Category Archives: Food

Where I talk about food. These are mostly places where I enjoy eating or places where I’ve been invited to eat as a part of my blogging adventure.

Welcome To The Weekend, Cebu

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It seems like restaurants are popping up left and right here in the Queen City of the South. With the sudden influx of new places to dine, it often leaves us Cebuano’s wondering, “of all the places to choose from, where can I get my money’s worth?”.

There are a lot of factors that come into play when choosing a place to dine but if you’re looking for a spot with a hint of sophistication, variety, good food at a very reasonable price range, The Weekend might just be your new favorite culinary spot!

The Weekend, which is located at The Greenery in Kasambagan, is technically not a stranger to the critical Cebuano taste buds (which we are all pretty familiar with). Jan Rodriguez, who brought us Cebu’s well- loved and all time classic, Ilaputi, has raised the bar yet again together with his partners Jay Alba, Edward Mellana and Jon Louis Yu, to serves us with dishes from around the world.

Aside from the incredible dishes, The Weekend is also home to extensive collection of craft beers. In fact, it is the first in Cebu to house a 16- tap draft system which pours beers from two of Cebu’s best craft breweries, Turning Wheels and Cebu Brewing Co. And if beer isn’t your thing, the Weekend is also stocked up on a curated selection of whisky, gin and mezcal.

So that’s ✓ on food, ✓ drinks, ✓ interiors – all we need now is great company to make The Weekend complete!

Check out their dishes:


Buffalo Cauliflower – Crisp fried cauliflower, celery sticks and Gorgonzola cheese dip

Jupiter’s Acorn salad – Candied walnuts, apples, bacon bits, romaine and arugula, maple vinaigrette, blue cheese drizzle| *soon on the menu


Bourbon Bacon Steak- Bourbon maple- glazed double- double cut bacon, grilled tomatoes, fried eggs, dirty rice, quick pickled onions


Fish & Chips – Beer- battered fish fillet, slaw and handcut thick fries with malt mayo


The Fat Bastard-  Tender, thick- cut chop, dry- rubbed and grilled

Steak and Cheese Sandwich – Angus sirloin steak, caramelized onions, green & red bell peppers, Provolone cheese

Angus Beef Tapa- Fried eggs, pickled onions, spicy vinegar, dirty rice


Fried Chicken Sandwich – Herb- crusted chicken, Jamon Serrano, Manchego cheese, poached egg, horseradish hollandaise

 My personal favorites from the Media Preview would have to be the acorn salad, bacon bourbon steak, fish & chips and the fat bastard- each dish was very different from the other but each special in their own ways. The salad’s fresh greens and light dressing was not too overwhelming despite the blue cheese, the bacon steak was tender and juicy, the fish and chips was a great healthy option for those who are a little more keen on what they eat while the fat bastard was a complete experience in itself.

Find out more about The Weekend on Facebook & Instagram!

Operating hours: 11:00AM – 11:30PM

Everyday is THE WEEKEND,

Issa P.

edit: prices and menu items constantly change at the Weekend, which is why I decided to remove the menu photos. Best drop by Weekend to find out for yourselves but to give you a price range, food offering start at about P250.00 ☺️

Breakfast Selections at Circa 1900’s, Circa Dos

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I’m not a huge fan of grand breakfasts for the main reason that I have the most unfortunate allergy on the face of the earth- I’m allergic to eggs which immediately makes the most important meal of the day a whole lot less eventful. Although I may not be a fan of waking up early and eating something that could potentially harm me, I am however, a big fan of hanging out with my girlfriends especially if it’s with an amazing view!

Circa 1900’s more millennial and up beat counterpart, Casa Dos (located in the same vicinity), is complete with Colonial architecture and interior, a pool and garden view, a wine and tapas lounge and now an interesting breakfast menu on top of their already existing food selections making them the top choice for anyone who’s looking for a good place to start the day.

Circa Dos’ breakfast menu may seem short but it is certainly not limited. They’ve created a good mixture of food meant to help you be fit, allow you to indulge, explore the intriguing tastes of organic plates or perhaps enjoy a classic pinoy breakfast and even eat your heart out to a hungry breakfast platter- which is how Circa Dos’ has categorized their selection. They also have a few interesting side dishes such as crocodile tocino & ostrich tapa!


