Cebu Secret Chows: Simply J's -- the justice post! :D

Hey hey foodies!

          Sorry for the blog's silence. I've been away on a trip to Hong Kong for 5 days and I just got back the other night. I'll be telling you about that in another post though and I can't wait. These fingers are itching. But anyway, there's something I'd also like to share with you before I had left. 

          Simply J's, that quaint little white house-turned-resto along Escario St. that I've visited a while back last year (click this for that last post), has recently expanded their resto to the second floor and the other half of the house where they used to display their home decor items for sale. The second floor is now a function room which you can reserve for meetings or special occasion celebrations. 

           This is a justice post because my last and only post about this cool resto did not do  any justice for the great food, service and ambience it had. So, I was here for lunch with my good friend, Luis. I was delighted to find that the resto has kept its warmth and charm since my last visit. However, the menu has improved. There were several new items such as a crab cake salad which I wanted but was out of stock, and a seafood lasagna which we got, to name a few. What I liked about their menu though, was that there were precise descriptions for each dish. It helps a lot in selection of choices. 

           The ambience really is pretty much like stepping into a house with a huge dining area that invites you to take a seat and be assured of a good meal. Only the original dining area was occupied by diners that day. We took a look around while waiting for our food. 

the expansion

the original dining area

restroom

Hey, Luis! :D

            Reading the interesting new menu, my eyes caught lines like "deep fried" and "breaded". These words usually do not appeal to me at all but reading on, it sounded outrageous and spectacular, especially the sauce: red wine reduction shiitake mushroom sauce. I read it aloud and Luis even thought I was making it up to tease him because he loves anything fried and fatty. The dish described was "Stuffed Rack of Pork". 

hallelujah! Me thinks this piece fell from the sky!

Deep fried breaded rack of pork stuffed with pesto and served with potato gratin and red wine reduction shiitake mushroom sauce

              It sounds like a complex dish but each component complements each other very well like how each instrument in a band significantly contributes to a melody. This has got to be the queen of the menu. This was insanely good. The sauce, oh, it just hit the spot. I love red wine reductions. The shiitake mushroom infusion was not overwhelming as well. Luis and I instantly agreed that this was something anyone would crave for and come back for once they've had a taste. I could probably  finish the whole thing alone despite the huge serving. 

            But first, we had their Asian Mandarin Salad for our appetizer. I badly wanted to try their crab cake salad but as I mentioned earlier, it was unavailable. Oh well. I only like vinaigrette-dressed salads (but Caesar's is an exception) so this was the next choice. I always get disappointed when resto's only use iceberg lettuce though. I don't think I'd order this again.

             The seafood lasagna appealed to me because I read from the description that it had SEA URCHIN. Wow, that sounded extravagant. It sure drew my curiosity because I haven't noticed something like this served in other resto's. 

layered lasagna noodles with sea urchin, shrimp, fish, squid and white wine cream sauce

    
         It looked to be a solo serving but when we tasted it, it was actually very rich. It was also my first time to try cooked sea urchin because I've only had them fresh. Not bad though it was a tad too salty for our taste. We couldn't finish this. I must say, the first spoonful was like having a hefty serving of the ocean in your mouth. Maybe it lacked a little more white wine. Hehe. For seafood lovers, this is a go.

           I had Sola raspberry iced tea for my drink and Luis had Nestea iced tea.  Raspberry is my favorite flavor from Sola. Luis' iced tea was too sweet. He felt that it was a whole liter's pack poured into his glass.  

           Like my last visit, I left with a happy tummy and still dreamt of going back for that stuffed pork rack sometime SOON. It's seriously THAT good. Another thing I love about this place is the service. Waiters are welcoming, friendly and service is prompt. Definitely one of the coziest dining places in Cebu. :)

What we had:
Asian Mandarin Salad - (sorry, forgot to take note of the price for this)
Stuffed Rack of Pork - P220
Seafood Lasagna - P220
Sola Raspberry Iced Tea - P60
Nestea Iced Tea - P30

Simply J's Cafe/Restaurant
10 Apitong St. Cor. N. Escario, Cebu City
(beside Diamond Suites)

Operating Hours:
Mon to Sun
11 am - 2 pm
6 pm - 10 pm

Contact: (032) 505 8315

*Reservation is highly recommended. Though they've expanded, it still gets just as packed. ;)

To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

Sizzling Nights at Greater Heights

          Before anything, I need to give you a heads up because my pictures are TERRIBLE at night. My camera is only a really old but loyal 10-yr-old Sony Cybershot and the flash is busted. My apologies, dear readers. Camera donations are very much welcome (hahaha. just kidding) :3

          Anyway, so I was invited by Ms. Yumny Mariot of Marco Polo for a food tasting with the theme "Sizzling Nights" at the El Viento. I was seated across Jude Bacalso, a prominent media personality whose food reviews I enjoyed mentally digesting when he used to write for City Sports Club Cebu's fine dining outlet Ma-Yi (which I also reviewed once for way back before BFF existed), and with Jessica Avila, the food consultant of Marco Polo and the brainchild of the new menu we were all to taste. 

