New cuisine in Cebu is on the rise, thanks to the increasingly global tastes of locals and tourists alike. Those in the know flock to the suburban Gorordo-Lahug corridor, where most of these top dining destinations are located.
Simply J’s Café and Restaurant at 10 Apitong St. cor. Escario St. has a unique hybrid of American and French country atmospheres as the backdrop for its Western menu. Its signature baby back ribs uses honey-mustard sauce instead of the usual barbecue flavor, which owner Vicky Sy is very proud of because of its unwavering appeal to diners.
Just a stone’s throw away is the Bada Korean Restaurant or simply “Bada,” alluding to the ocean where it sources out its stock of fresh catch. It offers an unbeatable promo dubbed the Unlimited Meat Buffet, concocted by owner Shane You, who comes from Busan, South Korea. A tasty assortment of meats, such as samgyupsal (pork belly), yangnyum moksal (marinated pork), chadolbagi (beef belly) and chugumi (octopus), is cooked on a hot plate or burner. At P359 per head, the menu comes with unlimited side dish, rice, soup and vegetables—a real steal.
Around a kilometer away is a small street called Sanjercasvil Road leading to an American colonial house. The structure was renovated to become the Circa 1900 restaurant-cum-piano bar and function venue.
Owner Eya Shrimski says great effort has been made to retain its original architecture and material; it serves not only as a dining destination but also a watering hole for history and culture buffs. Circa 1900 features international cuisine that pays respect to Filipino culinary heritage through the use of local ingredients. Must-try specialties include the banana-coconut cake with malunggay ice cream; vegetable paella cakes based on the Kapampangan chicken bringhe; and the crunchy, slow-roast pork belly with apple and fennel compote.
Still along Gorordo Avenue toward Nivel Hills is a classy but accommodating restaurant called Dolce, which now offers not only light bites but also big meals. Holly Dychangco, interior designer and co-owner, says that Dolce’s menu has been upgraded from grilled food and sandwiches to rice meals such as the Dolce beef caldereta, adobo, sweet-and-sour fish fillet, and chicken onana, among many others.
Another must for those with a sweet tooth is Sweet Little Things, located on a commercial block in Gorordo, across Simply J’s.
The place is unique and special because it sits in a stairwell, with an exquisite and dainty glass wall as the space’s center of attraction. Guests should sample its almond crunch, strawberry shortcake, classic chocolate cake and red velvet cake.
The good news is that for those who choose to call Cebu City their home, these restaurants will be a daily pleasure if they live at Azalea Place—Robinsons Residences’ first upscale condominium development in the city.
The dining destinations are located within the 3-kilometer block of the condo, along with other vital commercial and office establishments, as well as schools and universities.
Azalea Place epitomizes the best that city living in Cebu has to offer.
For more information, call tel. nos. (032)2555540 or 0933-2000000; or visit www.robinsonsresidences.com.