BEST OF 2014

Last year, I’ve chosen the spots that are worthy of the attention and deserves the title for the best of the best in the Queen City of the South. I’ve considered the restaurants, coffee houses, pizza houses and many others that I’ve been, blogged and rated this year and there are quite plenty to choose from.

We’ve found ourselves battling over some of the categories because there are a lot of spots that are really deserving.

So, below, the categories and then the best of this year as well as last year, and let’s start first with the specials.

SPECIAL – FUN PLACE: PIZZA REPUBLIC

Last Year: Trick Art Cebu

I was in the battle to which where I could place Pizza Republic because I really find this spot to be a crowd pleaser. It’s also jam packed with customers almost every day, and their offers are really good.

From personally choosing your own style of pizza, to their friendly staff and finally in their really cool place; I could say this spot deserves to be noticed by everyone in town.

READ MORE FROM PIZZA REPUBLIC HERE

SPECIAL – THE JUNCTION: LA VIE PARISIENNE

Last Year: La Vie Parisienne

This for me is a winner, and as you can see, it’s already for two consecutive years. It never cease to surprise people with their place upgrades, and I always loved the fact that they try so hard to make the place a nostalgia of Paris, and it’s really that good. Their purple lighted trees to their humungous domes; it will always be one of the best.

READ MORE FROM LA VIE PARISIENNE HERE

SPECIAL – HOT BOITE: CIRCA 1900

Last Year: Lantaw sa Busay

Probably the sassiest, sexiest and classiest restaurant I’ve been to. Socialites from all over Cebu emerges through its doors and be served with high end offers.

READ MORE FROM CIRCA 1900 HERE

BEST COFFEE/TEA HOUSE: COFFEE PRINCE

Last Year: Café Noriter

Actually, Coffee Prince and Café Tiala had a fair fight with this category because Café Tiala has this very cute and unique ambiance, away from the typical Korean coffee houses in town plus their offers are good as well, while Coffee Prince has really, really good offers and service as well.

But then, it all boils down to which is the best, and for me, Coffee Prince tops everything because they have unique food offers that others don’t have and it’s a surprise for me being tired of the same old, same offers from other Korean coffee houses.

READ MORE FROM COFFEE PRINCE HERE

…and then…

BEST RESTAURANT: CAFÉ GEORG

Last Year: Kuya J

Finally, the best restaurant for me is Café Georg. Why? Although it’s been for some time already, but their food, service and place still makes me fall in love. You have to give it a try.

READ MORE FROM CAFÉ GEORGE HERE

THE PIZZA CHALLENEGE | WORLD PIZZA: AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 PIZZAS | AT FRENCH PARK

– ★★★★★ (3.3.14)

The Parisian themed restaurant, La Maison Rose (The Pink House) has grown to a much better spot in the Queen City which I now claim The French Park. First, it expanded to a Parisian wine junction; La Vie Parisienne, and now a pizza place has sprouted in the same spot, and it’s called WORLD PIZZA: Around the world in 80 Pizzas.

The World Pizza has quite some worldly taste, instead of just pure French. They offer 80 different kinds of pizzas from the Philippines to the world.

The spot has just a bar for the waiters and waitresses to stay and get the orders, together with the European style stove where the pizzas are cooked; and just some chairs and tables around. The best thing is that they have a huge hammock that looks like the ones I’ve seen on 9gag, which seems relaxing, and when I was there, kids were enjoying the swinging treat.

The best thing was that the waitress told us that we could go and sit anywhere, from La Maison Rose, La Vie Parisienne to World Pizza, just as long as it’s in The French Park.

Try their American pizza that costs P250.00 and also their Laos pizza that costs P210.00. Both are equally delicious and sumptuous, and my partner was indeed super impressed by the way it was flavoured.

You can also blend two pizzas at a time for the highest price of the two you’ve chosen. What I mean was that; just like us, we bought American for P250 and Laos for P210, we paid P250 pesos because it’s the highest price of both.

TIP: If you’re planning to mix two flavours at the same time; choose those treats/pizzas that have the same price or at the same price range. If you choose the P250.00 pizza, better make sure the half of it also costs P250 or at that range.

The Pizza Challege

Now, my partner and I were really impressed by it, so we made a deal to experience another pizza treat that comes from another country to experience of what it taste like in other places just like the way I imagined it to be.

Now, the challenge starts… care to join us?

PIZZA RATINGS

American – 4

Laos – 5

VALENTINE’S DINNER | THE BEST RESTAURANTS DOWNTOWN

It’s the loveliest day of the year once again, where hearts are full of joy and of course the main point of it all: LOVE. Valentines has always been a tradition for everyone around the globe who believes that love is important, that it should be celebrated.

You do not need a special someone to enjoy and celebrate Valentine’s Day; of course, love comes in all forms; husband, wife, friend, pet, and even family.

To include with the celebration of Love, here are some fancy restaurants that you’d have to book AHEAD of time before the date February 14 comes, so you’ll have a sure seat, and inconvenience will surely be avoided.

1. LANTAW SA BUSAY at Busay, Cebu– ♥♥♥♥♥

With the city lights ahead of you, plus the cool breeze and the relaxing time atop of the mountain; you can NEVER go wrong in this place. No car? Well, it’s not a problem. Click the picture to know how or click here to read more from Lantaw sa Busay.