          The degustation was a parade of 12 dishes, all sizzling. I love sizzling dishes because I love the show it puts on for the food and the aroma that comes with it. It's food served to tickle all your senses.


          I can't help but admire the ingenuity of the menu presentation, etched in wood of the same material as the underliner for the sizzling plate, an impression I'd take as a confident menu sure to last. The menu consisted of a range of meat and seafood as main course or accompaniments to beer. It may appear simple but this is where execution plays the key role. 

            We began with the lighter dishes such as pork sisig, mussels, gambas, and sausage (cheese krainer). Among these, the gambas was my favorite; perfectly cooked juicy shrimps with a buttery sauce and egg. That certainly whet our appetites. 

(blurry photos. sorry)

mise en place, waiting to be sizzled :D
photo by: Marco Polo 

prepared a la minute

pork sisig

Cheese Krainer

mussels

gambas with egg

                Then came the heavier dishes -- squid, pork steak, beef tips, chicken wrapped in bacon and tangigue. Ms. Jessica Avila was excited for us to taste the chicken wrapped in bacon which she suggests is a thrifty way to treat guests to a nice meal if one cannot afford a filet mignon steak. Haha. This is so because it actually looks like a filet mignon, only chicken. I'd fondly call it 'the sosyal nga manok'. It was a marriage of pork and chicken that would leave your taste buds hungry for more.  

one of my top picks: pork steak
photo by: Marco Polo

                  We were also served garlic rice, mashed potato and fries for our starch, all of which were very satiating. We Filipinos like our garlic burnt and this garlic rice had that exactly. The aroma was so alluring. It was perfect with the mushroom gravy of the pork steak. And I also loved the mashed potato which was topped with goat cheese! The fries were homemade, thick and crispy. I'm sure kids would love it. 


                Unfortunately, I did not get to take photos of the main courses because they were all pounced upon as soon as they arrived the table. Sorry! I really wish I had pictures to make you drool. Anyway, everything was really good but my favorites were the pork steak and the chicken wrapped in bacon. The tangigue was also tasty and juicy, a healthier alternative if you will. And then we were offered dessert right off the buffet at Cafe Marco! 

dessert -- always my favorite part of the meal
sorry, my camera has bad eyes! 

                With this new menu comes a new experience that not only hotel guests can enjoy but locals as well. It could be a nice spot for a dinner date, family lunch/dinner or a relaxing night with friends and booze. The prices are very friendly which entices you to a more frequent visit. Imagine getting dishes you can have in the malls at relatively similar prices but with five star ambience, service, and food quality. 




El Viento (poolside), Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City 6000



Price Range: P175 - P350   (inclusive of tax, subject to service charge)


Follow Marco Polo on Twitter for promo updates: @5StarInCebu
Like them on Facebook, too. :)


To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

Asian Milk Tea Promo at Tea and Symphony

            When I was delivering some freshly baked red velvets to Tea and Symphony this afternoon, I noticed they were having a promo. Asian milk teas (small size) for only P55 each, pearls included, and P50 for two of the same kind. Choices offered are, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. This runs from May 14-31 only. This is a perfect chance to try out all the flavors! 

               I couldn't resist this sweet promo so I got myself a Hong Kong. :D

It was a perfect balance of sweetness and tea, the pearls being the strong sweetener of the drink. 

If you like your tea more prominent, go for the Thailand or Singapore. 

I now indulge in milk teas at a minimal because the creamer in these things are not friendly to my mission to skinnify. :))

To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

It's Been A Year!

Hey there, foodies!

          So, it's been a year! Yesterday was BFF's, your "best food friend's", FIRST year anniversary! There may not have been a party but it was a significant day for me because despite my family's zero support and my busy schedule being back in school and all, this blog survived. It is an extension of myself, where the born foodie that I am, immerses herself in her food fantasies and where her rantings are not mere prisoners of thought but are exposed to fellow foodies and potential critics or haters.

             Before I get to my thank you speech where you all will probably doze off, I'd just want to briefly narrate how this blog started out. So, here goes...

            About a week before BFF was born, our family business which includes a tiny cafe I used to help manage and slave over, closed down as a failed business. This would have been tragic news for most, but I was more overjoyed by the fact that my pointless slavery was finally over. And with the new freedom that I had gained, though wounded by all the struggles and sufferings I had been through from the business, I randomly thought of starting this food blog to continue my passion in this industry. It was also like a hidden dream buried in the pit of my mind, to be able to share my thoughts on food and see if I'm anything normal. Haha. 

