Gai's Cebu Picks

Hotels

First off, I prefer boutique hotels to big chain ones.  If you are staying in Mactan, I would recommend Abaca Boutique Resort, but the Shangri-La Mactan is there too.  If you are staying in Cebu City, there's the Marriott, but I prefer these hotels:

The House of Cebu is hip and quirky.  It's owned by a Filipino-German couple and they have a very good restaurant next door called Paseo One.

These were our starters at Paseo One.  They did not disappoint.

They also have a bar called Scrapyard.  I've had a peek inside but I haven't been for drinks but, apparently, their happy hour is everyday from 10 to 12 PM and drinks are free for the ladies on Wednesdays.  I'd say that's something worth looking into.

Rooms come in three sizes:  big, large and extra large and are all uniquely furnished.  Some of the ones we saw had see-through bathrooms, which must be a European thing because Nicolas has been insisting on having all-glass bathrooms in Siargao too, which I am totally against.  While they do look lovely, they're not very practical.  Not only do they pose a problem if you are traveling with a friend but, even with a lover, really, sometimes you just need your alone time and, unlike Mark Zuckerberg, I do believe that there is such a thing as oversharing.  According to the staff, you may request for curtains.

• www.thehouseofcebu.com
• [email protected]
• +63-917-998-7615, +63-918-269-3251
• No. 1 Paseo Saturnino (a.k.a. Maria Luisa Rd.), Cebu City

The name and the Harrods knock-off logo of Harolds Hotel are a turn-off but I got to check out this hotel when Sue was in town and it's not bad at all.  It's new, it's clean, it's sleek and modern.  

• www.haroldshotel.com
• [email protected]
• +63-32 505-7777
• Gorordo Avenue corner Rosal St., Lahug, Cebu City 

Restaurants

Cebu has no shortage of good restaurants.  And they offer good value for money.  If they're slightly pricey, expect huge servings.

Along that same road as The House of Cebu alone - apart from Paseo One - are the following:

• Rica's Cafe (+63-32 236-3562, 420-7219) - A tiny restaurant that is, literally, tucked away in a corner of Cebu.  If you blink, you might miss it.  It's never crowded but the food is good.

• Tymad Bistrot (+63-32 232-7385.  Closed on Mondays.) - Because of Philippe Estienne, Cebu now has the best croissants, pains au chocolat and pastries in the Philippines.  To tell you the truth, I think his pain au chocolat is even better than the ones I've had in Paris.  (Tymad's has more chocolate in it.)  Nicolas is addicted to the savory crepes and the tartes aux fraises.

Nicolas' favorite savory crepe, with smoked salmon.

• Guiseppe Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast (Closed on Mondays.) - Must haves:  Pizza with arugula and prosciutto, the osso buco, and then there's this dish that isn't on the menu - the maccheroni bolognese - the very thought of which is making me salivate as I write.

*Along this strip, after Paseo One and close to Rica's Cafe, is the Lhuillier Supermarket where you can buy various French deli meats, cheeses, wine and groceries.

At Crossroads, Banilad:

• Olio - This would have to be at the top of the list.  The food is always amazing.  The interiors, however, although they might have been trendy once, are now due for an update.  Still, undoubtedly, one of the best restaurants in Cebu.
• Maya - I'm not a fan of the food but would recommend it for its spicy churros con chocolate, its fine selection of tequila and the fab interiors.
• Tajimaya - For yakiniku, Tajimaya may not be the best, but it offers good value for money, especially now, with its all-you-can-eat selection of meats at only P390.  (I recommend sticking with the beef.  The pork is very fatty with hardly any meat on it.)  They also offer wagyu in their ala carte menu.
• The Tinderbox - It's isn't actually at Crossroads but is right next to it so I might as well include it on this list.  After a weekend of seafood in Siargao, Nicolas and I always head straight to Tinderbox as soon as we arrive in Cebu, for our meat fix.  Nicolas thinks that they offer the best-value-for-money Angus beef steak and we both love their panna cotta.  You can shop at their deli or check out their vast selection of wines, or ask to have a peek at Z, their Kenneth Cobunpue-designed bar on the second floor.

