A NEW YORK STYLE RESTAURANT | BRIQUE RESTAURANT [PHOTOS]

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– ★★★

Ever since the dawn of Sex and the City, comes the realization of the New York socialites rummaging to famous restaurants that are a week long booked. They, one time, rendezvous to these high class places only to find out, in just one blink of an eye, the middle class follows. And that’s when these restaurants or café’s can say they’ve made it to the map of New York City.

I love it when there are new spots in the Queen City; it gives me a glimpse of SATC New York: it’s hip, it’s fun, it’s exciting and it’s a delish. And everyone’s there to snuck in and taste the goodness and, without the company’s effort in advertising; everyone’s talking about it.

There’s a new find in Salinas Dr., Lahug, Cebu named Brique. The restaurant is located just beside Chika-an, and it’s along Pizza Republic.

THE PLACE

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It is a sophisticated, high end and very, very New York restaurant.

Astonishingly, our photos share the resemblance of a graphic Big Apple studio flat that’s so good to the eyes: my picture in front of the very cool wall made it look like somewhere in the USA (great for Instagram).

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The façade of the restaurant is highly modern, and the interior (besides the brick wall) is modern contemporary: a true architectural porn for my eyes.

The place is a two a storey building that’s good for a lot of people, but you have to make reservations especially when you plan to go there on weekends.

THE FOOD

My partner and I found Brique in Foursquare, and upon checking the food pictures; it gives promising offers that I would surely love to try.

They’re famous for their Drunken Angus that costs P370.00 which surely has a very soft meat.

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Also, Fish Fillet with Porcini is one of the talks in Foursquare costing about P270.00 that gives you fish de la crème.

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They’re also famous for their Truffled Shoestring Potatoes that cost P250.00 and I have to say, good for four people. So bring your barkada and have the taste of a Pik-Nik-like deep fried potatoes topped with bacon and fried basil.

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For the drinks, I ordered the Easy Morning Juice that’s oh-so-healthy, and for my partner is the ABC Twist, which perfectly is an Avocado taste and they’re both for P120.00

CONCLUSION + TIP (NOT BUFFET)

I have to say the sophistication of the place is the one to beat. The high class feel of it is really good. But then, unlike other American-style restaurants like Simply J’s and most especially in Café Georg: I have to say, I’m quite disappointed with their famous offers.

The Drunken Angus seems to be so-so, and the Fish Fillet with Porcini is not that good.

Although for a fact, it’s an American themed restaurant, they have to stay true to the flavours of the West, and I understood that. Only, I can’t get the supreme taste of their offers. It leaves a disgust feel on my gut right after all the food were taken (bidli). I think the offers are not bad; it’s just that we don’t get it.

Also we were planning to order their S’more’s but unfortunately, due to the high cost of every offer, ranging from P170.00 to as much as P1,000+: we have to cut our orders since our rule is simple:

If the price of two to three food plus the drinks is above P800.00, it’s already expensive. And to be honest, we reached a thousand plus.

Technically, it’s fine… really, really fine to spend that much, if the famous offers are good and the serving is justifiable to what you are paying.

Also, we noticed a group of six or seven friends having their dinner on the next table who looked so dissatisfied with their experience due to the small serving and the unrelatable taste.

But if you ask me if the place is still worth another visit… well, yeah it is! They still have lots of food, drinks and pastries to choose from.

SCHEDULE

Mon-Sun: 10:00AM-11:00PM

 

CONTACT (RESERVATION)

Telephone – (032) 414-1720

Facebook

 

RATING – 3 Stars

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THE BEST OF 2013

2013 was a great year for new restaurants since the knowledge and the need of some people in Cebu or the lovely visitors are wide and they now wanted variety of experiences.

It is also a great year for coffee houses, specifically Korean owned ones, because of the calm and warm ambiance they have that’s what Filipino’s wanted from the very beginning.

Also, junctions for friends or socialite groups have also started to sprout in the queen city like of some cupcake houses or in La Vie Parisienne.

Well, summing it all up to the best of the best in 2013 from all the restaurants, coffee houses, cupcake houses and everything in my blog that we’ve been.

So here’s the roundup.