        So here's BFF, made not out of profit interests but with the dream of being acknowledged by dining establishments as a reliable reviewer and to be fed by them. After all, it is FOOD that makes me happy. I only wanted to be fed and didn't think of blogging as some business. This is also my way of showing off the good eats of the beautiful island that I love and belong to -- CEBU! :D

          And with a year having passed, I can only be overwhelmed by how my simple dream has come to be in reality and what it continues to turn out. I never imagined what my blog has done for me. I've met fellow bloggers, made new friends, developed my palette, discovered more of beautiful Cebu, gained more insights and knowledge on the industry that I'm most passionate about and of course the best part, gotten invites to several food events. All these would not have been possible if God did not bless me with the determination to put my efforts, time and money into this blog. The fact that this has survived a year shows that this is part of God's plan for me and it is the talent He has blessed me with. I can only be grateful and continue to do my best in delivering a blog that is pleasing to your minds and palette and most importantly glorifying to Him. As each dream is realized, I will never stop dreaming and reaching my goals. 

            Thank you so much, dear readers, for your patronage and encouraging comments! You have definitely helped keep me going. I would also like to thank my friends who supported me and continue to do so, by taking my dining venue suggestions and dining with me so I can get a better view of the menu than eating alone. Thank you thank you thank you to all who believe in me! To Luis, Manolo, Tita Issa, Tita Rachel, Issa Perez, Justin Sinco, Ejay Williams, Ms. Joy Uy of Cafe Elysa, Tea and Symphony, Momon, Joem, Ate Ro-ann, Kazoot, Chef Gene and Gino Gonzalez, Chef Lawrence, Chef Toto, Chef Randell, Sir Joel Locaylocay and many more I may forget to mention here. I love you!!! :D

Hope to share more food adventures with you!   

P.S. I will be giving away some gift certificates as a little thank you gesture. More details in another post. Soon! :D

Cheers,

  Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

for laughs:

(do we look alike yet?)

God+Diva = Godiva

                    The first time I met Godiva chocolate was in Hong Kong way back when I was in grade school. It had a huge outlet and as a kid, all I knew was, chocolate was chocolate and I love it. This store had me mesmerized at all the many different chocolates displayed, not to mention truffles that I didn't recognize back then. 

             Cutting to the chase, Mom has a steady supply of treats from her patients and clients, consequently making us (the family) the beneficiary. One of the recent ones was a sultry Godiva chocolate bar, so seductive I couldn't help but undress it from its wrapper and take a bite. Mmmm. 

the god and diva of chocolates <3

dark chocolate with chocolate souffle filling!

                 This was no ordinary chocolate bar... I am scarred for life. Chocolate souffle filling in dark chocolate truffle! 

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

The Green Refreshment

            I had a spontaneous meeting at UCC Cafe about a partnership for a mobile dining app. I shall share it to you soon but anyway, yeah, so I ordered a Kiwi Juice. I love citrus and tangy fruits and this little green one is a favorite! It's what I usually have with froyo. :D

        This was so refreshing and genuine, I think it's my favorite juice to date! It actually had fresh kiwi bits and I love the delicately crisp seeds that pop in my mouth. Since this was a treat, I didn't know the exact price but definitely between P150-200. 

UCC Cafe Terrace

G/F Ayala Terraces, Cebu City

To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in CEbu dining! :)

Joed's at 93rd and 1st!

              I met up with one of my dearest friends who I haven't spent some quality time with for the longest -- Issa Perez, a fashion blogger at thejeanlouise.wordpress.com. One of the many things we both have in common is... FOOD! She's a gorgeous, tiny lady but her appetite isn't! She decided we hang out at 93rd and 1st, a radio lounge bar at Ayala Terraces. The last time we met, she was having a crispy sushi roll that I tasted and liked. 

                So, with Issa, I discovered that Joed's menu was being served here! Happiness! FYI, Joed's Lutong Hapon is on my Cebu Secret Chows list but I haven't gotten to feature it yet because it's pretty out of way considering where I live (boo, i know). So anyway, it's a Japanese carenderia... Japanese food made affordable! :D

               I looovve Jap food, California maki being my ultimate first love of this cuisine, common as it is. We went for Joed's Special Maki -- 6 rolls filled with watermelon and cheese and topped with Jap mayo and ebiko, with ripe mango slices sandwiched between each roll. This was just P100, believe it or not. 

So, now we can get a quick and affordable Jap fix at Ayala! 




