Isla Sugbu Seafood City: Cebu's Newest Seafood Destination

         Mother hails from Surigao City, Mindanao and we used to visit it every so often since my childhood years. Back then, there really wasn't much to do but eat, eat and eat. 

         Seafood is probably among the most abundant resources in Mindanao. I grew up loving seafood because we'd have platefuls of the freshest crabs and huge grilled fish every time we were in Surigao. So, getting accustomed to aquatic flavors has never been a problem for me. In fact, I crave for seafood every now and then because there's just really nothing like the unique, invigorating flavors of seafood! The sea beckons!

         Living in the city, my longing for seafood is not easily sated because it's mostly a costly indulgence. Settling for roadside bbq's that sell grilled fish can be a sanitary issue as well. 

         Among the few seafood restaurants in the city, a recent addition provides a concept quite similar to the Sutukil at the Mactan Shrine but refined with the certainty of food safety and higher standards of techniques employed in preparing and cooking the food. This was emphasized by Mr. Winglip Chang, President of 101 Restaurant City Incorporated, stating that they have food technicians who supervise their commissary and their restaurants.

Lubu Filipino & Seafood Restaurant

            Funny how Cebu is surrounded by bodies of water and yet decent seafood seems to be becoming a hit-and-miss in most restaurants. Understandably, seafood is quite a pricey commodity, even more than meat already. However, this shouldn’t be an excuse for restaurants to settle for common and, most often than not, low quality seafood.

            Even more ironically, we find the more decent seafood dishes in Chinese restaurants. I am one who cringes at finding Cream Dory, that mushy-fleshed fish with a murky aftertaste, in restaurant menus. Only a handful of restaurants know how to cook this fish well enough to mask its filthiness.

People these days don’t seem to mind a long drive for some good food and scenery. Some would even drive over two hours up north for mediocre Filipino fare that you can actually get in the city. Well, finally, here’s a place that offers solace for those craving for some quality saltwater critters. And it’s not too long of a drive at all.

Lubu Filipino and Seafood Cuisine is a new addition to the restaurants in Mactan that deserve your attention. This is the restaurant that took over what used to be The Fat Lobster since November 2013. Fat Lobster or not, they sure know how to cook their lobsters! Here’s a rundown of my experience at Lubu…

             

              Finding Lubu was not a difficult task thanks to Mustachio who did his homework of location checking and offered to take me, Luis (my favorite food buddy blogs now! check it out) and Baktin Corp. there. But besides that, it really isn't hard to find because it's just along the road and in between Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa and Movenpick Hotel. On the left side, you will find a small commercial complex called Seaport Village. 

              The green lights that illuminated it seemed to be a go signal that drew us in. The casual setting has a beachy outdoor feel that instantly relaxed me. Though the atmosphere was laid back, I was delighted to find that the service was not one bit complacent. Our waiter was quick to notice our needs and had the initiative to recommend items from the menu.

                So, why Lubu? I had to wonder because it was quite an odd name for a restaurant. And for a Filipino resto, the name didn't sound like a Filipino term I was familiar with. Stephan, the young owner who graciously sat with us throughout the dinner, explained that it is a compound of  his surname, Luthi, and being in Cebu. Hence, Luthi in Cebu = Lubu. 

                As a custom of mine, I always ask for the bestsellers. Stephan recommended the Kinilaw na Tanguige, Pancit Canton, Lechon Kawali, and Spicy Prawns with Rum. We had everything except the Pancit Canton. And of course, a platter of rice with it.

                 Honestly, when I was looking at the menu, everything seemed to be simple fare and I kinda doubted if it was any good. However, as each dish took its turn to be presented at our tables, I was gradually convinced that this restaurant knew how to serve simplicity at its best.

Spicy Prawns with Rum  P340

                 The first dish easily impressed me. I've been particularly fond of prawns since my childhood. The jumbo/king prawns were cooked to perfection - the flesh easily pulled apart from the shell and retained its juiciness - and the sauce complemented it well. The rum in the sauce was not apparent enough but it was awesome with rice! My heart broke a little when the waiter took it away after all the prawns were gone. This dish instantly gave me hope for what was more to come. 

Kinilaw na Tanguige  P240

              Known as ceviche in Italian cuisine, their take on this Filipino version was light on the palate. The fish was cooked just right by the vinegar, slightly firm and chewy. You can also tell the fish was fresh. 

