Sunday 6 April 2014

Taytayan Pinoy Restaurant


There are times that you fail to explore places that are very near your vicinity and often neglect its worth. This is the case of this concealed and underrated restaurant which I happen to know through a tarp Ad while riding a tricycle in Lapu-Lapu City. 


I have been residing in Mactan Island for almost 3 years and yet this restaurant go unnoticed perhaps because the place is not part of my regular route.


I must say this Pinoy Restaurant which have been around for quite sometime deserves to be revisited and given full attention not just by local residents but also tourists, foodie and non-foodie alike.


The experience for me was absolutely pleasant – great service, lovely ambiance and unquestionably delicious food.


My personal favorites have to be Salmon Panga soup, Baked Scallops and Chicken Halang-halang.


                 Strawberry Smoothie

                    Ice Tea Slush

               Salmon Panga Soup

                   Baked Scallops

           Chicken Halang-Halang

Contact Details:

Taytayan Pinoy Restaurant
Mahogani Street, Pilipog
6017 Cordova, Cebu
Tel. No: (032) 4123783

Schedule: 10:00am to 100:00pm

Saturday 5 April 2014

Taj Indian Restaurant

The first time I tasted authentic Indian food was in Singapore. The smell of Indian curry at that time was not really pleasing to my senses let alone its taste. 


But I am a self-proclaimed foodie so I have to keep my gustatory perception open basically for anything. 


When friends somehow invited me to visit Little India in Singapore to sample authentic Indian cuisines, the foodie adventurer in me obliges. From then on, the experience taught me a lot and gradually began to like the food.


So when I learned through a former colleague that there is a newly opened eating place in Cebu called Taj Indian Restaurant, I was ecstatic to try.


The place is painted with Indian  portraits,and sceneries. You are even serenaded with Indian songs while dining.


I love their chicken fold over paired with mango lassi (mango yoghurt smoothie). 

                  Chicken Fold Over 

                       Mango Lassi

Definitely a must try too is their veggie samosa (more like a pinoy empanada but filled with potatoes and green peas plus curry).

                     Veggie Samosa

Chapati with curry sauce was a total gustation delight. 

            Chapati with Curry Sauce

They also offer Shisha Tobacco. Shisha smoking (smoking from a Shisha or Hookah pipe) has been a regular sight in City Time Square usually on evenings. It is a way of smoking tobacco through a bowl and hose or tube. 

                  Shisha Tobacco

I will absolutely go back here soon. I love the place, I love the staffs (friendly and accommodating) and of course the food. 

Contact Details:

Taj Indian Restaurant
City Time Square
Mantawi Ave., North Reclamation Area
Subangdaku, Mandaue City 
Tel. No.: (032) 2394397, 5116476 

Friday 4 April 2014

Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa

I have always wondered how the food tastes at Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa. But the speculation stopped when a tour guide friend offered her dinner for 2 vouchers at a much lesser price.



Overly ecstatic with a great deal of curiosity and a hungry stomach, off I went with my cousin to finally sample their buffet dinner.


Coming in was no trouble at all because what welcomes us were the sight of a wide selection of gastronomic lusts.




I can barely hold myself from devouring all that was offered but since Japanese food caught my eye first, my feet were magnetized and brought me to its station.

Sushi Station

Sashimi Station

The pizza was great too and of course I did not stop myself binging on the seafood delectation.

                                      
Seafood Overload


And for the sweet-toothed gastronome, desserts galore is hard to miss.

chocolate overload

Brazo de Mercedes

chocolate truffles, fruit salad, cake and mocha mousse

I must say visiting the place lived up to my expectations. I give it two thumbs-up!

Contact Details:

Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa
Address: Quezon National Hi-way, Lapu-Lapu City 6015
Phone:(032) 494 5000
 

La Vie Parisienne

Placed in an accessible location, La Vie Parisienne (The Parisian Life) is all about pastries and wines. This is one of the best place to get delicious yet affordable croissants.



Owned by the celebrated family in Cebu, the Lhuillier clan, this French Bakery which is at the same time a Deli offers wines both low-priced and expensive ones.



This is not really difficult to find because it is parallel to the La Maison Rose or The Pink House Restaurant (very near the Mormon Temple).



The space breathes a delicious smell of freshly baked croissants and pastries that are mouth-watering upon entering their premises.



Inside the library are wines piled like books according to prices and flavors. The library is sometimes booked for private functions, but if it is available you can always have your bottle of wine or perhaps a glass or two inside the cellar.


If you want exquisitely tasting croissants, this bakehouse is a must-visit.

Contact Details:



371 Gorordo Ave., Lahug,
Cebu City, Philippines
Mobile No.: +639479992456
Tel. No.: (032) 2604388
Email: lavieparisienne@hotmail.com

Opens Daily from 7:00am to 12:00am 

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Tavolata

Probably one of the best Italian bistro I have ever been. I can only think of 2 words to describe this place - Elite and Classy. Tavolata Restaurant is part of one of the largest restaurant chain in Cebu which speaks of upper class dining experience, the Abaca Group.

                   Apple Crostada

I personally love their Apple Crostada (Apple pie). It is soft, chewy and a bit gooey because of the delightful creamy sauce that really brings out the flavor of the pie. It is best paired with tea or coffee. 

                  Spaghetti Neri

You also have to try their Spaghetti Neri - a seafood pasta favorite that truly pleases every gastronomic craving. The noodle is said to be made with the black ink from a squid giving it a dark color. 

Two thumbs up for this place! 

Contact Details:
Tavolata: La Trattoria di Abaca
Design Center of Cebu
A.S. Fortuna, P. Remedio St.
Mandaue City
Tel No.: (032) 5056211