a bite of brownie

We decided to eat here for a sample of sea urchin, aside from an assortment of sushi and a few slices of sashimi. The service was awful; it took minutes for the staff to notice us and take our order. Their menu isn't at all updated, and that We had a special platter, consisting of ample servings of california maki, tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi, sea urchin, sweet egg roll and shrimp sushi. We also had a siding of agedashi tofu, deep fried tofu with a thin crispy layer and melt-in-the mouth insides.

I'm not really sure if I'm coming back to this place. Instead, I might have to try visiting Nonki, which has a wider array of dishes to serve guests.

Verdict:

A: 1.75/5 What got to me was the service and the food presentation. I wasn't in the least impressed.

What caught my attention was the box of Lemon Squares, looking back, I heard rumors that these were really good. And it was! Remembering our trip back in February, it had just exactly the same taste as that famous lemon muffin sold at an outrageous price of 60 Php per piece.

After letting mom sample the squares, she became addicted to it. She also got a loaf of chocolate bread and took it home. This particular loaf goes well with hazelnut spread or any other chocolate spread.

Verdict:

A: 4.8/5 Great tasting baked goods at an affordable price. Must sample.

After our trip, as we were browsing forum posts about good food, we came across a newly established shop that sells liempo, namely Balamban Liempo. We visited two branches and sampled their scrumptious pork roast occasionally within the span of two months. If asked to rate the quality of the meat between the two franchise branches, the number one on my list would be the one from behind Coco mall, for its well done and its melt-in-the mouth texture. Closely behind it, I'd rank the one in front of JY third for the somewhat overcooked but still edible meat.

Their outstanding order, the Crispchon is a 45-day old piglet cleaned and prepared before deep fried. Further, once it arrives, the servers will prepare the pig in a way that most of the succulent meat is cut into slices and wrapped with vegetables and a unique pandan flavored wrap. These bite-sized items are then eaten with six sauces, ranging from the traditional Lechon sarsa to Curry dip. Once all the meat has been finished, the waiters will then offer to prepare the ribs and bones (you're not allowed to nibble on the bone. Yet.) for a second course. This time, what used to be the remains of an unappetizing heap of bones will be returned to you on a platter, cooked in chili-garlic sauce right to perfection. 

Verdict:

A: 4.7/5. We were seated comfortably in a booth while enjoying the chic ambiance the restaurant offers. I had a great time dining here, and during our stay, the servers were attentive and quick. The food is good, albeit pricey (you're paying for comfort and ambiance). My only complaint is the washroom. Small, cramped and it smells odd. Bathroom deo and the lack of tissues/hand dryers will more likely bother people, myself included. Good place to conduct business meetings and casual meetups with friends. They also serve liquor and beer here, just ask for their drinks menu.

Upon arriving at the branch in SM's North Wing extension, we were greeted by courteous servers who seated us on a table for three near the door. The place was small and it doesn't help especially during lunch time, nonetheless, a full restaurant could only mean two things: a) it is good, or b) it is cheap and affordable.

After adapting to the busy atmosphere of the dining facility, we were handed menu booklets. Our eyes roamed as we grouped amongst ourselves what we wanted to have for lunch. Food presentation on the menu is mouthwatering and looks satisfying and we wanted to taste something different and unique. Seafood enthusiasts, particularly crab lovers will enjoy the different types of crab dishes Fusion serves.

I like the fact that this restaurant has a wide selection of vegetable menu, not that I'm turning vegetarian but I do want to eat healthy when I'm eating out. That being said, my favorite fare here is not a vegetable dish =p it's the oyster cake (yes, I LOVE oysters)


The roti is great too, it's like eating crispy air (try to imagine that!). The eggplant masala was a bit salty but maybe that's how it's supposed to be. The radish cake and Taiwan pechay were also good. After a while, I realized that this restaurant uses the term "cake" to actually mean cooked with egg. So those people thinking of sponge cake topped with radish and oysters can stop cringing  now =)


Maybe next time I'll go to their other branches at Ayala and BTC. The North Wing venue was too noisy and crowded for me. Then again, SM is known to be exactly that. 

