Ayala Center Cebu might be a go-to place for lunch or dinner when in the Queen City of the South, but one night when in Cebu found out this thumbs up restaurant a few blocks from The Terraces. 

Panoramic view

Why was it a 'thumbs-up'? Because I got to tick these:

• Alfresco dining
• 360-degree view of the city
• Perfect ambiance
• Acceptable to good food

Hello again Cebu! Hello The Terraces/ Ayala Center

Sky Lounge

Blue Elephant is located at Apple One Sky Lounge. Though photos weren't good (because it was night and the lighting condition weren't good-- only for photos as it was pefect just to chill around), here's what we succumbed to:

• Roti (Original) at Php 165

Nice to meet you, Roti!

This one looks too bland but no, it's so good especially when paired with its sauce. Roti (also known as chapati--- now I'm just pasting here my Google search) is an Indian flat bread made from stoneground wholemeal flour, traditionally known at atta flour. Highly recommended for an appetizer. 

• Hot Prawn Salad at Php 290

Is it hot, now?

Enjoyed Roti but not the Hot Prawn Salad. For me it was like an ordinary fruit salad topped with the prawns. The salad itself was not good, one factor was because it's not chilled anymore. 

• Sauteed Broccoli with Beef at Php 260

The healthy choice from the pack

Just tasted a bit this one and must say, it's not so grand, but acceptable. 

• Blue Elephant Premium BBQ Ribs at Php 320

The sauce commands attention tho sorry for the blur

Ribs! How can you get wrong with ribs? It was tender and BBQ-ey saucy. 

• Pork Sisig at Php 250

Sizzle with the sisig

Good sisig, too! I enjoyed munching on this one. Should be because it's a tad expensive for a sisig, huh. 

• Phad Thai at Php 250

Sweetness

Sweet phad thai and it was okay. With this, rice wasn't much needed. 

In general, food was okay only that serving was small vis-a-vis the price but of course did not incorporate the ambiance for that. Venue is good for a night of cocktails, too.

Blue Elephant menu:

Choose some more?

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/cebu/blue-elephant-cebu-business-park" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Blue Elephant, Cebu Business Park and other Restaurants in Cebu" target="_blank"><img alt="Blue Elephant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17815448/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 3.5

Blue Elephant is located at:

19/F, Apple One Equicom Tower, 

Mindanao cor Biliran Avenue, 

Cebu Business Park, Cebu

360 degree view of Cebu Apple One Equicom Tower Apple One Sky Lounge Blue Elephant in Cebu Blue Elephant menu restaurants in Ayala Center Cebu Roti sky lounge when in cebu

Saturday, October 31, 2015

After eating lechon, the next logical thing to do is find some sweets. When in The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu, an option could be Maitre Chocolatier. It's not an exclusive Cebu restaurant though as it has a branch in Makati. 

Maitre Chocolatier Ayala Center Cebu branch

It was quite late already so we were left with a few options available. Their cakes are quite pricey at almost Php 200 per slice. 

Inside :)

So what to choose?

• Tiramisu- presentation is nice. It's not so sweet and not too fantastic for its price. It wouldn't carve a "bring me back here again" or "I shall hunt this in Manila" feeling.

Tiramisu

• White Chocolate with Mango- cute presentation too. Same feeling though of course, I love the mango on top.

The mango pulled it, really

Not the best place for a sweet cravings. So now the question is, what's a good option? Any help? 

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/cebu/maitre-chocolatier-cebu-business-park" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Maitre Chocolatier, Cebu Business Park and other Restaurants in Cebu" target="_blank"><img alt="Maitre Chocolatier Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17816217/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 3.5

Maitre Chocolatier is located at:

G/F, The Terraces, 

Ayala Center Cebu, 

Cebu Business Park, Cebu

Cebu food trip Maitre Chocolatier in Cebu restaurants in Ayala Center Cebu Tiramisu when in cebu white chocolate with Mango

Friday, October 30, 2015

Rico's Lechon is claiming to be Cebu's best, directly competing with the famous Zubuchon. Alright then, it's a new kid in the town of Cebu so when we visited there again, second time this 2015, rushed to taste their offering. Glad there's one near Ayala Center Cebu. 

Trying to get a picture but it's too dark outside.

