Now on its 4th year, the Marco Polo Plaza calls on all global citizens once more to join this exciting week of culinary journey to Switzerland, as well as celebrate Swiss National Day.

From July 30, Friday, until August 8, Swiss traditions cross oceans to the hotel’s Café Marco, where diners can enjoy a gourmet selection as comprehensive as the alphabet. Those who come for lunch and dinner get to enjoy Swiss delicacies from Alpine air-dried beef to chocolates, cheese fondue to raclettes, roesti, sausages, and Zurich-style veal. Enjoy a world of Swiss goodness alongside Café Marco’s international buffet favorites. The Café Marco serves lunch from 12:00 pm until 2:30 pm at Php 885 and dinner from 6:30 pm until 10:00 pm at Php 1,072.

On Saturday, July 31, the Marco Polo Plaza, to be led by General Manager Hans Hauri, a Swiss national himself, will also celebrate Swiss National Day – a truly festive affair to honor and gather Swiss nationals outside their homeland.

Swiss National Fest dinner tickets will be sold at Php 1,090+ for a delectable spread of Swiss buffet at the Garden Terrace, unlimited soft drinks and juices, great entertainment, traditional games, bonfire and a chance to win some exciting prizes. Also, enjoy a Swiss Weekend Package from July 30 to August 2, with room rates starting at Php 2,999+.

For inquiries and reservations, call 253-111 loc 8245 or email mpplaza@marcopolohotels.com.

I attended its launching on July 16, 2010 at the Marco Polo Hotel Lobby. The event was graced by the no less than Spain’s Ambassador to the Philippines  His Excellency Luis Arias-Romero and Honorary Consul of Spain Jaime Picornell, Ms. Gema Pido and Mr. Hans Suri. Special performances by Pianist Maestor Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz accompanied by Guitarist Ruben Reyes entertained the guest during the short program.

The ceremonial cutting of the Serrano Ham at Café Marco and unveiling of the quintessential Paella  at El Viento Restaurant at Pool bar highlighted the event. The Parade of Chefs and Waiters makes this event more festive.

Comida

The main event was Dinner where  several Spanish food were served. Among my favorite are of course the Spanish Paella, mechado , olive salad and the yummy tortilla de berenjena (eggplant). Food was savored with every little sip of Spanish wine in between. The Sangria is making me blush. The Spanish Doughnut Churros, creme brule and Brazo de Mercedes were perfect to wrap-up that wonderful Spanish dinner which surely was a champion.

Felicitaciones España!

Thank you Ecka, Jennifer and Belle for the invite and wonderful company during dinner, Sinjin for the picks and Doyzkie for the ride.

My first visit to Coffee Cat coffeeshop was when they invited the Cebu Bloggers Society during their opening last July 16, 2010. It was my impression that it is a local franchise of an international coffee brand.  However, when the owners were introduced with their  humble beginnings, that impression was immediately proven to be wrong. More surprising to know was that it is a proud Philippine brand.

The inside story…

The shop was intended for the people on the go. The interior design is minimalist but very up-to-date. The chairs can rotate 360 degrees perfect for those big animated group discussions. The color pallete was also very uncommon for a coffee shop, doing away from the monotonic brown and green combination. I can only think of Japanese inspiration for its trendy and relaxing hues and arrangements.

On my second visit, I also noticed that the music played inside the shop is not the typical lounge and “old winter Christmas” music but it is more hip and updated, which young crowds can surely relate to.

Coffee and yogurt under one roof

My first coffee cat experience was a medium Coffee Caramel Avalanche (P135). Looking at the menu, coffee cat seems to have all the selections you want from a coffeeshop with a little modernized name. What captures my attention however was when my name was printed on a sticker and pasted on my cup. Yes, pentel pen is cheap for them.

The coffee was good.  It is not very sweet – just right for me. The whip was very creamy and  rich.  Avalanche should be consumed before it becomes liquid. It is ideal to zip it while you can feel the smooth grains of ice on your coffee.

Next, was a small Yogo yogurt with 3 choices of toppings (P120). My selected toppings were almond nuts for texture, kiwi for color and grapes for that sweet and tangy taste. It was heaven.  For sure, it is way better than those cheap yogurt sold on stalls. I would trade one coffee session for a Yogo yogurt session. I’m craving for it while writing this…

Coffee Cat is located at the eBlock, IT Park. Ground floor of that building occupied by JP Morgan & Chase.