Verdict:

A: 4.5/5. Food is good because of fresh ingredients used in the preparation, not to mention the simple and presentation when served on the customers' table. The wide assortment of delicious foreign dishes will leave them hanging for more. Taking to mind our no carb diet, we agreed on dining on a variety of vegetable dishes. Served on our table are servings of Roti, Raddish cake, Oyster cake, Eggplant masala and Taiwanese pechay. What caught my interest is the Roti, served on the table as if it was a discolored beige handkerchief (aside from the fact that I am a fan of pita bread and other such Persian/Indian cuisine). The raddish cake and the oyster cake are also definitely must tries. Adobong Eggplant lovers will find the Eggplant Masala, an ok order, on familiar grounds.

N: 4/5 I'm definitely going back to try other dishes here. The price is reasonable and I just might cook this at home =)

The wait was a typical fast food experience, long lines for greasy food and a seat with noisy customers. Everyone was ordering KFC Chicken Bucket, we had their slightly new product; Strawberry Yoghurt and a small box of Chewy Cheese.

The Krushers, as they claim, is a mix of yoghurt, real strawberries and ice in one cup. It did have real strawberry bits. Chewy Cheese is a crunchy concoction bread crumbs, dough and parmesan cheese. These balls can be squeezed and stretched up to a certain length, and best eaten while hot. After the snack ended, our group had our share of laughs over minute conversations about life. 

As for the krushers, well it's not gonna be my fave sugared artificial flavored drink anytime soon. I'd gladly pick my Thirsty watermelon slush over this any time of day.

Verdict:

A = 1/5 Strawberry Yoghurt Krushers is a huge failure. Although the drink did guarantee real strawberry bits, it wasn't consistent at all with its advertisement. Yoghurt wasn't even present, but instead tasted milk powder. The whole drink was sweet, whereas a real yoghurt drink would have had sourness in it. Chewy Cheese is ok, if you think balls of flour with cheese inside is a cool idea. But I'm not quite convinced about how it's supposed to be consumed plain. When it cools down, it all comes down to a piece of deep fried carb-cholesterol infested snack. Best eaten hot, with a side of dressing.

Zubuchon boasts its roast pig, developed with its secret recipe of herbs and spices. The small stall located at BTC, the only branch in Cebu, is just above the robinson's supermarket branch. It caters to small individual orders of one kilo and up and bulk orders of one whole pig. The moment you take home one pack of this sumptuous roast will be the moment you'll either: a) complain of how little the serving is, or b) drive back to BTC to buy another one.

The pig is roasted after having been infused with rosemary, thyme, sage, salt and other foreign spices. Of course, one can expect that the pig has its staple serving of garlic, scallions and whole peppercorns. What makes this fare unique is the way it was cooked. The skin, it would seem, looks as if it had contracted a skin disease while it was cooked with fire. To do this, the one in charge must prick the whole pig with needles one inch apart from each other. Doing so will eventually make it look like you fried it in hot oil (See: crispy pata).

So what's so special about this aside from the big name endorsers? The rind was ok, it doesn't have the lacquered texture that others have but the taste of the meat might be too bland for the regular Cebuano who is used to the salty CNT with the soy sauce and vinegar dip. This one's more suitable for the Manileño taste who prefers lightly flavoured meat dipped in sarsa in Mang Tomas. =) As for my own preference, I like but it's price is prohibitive. Although I did buy from Zubuchon twice just to convince myself that it's worth it, I will have to choose the countless other lechons available here that are more budget friendly =)

Verdict:

A = 4/5 The meat is cooked to perfection because of the recipe and process it was cooked. It is tender and well done, like other lechon shops. The skin is heavenly but salty. Sadly, the taste doesn't compare much to CNT, the original cebu lechon. If you've grown tired of CNT, I'll recommed this.

Anyway, we claimed the certificate and ordered tostaditos, a nacho-like appetizer of meat, salsa, cabbage and cheese, karnes pizza, a ham and bacon with melted cheese, chimichanga, a deep fried burrito with oozing cheese and mooon pasta, noodles with sweet hoisin sauce, peanuts and olives.

I can't say good things about the pasta and the pizza. I didn't like the noodles and the pizza crust was mediocre - not worth skipping your South Beach diet for. Will probably go back here when we fill up our next Thirsty rewards card. Maybe I'll go for the quesadilla next time.

Verdict:

A = 3/5 The food wasn't really that exceptional and their guarantee of spiciness wasn't true at all. But it was an ok buy, for what it's worth. I've got to hand it to them though, they managed to get an authentic Mexican ambiance with Spanish music.

N = 3/5