Handuraw Pizza
Handuraw restaurant is a quaint place where you can get a nice slice of pizza and a bottle of below zero beer. We came here during lunch time, and not a soul in sight, save from a lone attendant who was busy texting someone while …
Author: dreimart
Flame it!
We came upon this restaurant after a long time of not even giving it a second look. The place was a little cramped for room, with only a few chairs and really small booths. But regardless of how it looks like, Flame it burgers has got to be one of the best burgers in town, in my opinion. First, their burger buns are firm. Next, they have fresh greens. And finally, the meat itself is spectacular. You have the option to pick between a regular burger or upgrade it to a half pound one, something that makes Champ and Big Mac run away for their money.
When it comes to taste, I haven’t tasted anything that can beat it in terms of meat content (save for Burger King) plus the fact that it’s grilled to perfection just for you. The spices that come with it is unimaginable and is enough to make your mouth water. The smell is different too, compared to the traditional burgers you can get from the usual burger joints.
My only complaint is the waiting time. And the fact that their “cream cheese and garlic burger” doesn’t have any cream cheese at all. Other than that, everything’s well and good.
Flame it!
Ayala Center Cebu
Verdict:
a = 3.5/5
Triple V (Kamayan, Dads, Saisaki)
Triple V-Saisaki is by far, the best casual Japanese restaurant I’ve tasted in my life. This restaurant lets you sample several seafood and meat products the way it should be, Japanese style. They have a sushi bar with ample choices of raw fish sliced just …
Kublai Khan
When this restaurant first opened a few years ago at the ground floor of Ayala center, it became our favorite place to eat since we can choose what ingredients to put in and what sauces to top them with. However, as time passed by, the …
AA’s BBQ
Our dinner last night was supposed to be sautéed cabbage but when I was chopping the ingredients, there was a power shortage for an hour or less. So, cursing this unfortunate event, my sister and I decided to eat out before she heads off to work, at a restaurant we rarely visit now. AA BBQ is popular for its grilled items; seafood, meat, chicken. They even have roast beef and are known to serve soup based and sizzling dishes too.
We, on the other hand, sampled their roast beef, pork ribs, broiled white marlin and sticks of chicken liver, gizzard and spicy sausages. There were a lot of people here, and noticeably quite a number of Koreans. Our wait time was short, and immediately we tried the food that we ordered. The tender beef calf was presented with a special sweet sauce. Soup arrived, and so did the rest of our orders. It was delicious. The way they cook their meat is splendid, and I can tell that over the years of serving grilled dishes, they were able to master how to cook tender and juicy meat that’s well done and soft. I highly suggest this restaurant for those people who love grilled food.
AA BBQ
In front of USP Lahug, within walking distance to IT park
Verdict:
A = 3.7/5
Casa Verde
With its main branch located between F. Ramos Street and Jones Avenue, Casa Verde has gained enough popularity and demand that it was able to expand its territory up to Ayala Cebu. Amidst the long line of well known eateries beside it, this restaurant thrives …
Don Merto’s
Don Mertos is a unique dining facility that caters a mix of traditional Asian and Western cuisines. One branch is situated in a small space in SM Northwing, with an assortment of steaks, salads and favorite Spanish food. We sampled the mushroom burger (comes with fries), Lengua (a spanish-Mexican cuisine made from beef tongue) and the Don Merto’s lunch special, which contained burger steak, a choice between salad or soup and your own sidings for that day.
It was a wonderful experience, all of the food being delicious albeit served with minimal helpings that doesn’t encourage over indulging. It was a little bit pricey for the amount of food, but for the taste, I guess it was okay. Service was mediocre, we were served bread for appetizers but we didn’t feel pampered enough. The waitress mentioned that they were understaffed, and I suppose that is one of the things about it that brings the quality down.
Verdict:
A: 3/5 Food was ok. Service was so-so. Cramped for room. Understaffed.
Don Merto’s Deli and Resto
SM Northwing Branch
North Reclamation Area
Cebu City
Rai Rai Ken
Rai Rai Ken, what used to be one of the popular Japanese restaurants during the time of Triple V in Cebu, is still firmly established within the area. As what mentioned by people who frequent this place, the dining facility serves as a good substitute …
In Search of the Original Balamban Liempo
The first time I tasted a satisfying Liempo was when the family decided to take a tour to the outskirts of Cebu up in the mountains of Balamban (Kristian’s). The town we visited wasn’t at all ignorant of civilization, as they had electricity, a modest church and medium sized stores and an open mall amidst the backdrop of lush green forests. Traditional liempo doesn’t have Kristian’s had: a unique blend of freshly chopped herbs and spices complimenting the equal quantity of fat and meat with just enough firmness and texture.
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.
In the end, Kristian’s still serves the best Liempo in Cebu. Balamban Liempo simply cannot exceed it in taste and flavor even though they have the same process. The only downside is accessibility. Balamban is a hassle to travel to, especially if you’re only going there to buy only one slab from Kristian’s.
Kristian’s Liempo & Lechon Manok:
E.S. Binghay St., Aliwanay
Balamban Liempo:
Lahug – Salinas Drive, Lahug Cebu City c/o Dhara’s Tapsilogan (In-Front of USP)
Mabolo – Cor. Tres Borces St. & S. Cabahug St. (Near the New Mabolites Store and the Sindulan Market)
Talamban – Piazza Elesia, Talamban (In-Front of Rose Pharmacy)
Capitol – Kamuning St, at the Back of Coco Mall In-Between Wash Station & the House with the Huge Green Gate in Front of Fuente Oro Business Suites
Verdict:
A: Kristian’s serves excellent dishes (4.8/5) and was the one who made the recipe. Worth the travel time, if you have your own car. If you don’t, however, visit Balamban Liempo within the city’s vicinity for second best (4/5) pork roast.