ORGANIC. 2 fresh organic eggs served with thick cut wholemeal toast- P185.00


FIT. Sliced fresh tropical fruit with honey & strawberry citrus dip – P 195.00


PINOY. Fried eggs and garlic rice with choice of 2 items, homemade beef tenderloin tapa, longaniza, homemade chicken tocino or danggit – P 270.00


HUNGRY. Eggs any style with hash browns, beef sausage, bacon, saute garlic mushrooms, roast tomato & toast- P375.00

INDULGE. English muffin with salmon garvlax & cream scrambled eggs – P 315.00


SIDES. Crocodile tocino – P 295.00

SIDES. Ostrich Tapa – P 295.00


Make sure to go with friends and to make as many memories as possible ❤

Check out my friends: Ron, Keisee, Jean & Marianna

Find out more about them on Facebook and on their official website!

Til the next,

Issa P.

Teach Me How To Maki At Sushi Boy

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I’m no magician in the kitchen but I do believe in trying. I’ve whipped up a few things in the kitchen but Japanese food has always been my dream cuisine to eventually learn since I am a huge fan of their dishes. Luckily, Sushi Boy is offering Maki making sessions and I was one of the first few who got invited to try my luck at it and you know what, I wasn’t bad!

Here’s what happens during their maki making session:


All materials and ingredients are prepared and provided by Sushi Boy so all you have to worry about is assembling your maki and eating them after


Chef then teaches you how to assemble your maki while performing it in front of you in case you need visuals. If anything gets too hard, there are always staff awaiting to guide you and help you through the process. In my case, I needed some help spreading out the ingredients and slicing.

During your session, Chef teaches you how to make 3 kinds of maki namely, the classic California maki, deep fried salmon maki and a tuna maki that’s super easy to create on your own at home.

Here’s how mine turned out:


And yes, they did taste as good as they look! :p

It was such a great learning experience and it was so much fun, too! I’m pretty proud to say that I can add “knows how to make a mean maki” on my list of skills now. lol. The best part, it’s FREE to join!

Don’t miss out a chance to learn and do something fun this summer, follow Sushi Boy on Facebook & Instagram for more fun activities and promotions.


I am so proud of myself,

Issa P.

Kayu Kitchen + Bar, Lahug, Cebu

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Kayu Kitchen + Bar seemed intimidating to me at first. I had seen and heard about them on social media (where else?), I had asked numerous friends who’ve been there about it yet, I had never actually made an effort to go there. If memory serves me right, my friends described the place as interesting, in the higher price range and worth trying- looking back at it now, I had reserved my visit to Kayu for a special occasion perhaps with family or a loved one. Luckily for me, I got a special invite before those two things actually happen!

I’m not a food blogger, which is why I will keep my opinion to a minimum, mostly because I don’t know much about the process that went behind the creation of these dishes. I mean, just take a look at those dishes, it takes a professional or someone who really knows their stuff to give this place a fair review and that is obviously not me so…
Don’t be disappointed in me, guys, I don’t even think I’ve ever had most of these dishes before nor is it something I would imagine myself craving for on any random day… all I know is that they look pretty and that’s already a +1 in my book! lol.

But if you really wanted my opinion, I would generally describe Kayu as a date place or somewhere you would want to go to celebrate a special occasion perhaps a birthday, a family gathering, an anniversary or for a fancy dinner (if that’s what you like to do…) . It’s roomy, it has a great view and the entire place just oozes of sophistication! The scenery is amazing, it’s very romantic and truthfully, the food is another experience itself.

So less chatter, more photos… Here are Kayu’s Kitchen + Bar’s dishes:

APPETIZERS

Beetroot salad/ P270.00
goat’s milk ricotta, tzatziki, guava gel, orange garam masala vinaigrette


Tomato Sriracha Soup
Spiced Bleack Beans, Chorizo [included in lunch set]


Scallion Appetizer/ P380.00
USDA ribeye, house pickled slaw,  chili bean aiolo, honey glazed peanuts


“Fish Taco”/ P 320
crispy fish skin, spicy glazed tuna, pear, sesame


Belly Chips/ P190
Pork Belly, Nuoc Cham

MAIN COURSE


Glazed Salmon/ P590
Sushi rice cake, bokchoy, teriyaki


Duck Confit/ P 490
soy bean cassoulet, strawberry glazed cabbage, cilantro


Braised Shortrib/ P950
cornbread puree, braised shallot, beech mushroom, demi glaze