BEST RESTAURANT: KUYA J

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Having variety of flavorful offers, my favorite is their baked scallops; Kuya J doesn’t offer you only good food but also good service and ambiance. With stylish contemporary façade; you could never go wrong in this place.

READ MORE FROM KUYA J HERE

BEST COFFEE/TEA HOUSE: CAFÉ NORITER

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Undoubtedly, the most talked about Café this year was Café Noriter. With the warm and cozy ambiance and a fun ‘no-chair-just-sit-on-the-floor’ theme; Café Noriter will surely make you feel comfortable in all sides of the café.

READ MORE FROM CAFÉ NORITER HERE

BEST CUPCAKE HOUSE: CAFÉ CAW

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A cupcake house which is also in the category of a coffee house; Café Caw is the best cupcake house there is in town. With variety of delish offers, from cupcakes to coffee/tea; Café Caw is the best there is to offer when we talk about the spot itself.

READ MORE FROM CAFÉ CAW

SPECIAL – HOT BOITE: LANTAW SA BUSAY

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According to Carrie in The Carrie Diaries; Hot Boite means ‘cool restaurant’, and I couldn’t think of anything but Lantaw sa Busay. With lots of good dinner offers; the mountain top location that has a beautiful, beautiful city view; Lantaw sa Busay is the best there is when it comes to having a cozy pigging experience.

READ MORE HERE FROM LANTAW SA BUSAY

SPECIAL – THE JUNCTION: LA VIE PARISIENNE

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A Parisian delight; La Vie Parisienne is now done with their renovations and now has a splendid, splendid theme. With colorful faux cherry blossom all around the spot; La Vie Parisienne is the best there is to meet with friends and experience an alta sociedad mood.

READ MORE HERE FROM LA VIE PARISIENNE

SPECIAL – FUN PLACE: TRICK ART CEBU

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With more than 50+ designs; you could have fun in their still paintings that sure to make you feel be a part of.

READ MORE HERE FROM TRICK ART CEBU

So that’s the list of the best of 2013. I hope you tried all of these places! Happy New Year!

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NOT YOUR ANOTHER KOREAN COFFEE HOUSE | CAFÉ MARU [PHOTOS]

 

Cafe Maru

Cafe Maru

–          ★★★★

I love coffee houses because of the calm ambiance and the ultimate chill-out experience you’ll have, except for those who are over popular and over populated ones like Starbucks and Café Noriter.

But Café Maru at Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Talamban, just across the entrance of Sto. Nino village; is a serene Café, not known much to the public which I liked about and for me their best asset.

Cafe Maru

Cafe Maru

With offers that ranges from P120.00-P300.00 that doesn’t really differ from other Korean coffee houses, and free charging, either laptop or phone; you will enjoy the serenity in this café.

You can also have fun in putting up post-it notes on the walls, or hang your pictures just like Cafe Noriter’s or Sunday 2PM Cafe’s.

SCHEDULE

Opens at 2:00PM

Closes at 12:00MN

RATINGS

4

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Cafe Maru Panorama

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CAFÉ HOUSE DELIGHT | CAFÉ CAW | CUPCAKE EXPERIENCE [PHOTOS]

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–          ★★★★½

Korean coffee houses have been a trend nowadays in the Queen City due to its popularity of cute themed setting like Café Noriter that delights customers with delish offers and cozy ambiance.

Maybe it’s the way they offer it in their mainland, Korea, and that’s how we Filipinos wanted to experience that coincides in every angle.

Café Caw branched in two here in Cebu; one at Lahug and one in Banilad; offers a variety of goodies from cappuccino to frap and cakes to cupcakes.

BANILAD BRANCH

Cafe Caw Banilad

Cafe Caw Banilad

Located at Gov. M Cuenco Ave., Banilad, across BRIGHT Academy; the Banilad branch is a small café limited only for small amount of people but still with refreshing and welcoming ambiance good enough for you to chill and have a good time. Decorated with plentiful of cute stuffs; this branch is good for a short stop by chill-out.

Red Velvet at Cafe Caw

Red Velvet at Cafe Caw

LAHUG BRANCH

Cafe Caw in Lahug

Cafe Caw in Lahug

At Salinas Dr., Lahug, across J.Y. Square Mall; the Lahug branch is bigger than of the one in Banilad, also having 2 storey; this branch is more cozy and more welcoming. With lots of fancy toys and decors plus cutely painted walls, you can never go wrong in this café.