Lechon Kawali  P280

            Me ordering lechon kawali is a rare instance; I do not fancy many fried dishes. I only do so for courtesy of my company. I was glad to find that this one wasn't too greasy.  

Fried Lobster (main serving)  P950

              And now for the highlight of the meal! I'd say lobsters are the specialty of Lubu. These are offered in two ways - grilled or fried - and in two serving sizes - entree (250 g) or main (500 g).  Stephan recommended we try the fried one. It was my first time to encounter fried lobsters. I usually have them grilled with a zing of lemon butter sauce. These were served on a bed of fried alugbati, an interesting alternative for the usual fried morning glory (kangkong). 

                Let me just say, these lobsters would be the main reason you'd find yourself coming back to this restaurant. Again, these were cooked perfectly and are quite affordable for the serving size. 

Sizzling Calamari w/ Bacon in Garlic Oil   P280

            The ever inquisitive Luis was looking for something unique in the menu. He asked Stephan but Stephan couldn't seem to think of anything until Luis spotted this sizzling calamari with BACON in garlic oil. Go figure. BACON is the password to Luis' favor. 

         It was indeed an interesting one. I was expecting it to be breaded but I'm glad it wasn't. The bacon bits melded with the calamari like they were meant to be together. It definitely amped up the dish. 

          So, yes, this place is definitely a must visit especially for tourists who find themselves accommodated in Mactan hotels or for the city folks who just feel like getting away from the busy life. A drive can be therapeutic and when you get to Lubu, you are met with soothing food and excellent service.  

           As for me, that night was a night of discovery, of finally finding my wolf pig pack and finally meeting Brennan of Baktin Corporation! It was indeed a night of good food and good company. Thanks for coming with me Mustachio, Luis and Brennan! To more meals together! And thank you, Stephan, for being a gracious and generous host. :)

          GOOD NEWS for readers of this blog, too! You can get 20% discount when you dine at Lubu. Just inform the waiter or manager that you read about Lubu on Babe for Food. What are you waiting for? Get those heels kicking for some fine seafood!

Lubu Filipino and Seafood Cuisine

Seaport Plaza, Punta Engano Road, Mactan, Cebu, Philippines

Contact: 0917 610 1866 / (032) 492 7824

Store hours: Monday - Sunday    11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Price range:   P300 - P1,000/dish

Facebook: Lubu Filipino and Seafood Cuisine

"To know Cebu, eat Cebu!"

oink oink,

Babe for Food

-your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

Choi City: Hong Kong in Cebu

      Chinese food may be common and easy to find but if you want the best, Choi City Seafood Restaurant is the place to be. Now that Choi City is in Cebu, Hong Kong is just minutes away from wherever you are in the city. 

        I've heard that Choi City has excellent food but is expensive. This remark was what  has been hindering me from trying this resto. To my surprise, I was recently invited by the resto for dinner and I was privileged to invite family and friends. I invited my dad and two of his closest friends, Tito Mark and Tito Nic, so they could experience what I usually enjoy during blog invites. :D 

the babe with the dudes
(from left) Aaron Go, relative of the franchisee, Tito Nic, Tito Mark, and Dad

        Like most typical Chinese restaurants, the dominance of red meets the eye. The sincere and warm welcome of the staff make you feel comfy in such a classy ambience (talk about a revolving chandelier!). No wonder celebrities like to frequent this place. Annabelle Rama was right across my table that night. 

first floor

gorgeous revolving chandelier!

         A shabu-shabu set was prepared on my table. Before the shabu-shabu platters were served, the first dish they offered me was their Roast Layered Pork. Succulent, tender cubes of meat with a considerably thin layer of fat and a tasty crisp skin met my palate. This was accompanied by a mustard sauce.

         This was followed by their signature dish, the renowned Xiao Long Bao, which I've been hearing about. The only and last time I've eaten this soupy meat dumpling was when I was in Xiamen,China back in 2005. It was one of my indulgences there and the memory of the taste and texture lingers. The reunion with this dish after so long was just invigorating.  

roast layered pork, shabu-shabu set and xiao long bao

Roast Layered Pork

the renowned dish: Xiao Long Bao

               To refresh my palate throughout the meal, I was offered their Tropical Coolers which came in choices of 5 flavors: Pink Lemonade, Orange Sparkle, Tropical Delight, Coconut Fizz and Banana Fizz. This special beverage offering changes every two months for that interesting appeal and is only P99. I took the recommendation of the Coconut Fizz. It was a pleasant surprise to find that it wasn't overwhelmingly sweet like most shakes. It had a gentle coconut flavor and colorful gulaman (jelly). Now that's a quality shake. :)  

             And finally, the shabu-shabu came; two platters with raw/fresh vegetables, glass noodles, dumplings and soup balls in one, and a variety of meat in the other. The broth is first brought to a boil before adding the substantial components for them to cook quickly and properly. You can create your sauce or have the waiter assist you to make it according to your preference, whether you want it spicy or salty or whatever.  