Poached Red Snapper/ P450
Coconut rice, banana puree, gochujang foam


Charred Octopus/ P450
Squash risotto, grilled grapefruit, romesco


Pork Pork Pork/ P650
grilled apple puree, sauce chasseur, braised cabbage, shiitake risotto

DESSERT


“Potted” Chocolate Tiramisu/ P240
sabayon, crunchy hazelnut meringue, coffee sponge, chocolate sand, strawberry gelee, vanilla sauce


Sizzling Caramel & Banana plate

    Here’s the full menu:

Location:
Sanson Road Rockwell Cebu, Cebu City
Telephone:
(032) 406 3095

Operating hours:

Tuesday – Sunday
LUNCH: 11:30am – 2:30pm
DINNER: 5:30pm – 10:00pm

TAPAS BAR
Friday – Saturday
10:00pm – 12:00mn

Website:
http://kayu.ph/

XX,

Issa P.

Tim Ho Wan Finally Opens In Cebu!

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It’s about time Cebu finally gets a taste of what a Michelin- starred restaurant tastes like! Tim Ho Wan, the most affordable Michelin approved and starred dim sum restaurant, has finally opened their doors to eager Cebuano foodies after a year of waiting.

Tim Ho Wan started in 2009 when Chef Mak Kwai Pui and Chef Leung Fai Keun opened a modest 20-seater hole-in-the-wall eatery in Mongok, Hong Kong. A year after, it earned the coveted star in the 2010 HK and Macau Michelin guide, the international benchmark of good food and highest form of recognition in the culinary world.

Since then, the restaurant branched out around Hong Kong and brought its delicious and affordable dim sum overseas. Tim Ho Wan opened its first international location in Singapore in 2013 then the Philippines in 2014, followed by Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Macau, and most recently New York, USA. With six branches in Luzon, it opens its 360- sqm. branch in Cebu at the Upper Ground Floor, Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City. The yum cha restaurant seats 83 persons in its main dining area and 19 in its function room.

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I paid a visit to this world renowned restaurant during their press & media launching earlier today and had a chance to sample almost all of their dishes. And although I won’t go into too much detail for each dish, this is basically my verdict:

As someone who frequently eats Oriental Asian food but doesn’t necessarily enjoy it, I can easily understand why many people enjoy Tim Ho Wan’s dishes. Their Big 4 Heavenly King dishes are delicious (Baked Buns, Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork & Shrimp) while some are quite foreign to me (pan fried radish cake & steamed egg cake) but altogether enjoyable.

Of all the dishes that we sampled, my top choices would have to be: the baked buns with BBQ pork, Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork & Shrimp, Vermicelli Roll with Shrimp, Chow Mien Stir Fried Noodles, Prawn Dumpling, Pork Dumpling with Shrimp, Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin and the Mango Pomelo Sago.

The best thing about Tim Ho Wan, along with every other dimsums, is the communal dining setting which encourages sharing diners to share each dish among one another.

Check them out:

Big 4 Heavenly Kings

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (3 pcs) – P145.00

  
Pan Fried Radish Cake- P120.00


Steamed Egg Cake- P 85.00


Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork & Shrimp- P140.00

Vermicelli Rolls


[above] Vermicelli Roll with Sweet & Sesame Sauce- P 140.00
Vermicelli Roll with Shrimp- P190.00

Stir Fried


Chow Mien Stir Fried Noodle- P 130.00

Steamed


Prawn Dumpling- P 160.00


Pork Dumpling with Shrimp- P 150.00


Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin- P 120.00


Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp- P120.00

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Braised Chicken Feet with Abalone Sauce- P120.00

Congee


Congee with Lean Pork, Century Egg & Salted Egg- P 140.00

Rice


Glutinous Rice with Lotus Leaf- P 190.00


Rice with Chicken, Sausage & Mushroom- P 170.00


Steam Minced Pork with Dried Squid- P 170.00

Dessert


[Left- Right] Taro Coconut Milk with Sago & Mango Pomelo- P 120.00

To celebrate its arrival in Cebu, Tim Ho Wan Cebu will be giving one (1) complimentary order of Baked Buns with BBQ Pork every day to the first 100 quests with a minimum bill of P500.00 during its opening week from March 25- 31, 2017.

Tim Ho Wan Cebu is located at the Upper Ground Floor, Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu and is open daily from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Seating for dine-on is on a first- come, first- served basis.

Follow Tim Ho Wan Philippines on Facebook and @TimHoWanPh on Instagram and Twitter for thr latest events and updates. For inquiries, contact (032) 341 5770 and 0917 118 6453.