Cafe Caw in Lahug

Cafe Caw in Lahug

Perfect for chill-out and longtime stay; Café Caw at Lahug is one place for you and your friends to catch up with each other or read books or surf the internet as well.

Green Tea Cupcake at Cafe Caw

Green Tea Cupcake at Cafe Caw

CONTACT

Facebook Page

RATINGS

Offers – 4.5

Banilad – 4

Lahug – 5

Overall – 4.5

PHOTOS

Cafe Caw in Banilad

Cafe Caw in Banilad

Cafe Caw in Banilad

Cafe Caw in Banilad

Chocolate Cloud

Chocolate Cloud

Cafe Caw

Cafe Caw

Cafe Caw

Cafe Caw

Cafe Caw

Cafe Caw

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THE KRUSTY KRABS IN THE QUEEN CITY | THE BURGER JOINT | SNACK | CHILL | EXPERIENCE [PHOTOS]

Burger Joint Cebu

Burger Joint Cebu

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★★★★

“Are you ready, kids???”

“AYE! AYE! CAPTAIN!”

That sounds familiar, even to us adults; the indefatigable SpongeBob Squarepants series. Situated in the Pineapple under the sea; SpongeBob is known to human beings as a dumb and funny yet full of heart sea creature who works at the Krusty Krabs where he reigns as the cook, for that one menu eatery; and Plankton’s most desired recipe; the Krusty Krabs burger.

Burger Joint

In the Queen City, The Burger Joint has been a buzz.

Having mouthfuls of burger offers; The Burger Joint, located at Mabolo, Cebu City, just within the vicinity of the parking lot of The Gallery Arcade; The Burger Joint is a chill-out place for people who wants to sit down and chat and treat the tummy at the same time.

With their outdoor seating; nothing could go wrong.

Burger Joint Cebu

Burger Joint Cebu

Price

Burger Joint Cebu Offers

Burger Joint Cebu Offers

Having the price range of P115.00 – P199.00 (for the burgers), it is a valuable price for huge and stuffed burger, with sidings like fries or their huge and delicious onion rings plus you get also a drink with it.

It’s worth the affordable price!

Taste

The taste ranges from fair to a delish, yet, you when you get their burgers, you wouldn’t mind about it.

Burger Joint Cebu's Bacon Mushroom and Cheese Burger

Burger Joint Cebu’s Bacon, Mushroom and Cheese Burger

Burger Joint Cebu's Garlic Burger

Burger Joint Cebu’s Garlic Burger

Schedule

The Burger Joint is likely open every day until 11:00PM or 12:00MN.

Contact Number

(032)231-1010

or

visit their Facebook Page

Ratings

Overall – 4/5

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Burger Joint Cebu’s Panorama

Burger Joint Cebu's Burger

Burger Joint Cebu’s Burger

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SUNDAY 2PM CAFÉ | KOREAN INSPIRED | WONDERFUL PRE-BIRTHDAY EXPERIENCE [PHOTOS]

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

With no halls barred, GO THERE AND EXPERIENCE A WONDERFUL PERSONAL CAFÉ EXPERIENCE!

That’s how -My partner and I loved it there.

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

My 23rd birthday post-it note

It was on the eve of my 23rd birthday when My partner and I decided to spend it in a café house at Sunday 2PM, because lately, we are discovering some goodness in the Queen City of the South and the said café has lately been a buzz… but not ‘Café Noriter’ famous YET.

How to get there

Sunday 2PM Café is another Korean owned café that is located exactly on the ground floor of Sarrosa International Hotel, at F. Cabahug Street, Cebu City. Accessibility is with ease: when you have a car, you can park anywhere just as you’re along or within the vicinity of the Hotel; if you don’t, you can ride a jeepney with the number code 03A, which is from Colon down to Mabolo Church to the new BBQ Boss which is still in Mabolo; that is along the intersection with one path going to Ayala, another path is going to I.T. Park and the other is going to Sarrosa Hotel.

