Mikado

Lunch Break.

Amidst the hectic schedule yesterday, we decided to dine at the Grand Convention Center's Mikado. The restaurant stands along the roadside complete with shade from trees, pleasant atmosphere and numerous parking lots. Upon arrival, you are greeted by prompt servers saying "Irashaimase" which means Welcome in Japanese. To your right side and just a few steps ahead of you ar the pedestals where carefully prepared food are presented for the buffet.

The quiet ambiance and the faint music in the background is excellent for those who prefer to dine in peace on their own or with someone else. There are semi-private booths available too, for those who need it.

The food is ok, although when we visited, there weren't any salmon at all. They have sukiyaki, yakiniku, miso soup, tempura, some sashimi and rolls of sushi.



Mikado
Grand Convention Center


Verdict:
A: 3/5 expensive for what it has to offer


Max's

During Max's 65th year anniversary, all branches nationwide held a month long promo that allows customers to consume any number of quarter pieces from six to ten in the evening. Of course, as food enthusiasts ourselves, we sampled their chicken to prove their slogan, "The house that fried chicken built".

We had three quarters of a chicken each, paired with asparagus cooked with tofu. For an additional fee, we availed of the bottomless soda upgrade. The asparagus with tofu is ok, although I would've liked it better if there were more vegetables in it or had it been served on the table more appetizingly. The chicken needs some work too, the first chicken quarter served was cold. I suppose that's understandable, to prepare for the flow of people wanting to avail of this cheap and affordable promo.

Aside from the promo, the only merit that I see is the prompt service given to the guests. The food is so-so to me, and most of the prices in their menu is way beyond any budget. Nothing exceptional and hard to cook.

Max's
SM Cebu


Verdict:

A: 3/5

Ila Puti

Ila Puti is one of the best tasting restaurants I've been to in IT Park. For one, it has got to be the best casual restaurants that doesn't fall into the nightlife stereotype cafe that serves beer and liquor after hours with loud music and boisterous laughing. In fact, the ambiance, calm and quiet, is totally different from its neighbors. Interiors organized too and each guest is guaranteed satisfaction upon being seated by the server.

We were able to try their special burger and their Indian inspired meat curry-tomato rice. The rice meal that I got was delicious and done just right (smooth blend of curry with a tickling hint of tomatoes, perfect!). What makes it special is that you can actually taste and savor the herbs and spices they used in the dish. The burger, on the other hand, was just above the regular burger but not quite that special. It's way beyond the level of quality compared to what fast food chains serve, however.

I'm quite sure I'll come back to this restaurant in the future. I'm curious as to what other dishes they'll surprise me with next time.



Ila Puti
IT Park


Verdict:

A: 4/5

Roma Mia

Located in the outskirts of Ayala Cebu's Terraces, Roma Mia is a quaint restaurant that specializes in deep dish pizza. The ambiance is pleasant enough and the whole place is well ventilated even though the air conditioning doesn't reach the end corner of the dining facility. There are additional seats outside, just in case the crew can no longer accommodate on the inside.

The food we had included Carlito's way deep dish pizza topped with cheese, green peppers, ground meat paired with a plate of spaghetti pesto. For sidings, we sampled a good-for-two-plate of fried Chicken wings with a small cup of honey mustard dip. First of, the pizzas weren't that great. Rather, it tasted bland and the meat on it doesn't add to any taste. The cheese used for this pizza is different however, which makes it so-so. The pesto's noodles were submerged in a ric sauce composed of fresh and finely chopped basil and garlic. The chicken wings were alright; the tangy sauce made up for it.

For those interested in coming over to eat here, they should prepare for sharing the diner's wide range of assorted food. Good for groups, dates and casual meetings.

Roma Mia
Ayala Terraces

Verdict:
A = 4.2/5

teriyaki boy

We came upon Teriyaki boy late in the afternoon after buying the things we needed at the mall. Luckily at 4pm, there was no one inside save for a couple in one of the two who were just about to leave after their meal. We took our seats at one of the round booths there, and were busy appraising the menu given to us by the waitress.


A few minutes later after ordering, the same server delivered Uni sushi (sea cucumber), Unagi sushi (Eel), Creme dori Tempura, Teriyaki Boy Chicken Ju (grilled chicken in sweet glaze), Tempura Tuna Sashimi Tartare (tuna in tempura breading with tartar) and a small bowl of Nasu-Abura Itame (eggplant in a sweet-salty sauce with sesame seeds)

The food was excellent, to be honest. If you're visiting this resto, forget the shake (salmon). Sea cucumber is definitely a must when you visit a Japanese restaurant. Their unagi sushi isn't bad either, as it was soft and not too salty. Their Tempura Tuna Sashimi is a very good order too, I might add, a good substitute for those expensive sushi/sashimi. Creme Dori Tempura is so-so, though I have to hand it to them, I didn't think it was possible to do that with that type of fish. Their Chicken Ju deserves special honors, though, although parts of it were toasted a little too much. The Nasu-Abura Itame is an ingenious way of preparing eggplant. Something I loved too.