HAPPY EATING,

Issa P.

Ukulele. Food. Travel: Uke Hub Kafe, Mactan

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Mactan, other than it being an entry way for visitors into our beautiful island, is a great representation of what Cebu’s culture is really like. With most of the beaches being on this island, it would be no surprise how much of an influence music plays in our culture. After all, we have been recognized time and again for our outstanding craftsmanship when it comes to guitar manufacturing.

When it comes to Cebu and guitars… or in this case, ukuleles, there’s one particular brand that comes to mind- Susing’s Guitars. This humble yet extraordinary establishment has been creating top quality guitars and instruments since 1990 and have now  decided to create a hub for travelers, locals and lovers of music and food here in Cebu!

Uke Hub is located along the airport road of Mactan (across Ricos Lechon) and is the perfect place to chill, listen to good music, learn how to play a new instrument, spend a crafty afternoon, dine and drink!

As I spent an entire afternoon there, I pictured myself as a backpacker waiting for my next flight out or me and Paolo drinking coffee and gushing over their wide selection of ukulele’s that you can even take out and play.

THE FOOD

They offer a few meal variations such as pastas and sandwiches which are freshly made and are absolutely filling! I was able to sample the lasagna and Hungry Harry’s sandwiches specialty piece, the Cubano Cebuano, and I was left wanting more… which is completely fine though cuz I totally brought that sandwich home with me 😉

Lasagna – P 120.00

Cubano Cebuano – P 165.00

ACTIVITIES

Our visit, more than to check out the place and try out their food, was mostly to indulge in an afternoon of craftsmanship and merry making. In more appealing terms, I actually went there to paint my own Ukulele and actually learn how to play it! 🙂 It was such a relaxing afternoon with my friends from the media and the best part about it, was that I got to go home with my very own Ukulele! If you want to see/ hear me play it, check out my podcast here.

Uke Hub also offers these design your own ukulele sessions and playing lessons at a very reasonable fee of  P1,000.00 including art supplies and your own ukulele so you and your friends can spend an afternoon getting crafty and learning to play them after.

Before

Posing with our finished products with Kiddie Rodaje & Carlo Olano.

Make sure to follow Uke Hub Kafe on Facebook and Instagram to get details about any upcoming shows, craft sessions, meal & drink additions and more! ❤

I’m Yourssss,

Issa P.

Cooking For Dummies: Breakfast Burritos

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I’ve been picking up a new hobby lately- cooking. I’m pretty late in the game though as I guess most men & women learn how to cook at a pretty early age. On most days, I still have a hard time figuring out how to cook rice. But it’s been an interesting journey so far and I wanted to share a favorite dish of our which was surprisingly easy to make- the Breakfast Burrito.

I got this recipe of Pinterest and I thought that I would share it with all of you!

Tortilla Wrap Recipe

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (+ flour to coat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions
Preparation

  1. Mix flour, salt, water and oil in a big bowl.
  2. Place mixture on a floured surface and knead it around 10 times while adding bits of flour & water to the mixture until you’ve achieve a smooth dough.
  3. Leave mixture for a few minutes. (I suggest watching one of my VLOGS in the meantime!)
  4. Divide dough into 6-8 portions, depending on how thick/ big you want your wrap to be.
  5. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a 7- in circle.
    * note: I suggest adding flour every now and then to your floured surface to avoid it getting too sticky. Also, it’s a good idea to add flour to your rolling pin as well. If you don’t have a rolling pin, a large glass still works- but it will hurt!

Cooking your tortilla

  1. In a large skillet, add a small amount of cooking oil or lightly spray your skillet with oil. Cook tortilla for about a minute or until each side is slightly brown.

    * note: I made my wraps a night before so I could sleep in in the morning. 

Breakfast Burrito Fillings

  • 6 eggs (1 for each wrap I was able to make)
  • 1/2 large onion (finely chopped)
  • 3 medium sized tomatoes (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 large bell pepper (cut into thin slices)
  • A splash of milk
  • bacon
  • ketchup
    optional: ham or whatever meat you would want to add

Directions:

  1. In a bowl mix eggs, a splash of milk and tomatoes. Add salt & pepper to the mixture and scramble. (You’re basically making an omelette). Set aside.
  2. In a pan under medium heat, saute onions and bell pepper in oil until onions become translucent. Then add egg mixture. Cook like you would any regular egg.
  3. Once eggs are done cooking, set that aside. In the same pan, cook bacon/ meat of your choice.