Certainly, Coffee Cat is not a second rate trying hard coffee shop.

Thanks to Jorich for the pictures.

The sun was up and burning when I was catching for a taxi ride to Ayala Center Cebu after that nagging cellphone alarm reminded me that I have committed to attend to a media event for the opening of FIC (Fruits in Ice Cream), Ayala Center Cebu. Looking at my insistent list, I was ready to bunk off the event in order to focus more on those that would fatten my wallet but instinctively, I succumb to the summoning pleasures of the Ice Cream, so I attended anyway.

Arriving rather fashionably late and after an obligatory chit-chat with fellow bloggers and other guests, I dig in. I had two scoops of Coffee-Late Lite and NangkaSuy Sorbetes. The contrast was intended for me to be able to at least try all their lines of ice cream. They got almost 40 ice cream flavours in four different lines: gourmet, premium, FIC lite and Pinoy Sorbetes.

NankaSoy was very tasty. I can taste and smell the jackfruit in it. Exactly, what this store promises – a fruit in ice cream. I can taste the fruit juxtapose with the creaminess of the coconut milk, a very good alternative for the lactose intolerant or those that have allergy on dairy protein. Other available sorbets in the market comes with a lot of air softening the ice cream making it easy to melt. I think FIC has a better stabilizer that really holds those air bubble structure together for a better texture and smoother ice cream.

For a guilt-free indulgence, why not try the Lite line of ice cream? It has NO SUGAR and with 50% less calories compared to regular ice cream. The same ice cream but less worries. Who can’t be happy with that?

The ice cream was such a welcome antidote of that stressful list of To-dos. It has the capacity to put you in another world where satisfaction is genuine and joy is real. Simply, it makes me happy.

Suggested Flavors you should try:

Almost all in the Gourmet line like Pistachio, Raspberry Rapture and Caramello con Pastillas. These and all for less than a hundred pesos.

COMPANY DETAILS:

Fruits in Ice Cream is available in Ayala Center Cebu (3rd Floor, next to Chowking) and SM City Cebu (Upper Ground Level by Chinabank and Ace Hardware), as well as Cebu Country Club.

One may avail of big discounts when purchasing the pints and half gallons at FIC Cebu depot, which is located at 13 Bauhinia Drive, Banilad. Telephone No.: 232 8164.

Fruits in Ice cream also caters for special events such as birthday parties, anniversaries, as well as school and corporate events.

Watch out for the new product lines to be launched by May. I tried their Milkshakes and its really good. Its 2 scoops of ice cream plus a little milk blended together. For sure I will be getting it by May.

Christmas is magical. Despite the hardships hurdled earlier this year, Christmas comes with a sense of hope and renewal coupled with a constant assurance of a good life ahead no matter what. Kraft’s Eden Cheese Keso de Gallo captures this message so well by bringing innovative native dish for churchgoers to feast after the dawn mass just like one big happy family. Good food will always bring together a family. No Filipino Christmas is celebrated without good food. It is on this aspect that Eden is able to help homemakers concoct sumptuous Noche Buena feast for the whole family.

Eden is known for its quality and wholesome taste. It has become a staple of every discerning foodie’s kitchen including mine. I only cook twice a year, and that is on Christmas and New Year and I never missed having Eden on my ingredients list for my dishes from the simplest nachos and salads to spaghettis and morcons. Eden has always been there to make my dish more sumptuous.

The yummy Mixed Vegetable Maja Con Keso

Mrs. Lorna Angcay

In Cebu, Keso de Gallo was held at Fatima Parish at Basak, Mandaue City. We were served with Mixed Vegetable Maja Con Keso with some hot tsokolate. The Veggie Maja with Cheese was sweet and creamy like an ice cream. I never thought that there was a squash in it. It tasted like an upgraded yemma. This winning recipe’s creator is student Hazel Estorba with teacher Mrs. Lorna Angcay of San Nicolas Elementary School, Cebu City.

Ms. Amor Maclang of GeiserMaclang and Ms. Janet Toral of Digital Filipino

Mr. Alex Tacderas, Category Marketing Manager for Cheese and Spoonables, Kraft Foods Philippines

For more cheesy recipes including those featured during the Keso de Gallo event, this author suggests that you become a member of SarapNgBuhay.com to access to a multitude of dishes you can prepare with your Kraft Eden Cheese. In fact, just very recently, on December 14, 2009 the Philippines broke the world record held by India in the most number of dish cooked using cheese in one venue. The Philippines was able to cook 5,845 dishes beating India’s 4,800 record. With this number of dishes, I will not be surprise when someday an Iron Chef of America episode will make Eden Cheese as the secret ingredient.