I guess, my only complaint about this restaurant is the lazy atmosphere of the staff when it comes to refills and checks. I guess most of them just aren't that into their job as waiters and waitresses and that we had to wait for at least 10 minutes for the check and five minutes for a bottomless iced tea refill. Ambiance is wonderful. Price is so-so if you stay away from bestsellers.

Teriyaki Boy
Ayala Terraces


Verdict:

A: 3.8/5

Abuhan

Amidst the rows of local restaurants that are open until late in the morning, Abuhan restaurant is popular for its wide array of Filipino dishes, as well as its homely atmosphere and cozy ambiance.


Once seated, we ordered Crispy Pata, a large bowl of Pochero, beef soup with vegetables and corn, a plate of Bicol Express, beans and chili simmered slowly in coconut milk, and steamed water spinach. The crispy pata was just as I imagined it, crispy, but not toasted and the Pochero was piping hot with plenty of cabbages and bamboo shoots. The Bicol express, something most restaurants fail to perfect was good and spicy, unlike the normal gooey or very mild varieties. They didn't overcook the water spinach either, simmered just right in soy sauce and vinegar as well as a few other spices.

I'm still impressed with the food, albeit the servers were a bit apathetic. Nonetheless, if you're into a well thought of and well prepared Filipino food, look for Abuhan in IT park. You're in for a treat.


Abuhan Restaurant
IT Park


Verdict:
A: 4/5

Handuraw Pizza

Handuraw restaurant is a quaint place where you can get a nice slice of pizza and a bottle of below zero beer. We came here during lunch time, and not a soul in sight, save from a lone attendant who was busy texting someone while the smooth, soothing music filled the four corners of the room. It was a semi dark place, and it had great ambiance, a nice place to treat someone out on a date or a chill out after work.

We got a plate of Handuraw special, a thin crust pizza with olives, ham, ground meat, cheese, home made tomato sauce. They can really make their pizzas the way they wanted it to be! One bite on the freshly baked slice and I know it's a winner. This is better than Shakey's or Pizza hut.

Thin crust Pizza served just right, relaxing atmosphere, spacious area? What more can you ask for? I'm not one for the booze, but hey, I'm in if it's food.



...now, I wonder what i's like to dine here during the evening? I guess I just have to see.

Handuraw Pizza
Lahug


Verdict:
A: 4/5

Kul Cafe

Cool Cafe is a quaint restaurant within the vicinity of IT park complete with a comforting atmosphere where you can relax after a hard day's work. I rushed over here after some business and had a sizzling plate of crispy pata, pork trotter deep fried until golden brown, and a plate of sisig. The ambiance, it seems, feels like an after work drinking haven where most of the dishes there can be paired with alcohol. The music is good, but the place is a little too crowded for my tastes.

The crispy pata is good, but I can't say much about the sisig. It lacked something. It's not the sisig I used to love, not the sisig that grew on you. It does, taste ok, but really... There's just something in that that's lacking. It needs a certain spice. A certain tingle to entice people.

Sauce maybe? I don't know.

But if you really need to have one of those, grab some friends and some drinks. It's going to be a long night.




Kul Cafe
IT Park

Verdict:

A: 2/5

Flame it!

We came upon this restaurant after a long time of not even giving it a second look. The place was a little cramped for room, with only a few chairs and really small booths. But regardless of how it looks like, Flame it burgers has got to be one of the best burgers in town, in my opinion. First, their burger buns are firm. Next, they have fresh greens. And finally, the meat itself is spectacular. You have the option to pick between a regular burger or upgrade it to a half pound one, something that makes Champ and Big Mac run away for their money.

When it comes to taste, I haven't tasted anything that can beat it in terms of meat content (save for Burger King) plus the fact that it's grilled to perfection just for you. The spices that come with it is unimaginable and is enough to make your mouth water. The smell is different too, compared to the traditional burgers you can get from the usual burger joints.

My only complaint is the waiting time. And the fact that their "cream cheese and garlic burger" doesn't have any cream cheese at all. Other than that, everything's well and good.


Flame it!
Ayala Center Cebu

Verdict:
a = 3.5/5