Chika-an Restaurant: CEBU, Philippines

One of the most popular eatery around Cebu surprisingly still serve the best native cuisine around, and unlike many of its peers have in fact avoided the predictability and disappointment of commercialization. Chikaan still boasts a variety of dishes that will surely appease any raging appettite while maintaining a family atmosphere, a true Filipino ambiance, and a moderate price point.

Directly below are some of the delicious menu items served at Chikaan. The spinach salad tossed in coconut milk with tomatoes and onions is unlike any salad I have ever tasted. The salad was a great prelude to the next dishes we ordered. We also had the seafood/clam soup, the stuffed soft-shell crabs, and fried calamari rings. I love that there are no added substitutes to the stuffing in the crab, it was all REAL crab meat- as it should be for every stuffed crab shell!!

The abundance of eateries and restaurant in Cebu is mind-boggling, and though most of them are delicious, it is still so hard to decide which one to eat in, and if that's the only problem one has during vacation, then it is a great life indeed.

Celebrating Life: In Memorium

During the prayer service for Antonio Garces, may he rest in peace.

Tides Restaurant: at Shangri La Resort and Spa

Salmon sliders w/ spinach salad

Krispy Pata
 

 

 

No matter how many times you come to Shangri La Resort and Spa in Mactan Island, Cebu, you still leave wanting to come back again and again. There hasn't been another resort that can compare to the ambiance and overall welcoming atmosphere Shangri La offers, and that's something people remember even long after their stay.

After a long day of swimming and exploration, we decided to grab a bite to eat at one of the resort's many restaurants- Tides Restaurant. From every conceivable native dish one can hunger for Tides will prepare for you. Since I was trying to stay on my seafood only menu, I decided to order the salmon sliders amongst other things; YES, it was delicious and suprisingly for its small size it was filling too. Other dishes we ordered were house noodles, Krispy Pata (a deep fried whole pork leg), grilled seafood, and seafood soup. We were bursting at the seams to say the least.

If you plan to visit the Philippines, and CEBU, Shangri La Resort and Spa is the place to find true relaxation and great dining.

Bob Marlin: at ParkMall

So any restaurant whose name proudly alludes to the great musician Bob Marley, will surely catch the attention of both local and international diners passing by its doors. I am no different from anyone else curious about an establishment that boasts a rastafarian ambiance while serving local native cuisine. Needless to say, I had to go in and drag my family to eat at Bob Marlin.
Aside from the interesting theme, the menu had some amazing choices and some economic menu combinations as well.  We decided to go with combination A which includes Kare Kare a stew mix of chinese cabbage, beef oxtail, eggplant, tripe, and flavored with a bit of peanut butter to thicken the stew. Krispy Pata is an entire pork leg deep fried to pefection, spicy sisig which is finely diced meat depending whether your choose pork, beef, chicken, or even goat; and a delicious Sinigang which is a spicy and sour soup of veggies and seafood were all included in the order.
Bob Marlin was well worth the curious exploration in food; the food was well prepared, and the ambiance was casual yet attention grabbing, but most importantly it was budget friendly!!

 

Tempura Japanese Grill: at SM City, Cebu

When your meal literally makes the ground shake, you know its memorable! There is obviously an abundance of food places throughout my city in the Philippines, specially inside the enormous shopping malls; so a quick bite to eat is as simple as pointing your finger and choosing a place. This particular evening, my cousin and I decided to catch up and have dinner at Tempura, a japanese grill restaurant inside SM City in the newly constructed NorthWing section.
I decided to order the seafood ramen soup and a thirst quenching watermelon shake. Moments after my order arrived, we noticed a bit of shaking, and at first my cousin thought it was me moving my legs, but as soon as she realized it wasn't me, the shaking got stronger and the light fixtures and table began to move- we knew it was an EARTHQUAKE!
Apparently, most people are accustomed to mini earthquakes in the Philippines, but I surely was not. For a few minutes amidst a crowd also rushing to get out the mall, we decided to leave and wait in the parking lot a few meters away. Interestingly, many people weren't even phased by the shaking and continued to have their meal, I for one refuse to be buried under a mall clutching a ramen soup so I left, but later came back after the shaking stopped.

Mandaue City Charter Day Parade

On any given day, right outside our home in the Philippines something exciting occurs. From a simple band parade from the local colleges and high schools to an iron man cycling race. Today was specially nice with a city wide celebration commemorating the moment when Mandaue City was officially recognized as a city nationwide- Charter Day!
Led off by a marching band and color guards, everyone from city employeess, members of individual townships (Barangays), and several floats celebrated with exuberance and enthusiasm- proud to be a Mandauehanon!!

 

Lamesa Grill at SM City Cebu

Another food trip finally led me to one of the largest malls throughout Cebu, 4 floors of pure shopping and restaurants from boutiques to the SM chain group of stores- it's all contained within this enormous shopping center!
Under the advisement of my mom, who came to the Philippines a few months earlier, we decided to eat at Lamesa Grill, located in SM's newly added NorthWing area. Lamesa Grill offers a variety of dishes consisting of every native menu one can possibly want to eat. Four pages front and back menu describes dishes such as beef steaks, seafood soups, tropical fruit shakes, and even a whole LECHON (roasted pig) can be ordered!
I decided to stick with my all seafood diet and kept my eyes on that part of the menu. We ordered the delicious baked scallops with melted cheese and sprinkles of bread crumbs, the baked mussels (locally known as TAHONG) also with melted cheese and scallions. Yet, I didn't feel satisfied, and decide to add the seafood combo, a melange of all things shellfish, shrimp, and baby octopus- amazingly flavored, but also be warned that it is super spicy! Of course like most restaurants in the Philippines, rice is a staple to any dish; which at most times will be served without end!!!
Another day gone by with a happy tummy in tow, so many foods to try and yet so little time.

Mooon Restaurant at ParkMall

 

Another amazing restaurant I had a pleasure to eat in was Mooon, located in ParkMall just before SM it boasts a Mexican ambiance but with a wonderful Filipino twist.
I chose the seared fish fillet in a light coconut milk reduction topped with fresh cilantro and served with garlic rice. The dish delightfully flavorful, filling but also light; a great on the go lunch option. Their house special juice was a bit too sweet for my pallette, but undeniably quenching; with fresh fruits included it was to die for!!