Sarap ng Buhay, sobrang cheesy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

On the second day from their opening last November 11, 2009 I immediately check out their menu to try something new. I was specifically interested with their pizza. I was curious of what is in it that “others” don’t have.

Checking the Menu:

Brasco Pizza & Pasta serves a variety of pizza flavors to choose from, which comes in 10″ (Big), 14″(Large) and 20″(Biggest) dimensions. The price range is from P119.00 for the 10″ Marga up to the most expensive 20″ Marinara Pizza which is valued at P812.00. There are some interesting pizzas in their fancy and very catchy names compelling me to plan for my next visits.

For now, we tried the 14″ Brasco Pizza which is good and perfect for a group of five at a P410.00 value. We also tried their pastas, we were served with Meaty Spaghetti and my favorite “the winner” Pasta with Tomatoes and Aligue (Crab roe).

The taste of the pizza was at par with the authentic, this is because according to the owner, they imported almost all of their ingredients just to perfect their recipe and please their diners. The owners aimed to introduced premium pizza at a lower cost. Pizza was so yummy especially if sprinkled with freshly ground pepper on top. Watch out for the pepper container, it is battery operated.

For the dessert, we had mango shake and four seasons. The four seasons was fresh and very refreshing. Four fruits in one drink was an instant hit. You have to try this. Forget about “other” four seasons this one is so much better.

But the take home winner is the Brasco Crazzy Bliss (P95.00) or in some other restaurant this is called “brownie ala mode”. At Brasco they used Butterbean brownie (incidentally, the owner of Butterbean is also the owner of Brasco) topped with their homemade sweet and creamy vanilla ice cream. Its another must try.

Picture 1: Facade of the store
Picture 2: Me with CBS
Picture 3: CBS Group with owners Ingrid and Bryan.

For BRASCO PIZZA DELIVERIES:

Telephone Number: 5057924 or 5114018

The Gallery is located at San Jose dela Montana / Juan Luna Ave., Mabolo
In front of San Carlos Seminary and IPI.

Top 10 reasons why you should check out this authentic Italiano Pizza and Pasta place.

1. Mama Maria pizza is affordable. The 32 inch pizza which is good for 12 to 14 persons is priced at the average of P1,100.00. Mamma Maria is the home of the biggest pizza in the world at 52 inches. They also served other pizza sizes (8inches, 11inches, 15 inches, 21 inches and 30 inches)
2. Mamma Maria has big tables to cater to big groups.
3. Mamma Maria is open 24 hours.
4. Mamma Maria has at least 27 pizza and 8 pasta flavors and variances to choose from. Go and pick your own adventure.
5. Mamma Maria’s Kinilaw and Crocodile Pizzas are something new and worth trying. They are so yummy.
6. Mamma Maria serves beer.
7. Mamma Maria is very accessible. It is situated at Gorordo Avenue Cebu City beside Aerophone and across the Asilo Church.
8. Mamma Maria has a free parking .
9. Mamma Maria delivers. Their hotline is 417-11-77.
10. Mamma Maria’ waiters and staffs are so friendly. The owner Ms. Jhay Montelebano might just serve you personally. She is so friendly and accommodating and will surely let you feel that you are at home.

Mamma Maria’s Pizzeria is also available at Lacson St., Bacolod (Tel. No. 708-92-92), Lacson Extension (432-04-12), Rizal St., Silay (Tel. No. 708-12-38), Guanzon St., Kabankalan (Tel. No. 471-38-19).

Worry no more because Cebu is already ready for fast paced lifestyle. Several take out food shops are already sprouting in the city and you don’t need to fret if you come home late to prepare for dinner.

The Yummy Balamban Liempo

One of the common take out food in Cebu other than Lechon Manok is Pork Liempo (grilled pork spareribs). It is the latest food that caught the attention of the Cebuanos. Though new, it has become everybody’s favorite already.

If you want the perfect liempo, you should try Balamban Liempo.

