| Restaurant and Bar: Local Knowledge | | | | selection of wines. Tastefully decorated to some, this |
| Whilst I don't claim to be culinary expert; I have | | | | is just what the doctor prescribes; if your eaten too |
| traveled extensively around-the-world, as a result, I | | | | much lechon and live in a country outside of the PI. |
| do have a sense of what's good and what's not! I | | | | If you have no time to dine-in, and want something |
| have made some suggestions below, which we | | | | quick, cheap and cheerful: there is always Davinci's |
| suggest you check-out. The choices range from a | | | | Pizza in Mactan, famous for the white sauce pizza - |
| thrifty fifty peso meal, to the top notch | | | | err at least that's what they claim. (420 8888) |
| establishments. | | | | Hamburgers To Die For... |
| Grills, Grills and More Grills | | | | If a simple burger is what you crave, fret not. |
| Whilst in Cebu, you should definitely experience some | | | | Cebuano's are proud of their tantalizing grills. As a |
| of the sugba or sinugba (barbecue) restaurants or | | | | result, they have come up with more variations on |
| stalls. A superb example of Cebu's grills is Tsibogs | | | | the common burgers than the McDonald's Burger |
| (pronounced - Chee boogs). Its famous for its | | | | Universities testing kitchen. In fact, many of Cebu's |
| mouth-watering BBQ produce that has been | | | | better known burgers eateries, make the 'other' |
| marinated is all sorts of special herbs and sauces. | | | | more famous international brands pale in comparison. |
| Washed down with lots of ice-cold San Miguel's... | | | | Noteworthy is Flame-it and Burger Joint. Don't go |
| Tsibogs will certainly keep you coming back for more. | | | | there thinking your in for a light snack. The Flame-It 1 |
| Another of the more famous grills, is Larsians on | | | | 2 pounder - is just that. Half 1/2 a pound of magic |
| Fuente Osmena - probably not the most hygienic | | | | primetime beef. Yep, primetime! The real deal; no |
| place on earth but the food is good. Neo Neo on | | | | Holyfield...Juicy and marinated, for who knows how |
| Mactan Island (just past the old bridge) is a clean, | | | | long and with who knows what. It is a orchestral |
| spacious and fun place to hang-out and enjoy | | | | nirvana for your taste-buds; who will do back-flips |
| high-quality grilled food. | | | | when the first bite touches down. Burger Joint is a |
| For those who love lechon baboy - roast pig, | | | | similar concept. Eat in both, and you will shun going |
| marinated and grilled on a spit over charcoal - most | | | | back to the other...brands. |
| good grills serve it. If you haven't tried this delectable | | | | Another favorite of Mactan residents is the French |
| signature grill dish, do yourself and your cholesterol | | | | cafe at Marina Mall, Cafe de France. Whilst there was |
| levels a favor. | | | | no Frenchman to be seen behind the counter, the |
| I Want My Chicks For Free and My MTV...(a royalty | | | | Parisian inspired freshly baked pastries, croquet |
| cheque would be a bonus) | | | | monsieur's, pig-in-a-blanket, and their assortment of |
| If you prefer fancier, more upscale dining, there are a | | | | waist-expanding deserts is second to none in Cebu. |
| number of modern international restaurants. For the | | | | More good news... It is a cafe, therefore one can |
| finest local seafood offerings and a location to die | | | | wash-down these with copious amounts of coffee. |
| for, head straight for the Shangri-La on Mactan Island. | | | | Thus ensuring a latent caffiene buzz to last you |
| Ponder: A chilled buttery chardonnay, coupled with | | | | through the morning. Definitely, a winning-combination |
| fresh grilled lobster - Divine. Throw in a couple of | | | | after a big night out on the town! |
| million stars, delightfully twinkling above you and the | | | | Clubbing Like There's No Tomorrow! |
| soft-beats of some ultra-chic lounge music. Your | | | | Nightlife in Cebu is lively and really begins to rock |
| backdrop is the sea, indistinguishable from the | | | | after 8pm. The seedier go-go dance places are |
| sumptuous blue-black of the night, so that lights from | | | | mainly concentrated on Mango Avenue (now General |