For Asian food, check out the following:

• Cafe Laguna, Golden Cowrie (Filipino food) - You can find branches of these restaurants at the Ayala and SM malls.
• Lemon Grass (Thai-Vietnamese) - At the Ayala Mall.  Their citrus herb lemonade is the bomb!  And a pitcher is some ridiculously low price like P130.  Our favorite dishes are the crab stick-pomelo salad, the pork ribs and a fried fish which I can't recall right now...
• Choi City (Cantonese) - I haven't had a lot of Chinese food in Cebu, but when the craving hits, I go to Choi City because it's at Banilad Town Centre (BTC), which is five minutes from the apartment, and it must be the sister restaurant of Choi Garden in Manila, which I love.  The food is excellent.  Normally, I phone in my order in advance, then pick it up when it's ready and have it at home.  Last Saturday, I ordered the Yang Chow fried rice, the layered pork (their version of lechon kawali) and broccoli with scallops.  The next day, I tossed the leftovers in the fried rice and it was even better.  
• Nonki (Japanese) - I haven't had a lot of Japanese food here either but Nonki, along A.S. Fortuna (which is where our apartment is located), has always been a reliable favorite.

For restaurants with views:

• Cowrie Cove - At the Shangri-La Mactan.  For open air, fine dining by the sea.
• Anzani - It's on the winding road (left side) on the way up to the Marco Polo Plaza.  The view actually belongs to Bellini Champagne Bar where you can start and/or end the night with cocktails.

Specialty Food

• Lhuillier Supermarket - At Paseo Saturnino (a.k.a. Maria Luisa Rd.).  For everything French.
• The Tinderbox - Beside Crossroads.  They have a delicatessen, and a wine and cigar shop.
• JEDCO also sells cheese and deli meats but they are known, primarily, for their meat.  You'll find them at the Robinson Supermarkets and Rustan's, but their main branch is in Mandaue.  If you're lucky, they MIGHT have some grass-fed meat.  It doesn't hurt to ask.  (+63-32 345-1830/40/41.)
• And then there's Eleanor Rivera (+63-917-714-8254), for all your organic vegetable needs.  You'll find her at different malls on weekends.  She's also affiliated with a wellness center, if you're looking to detox.
• Tubo - At the J. Centre Mall along A.S. Fortuna.  It's a small kiosk on the second floor near SM Hypermart.  Fresh sugar cane juice.  I was hesitant to try it at first because I thought it would be too sweet but it's actually not and is really quite refreshing and is supposed to be healthy.  I had it mixed with fresh orange juice.  Another plus for Tubo - they only use fresh ingredients.

Bars/Clubs

• Gilt/Vudu - Vudu, at Crossroads, is now an entertainment complex with the lounge next door called Gilt and the club renamed Luxx.  But everyone still refers to Luxx as Vudu - and Gilt, since it is relatively new, is Gilt.  I haven't been to Luxx since it was Vudu but I do like Gilt.  

The interiors at Gilt.

• The Loft/The Penthouse - At the I.T. Park, separated by one floor, are The Loft and The Penthouse.  If it isn't happening for you on one floor, check out the other.
• Bellini Champagne Bar - For excellent views of Cebu at night.  Their sister restaurant, Anzani, serves pretty good Italian food too.  

Day time view from Bellini.  (Internet file photo.)

Spas

• Chi - At the Shangri-La Mactan.  This has to be THE top spa in Cebu.  It also costs top dollar.
• Meddah Spa (+63-32 234-2080) - At Crossroads, Banilad.  This used to be my favorite spa but, somewhere along the way, their quality started to slip.  But I went back again recently and maybe I was just lucky and finally had a good therapist but, hopefully, they're back on track.  The place itself could use a bit of a touch-up and they absolutely must change their music selection.  My favorite massages are the hot stone massage and the lomilomi.

Beauty Salons

• Exposé - At Crossroads, Banilad.  Brought to you by the same owners of Meddah Spa.  This is supposed to be Cebu's top salon.  Reservations are a must.
• Bridges - At The Gallery, Mabolo.  Apparently, it's giving Exposé a run for its money.  I actually prefer Bridges because it's new and the interiors are bright, with a lot of natural light, as opposed to Exposé, which can be gloomy.
• Then there's my Italian friend who cuts hair at home.  Please send me a message if you want her details.