1) Cover the pot to make the broth boil sooner. 

2) Add whichever components you want....

3) Cover the pot again to bring to a boil and wait for your meat and vegetables to cook.

Then you get..... This! Scoop some soup and whatever contents you want into your bowl.

         I loved the shell-less crab claws! This was definitely special. I couldn't get enough. Though I'm no food expert, I can say the broths were very flavorful. There were two kinds, a light-colored one that was probably chicken or vegetable based, and a darker one that was probably pork or beef-based. 

           Choi City's shabu-shabu is actually EAT ALL YOU CAN for only P398 per person! With quality broth and what the platters come with at a reasonable price, that's one irresistible deal! It's served for LUNCH daily until Sept. 30. Really, take the chance. I craved for it right the next day. ;)

          The new fried rice was also really good. It was neither too dry nor was it distinctly moist either. It had a balanced ratio of rice to mixed add-ons. The dudes enjoyed this. Definitely a perfect match to the shabu-shabu. :D

               And as if the food wasn't enough to stuff me, the jovial and accommodating Manila-based Managing Director, Jay Tan, offered me some live seafood as well! What a feast it was. Since my dad and his friends had to leave early, I invited a few friends to help me finish the food. 

             The live seafood offered to me were steamed garlic rock lobsters and fried sea mantis. Rock lobsters, I love; but the sea mantis (my first encounter of such creature) looked like some huge sea roach to me. I still dared to try it of course, and I found that the meat was actually like that of shrimp -- sweet and tender. 

             And for dessert, I was given Coffee Jelly. I'm not the biggest fan of jelly or gelatin-based desserts but this was exquisite. Definitely the best coffee jelly I've ever tasted. The sweetness was just right and the coffee wasn't overwhelming. 

               After having (more than) our fill, we were toured in the first floor where the aquariums of the live seafood were. All the seafood here are imported and yes, I had to see the live version of that sea roach mantis. They're actually kept in mineral water bottles (i think) because they tend to fight each other.

the sea roach mantis :))

               It was truly a memorable dinner for me and I enjoyed ALL the food so much. It's been a while since I've had fine authentic Chinese/Cantonese cuisine. And I'm sure their extensive menu still has more delectable dishes to offer. The secret of this resto is their imported chefs from Hong Kong, led by Executive Chef Siu Bing, and of course the impeccable service. 

from left: Ms. Kim Mahidlawon (Executive Assistant), the babe, Sheena, Barry, Ejay and Rachel

                The resto may not look like it but it can actually accommodate 500 guests; approximately 200 in the first floor and 300 on the second floor. The second floor has function rooms which can individually accommodate 12 persons but collapsible walls can conjoin these rooms to accommodate up to 200 people. They even offer free use of audio-visual equipment and they can customize your menu to suit your taste preferences and budget. 

Who says Hong Kong is far away? It's closer than you think. ;)

Choi City Seafood Restaurant
G/F South Arcade, Banilad Town Center (BTC),
Banilad, Cebu City

Contact:  (032) 239 0800/ 239 0999

Operating Hours: 11 AM - 2 PM, 5:30-9:30 PM   DAILY

Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/choicityseafood 

To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

oink oink,

Babe for Food

- your BFF in Cebu dining! :)

Like A Tourist

             I've already posted about the food festival at Mactan Shrine but there was an adventure on the way there the first time that is yet to be told. You see, as soon as I read about the food festival from a facebook status, I just couldn't wait to check it out. Fortunately, I had a good friend who was willing to spare some time for me to join in the adventure. 