Assembly:

  1. Lay your tortilla wrap on a flat surface.
  2. Add a portion of eggs, followed by a thin layer of ketchup and your meat of choice.
  3. Wrap tortilla and secure tight by adding some ketchup to the ends.
  4. Place on white sheets with perfect lighting for an awesome instagram post. HAHA!

Seriously, if I can make this… then so can you!

Tag me on @issaplease (IG/ FACEBOOK) if you ever decide to make this ❤

xx,

Issa P.

Enjoyable Greens @ Lun-Haw Vegan Cafe

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As you went through the title of this post, I’m sure you’ve questioned my love for meat and if I have in fact switched lifestyles… the answer is yes and at the same time, no. No, I am not converting to veganism but I am exploring healthier diet options starting here at Lun-haw Vegan Cafe.

For those who were as ignorant as I was walking into this Cafe, veganism in a nutshell pertains to a person or rather a lifestyle of someone who does not does or use any animal products or bi-products such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese or leather.

Admittedly, there are very small food options for vegans here in Cebu City which is why it is my pleasure to share to share this little hub with all my vegan/ vegan curious/ health conscious friends and readers today.

Lun-haw, which is a bisaya translation of greens, is a vegan cafe along the streets of Escario street. Located at the ground floor of Maxwell Hotel, this dainty and beautifully decorated cafe is a stones throw away from Anytime Fitness & Epic Performance & Gym, which is a great dining option if you just came from the gym and are looking for something clean, affordable and great tasting!

INTERIORS

I, along with every single millennial on this planet, am such a sucker for interiors and believe that a great environment is one deciding factor of a good establishment. Lun-haw Vegan Cafe is very cozy and refreshing to the eyes with their eye pleasing and informative murals along their walls and my favorite spot… the grass wall which is totes instagramable” (lol!).

It’s a great place to unwind, have a solo or group study session and even have a get together with family and friends.

THE FOOD

Watermelon & Mango Flavored Soy Shake – P 120.00

If you all should know, soybeans and I are not good friends. In fact, I try to stay at least 10 ft. away from them because I cannot stand them. Don’t ask me why but it’s just a preference thing. Surprisingly, I fairly enjoyed this drink opting more towards the watermelon flavored shake which masks the soy flavor a little bit more. But honestly, if no one told me that there was soy in it, I wouldn’t even know.

Buffalo Wings – P 165.00
Cauliflower and broccoli graciously covered in Lun-Haw’s special buffalo sauce

Of all the dishes Paolo & I sampled during our visit, this dish was our absolute favorite! Each piece was fresh, crispy and well coated with the buffalo sauce which could make one easily forget that they’re not actually munching on chicken wings from which this dish was inspired from. If you’re looking to ease your way into trying vegan based food, I would definitely suggest that you start with this dish.

Vegan Burger – P 220.00
A monggo- potato burger patty in a vegan burger bun with tomato, onion, lettuce and cucumber, serves with air fries

For a self confessed burger junkie, I am thrilled to admit that I truly enjoyed this vegan alternate. Honestly, it wasn’t the first time I had encountered a vegetable based burger but I am still pretty impressed at how vegans can still pull off a pretty filling burger. Plus, the sauce for those air fried fries were superb!

Vegan Sisig – P 165.00
Tofu- mushroom sisig in coconut “butter” sauce, topped with tofu “egg” and served with turmeric brown rice and their house salad

I’m not a huge fan of tofu and of sisig so I didn’t indulge in this dish too much. However, Paolo, who appreciates both, liked them pretty well. He claims it’s a good take on the Filipino favorite dish and that anyone who likes tofu (NOT ME!) will enjoy it. I was impressed with their version of eggs and the side salad. I like salads. haha.

Garden Pizza – P 240.00
Tomato- basil pizza sauce, red bell pepper, spinach, pineapple, caned mushroom, red tomatoes, onion, black olives and drizzled with cashew cheese

I was instantly curious about this dish as soon as it reached our table. My first question was, “is there cheese?” no. Followed by, “what did you use to substitute cheese?” cashews. To me, there’s no such thing as a pizza without cheese but you kow, it actually worked. It actually tasted good and I took it home to my overly critical family and even they liked it!

THE MENU

Lun- haw Vegan Cafe is located at the ground floor of Maxwell Hotel, N Escario Street.

