DEAD END RESTAURANT | CAFÉ OLD CUL DE SAC RESTAURANT [PHOTOS]

• ★★★★ ½

Would you believe if I say there’s a restaurant inside Sto. Nino village in Banilad? Although it’s been there for quite some time now; the restaurant located at the cul de sac (dead end in layman’s term) of Maya St., Sto. Nino village, Banilad, Cebu City perhaps called Café Old Cul De Sac because of the obvious reason.

The restaurant needed to be Foursquared for everyone to realize that a European-esque, specifically Italian themed restaurant is present in that commonly known prestigious village.

The place speaks for itself as the entrance is a true reminiscent of an Italian eatery as well as the inside of it.

The Faux fireplace amazed me with its three dimensional animated fire that is installed in an embossed true to life base of the chimney.

An outdoor seating is within the romantic courtyard with function rooms on the other side of the main restaurant that’s good for receptions and celebrations. When I checked Foursquare, I realized that there were events that were held in their close to this Spanish/Italian sophistication restaurant.

The ambiance is cozy and relaxing. You can’t help but feel at home (because it is really a house converted into restaurant).

Their offers vary from fish, pork, beef, and pasta to salads and sumptuous deserts that has a price range of P120.00-P400.00.

Try their Osso Buco, which is a crowd favorite. Although a steep price of P340.00 may be in question at first glance, but this famous beef Milanese dish which literally means ‘hole in the bone’ is one true delicious offer that I can’t help but take a bite over and over again even if it’s my partner’s order. The veal of the calf is so soft and tasty, feels like the heavens offered it to humans to get a taste of what it’s like in paradise. It doesn’t just come with the rice and the Osso Buco itself, also with a homemade ice cream that’s really delectable.

Try their pasta offers, for mine, I ordered Spaghetti Bolognese for P160.00 and it was just a fine dish to try since I’m a huge fan of pastas.

Their Rhapsody in Blue for P230.00 is a sumptuous meal, and that’s together with their homemade ice cream as well.

They have this soda mixed with fruit syrup offers that are seemingly acquired taste. We ordered Mary Ellen shake for P130.00, Granny Smith Apple Coke for P60.00 and Berry Sprite for P60.00.

Check out Café Old Cul De Sac!

CONTACT

Facebook

 

RATING – 4.5 out of 5 stars

LEVELS OF SPICY| GIBBS: HOT WINGS RESTAURANT [PHOTOS]

-★★★★ 1/2

I’ve wandered throughout Cebu looking for good food and it never failed me, but even when there are a lot of good restaurants out there: it seemed too generic to me. I’m looking for something that’s new and not famous because I’d love to discover them first, especially those that are praiseworthy.

There are those that stood out and one is Gibbs: Hot Wings located in Holy Family Village II, Banilad, Cebu City. It’s the village after you’ve passed the Banilad fly over if you’re coming from Cebu City.

Gibbs: Hot Wings offers you a very famous treat of hot chicken wings in different levels: hot, original, insanely hot, 2 intense and freakin’ hot. I’m not going to mention how spicy the levels are, but you have to try them yourselves.

And even when we ordered two of the insanely hot chicken wings; it was just worth it. The taste was so good, and cooked very well. The sauce that covered the wings was the one causing the spiciness of the dish and that’s what makes it a superstar.

I’m kind of happy tasting this original spicy wings in town because I’ve tasted WORST. One restaurant served us wings with hot ketchup drops over it. I won’t mention the name of the restaurant again because it’s been a year, and I’m hoping that they’ve changed the way they cook their spicy wings.

Anyhow, the insanely hot wings we have was spicy, but the magic was that we never stopped tearing the wings apart and put it in our mouths, and my partner IS never a fan of spicy food but he LOVED this one. And one reason why he doesn’t love spicy foods was that every after dining, he feels sick, but the spicy wings in Gibbs were a miracle.

They also have other offers like Spaghetti Meatballs, Carbonara, Mozarella sticks and Potato Wedges which were love, love, love. Everything here is just pure delish.

What I’m bummed about the place was that it was too small, BUT I believe that this restaurant has a huge potential in becoming the next ‘IT’ in town, although I’ve learned for a fact that Gibbs is a ‘must visit’ for University students and some alta-sociedad. And going there means to call in for reservation (number by the end).

There are writings on the wall of the restaurant from customers, but we didn’t get the chance to write ours because there weren’t space for us, but that’s fine. I’m hoping we’ll be one of the people to write messages on their wall when they have another chain somewhere in the city.

Gibbs: Hot Wings became instantly one of my favorite spots, and I’ll be visiting this place again and again and again.

Check it out and tell me about it!

SCHEDULE:

Monday-Sunday: LUNCH – 11:00AM to 2:00PM and DINNER 5:30PM – 10:00PM

CONTACT:

Facebook

Number: 0949-376-7220

RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars!

TEA O’CLOCK: BUBBLE TEA HOUSE REVIEW [PHOTOS]

 

 

–     ★★

I can’t imagine how many tea houses are opening every quarter this year. The range has completely been overwhelming and I’ve seen this small industry grow.

Creating a review for this post won’t be the last since there are lots of tea and coffee houses that are slowly making a name for themselves as well.

One of the new tea houses in the Queen City is Tea O’clock: Bubble Tea House housed in Vailoces Compound, Damascus Road, Talamban: it is the corner across BBQ Boss.

It is a tiny shop, (seemingly a former house) that is designed with childish, playground-ish or Alice in Wonderland-ish theme. When you see the place outside, it will really captivate you to come and visit.

Inside is very small but cozy and playful. I love the hanging tea cup decorations on top of the ceiling, and also on the walls plus the warm lighting that really feels like home.

The problem is that my partner and I were too big that we tend to bump the tables and chairs harshly (thank God no casualties). Anyhow, the walls are also refreshing to see with its huge mural of a grass field with two old people drinking tea on one side.

I love the playfulness of this place.

And with their offers that range from P80.00 and above. You will get the chance to taste the same offers as with other tea houses, but the only catch is that it’s not that good compared to others cafes.

Yep, I ordered Red Apple with Nata De Coco as sinkers and it taste like C2 Green Tea with Apple, and the Nata was in a small amount. Also with the Matcha green tea that tastes a bit off.

I also tried their Pasta Mac and Cheese which tasted ordinary, but tolerable.

What pissed my partner off while were in that place was when he tried to order their Milktea of the Month which was the Cheesecake + Grahams, but was not available… I mean, c’mon, it’s the offer of the month and it’s got no stock? My partner tried to order other offers and most of it is unavailable as of September.

Plus, the service wasn’t that good. I bet they haven’t had training with customer service because unlike in Café Tiala: it is evident, from entering the café to going out: they were warm and welcoming and really helpful too.

Those were the downside of this café and I would love to see them improve if ever they read my post because I believe this café has great potential.

But still I would describe this place as a place good for Instagram photos. Because taking pictures inside is just a pure pleasure.

Check out Tea O’Clock.

 

SCHEDULE:

Mon-Sat: 11:00-12:00MN

Sun: 11:00-9:00PM

 

CONTACT

Facebook

 

RATINGS: 2 stars

MORE PHOTOS

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!

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

 

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

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

Cafe Maru Panorama