Ayer's Lechon Online

         A few years back, Lechon Baboy or Spit-Roasted Pig, the pride of Cebu gastronomy, was not readily available for retail by the kilo. This was because lechon was usually only called for during special occasions. But the growing want for this delicacy has made dominant lechon suppliers maximize its availability by putting up a retail dining place for this, of which CnT was the pioneer. Soon after, Rico’s and the more popular Zubuchon followed.

          Ayer’s is among the leading brands, being the only lechon retailer at the Mactan Airport and having several branches within three years of operation. They currently have three dining outlets and two pick-up outlets.

Ayer's Lahug

          Their dining outlets offer affordable lechon set meals (ranging from P50 to P100 with drinks!) or an extensive porky (it’s all pork) a la carte menu at your convience. They have one unique dish though -- kimchi. The owner has some Korean friends who enjoy their lechon and so he thought of offering them kimchi with it and found that they liked the combination. He then decided to add it to the menu. I think that’s something we Filipinos should try, too.

Kimchi

          Some a la carte dishes are bopis (pork intestine, liver; the sweetbreads), lechon sisig (one of my faves), lechon paksiw, dinuguan and prichon (fried lechon). These are also offered in set meals with drinks. 

(from top left): dinuguan, paksiw, bopis, prichon and sisig

          A new addition to the menu is their spicy boneless lechon belly. It sure was spicy and just as crisp and flavorful as their regular lechon. Pure meat and skin without the fuss of having to deal with bones (though there are dogs people who like biting on bones).

          Catering not only to locals in Cebu but even taking orders from other regions in the country, especially Manila, they have now launched their website  (ayerlechon.com) for easier order taking and transactions wherever you are in the country. 

Lechon order details:

     SIZE                        PRICE (php)                # OF PERSONS

     small                            3,000                                20-25 

                                          3,500                              30-35

          

    medium                           4,000                              40-45

     large                              5,000                               50-55

     x-large                           6,000                               60-75   

  

Branches:

(Main Office)
Gate 777 (Across Cebu Country Club)
Lahug, Cebu City 6000

3rd level, SM Trade Hall
SM City Cebu

2nd floor, I2 Bldg.
IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City 

Salinas Drive (in front of USP)--------------Operating Hours: Mon - Sun   7 AM-10 PM
Lahug, Cebu City                                    Accepts deliveries within Lahug area.


Departure Area, Domestic Airport
Mactan, Cebu


Contact:

Tel. # - (032) 231 7615             
Fax # - (032) 268 0327
Mobile - 0922 826 8133/0922 826 8132

"To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D"

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

Tito Mark's Chocolate Meat

              I've mentioned my dear Tita Issa Cusi in one of my old posts here on the blog, specifically about Cafe Elysa. Tita Issa is the wife of Tito Mark, my dad's best friend. This couple is dear to my heart because they're like my second parents and they're the most adventurous foodie couple I know! We could talk on and on about food and such (if you wanna strike a conversation with me, you'd figure the best topic -- FOOD). :D


              Both partners love to cook and eat. Tito Mark rocks the hot kitchen while Tita Issa can play both hot and cold sides of the kitchen though she's more of a baker. Whenever they invite us to their home for a meal, it's always an amazing gastronomic experience. 


          Last Sunday, I visited them at their welcoming home and Tito Mark immediately invited me to try a dinuguan he just made. He said I'd say it's the best in the whole of Cebu. Of course, I was more than willing. :D

          Dinuguan is a Filipino savory stew of meat and/or offal (typically lungs, kidneys, intestines, ears, heart and snout) simmered in a rich, spicy dark gravy of pig blood, garlic, chili, and vinegar. The term dinuguan comes from the Filipino word dugo meaning 

"blood". It is also sometimes jokingly called chocolate meat. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinuguan)

          It is usually eaten as a main course with rice (the way I love having it) but it can also be enjoyed as a snack with puto. Some lechon proprietors even give this away for free when you order a whole pig. When cooked the right way, at par excellence, it is something you could actually crave for. There is no trace of unpleasant smell from offal or the blood. 


          I'd already had quite a heavy lunch (a Cebu Secret... posting about it soon!) before visiting them but I can never resist any of their cooking. So this was an unusually heavy snack for me. It may not look like much, unappetizing even, but looks can be deceiving. Just dig in. No buts, no ifs, no questions. :D 

           This version was made with excess lechon pork belly that Kuya Carlo (Tito Mark's son) had made and  a special red wine vinegar, along with lemongrass (one of my favorite herbs) and some finger chili. 


