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