Operating days & hours:
Monday- Thursday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Follow them on Facebook & Instagram for more updates!

EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT,
Issa P.

Trying Out The Philippines’ Most Expensive Local Ice Cream: Carmen’s Best Ice Cream

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There’s a lot I didn’t know about ice cream until about 24 hours ago when my mind and palette were completely blown away. You see, it’s one thing to say that you looooove ice cream but it’s a completely other thing to be able to say that you actually know what makes good ice cream… I can actually say both.

It was through cups of ice cream, sandwiches and lots of water that I learned not only about ice cream but also about the food industry, how photographers actually manage to take commercial ice cream shots (mashed potatoes + food coloring) and why ice cream is everyone’s guilty pleasure when we’re feeling a little down in the dirt. But before I get ahead of myself, allow me to talk about the reason for the season (the ice cream season, that is…) Carmen’s Best Ice Cream.

I don’t know who said this but sometimes the best ideas are right in front of you or stem from not wanting to waste some good natural resources- in this case is milk, which is how Carmen’s Best came to be. With Mr. Magsaysay’s father having an excess of fresh milk from their dairy farm in Laguna, he had to come up with an idea and fast. Experimenting with different milk based products, it was when he chanced upon the idea of making ice cream that he struck gold.

This idea that eventually turned into a hobby and eventually a business was picking up fast! In 2013, the Magsaysay family established the only fresh milk processing plant in the country and it was also in the same year that Paco took Penn State’s Ice Cream Short Course and even came home with the top prize: The Keeney Award. When asked what the award was exactly, Mr. Magsaysay replied by saying, “a hat” gleaming with pride and a huge grin on his face.

As of the moment, Carmen’s Best carries 6 flavors: Salted Caramel, Malted Milk, Brazillian Coffee, Butter Pecan, Dark Chocolate and He’s Not Worth It, which is basically a Mississippi mud pie that wins at life. Each flavor has a distinct reason for its being such as the Malted Milk being reminiscent of ones childhood favorite snack Horlicks Malties, the Butter Pecan being Paco’s favorite ice cream flavor as a child and He’s Not Worth It for the ladies (and men) who need an little extra push to check out that ice cream. While there are other back stories to each flavor, the important question here is… what makes Carmen’s the best ice cream?

Well for one, Carmen’s Best is produced locally in the Philippines and uses 100% cow’s milk and cream. A not so known fact is that many commercial ice cream manufacturers do not actually use fresh milk or milk at all in their recipes which by default, doesn’t really make them ice cream to begin with. But Carmen’s Best makes homemade artisenal ice cream the old-fashioned way which means that there is no water, no additives, no mass-production and just pure craftsmanship and only the finest ingredients available to them from all over the globe. Now that sounds like ice cream.

Another key feature about this ice cream is the absence of air in their recipe. Yes, you read right, air. Many commercial ice creams are packed or should I say fluffed, in order to cut costs on cream which makes the more affordable to the general public. Notice how after opening a cup or a tub that the ice cream will begin to melt and the water and cream will eventually begin to separate? That is not the case with Carmen’s. In fact, we left the ice cream sitting for the duration of our gathering and even when being fully melted, there were still no signs of separation mainly because, it was never going to happen!

Carmen’s Best Ice Cream after 20- 30 minutes of being left open

Having said all of this, this also another question: is this ice cream actually worth it? Carmen’s Best doesn’t come cheap. In fact, it is the Philippines’ most expensive local ice cream and is even more expensive that Haagen Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s and other international competitors. Priced at P140++ for a small cup and P400++ for a pint, I have to admit, it’s not going to be everyone’s go to ice cream especially on a daily basis. But if you can afford it, if you appreciate good ice cream and like to indulge a little bit more than you actually should then this ice cream is definitely for you!

So yes, I would say it’s worth it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have spent all afternoon making this entry if it wasn’t. :p What can I say, I’m a sucker for ice cream. (I used to call myself the ice cream monster. lol) My favorites are: Salted Caramel (everyone’s favorite, as well!), Butter Pecan, Malted Milk & Brazilian Coffee.

Paco Magsaysay, owner of Carmen’s Best

So what’s next for this ice cream that was sampled by the Pope himself during his recent trip to the Philippines? More flavors and reaching out to a larger Asian audience!

Print & Digital Media together with Carmen’s Best Ice Cream Team

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates and… lots of temptation!

