buffets in Cebu. They are an alternative to the buffets of 5-Star hotels. Their carving station is really impressive and their location is just the best in terms of parking and accessibility.

When I ate at Vikings, I feasted on the meat carvings. I really felt like royalty. My fantasy of eating like a Viking was indeed fulfilled. I may not have eaten the whole Leg of Lamb but nevertheless, I went home with a full tummy. I will definitely be back with some "reinforcements".

If you are looking for a place to celebrate your major victories in life. I strongly recommend Vikings at SM City Cebu.

"Odin Owns You All!"

Kalami Cebu Sinulog Food Tour

House of Lechon

Azul Tuslob Buwa

La Vie Parisienne

Abaseria

Gorliz

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