93rd and 1st
4th floor, Ayala Terraces (beside Flame It!), Cebu City 




To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

Cebu Secret Chows: Sprockets Cafe

                On the same day that I set up BlissfulBites at Tea & Symphony (yay!), I was invited by my friend Ejay of ZageMedia Productions, to the launching of Sprockets Café, another milk tea café. Honestly, I’m getting quite tired of the growing number of this fad. All of them are nice hangouts and serve ALMOST the same thing, it’s getting confusing where to go. Well, the good thing is, you can have your milk tea fix almost anywhere now. But this one was different -- a good different. Real food is served here, and not just those Taiwanese snacks. I’ve been hearing from some friends (and seen some pics on FB) that the food and the place is unique and good, its concept inspired from photography. It is also in a quite secluded spot hence a “Cebu Secret Chow” qualifier. Though I already had a large dose of milk tea earlier at Tea & Symphony, I didn’t mind having to taste another one from here. The babe is always up to try anything new. ;)

                So, when I finally came to this interesting new find with Ejay and Mary Angeli Bas of foodiecraft.com, I was instantly impressed by the set up. Mary and I squealed with excitement as we entered and we couldn’t wait to get our hands on the food (haha). The tiny open kitchen at the counter was what caught my eye first, and then the colorful lomo collage wall. I’ve just recently (around last year) discovered my appreciative artsy fartsy side and this place just drew me – a place for the eyes, tongue and belly! Indeed, an entertaining hub for the senses. 

Most of the details were really attractive: the spherical lights from the ceiling, the comfy and chic furnishing, the complementing color scheme, the open kitchen (of course), the lomo wall! and even the name of the café. The atmosphere stimulates creativity and innovation. It was fully packed that day but I’m sure it would make for a great hangout when there are less people; that kinda place where you can refresh your mind or even be artistically inspired and treat your tummy, too!

the kitchen and counter  

the coolest spot in the room: the lomo wall :D

cute lomo camera pillows on the cozy sofa

But first, why “Sprockets”? Rachel Arandilla, the beautiful and creative young proprietor and friend of Ejay, explained that her interest in photography, specifically lomography of which she is a member of an exclusive group called Analog Cebu, is the main inspiration for the whole concept. Sprockets are the small wheels with teeth found inside the camera that keep the film in place by holding on to the sprocket holes.  

               

For the launching, the café catered with food from their own menu; perfect chance to taste their dishes! Though the food was served a bit late, it was worth the wait (I’m rhyming now? Lol). Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, was soooo good! They were pretty organized and I was drooling watching them plate the dishes.

                      

with good guacamole!!! nom nom nom

margherita pizza - i liked the crust :D

just a few of what I got on my table :D

Ms. Foodiecraft :)

food is what brings us together ;)

Rachel’s fiancé, L.A, is the artist behind the nifty gastronomic offerings here. He happens to be a fellow schoolmate from ICAAC (a few batches ahead of me). Yeah, proud of that school. The food menu is composed of Holga appetizers, Pizza, Polaroid Pasta and The Main Event. It is adequately limited in selections and everything is a must try. My favorites were the quesadillas, margherita pizza and philly cheese steak! :D

                The milk tea here is offered in two sizes, 16 oz and 22 oz. Ejay recommended the taro milk tea for me and Mary took my suggestion for the toasted hazelnut milk tea, both our drinks at 50% sweetness level. And both were great! Rachel also took photos of and with us using her polaroid camera. Cute! She pinned the photos on a corkboard on the wall near the counter. Spot us there! 

16 oz taro milk tea

polaroid photo board

babe for food, Mary Angeli Bas of foodiecraft, Ejay Williams of Zage Media Productions

the foodies with Rachel Arandilla of Sprockets :)

I’d have to say, this is the perfect milk tea café yet; ample choices of unique milk tea flavors and great food served along with it. And the ambience, of course, is a big bonus. I mean, for milk tea, Cobo and Tea & Symphony are also really good but this has to be my favorite place yet. I can imagine artists, photographers, writers, or even students and professionals lingering here. And I think it’s also a family-friendly place. No liquor is served here; just good old hot, iced or blended coffee, and milk tea. Check it out for yourself! I’m sure you’ll love it.

Sprockets Café

J Block Building, Corner Apitong St., Escario St., Cebu City 6000

(near Parklane Hotel)

Map: 

link

Contact:

mobile       +63 922 886 7477
email          sprocketscebu@gmail.com

Operating Hours: Mon – Sun   11 am – 10 pm

Price Range:

Milk tea   - classic  P80 - 90; special  P90 - 105 

Holga Appetizers  - P55 - 100
Pizzas - P190 - 210
Polaroid Pasta - P130 - 165
The Main Event  - P130 - 350

Like them on FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sprockets-Cafe/276220652462761?ref=ts
Follow them on Twitter: @sprocketscafe

To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)