Bring home your own cup/ pint! Carmen’s Best Ice Cream is available at: PAL, Duty Free Philippines, Island Souvenirs outlets, Robinsons Supermarket, Rustan’s, Shopwise, Landers Superstore, Bo’s Coffee, Casa Verde & others!

Indulge,

Issa P.

Dine With Almost 50% Off @ Marriott Hotel, Cebu with Issaplease!

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Happy Thursday, everyone! I am so excited to tell all my wonderful readers about this gift that I, together with Marriott hotel, Cebu’s premiere hotel, have for all of you! It’s such a pleasure that as a blogger, I not only get to tell you about what’s going on in my life but I also get to give back to everyone whose allowed me to keep doing what I do.

But before we get to the good stuff, first allow me to tell you about the wonderful offerings at their Garden Cafe which aims to delight and excite us with their assortments of food.

There are multiple stations for diners to enjoy at the Garden Cafe whether you want to make your own salad, pasta or enjoy different tastes from our own country or different parts of the world.

Here are some photos of their selection:

SALAD STATION

Nothing makes me happier than a good ol salad bar. Marriott has an incredible selection of greens, add on toppings and dressings that will have you going back and customizing your own dish ’til the day ends! My favorite part, as dorky as it is, is their salad mixing corner that allows diners to mix and shred their creations without making too much of a mess. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way with this salad eating lady who is too messy for her own good. :p  

COLD CUTS, CHEESE & BREAD STATION

Everyone loves cheese and we all know that cheese is best paired with cold cuts and great conversations. Whether you’re enjoying them for appetizers or at the end of the meal, Marriott offers a great selection of cheese, cold cuts and bread for everyone to enjoy.

PASTA STATION

As fun as it is to make your own pasta, at Marriott you can take your dish a notch higher by testing out their special Lechon pasta dish. It’s more than your typical Aglio Olio as it incorporates Cebu’s favorite delicacy- Lechon! Who can go wrong?

CURRY STATION

What do you when your Executive Chef is from Thailand? You make a curry station, of course! Chef Chachpol Suaisom shares the tastes of his homeland with everyone through this humble yet bountiful curry station which people with a liking for spicy and indulging food may fill themselves with.

MONGOLIAN STIR FRY & NOODLES STATION

Unfortunately, I was not able to sample the Mongolian Stir Fry and Noodles Station during my visit which definitely gives me more reason to drop by. Pick out your own noodles, spices and other ingredients to create your very own bowl and please let me know which works best with which! #noodlenoob

GRILL STATION

 

LOCAL FLAVORS STATION

Grilled meat and local delicacies are very reminiscent of the Philippines so if you’re looking for something home grown and delicious, help yourselves out at this section. Make sure to try out the tofu sisig for a new gastronomical experience!

JAPANESE STATION

Take it from the girl who stuffed her face in 15 slices of sashimi… you do not want to pass off the opportunity to sample their fresh and delicious raw offerings.

DESSERT STATION

And when you’re all done, or just hoping to cleanse your palette before going for your nth round (like what I do!), make your way to the dessert section where there’s halo-halo, fresh fruits and different pastries!

As a special gift to everyone, we are giving the person reading this and your friends/ family the opportunity to enjoy the Garden Cafe for almost 50% off starting today until the 31st of March, 2017! All you need to do is present this blog entry during your visit to enjoy this very special privilege.

Rates are as follows:

Garden Café
International Lunch Buffet
Monday- Friday
12:00 nn- 2:30 pm
PHP 499.00 net per person only (regular rate PHP 850.00)

Flavors of Asia- International Dinner Buffet
Monday- Thursday and Sunday
6:00 pm- 10:30 pm
PHP 649 net per person only (regular rate PHP 1,200)

Great Room Lobby Bar
Mondays to Sundays
6:00 am – 11:00 pm
*Enjoy a food and beverage 20% discount on total bill

Pool bar
Mondays to Sundays
6:00 am to 11:00 pm
*Enjoy a food and beverage 20% discount on total bill

* Rates and discounts may be enjoyed by the entire group dining with the bloggers’ follower or reader

How to avail discounts:

  1. Make a reservation and announce the “blogger rate” privilege. Contact (032) 411- 5800 for assistance.
  2. On the day of your visit, present this blog before being seated and before asking for the bill.
  3. Walk-ins, given that there is still space, can simply present this blog to avail of the discounted rates.

It’s that simple!

 

Make your next vacation at Marriott!

Thank you & Thank YOU,

Issa P.