2. RODEO GRILL at Archbishop Reyes– ♥♥♥♥

Outside Rodeo Grill

If you want something Western-ish or Cowboy-ish date, well, Rodeo Grill is the perfect spot for you. With very, very affordable dishes yet super delicious; you’ll have a Wild, Wild West Valentine experience. Click here for more of Rodeo Grill.

3. SIMPLY J’s at N. Escario St. – ♥♥♥♥♥

Panorama of the second part of Simply J’s Restaurant

If you want an American inspired date, very high class and very intimate; Simply J’s is perfect for you. It’s perfect for you to take your partner or parents. Click here for more of Simply J’s.

4. KUYA J RESTAURANT at N. Escario St. – ♥♥♥♥♥

Kuya J Restaurant Panorama

With affordable and delish foods, plus a family ambiance; Kuya J is perfect for a family date this Valentine’s. Click here for more of Kuya J.

5. DISTRICT 50 at J. Centre Mall – ♥♥♥♥

District 50 Panorama

A sweet 50s inspired date on a Valentine’s Day is very fancy. With their affordable and good offers; you can always look back to the times when Frank Sinatra was the crooner. Click here for more of District 50.

6. LA VIE PARISIENNE at Gorordo Ave., Lahug – ♥♥♥♥♥

inside La Vie Parisienne winery

After dinner? Well, this is not a restaurant, although just beside this fancy winery is; this place is romanticism. You can tell by the Parisian inspired theme, and Paris is just LOVE. Click here for more about La Vie Parisienne.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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!

[UPDATED] A PARISIAN DELIGHT – LA VIE PARISIENNE | WINE | BAKERY | SOCIALITE JUNCTION [PHOTOS]

–          ★★★★★

Salutations! Un délice parisien en ville. Perfectionnez pour n’importe qui qui aime tout français. Venez vous joindre à moi.

(Cross fingers that Google Translate didn’t give me wrong translations hihi)

LA VIE PARISIENNE

Besides Greece being one of the top of the list in my best places I want to go while still living, which the restaurant CYMA-Greek Taverna gave me that glimpse of experience; Paris is still on the pedestal of my dream places I want to go.

Every girl’s dream is Paris… well that includes rainbow people of course!

And Paris doesn’t just collocate with Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or the wonderful top-view scenery; but also the restaurants with pastries and wine!

And if Paris-like experience is what you’re looking for; then La Vie Parisienne is perfect for your taste.

La Vie Parisienne cork

WHERE?

Located at Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City; beside the Pink House Restaurant which is also Parisian inspired, La Vie Parisienne is a bakery and winery that offers pastry treats and variety of delish wine flavors. The store is carved to look exact like a French winery, especially on the inner part where you can sit down with all the wine on the curve shaped walls that looked really fancy!

inside La Vie Parisienne winery

Yet, when my partner and I came there, the outer part of the shop was still renovating, focusing on their wooden floors; but you can see the potential in giving customers the French garden ambiance and giving that socialite junction experience. With the surrounding greenery and night light lanterns; everything must look perfect day and night!

PRICE RANGE

The offers are good taste and affordable! They have their croissants that cost only P25.00 and it really tastes so good for a normal pastry. They also have Macaroons in different colors that are offered in sets. Also their wines that vary from sparkling wines, that costs only P200.00 and above which are good for teens and light drinkers, to the expensive yet rich wines.

Bread and Croissant in La Vie Parisienne

EXPERIENCE

The experience was lacking because of the obvious renovations in front of us, but the potential when it’s done is what I’m excited about! When it’s done by December 2013, then it’s the perfect place for the perfect mood of Christmas.

La Vie Parisienne sparkling wine

Their offers vary from affordable to pricey, where they may imply that everyone can afford.

SCHEDULE

7:00AM – 12:00AM

CONTACT

(032) 260-4388

Or

Visit their Facebook Page

RATING

THE STORE AND THEIR OFFERS – 3 ½

Vive!

UPDATE (3.3.14)

FrenchPark?

La Vie Parisienne is now a cherry blossom wonderland full of the said trees, only faux, but none-the-less exciting and wonderful. Now, the place which started from the La Maison Rose (The Pink House) is now a French Park, filled with excitement and worldly surprises. There’s also two new treats at the park; World Pizza which offers different kinds of pizzas from 80 countries! Yes, you’ve read it right, 80 countries. And if you read my blog about it, you’ll be excited to try it too. Also there’s an ice cream stand called Healthy Icy that offers different kinds of healthy and natural ice creams that you’ll have the will on your own flavour composition.

See the Photos Below and visit the Parisian Park.

UPDATE  (10/23/2014)

DOME

I’ve been to La Vie Parisienne once again because they have another upgrade with the place and it’s beyond awesome. The lights are brighter and the design is fashionably Paris. I only wished there was an Eiffel Tower anywhere near. It’s nostalgia. It’s Paris. It’s Instagram-worthy. (Sorry guys for the watermark, I’ve learned my lessons from online plagiarism.)

Although it’s colorful there, the burger really looks sad for P75.00.