              My good friend, Luis Quibranza III, is actually a more legit writer than I am (babe for food who?). He works as a senior writer and on-call editor for Sunstar, the leading local newspaper. And he also has a band with his brothers called Bethany, of which he's the lead vocals and guitarist. They have released their first album of entirely original songs last year. I do get self-conscious when this writer/editor/songwriter reads my blog. :p

             So anyhoo, like I mentioned in the Mactan Food Festival post, I missed to clarify the time schedule of the event so I thought I could have lunch there (since I try to avoid a heavy dinner). We were running late for lunch (my fault) though this was really exciting because it was to be a first time for both of us to commute to Mactan. I've always wanted to try something like this -- a real food adventure! :D

             We met up at Ayala 12:30 p.m. and Luis suggested we take a v-hire van to get to Gaisano Mactan. It's like riding an air-conditioned enclosed jeepney -- cramped up minus the sweating and the smell of gasoline from the road. :))

             

              From there, we took a jeepney to Punta Engano where the Mactan Shrine is. We arrived 1:30 p.m. It was a scorching hot day! Then we found out that the food festival is only at night! Great. Hahaha. So we decided to eat at the STK (sutukil - sugba, tula, kilaw) instead, our poor stomachs growling.  

          Mactan Shrine is the heart of STK restaurants and it can be quite confusing to make a selection but I remember which one I dined at last year so I decided to just stick to this -- Fredz Sutukil. First of all, Sutukil is the local acronym for grill (SUgba), stew (TUla) and ceviche (KILaw). These are three cooking methods applied to selected fish variety. The set-up of these STK resto's is having aquariums for live fish and seafood and a variety of fish, shellfish and crustaceans displayed on a counter top. 

*Sorry, I wasn't able to take much photos because we were very hungry and quite pressed for time.

A bridge they made inside the resto. Maybe a photo op spot?

the table setting
(quite barren because we were having a really late lunch. hehe.)

the view from our table: mangrove trees and the shore

How to eat STK:

  -  choose your fish for STK and other appetizers or dishes you might want, like buttered scallops or steamed crabs/shrimps, etc.; you can also choose from their menu board if you can't make up your mind

  -  make sure to review your orders and the cooking methods to be applied

  -  get a table with a nice view 

  -  sit and relax while waiting for your order to be cooked 

         We chose mol-mol (parrot fish) for our fish and we also had fresh seaweed salad, 1/2 kg buttered scallops and a platter of plain rice, of course. This was a really late lunch. Our food was served past 2 p.m. but the ambience and the great fresh seafood was well worth the trip and the wait. :D

Excuse me for the rude photos. Again, we were very hungry and dived right into our food as soon as it was served. Hehe. :3   

seaweed salad (guso) P80

tinola

kinilaw... or what's left of it. teehee.

grilled fish! my fave! :D

buttered scallops -- another all-time fave of mine :D

soy sauce with calamansi, green tomatoes and red onion -- staple condiment

fresh buko juice P60
This can double as your refreshment and dessert! Just request for them to halve it open when you've finished all the juice. We shared this. :D

         BURP! That was so much food for just two people. But the STK and scallops we definitely finished; such fresh seafood and relaxing ambience, a perfect getaway from the bustling city life. The title of this post is so, because we felt like tourists in our own island. We came so far just for lunch. Haha. It was a nice adventure though. I enjoyed everything; from the commuting to the dining and the summer atmosphere. And for only P90 roundtrip to get there, this would be a nice monthly or weekly adventure (whichever you can afford).   

Cost:

food + cooking charge - P745 (ouch! expensive adventure. haha.) ---> Watch out for the cooking charge, it cost us nearly the same as the total of our food alone.

V-hire from Ayala to Gaisano Mactan - P35

Jeepney from Gaisano to Mactan Shrine - P10

        Who says STK is only for tourists? It's a great dining experience both for locals and tourists alike. At the Mactan Shrine, you get the island atmosphere, fresh seafood cooked to order, and even live music from local harpists. This is one destination you can't miss for the summer. 

         So, here are photos of the supposed food festival we were hoping for lunch; tables and chairs set up at the park and stalls still closed. We left at 4 p.m., just 2 hours before the festival would start. :(

      Since we were already here, we took a walk around the park for a bit, feeling like tourists in our own island. Might as well savor and enjoy the accidental adventure from the lack of information. Haha.   

Hello, Lapu-Lapu! :D

tourists for a day :D

Thanks, Luis! Looking forward to more food adventures with you. ;)


To know Cebu, eat Cebu! :D

xoxo,

Babe for Food

 - your BFF in Cebu dining! :)