| the bobbing large boats wink like diamonds on a | | | | Maxilom) with establishments like Viking, Papillon and |
| velvet tray. All this is enhanced by the night air, which | | | | Blackhole. The latter is a larger place filled with more |
| has a quality of stillness and softness. The gentle | | | | scantily-clad dancers who will come up and ask the |
| sounds of the sea-lapping up to the rocks below and | | | | S.O.P., "helloooo sirrrrrr, wear rrrrrrrrr yoooooooo |
| your partner's increasingly glowing smile; divine | | | | froooooom, sirrrrr?" Not too far from Mango Avenue |
| intervention...(not needed). Your already there! | | | | is Jaguar KTV and go-go dance place. This is located |
| A new-kid-on-the-block on the Cebu 'must-do' list is | | | | in a plush theatre. Any of these establishments will |
| Abaca. Whilst the name - originates from the banana | | | | make you party like a rock star for a night or until |
| plant - doesn't conjure up any grand visions, the food | | | | your De Niros run-out. |
| and the location will. Sublime sums up both. Abaca, is | | | | On Mactan Island, there is a similar establishment to |
| located a few-hundred metres past the Hilton Hotel, | | | | the above genre called "Mermaids". Now, whilst we |
| in Punta Engano on Mactan. A boutique establishment, | | | | are certain you will find no mermaids inside this bar, |
| you will be enchanted by first impressions. After a | | | | we have heard that Friday & Saturday nights feature |
| brisk walk down a path meandering through lush | | | | a live "Shower show". |
| tropical landscape, you encounter the oasis of the | | | | The Live Wire |
| evening, the main dining-cabana. | | | | If you prefer a more sophisticated ambiance with |
| Located on the coast, one can enjoy sipping a flute | | | | world-class music to match, look no further than Jazz |
| of champagne, as you absorb the intimate setting | | | | n Bluz. This slick restaurant-bar, - which could double |
| and the outstanding hybrid Balinese-Thai architecture. | | | | as a Blue Note anywhere in the world - usually has |
| The cuisine, concocted by Chef Jason Hyatt, takes | | | | two bands performing and doesn't close until the last |
| on interesting names such as: "Nightmare Broccoli". | | | | customer leaves. Despite the name, you will find Jazz, |
| Most with a PR story behind them. Rest assured, no | | | | a tiny sample of Blues and a lot of easy-listening |
| nightmares to be had by the quality and presentation | | | | music. |
| of this dish or any of the others we sampled on the | | | | Sinners and Saints Resto Bar on Banilad Road, is also |
| menu. A feature of the restaurant is their much | | | | a fun place to hang-out. With their barmen and |
| touted, wood-fired oven. Needless to say, if you | | | | bargirls, dressed as devils and angels (respectively...) |
| want a real pizza, with that unique taste one can only | | | | and a host of good local live music on display. |
| achieve with the wood-oven, then look no further. | | | | Ratskys in Ayala, Papa-Roast and Seafood Resto Bar |
| We are in love with the Lamb pizza. Our only caution | | | | and Kaona Grill also have their fair share of good live |
| here; the prices are some of the most expensive for | | | | music to complement the food. |
| dining in Cebu. | | | | Spinners Inc. |
| Another trendy outlet that consistently serve | | | | If you prefer to hear DJ's, the Crossroads complex |
| delicious cuisine is Olio. We suggest you try the | | | | on Banilad Road which houses small intimate clubs |
| scallop with caviar, or the aubergine with mozzarella | | | | such as Vudu (house & techno music) and Cafe |
| and anchovies... mmm! Olio Bar and Restaurant, | | | | Teatro which also has a DJ on most nights playing |
| conveniently located at Crossroads, Banilad. | | | | faves from the 70's, 80's and some Latin beats. |
| Ginza is another place where you will dine in style | | | | Teatro is run by an attractive Cebuana appropriately |
| with food to match. This establishment is 26 years | | | | named Queenie, who is a wonderful host. |
| old and still counting. Stood the test of time with | | | | Disco Duck... |