It's us, don't be afraid. Haha

Lechon is an order for sure but choosing between regular and spicy was a debate. They said spicy lechon is so good but not wanting that, ended up for the regular. One half (1/2) kilo Regular lechon is at Php 310. Their lechon was good, not so salty alright but I somehow missed the aroma and flavor of Zubuchon's, making the latter still better for me. Although admittedly, the result could be otherwise if we chose the spicy. Anyhow, Cebu is just a few hours plane ride from Manila, hahaha. :p

Regular lechon

Aside from lechon (though I don't have photos already), ordered also:

• Monggo (good for 3-4 persons) at Php 180. Now this one's a good deal. Nothing so special but good enough for a chilly night.
• Chicken Skin at Php 135. Wow, chicken skin is almost as expensive as monggo but then again, that's chicken skiiiiiin and you can never go wrong with that (assuming we don't count the bad cholesterol, of course)

It was a challenge well fought, Rico's. That's evident with the many people lining up for dinner in their full house Kamputhaw branch. 

Rico's Lechon Menu: 

Rico's Lechon Menu

Rico's Lechon other offerings menu

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/cebu/ricos-lechon-kamputhaw" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Rico's Lechon, Kamputhaw and other Restaurants in Cebu" target="_blank"><img alt="Rico&#039;s Lechon Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17828258/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 4

Rico's Lechon has a branch in:

Tojong Corner Acacia Street, 

Kamputhaw, Cebu

Cebu food trip Cebu's best food blog regular lechon Rico's Lechon Rico's lechon menu spicy lechon travel blog when in cebu Where to eat in Cebu?

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Mention Cebu or the Queen City of the South and the phrases that would come to mind are lechon, Larsian BBQ, Bantayan Island, Magellan's Cross, Basilica del Sto. Niño, Fort San Pedro, Ayala Center Cebu, Mactan, skywalk or edge coaster extreme adventure in Crown Regency Hotel, metropolitan city, Malapascua, and only recently Oslob whaleshark watching or Sumilon island. But I've never heard anyone mention Olango Island. (It was famous before, they say but my generation prolly knows not much). 

Olango island is not too big. According to research, it's only 1,030 hectares (2,500 acres). Before, it was known for Olango Island Bird Sanctuary. It's accessible very accessible. We were just thinking what to do for the afternoon while eating dessert in Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu and we realized that a small port is located just beside it.

Mövenpick Strawberry ice cream which was pricey and NOT good

We can go as far as Bohol, but the fastest route to be lost is in Olango, just 10-15 minutes at Php 15 (if I remember it correctly) from Mactan. 

No plans whatsoever, we just contracted a tricycle to roam us around the island. But halfway thru, seeing the abundance of nature all around us, we decided for a walk. And we basked in these goodness:

Impromptu but ready with a map :) :) :)

Like the road to an altar on weddings--- Olango way

Coconut makes the perfect foreground

Walka-thon and having a blast! Show me the way! :)

Walking by foot, we arrived finally at the Marine Sanctuary. Here's the choices of activities that we can do but decided just to take it slow. 

At the 1st sanctuary--- marine

Marine Sanctuary activity options with price

Just paid Php 25 for the Boardwalk fee. It was just a simple activity but I enjoyed immensely. It was a looooong boardwalk and along, here are the sights we marveled at:

Boardwalk, reveal your beauty!

Some 'displays' along the board walk :)

Now out in the open!!!

Loving the strong wind brushing my hair!

At the end was a raft but it was late in the afternoon already so just decided to enjoy looking at different starfishes. We could've snorkeled but again, was late in the afternoon that the current is strong already.  

She sells seashells by the seashore?

And we're going back

Next stop was the once famous, was the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, home of over 60,000 migratory birds from as far as Siberia and China. The road/walkway going there was an adventure in itself. We walked around a few steps along the mangrove then hopped in its walkway. 

Hello birds! Hello Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary!

It's more exciting because it's under repair. *giddy much*

See? It was sooo enjoyable! The island was so full of life that peering through the stones were small hermit crabs and in the water, school fishes going to their whereabouts that time of the day. This is the real #blessed. 

Show yourself, hermit! Don't be so shy

A small concrete nipa with stairs at the end awaits where with the provided binoculars (because we paid Php 75 per head), birds are freely roaming around. Best time to go there was at 2pm already. Again, we were late so saw only a few birds. 

Where birds can be seen on a 'platform'

I know the picture didn't capture it with justice but with the sunset coming, we instead savored this sight. God's creation is truly amazing!

Laid back fun 

Ahhhhhh! This view!!!

Unprepared, unplanned, didn't see that much and just chilled around but it wasn't bad after all. In fact, I had a great time just appreciating everything around... just absorbing the easy life in Olango. The island was so simple yet full of blessings. It's good once in a while to go with the flow. Though next time, I want to see more birds and more fishes. :)

Some photos courtesy of @mdms. Thank you for your better photos :)

Cebu Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu Olango Island Cebu Olango Marine Sanctuary Olango Wildlife Sanctuary places to visit in Cebu travel diary

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Looking for a Filipino fiesta right at the heart of the city? Where Filipino favorites like lechon, liempo, sisig, inihaw, even balot, sorbetes, halo-halo and kakain are served? All these to be ended with unlimited beer? Applause to the concept of La Fiesta: Largest Filipino Buffet for all these cravings are found in one place. 