The Café

When we arrived and looked at the façade of the Café which is part of the hotel itself; we then concluded that the place was tiny. You can prejudge by the size of the outer glass covered with post-it notes on the inside. And our judgment wasn’t wrong when we stepped in.

It was small, yet truly inviting.

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Inside Sunday 2PM Cafe

We were greeted gladly by the waitress behind the glass counter, and upon looking in their cubicle; I found how small it was. Yet, the smile of the waitress on that Sunday evening did not fade, instead she welcomed us by grabbing the notebook which was the menu and we seated.

The café was full of things, toys, crayons and post-it notes scattered and placed nonchalantly all around the area. There are even strings above us with pictures clipped ensuring joyful memories stay in the café. And so there’s a lot going on in there, yet you can really feel the warm disposition.

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Coloring Materials at Sunday 2PM Cafe

You can read all the notes placed on the walls, cabinets and tables that translate a wonderful time being there. A rendezvous for lovers with post-it and pictures all over the place. And unrequited dreams that are yet soon to happen.

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

A post-it note with an earnest dream long to happen

The effervescence of randomness enticed and gave me enthrallment while being with the one I really love.

Treats

I loved how they presented their Menu which was in a notebook form. And when you opened the first page, they explained how they got to the Sunday 2PM café, and it was heartwarming. But it’s for us to know and for you to discover what’s written on that very page.

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Chocolate Treat

There is a variety of treats to choose from; you could start with the hot and cold offers to their bites that ranges from P100.00 – P250.00.

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

My partner’s Yogurt Treat

Although, I have to admit, the treats are quite expensive, but what greatness happened to us there cannot be paid by dosh.

The Waitress

What my partner LOVED ranting about the café was their nice waitress: he keeps on saying how the place was much more worth it after the cozy and delicious treats because we were being handled majestically by her. We never got the chance to know her name, but the way she treated us beautifully and warmly gave us the impression that she’s really a nice person. I mean, I most of the times get grumpy at work, but she kept that energy level, even it’s already late at night.

I remember asking her if we were allowed to use our brought fountain candles which were supposed to be placed atop of a bite treat we bought, but we feared to give danger in the café since we don’t know whether the fountain candles would create huge sparks and maybe worst will happen.

Yet she came back from her counter telling us that across the hotel, there’s a store that sells small candles so that we could still celebrate my birthday. And after my partner bought the candles, she then even gave us match sticks to light it. And not just that, she even grabbed a camera and took a snapshot of me holding the toasted treat we bought with the finally ignited candle atop of it.

She even laughed hard after when I blew; the flame grew out again, realizing that it was the sparklers candle which the candle you can’t blow off.

And right after the whole crazy and enjoyable moment, she came back with the camera again and asked if she could take a picture of us, and who are we to say no? She gave us a wonderful time there.

KUDOS to her, whoever she may be, I salute you for giving good service to customers. I have seen her interacting with Korean customers too and she was well rounded, really. And she made us feel like we deserved to be treated very well which don’t usually happen to every spot we were at.

According to my partner, she was like the owner of the café and us as her special guests that should be treated very well, like what Filipino house owners do to their guest of honors at home. A true hospitality.

Thank You so much for not being rude and temperament!

The Experience

In totality, the place was really small that could hold up to fifteen people at max or less: but I guess the small space has its advantage as what my partner said to me; the interaction between customer and staff was more personal and hands-on rather than running around with the rowdy crowd which most of the times ignores you ending up not serving you well.

Also, they have a working WIFI! Thank God and it’s fast! My partner who usually uses data didn’t have to tether and share his WIFI for me that saved his battery life.

And speaking of battery life, you can bring your charger there and charge your phones for free.

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Toast treat at Sunday 2PM Cafe

I’d love to come back there and taste some of their refreshments and have another wonderful café experience, and I would like that nice waitress to share with the wondrous memory while we’re there.

You should visit Sunday 2PM Café with no reservations needed.

Contact Details

(032) 520-5174

Schedule

Mon to Saturday: 10:00AM – 11:00MN

Sunday: 2:00AM – 11:00PM

Rating – 10

Visit their Facebook page for more details.

MORE PHOTOS!

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

Sunday 2PM Cafe at Sarrosa International Hotel

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