| much aplomb and with the recently decorated | | | | Both Nasa and Sunflower Discos are large clubs/ |
| interiors slides effortlessly into yet another gear. The | | | | discos, with big thumping sound systems and lots of |
| food is contemporary Japanese. Signature dish is the | | | | lights. The latter attracts its fair share of the tourist |
| Pork teppanyaki. Slithers of tender pork, served with | | | | trade. Not really the ed's scene so we unfortunately |
| a hybrid mayo wannabe sauce. Ginza: Old Banilad | | | | can't shed much more light on them! |
| Road, Banilad, Cebu City (231 4612) | | | | Real Pubs! |
| Just down the road from Olio, near the entrance to | | | | Noteworthy on the sports bar side is Badgers. An |
| Maria Luisa Estate; just off Banilad Road is Giuseppe's. | | | | appealing sports bar with lots of plasma TV's, live |
| This fantastic restaurant serves; in my humble opinion | | | | coverage of most worldwide sporting events, deco |
| the very best pizzas in Cebu. Guiseppe, was the first | | | | that could be from any North American bar and the |
| to bring the wood-fired oven to Cebu and it truly | | | | has some decent pub food on offer. It is also one of |
| lives up to all the hyperbole. In addition to the pizzas, | | | | the few, if not the only bar that sells Guiness stout |
| you will find sumptuous pasta offerings, (wood-fired) | | | | and one of the few that sells real Aussie meat pies. |
| oven-roasted lamb, roast beef, all served with the | | | | Magellan's Landing at Marina Mall (three of their ever |
| freshest of fresh ingredients. This is home-style | | | | smiling staff pictured above) is also a great place to |
| Italian at its best. | | | | hang-out, enjoy a coldie and kick back. They serve |
| A laid-back atmosphere radiates from this | | | | some excellent pub-grub there and the clientele is an |
| establishment. Run by ex: Shangri-La regional chef, | | | | eclectic mix of foreigners and locals. Be sure to try |
| Giuseppe's restaurant is a must do whilst in Cebu. | | | | the steak and mushroom pie, or cajun chicken dishes. |
| Giuseppe's, Maria Luisa Park Road Cebu City. (343 | | | | Kimchi Anyone? |
| 9901) | | | | With burgeoning Korean tourist influx, we are now |
| Literally, just up the road from Giuseppes is another | | | | witnessing the growth of KTV places (Karaoke TV) |
| newby. Gustavian is a Swedish take on a deli, come | | | | popping up all over the place. Small wonder then that |
| cafe, which in a strange Cebu way morphs into a | | | | karaoke parlors everywhere have prominent signs |
| restaurant. They have a superb array of breads and | | | | posted for (GROs) or guest relations officers. These |
| deli products. There daily specials and sizes of their | | | | very nimble ladies can have quite an impact on your |
| portions are both generous and of a high standard. | | | | wallet, if you're not eagle-eyed. Two of the larger |
| Another fledgling addition to the restaurant scene, | | | | and more upmarket KTV's are located in Mactan. The |
| which is hauling in the positive reviews like a Cebuano | | | | White Castle on Airport Road and another in the |
| fisherman reels in the fish, is "The Loft". Located in | | | | Waterfront Airport Hotel. |
| the Ayala Business Park, just off Banilad Road. | | | | If you have some favorite places to hang-out or to |
| Established under the interesting Cebuano indigenous | | | | eat in or wish your establishment to be listed, be |
| term 'resto-bar' (restaurant - bar for the unitiated), | | | | sure to let us know. I'll quickly mobilize our wonderful |
| the bars seems to excel at both. | | | | editor to check it out. Believe me, his rotund stomach |
| Another interesting establishment which opened in | | | | - all paid for - is proof of his love for the finer things |
| Mactan Island, is Vine City Wine Bar and Restaurant | | | | in life! Even better to get lots more tips on |
| (032 342 8927). Situated on the main highway, 50 | | | | restaurants, visit our forum on this site: Travel Portal |
| metres past Marina Mall heading towards the new | | | | and What to do in Cebu, Philippines |
| bridge. Delightful staff serve simple but high quality | | | | Lami-ah! |
| (pastas, steaks, salads etc.) fare and a reasonable | | | | |