La Fiesta at MOA

La Fiesta Sorbetero

For a Weekday Dinner rate at Php 838, here are the feast awaiting: 

• Appetizer Section- all the 'pampagana' Filipino style

Itlog na maalat, kamatis, perfect!

• Seafood Section- Dampa/ paluto style. I cannot really say that it's fresh on the spot, though

Seafood Section

What we ordered: shell galore

• Carving Station- one of my favorites but an area where heart attack is inevitable
• Lechon

Always a staple! Lechon!

What sarsa does your lechon like? Find your perfect mix

• Lechon Manok/ Inihaw na Liempo

Sometimes, lechon manok/ roasted chicken will do

• Shawarma

Shawarma!!!

• Roasted Pork Ham

Looks extremely appetizing, but not when eaten

• International (not Filipino but Filipino favorites still) Section
• Italian: pizza, pasta 

Pizza is good, clap clap (But then again, it's pizza)

• Chinese foods

Chinese favorites. Lumpia is a Filipino fiesta staple

• Japanese: tempura, sushi, maki, okonomiyaki

Tempura has become a favorite for Filipino food lovers too

Sushi: staple in every buffet

Sashimi: perfect for the beer, too

• Mexican: quesadillas

Quesadillas! 

• Other viands that are not entirely Filipino. 

• Filipino Selection
• Favorite Viands

Filipino faves such as kare-kare

• Street Foods/ Ihaw-ihaw- the classic Filipino street foods! This time cleaner. Haha

Ihaw-ihaw kanto style

Tenga ng Baboy! 

Unlimiteeeeed! 

• Exotic Filipino a.k.a. fear factor: from one day old ducks, balut, crispy chicken skin

Choose your fear-factor Filipino style food!

Fried intestine/ isaw. So good!

Tanan! Fried duck!

Cooked balut! Anyhow you like it. haha

Conservative baluuuuuut!

• Sisig & Steak etc (which are requested and delivered at the table, so mind your table number)

Bulalo steak: not so good

• Desserts
• Halo-halo

Do it yourself Halo halo 

• Kakanin

Kakanin! Not a fan, though

• Ice cream (not the classic 'mamang sorbetero' cart)
• Cakes and Jellies

Desserts from cakes to jellies

• Crepe 

DIY crepe, buffet staple also

• Salads
• Fruits

Fruits all you can

• Drinks
• Buko Juice/ Fruit Juices

Fruit juices

• Sago Gulaman 
• Unlimited beer- they have the draft and the canned San Miguel Pale pilsen

Beer, powdered juices and colas

To top it all off, La Fiesta has a live band/ performances. Truly a pinoy fiesta! If there was a karaoke, it would have been grand. 

Live entertainment

What I like about La Fiesta: 

• Concentrated theme same like Banzai's but the food were better prepared. So relative to buffets, food are better. 
• 'Relatable' because I am a Filipino that it's funny you get to eat all those Filipino favorites in one sitting from the turo-turo to lechon to the fishes
• Pica-pica foods! You know, the fried isaw, etc. When you are full but still have to blabber stories, it's the best option. (Only take this route when full; eat the expensive ones first to be 'sulit') 
• Well-lighted interiors (though I did not discuss it in this blog)

What I don't like:

• It's good but not everything's a joy. Some foods are still bleh though like that baked crab! Inside its yummy appearance lies rehashed meats.

Baked Crab: looks good outside but...

... the inside is bleh

La Fiesta is also affiliated with Yakimix (I don't have a published review because I've eaten here before I took blogging srsly) and Buffet 101 but for me, among its sisters, it's the better version.

Still on top of my list is Vikings and Four Seasons Hot Pot City. Nevertheless, La Fiesta is doing a great job. 

La Fiesta rates:

La Fiesta at MOA rates

<a href="https://www.zomato.com/manila/la-fiesta-filipino-cuisine-mall-of-asia-complex-pasay-city" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about La Fiesta Filipino Cuisine, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA) and other Restaurants in Metro Manila" target="_blank"><img alt="La Fiesta Filipino Cuisine Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6313649/minilogo" style="border:none;width:104px;height:15px;padding:0px;" /></a> Rating: 4 

La Fiesta Filipino Cuisine is located at:

One Esplanade, Jose Diokno Boulevard, 

San Miguel By the Bay, 

Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City

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Saturday, October 17, 2015