           The first spoonful had me. It was just bursting with flavor from the lechon pork belly and the lemongrass which was excellently infused into the dish and the heat from the chili was just right for me. The sweet red wine vinegar played a key role in completing the dish as well. Oh my... You'd forget your name if you tried this. Undoubtedly the BEST dinuguan I've ever had in Cebu so far. WOW. Those flavors were just spot on. Sorry, only available at Tito Mark's house for now. But I think he's planning to sell this and some of their newly developed specialty dishes soon. I'll definitely let you know when they do. Everything they make is a must try! :D


Okay, so this post was just something for you to drool on. ;)




To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

Cebu Secret Chows: Surfin' Ribs

            HA! Finally found this place thanks to Tita Rachel who's been raving about it a few weeks ago. :D

            I actually read about this from one of the food blogs I follow, Cebu Food Spot, around two months ago. I've been curious about it since but never really figured out where exactly it is despite carefully scanning through Escario St. whenever I happen to pass by. But I was surprised when Tita Rachel was raving about it lately and she was so giddy about it, I just had to try it soonest possible. She told me it was the replacement of the old Flame It! branch at Escario. So there! Eureka! 

          She had forewarned me that it's not conducive for dining during lunch time because it's an open dining setting so there isn't air conditioning. I'm not a snob to these kinds of places though. I'm up for anything or anywhere with good food. 

            My best friend from culinary school, Kazoot had just finished her 10-month contract with a cruise ship and I couldn't wait to see her so I asked her out on a lunch date. We met up at Ayala and took a cab from there. 

             I like the logo of the resto. It looks catchy and I couldn't help but notice the hand washing area as well. I'd have to say, they have the most entertaining washing area I've seen so far. The wall was decorated with taunting signs that jokingly threatened customers who wanted to use the toilet. It is impossible to miss the supersized framed photos of their dishes hanging on the walls as well. Looking at the photos while waiting for your food makes you hungrier.  

 

              We ordered the original Pete's Ribs with mashed potatoes since the name of the resto seemed to imply that ribs is their specialty, and The Claw, which Tita Rachel was so giddy about. Pete's Ribs also comes in spicy for P159 with rice or P169 with mashed potato. The mashed potato was pretty dry for me.

                Service was swift. The ribs arrived first. I was impressed by the serving which contained not one but TWO slabs of ribs, a different cut from Casa Verde's (pardon the comparison), slathered with a generous layer of sauce and accompanied with a side of carrots and corn. It was tender but not as juicy as I like it. 

              I'm the type who prefers a moderate amount of sauce on dishes so I was a bit bothered by the thick amount slathered on the ribs and the sauce was also sticky and a little too sweet for my liking. I'd prefer a lighter coating and extra sauce in a separate container. Nonetheless, two thumbs up for the portion in contrast to the price.       

           The Claw... Oh, this was just lovely! The chili garlic sauce coating it was so flavorful and the ginger in it was pleasant, not too prominent. It was just a little overcooked though because the meat was quite adherent to the shell. Don't be deceived by the seemingly small bucket, there were around 8 pcs. I couldn't believe how affordable it was for the serving -- just P120! All crab lovers can get their quick fix here as long as it's available. So, make sure to give them a ring before heading there. :D 

Crab claws/pinchers have always been a fave of mine since my childhood when I'd eat huge, fresh steamed crabs in Surigao, Mother's hometown. 
  

            Brace yourselves, with this, you're sure to get messy. The sauce was dripping from my hands but I loved it. We were provided with a cracker to break open the shells. Kazoot said bibs should have been provided. I got a few droplets of stains on my shirt myself. 

            It was a successful date. We enjoyed the food and caught up with each other that we were the last customers. Actually, I was struggling with finishing my share of the ribs and claws and I eat pretty slow, too. I savor each spoonful in my mouth. :D

            I'd love to go back for those claws and the rest of the menu. I think gambas would be next on the list. And what's great about this place is that food is good and incredibly affordable for the serving. Guess that's why people flock here especially during dinner. Kazoot and I wondered why they don't stay open late nights though with the menu that they have that's perfect for beer nights (not that I'm a beer drinker). I actually think this would be a good franchise. ;)

           They serve beer by the buckets too so if you wanna drink and have good food along with it, you shouldn't miss this one.  


What We Had:
Pete's Ribs Regular w/ Mashed Potato - P169
Extra Mashed Potato - P25
The Claw (limited) - P120

Surfin' Ribs
G&A Arcade, N. Escario St., 
Corner Tojong St., Cebu City 6000
(formerly Flame It!)

Operating Hours:
Mon - Sun            11 am - 2 pm
                           5 pm - 10 pm

Contact: 
mobile   +63 917 937 1495
email     surfinribs@gmail.com

Like them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/surfinribs
Follow them on Twitter: @SurfinRibs

Map: 

To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)