Best Places To Dine In Cebu

I am a big eater and I have a really discriminating set of taste buds for good food. I like different kinds of dishes and I don't stick to one culinary preference. It's good to know that in Cebu you can find almost any kind of food. Cebu has turned into a melting pot of different cultural genre.

First off, Japanese food. I think Japanese food is the kind of food that is not only nourishing but healthy as well. Japanese food is mostly served fresh, with little or no oil or cholesterol and often served with the 'creme de la creme', my personal favorite, fish eggs, that almost always happily stick to a well-prepared california maki roll. Try it. It's out of this world. So where do you eat good Japanese food?

The best in Cebu is Yumeya Kihei. It is located along Ayala access road, that road that leads to the Ayala mall. You can also go to Kaishu past the Shangri-la and Hilton hotels in Mactan. They also have the best-tasting and freshest Japanese dishes. If you don't want to go anywhere far and a little bit too pricey, go for Sen Ryu on the way to Lahug. At Sen Ryu, I particularly like their beef teppanyaki. These three Japanese restaurants are really worth the money. No fake caviar or imitation crabs here. Just raw, fresh, healthy food. Hmmm...I could just taste the flavorful sushi in my mouth after dipping it onto a little bowl of soy sauce and wasabi.

So, do you miss home? Do you want some nice hot burgers that taste like they come fresh from the grill? Try Brothers Burger in Banilad Town Center. They have the best burgers that I've tasted. You can actually taste the quality of the meat that they use. It is grade A meat. Try their Angus burger. You'll surely be coming back for more. A close alternative is Flame It somewhere along A.S. Fortuna St. The good thing is, both of these places offer delivery services, at an extra charge of course. Don't forget to order onion rings and some nice crispy fries on the side. Don't forget to tip the delivery guy, as well!

In the mood for pizza? Go to Yellow Cab Pizza in Banilad Town Center for eight hundred ways to prepare your pizza. They use fresh ingredients and they also put a different spin to the way a pizza should be. My personal favorite is the four seasons pizza--one flavor for every member of the family. I always take the slice that is decorated with onions, capers, anchovies, olives...mmm...yummm. If you want to go for the typical pizza, go for one at Pizza Hut. There's one at the Gaisano Country Mall. I like their pan pizza that comes in different healthy and delicious varieties. They even have pizza crusts oozing with melted cheese. And if you can't make up your mind whether you really want pizza or not but you somehow feel that yes, you want pizza, go to Shakey's for a smorgasbord of different stuff--salad, pizza, mojos, spaghetti, chicken, soup--all in one serving. I like to have it every once in a while for some good culinary workout.

What about some fine cuisine? Try Tinder Box along Archbishop Reyes Avenue. It's an all-imported store but it does have a dining area for patrons who want to satisfy their taste buds with some fresh U.S. certified meat or some Australian produce, whichever they like. They have a neat line-up of appetizing dishes on their menu which their chef will gladly prepare for you a la carte. Trust me, if you want some nice pumpkin soup, or a cold glass of banana-berry smoothie or a quick breakfast sandwich or a sumptuous grilled U.S. Angus certified steak with fresh veggies and mashed potatoes on the side, you can find it in this place. Are you on South Beach diet? They also have it on their menu. They even have the best wines. You can always rummage through the wine cellar as you wait for your food to be served. Try also Le Maison, a great place that offers fine cuisine and some typical Filipino group (barkada) meals. Do you like lamb, they have it at a price that is not painful on your pockets. My favorite dish of course, is the ever delicious liver pate topped with a dash of cranberry sauce with a hint of some fine wine served with some french toasts. It's out of this world! I'm drooling right now as I imagine the foie gras melting in my mouth. It's never boring.

Do you want some Chinese food? Go to the White Gold House near the reclamation area. You will not be disappointed. You can also visit Big Mao in Ayala mall. I always go for the quick and easy dim sum kind of Chinese food, so I always end up at Harbor City Dim Sum in Ayala mall.

Are you in the mood for Italian flavor? Go to Giuseppe's along Ma. Luisa road. They have the best thin crust margherita pizza. You can also get some nice spinach or meat ravioli in creamy white sauce or in red marinara sauce, whichever you're in the mood for the day. More pasta and meat entrees await you too. When you order your food, don't forget to get several helpings of Tiramisu. They're just so good. Perhaps you never heard of La Bouna Forchetta too. It is another good Italian restaurant. They used to be located along Jones Avenue but just recently they moved to Acacia St. near the Ayala mall. They also have good Italian food choices. I like the appetizer sampler of different cold cuts and yes, they have an Italian chef plus they also import from Italy most of their goodies. If you want something easy and close by, go to La Tegola along Banilad road. They also serve food that satisfies your Italian taste buds, plus, a few spoonfuls of authentic Italian gelato (ice cream) will surely finish off a good meal.

What about Pinoy food? On top of my list is Golden Cowrie. Fill your Pinoy hunger with their delicious baked scallops to pump-prime your appetite. Order their grilled favorites of fish, squid, pork and more. Do add some Filipino vegetable salad on the side. Did I say pochero is also on the menu? And get this! You can order plain or garlic rice but if you do get the plain rice they refill your banana leaf platter for as long as you like, endlessly! How much rice can you chow, huh? Golden Cowrie is located inside SM mall and they also have another outlet in Lahug. Second on my list is Patio Isabel. I like their buffet style dinner. Munch on some crispy deep-fried Kangkong leaves dipped in mayonnaise. If you have never tasted it before, then you definitely should go and taste for yourself something that is only fed to the pigs (yes-the kangkong leaves) but tastes so delicious. Patio Isabel is located near Archbishop Reyes Avenue, at the back of the University of Cebu building in Banilad.

My other note-worthy favorites include Melange (fine cuisine) at the Banilad Town Center, The Patio at Shangri-la, Cowrie Cove at Shangri-la, Ginza (Japanese cuisine) near Patio Isabel, Dad's at SM (if it is still open), Persian Palate in Ayala mall, Jonie's both in Ayala and SM malls, Cafe Vienne in SM and of course Kenny Rogers in Ayala mall.

Now, I'm really getting hungry that I can no longer concentrate on my blog. If there's anything that I've missed, I'll fill you on it soon after I fill my stomach. And if you are hungry too from reading this blog, just hail a taxi and ask the driver to take you to any of the above-mentioned fine dining places in Cebu.

You'll surely get your fill beyond your heart's content.

Do you need directions or contact numbers for all these dining places? Call 187 on your land line (Cebu only).

'Live, love and eat well', if I may borrow from Wolfgang Puck's mantra.