Taste
It tastes not the typical liempo. Its lingering aroma is so captivating that you couldn’t help but be curious of how it will taste. No reek smell that is usual in some grilled pork. As you take a bite, you will be surprised how tender and succulent the meat is. The skin is crunchy and the fat is gooey just the way I like it. The chopped and minced spices are cleverly incorporated to the dish. They are edible and yummy and can not be set aside. You would want to eat it together with the meat. The liempo goes well with their own native spiced vinegar (Sukang bisaya) and with Cebu’s puso (hanging rice).

Serving
It 650 grams of pork. And almost 500 grams when cooked. Good for 4 to 5 persons.

Price
Its P160 pesos per serving. That is if you are a group of five you only spend P32.00 each.
They also have the famous lechon manok sold at P145.00 each.

Branches

1. Tres Borces St. corner Cabahug St. Cebu City near Iamiks Chicken in Mabolo
2. Salinas Drive, Lahug infront of USP Lahug c/o Dhara’s Tapsilogan.
3. Hi-way Mandaue infront of Jolly Ant beside Rose Pharmacy and North Atrium Mall.

Take Out and Deliveries:
Call 2311288. Delivery is available for 4 orders and up of liempo.

History
Balamban Liempo Food corner was established in July 2009. Their liempo recipe is inspired by the liempo the owner tasted at Balamban. Balamban is known for its distinct method of grilling liempo using several local herbs and secret spicies.

Proprietor: Jojo and Honey Vergara of Abucan Balamban
email address: balamban_liempo@yahoo.com
For orders and inquiries: 09226205921, 09285022605 or 4158592
Contact Person: Jojo Vergara or Gaylord Tingzon

more photos here.

The moment UCC Cafe Terrace at Ayala Terraces was opened I immediately invited a friend to visit the place to have some coffee. My friend was finicky and began to inquire upto the most trivial details about this new coffee shop in Cebu. I plainly told him that it is a Japanese coffee shop which also offers gourmet food on the side. “What? A japanese coffee shop? Wouldn’t that be like going to a Chinese Restaurant for a pizza?”, he exclaimed in disbelief of what seemed to be a poor taste of my selection. After drastic persuation including a promise that the coffee would be on me, I was able to convince him to try it anyway.

Is coffee for American’s only?

Coffee is said to be first discovered by the Ethiopians. It spread to Yemen and to the rest of the Muslim world. It later reached Italy, to Indonesia, and to the Americas. But just like any other technologies, coffee brewing was perfected by the Japanese, thus, the best blend of coffee beans in rocket science precession of brewing enjoyed in every cup of UCC coffee.

Together with other bloggers, we were invited to test the finest selection of coffee UCC has to offer.We were thrilled to be introduced to their scientific coffee making process. It works on the principle of expansion and contraction of water vapour to brew an infusion-style of coffee.We watched stupefied as one of their staff poured them into a glass beaker with a siphon tube descending into a flask almost filled with water. The vertical arrangement sits atop a burner or maybe a steam that heats the water to a high temperature without boiling it. As it heats, some of the water is converted to vapour, which needs more room to move: as it continues to expand it pushes the remaining water up the siphon to mix with the coffee. We oooohed and aaaahed as the brewer meticulously stirred with exact precision and the gravity defying coffee with a tiny stirrer and then lifted the glassware from the burner. Without the heat source, the water vapour in the bottom flask began to contract, and pulled that perfectly brewed coffee back, down through a filter into the flask.Voilà, pure coffee goodness!

For that session we tasted 3 coffee varieties. I would be so hyped-up for another one more. My favorite was sumiyaki. It has the perfect blend of coffee beans for that strong but regulated roasted tang. The Blue mountain coffee is also a must try. It is the coffee for those who wanted it light and tasty. Try it black, with sugar that is uniquely UCC, or with their carefully studied creamier. Try it, with a caveat that once you begin sipping better brewed coffee at UCC it becomes increasingly difficult to go back to enjoying crappy coffee.

But what surprised me most is that this “Japanese” coffee shop knows filipino breakfast so well. I love their “tinapa” – smoked milkfish with eggs and fried rice. I had not tasted that kind of flavor from any other filipino restaurant. Its impeccably delicious.

Visiting this shop don’t really cost your fortunes but apparently, UCC is relatively pricey than the others. I hope pricing reconsideration is a welcome suggestion.

For more information/reservation:
Kathleen Anne Tan
Tel. No.: (032) 4171344

Other UCC Store Concepts

UCC VIENNA CAFÉ The concept of Vienna is likened to the ambience of a quaint café inside a prominent Hotel. With its signature chic interiors and sophisticated ambiance, Vienna Café is a good choice to hold business meetings or social functions that require a more serious and structured forum. Vienna offers a pleasant breather for entrepreneurs and sophisticated urbanites who are constantly on the go.

UCC CAFÉ TERRACE The café of choice for those who want to enjoy a panoramic view as they take time to relax and reward themselves with premium coffee. The earth and warm colors of its huge glass windows, trellises, ceiling fans, and wooden furnitures and fixtures, all contribute to a classy yet cozy ambiance which renders a more laid-back atmosphere parallel to a country club setting. As the name suggests, provisions for outside seating offer a tranquil respite for our guests to immerse themselves with their environment, may it be a scenic view of lush greenery or the breathtaking sunset at the bay area or the beautiful skyline as night falls.

UCC COFFEE SHOP UCC Coffee Shop successfully broadened its market with the timely introduction of espresso pulled concoctions, refreshing frappuccinos and invigorating health drinks. With its branches conveniently situated at the heart of the finest malls, UCC Coffee shops have become the fervent shoppers’ haven after a full packed day. Chic and voguish as they are, UCC Coffee Shop carries Vienna’s signature sophisticated interiors made fresh with a youthful ambiance. It has evolved as the popular meeting place for urban yuppies to unwind and chill out with their friends.

UCC PARK CAFÉ UCC Park Café is a new concept store which revolves around the same theme as Café Terrace for its laid back atmosphere and at the same time, resembles the UCC Coffee Shop in their coffee selection as Park Café also offers espresso based medleys and rejuvenating health drinks. The fusion of light autumn colors, moss green and wengue wood, plus the modern interiors all contribute to the cozy and alfresco ambiance that’s very hip and inviting to those who seek a quick refuge from the city. UCC Park Café is fashionably nestled in plush park landscape, surrounded by greens and wooden planks amidst towering hotels, buildings, and malls. Ideal for a snappy get-away from all the tension and pressures at work, most of our clientele are young urbanites and executives from top-notch corporations just a stone’s throw away.

On September 28, 2009 Jollibee will start selling its new innovation in Filipino fast food dining – the Jollibee Chicken Barbecue. All 40 Jollibee stores scattered from north to south of Cebu will be treating their patrons with this Filipino old time favorite – the chicken barbecue.

Jollibee Chicken Barbecue

The Jollibee Chicken Barbecue is available as a 1-pc. solo meal for P69 and as a 2-pc. solo meal for P119. Value meals, which come with a regular drink, on the other hand, are priced at P89 and P139 for the 1-pc. and 2-pc. sets, respectively.

The Jollibee Chicken Barbecue is another attestation to Jollibee’s status as an icon of Filipino food with a devotion to upholding its signature langhap-sarap goodness.

By the way, did I mention that no oil is involved in grilling the chicken barbecue? Perfect for your diet, right?

Jollibee with Mr. Laagan

Jollibee Stores: What I tried so far… Please help me complete the list 6 more..

1. Jollibee Bogo
2. Jollibee Gaisano – Danao
3. Jollibee Consolacion
4. Jollibee Maguikay
5. Jollibee Centro-Mandaue
6. Jollibee A.S. Fortuna
7. Jollibee Country Mall
8. Jollibee Banilad – Talamban
9. Jollibee SM (4^th Floor)
10. Jollibee SM (2^nd Floor)
11. Jollibee North Reclamation Area
12. Jollibee Sykes
13. Jollibee Ayala
14. Jollibee Macro
15. Jollibee Gaisano Mactan
16. Jollibee Mepz 2
17. Jollibee Radaza Bldg.
18. Jollibee Gaisano Metro Colon
19. Jollibee IT Park
20. Jollibee JY
21. Jollibee Gorordo
22. Jollibee Leon Kilat
23. Jollibee Oriente
24. Jollibee Cinerama
25. Jollibee Mango
26. Jollibee Boulevard
27. Jollibee Robinsons
28. Jollibee Jones
29. Jollibee ACT
30. Jollibee Banawa
31. Jollibee Gaisano Tabunok
32. Jollibee Minglanilla
33. Jollibee Carcar
34. Jollibee Sto. Nino

Amazing, I tried all these stores. The 6 are still unknown, I may have tried it but forget it please help me remember so that the list will be completed.