Kalami Cebu! - A Gastronomic Guide to Cebu

It was a great year for food and food trips for Kalami Cebu.  It would not have been this awesome if not for all the Kalaminions who participated in my food trips.  As the first "Thank You" post to cap the year, Kalami Cebu would like to recognize all the people who are instrumental in joining me in this food blog journey. Kalaminions of 2016

"Winging is not everything! It's the only sure thing!" There has been a lot of new  Chicken Wing Places in Cebu lately and I got invited to the opening Sure Thing Chicken Wing at F. Ramos Street.  It might not be my favorite part of the chicken but I also love to eat wings.  I checked out the wings at this place and I know what to order the next time I visit this restaurant.

Cebuano's love grilled pork ribs.  I have tried several restaurants who tried to claim to be Cebu's King of Ribs and yes, they are many. Here comes another challenger!  From the island of Negros comes Bacolod's Best Byron's Back Ribs Grille. The ribs champion from the land of Masskara attempts to conquer the land of Sinulog.  I tried their ribs and I am pretty sure they can make local Rib Masters a bit uncomfortable.

Last week, a couple of Kalamionion friends checked out as new restaurant in the General Maxilom Avenue area called Canton King.  At first, I thought it was a "panciteria" or a noodle place and I was freakin' wrong.   Canton King actually serves some roast specialties combined with delicious Singaporean and Cantonese dishes. We really enjoyed sampling their offerings and I think Cebuanos should at least give this restaurant a try.

One of my all-time favorite local fried chicken places is back in Ayala Center Cebu. Sunburst Fried Chicken has opened a branch at the Ayala Center Terraces after almost a year of absence.   If you are a big fan of their fried chicken, I am pretty sure that this news gives you a good reason to smile. I was there on their first day and I was glad to see that Sunburst Ayala Terraces was greeted with a full house at lunch time. 

Ikkousha means "one happy place".  This new ramen shop is positioning itself to be the happy place for Cebuano Ramen lovers.  Ikkousha Ramen comes from Hakata, Japan. Hakata is the home of Tonkotsu, the legendary broth that made ramen a worldwide phenomenon.  At Ikkousha Ramen Cebu, you can expect the best and most authentic Tonkotsu Ramen in town.  

Christmas is synonymous to lechon in Cebu. During the Christmas season, you will probably eat lechon every day if you love going to Christmas parties here in the Queen City of the South.  I lived in Manila before and they do not eat as much lechon as an average Cebuano.  Since people living in Cebu eat so much lechon,  each one of us has a favorite part.  Here is my take on the most delicious parts of the lechon.

There are many amazing lechon brands in Cebu but I cannot find an owner as active and visible as Enrico "Rico" V. Dionson of Rico's Lechon.   The "masiador" turned lechon magnate has steered his lechon business into one of the most recognizable food brands in Cebu.  Rico's Lechon is set to dominate Cebu's vibrant lechon market in the years to come. Humble Beginnings of Rico Dionson When I was growing up, I never heard of Rico's Lechon.  In the early 90's, my family would probably get lechon from Alejo's, Cang's, or Villalonga.   Well, in those times Rico Dionson was still a Kristo or Masiador in the cockpit.  I have a dad who loves to go to the cockpit on Sundays and I know that a Kristo's job is pretty tough. A Kristo is a guy who shouts for someone to look for someone who bets against him. They are the ones shouting jargons like "10-7" or "inilog".  They make money if the boss wins the bet.  

I am not really a sweet tooth by I love to try unique food items.  One of the most unique culinary creations that I discovered recently would be Skillet Japanese Cafe and Bistro's Dew Droplet Cake. This "cake" is popularly known as Raindrop Cake or in Japan, it is called Mizu Shingen Mochi. The dessert had a semi-cultlike following in New York. Surprisingly, it is now in Cebu.  Thanks to #ZomatoPh, I was able to try it recently.

 The Social recently opened their newest restaurant concept in Cebu at the SM Seaside City.  The new place is called Seaside Saloon Bar and Grill by The Social.  Just like their concept in Ayala Center Cebu, the new restaurant is another hybrid coz it is diner/sports bar/ music bar.  It's all about fun at Seaside Saloon by The Social.  The Kalaminions were there to check to preview what they are offering to Cebu.

October was a busy month for my tongue and tummy as I tried a lot of yummy dishes.   I visited tons of new places and also reconnected with some old favorites. It was indeed a great gastronomic month as Kalami Cebu's version of Octoberfest involved restaurants from up north, the capital and of course, beloved Cebu.  Check out my 50 memorable foods of October:

I miss  +Thaddeau II Engaling .  He was one of the best team building facilitators while he was still in Cebu.  He migrated to California earlier this year. I recently went to Brown Cup at Rose Dale Talamban to meet up with his buddies from the Cebu Team Building Facilitators Network and learn about what they are up to.  Well, they are bringing the "Mental Assasin" to Cebu for a Body Language Advantage workshop and I am going to attend it.

Phenomenal! That is how I describe Sugbo Mercado.  This food market concept has been a game changer in the food industry here in Cebu.  I recently had a chitchat with Sugbo Mercado's Michael Karlo Lim and JP Chiongbian at Tin Gow Restaurant at the Waterfront Cebu and they bared the mouthwatering plans of Sugbo Mercado for the coming months.  I got pretty pumped after hearing about their intention to expand to other regions.

Last Thursday, I was with the cool guys and girls of Philippines Air Asia and they just informed us that starting November 25, they will be flying 4 times weekly from Cebu to Singapore.  Wow! Just wow because I have been salivating over the prospects of having a Singapore food trip for a long time. You can even start your Lion City food trip for as low as 888 pesos per way as Air Asia will take you there in their Red and White Airbus 320s.

If you are a foodie, one of the major factors to having an awesome food trip would definitely  be mobility.   If you have a car, you can drive to distant places like Carcar City to have a lechon and chicharon food trip. I just talked to my friends from BPI Family at Casa Verde and they have an awesome promo this weekend that will surely tempt any Cebuano foodie to buy a brand new car.

Last month, I went to Vigan  with my mom and my Godparents. It was my first time there and I was surprised that they were celebrating a major festival.  I was just intending to have an Ilocano food trip and the Raniag Vigan Twilight Festival just made it easier. Well, this week's Kalamions #MeetEatRepeat episode features the new friends that I met in Vigan and our Raniag food trip.

We do not usually go to a hotel restaurant to check out the local cuisine. There are some exceptions and one of them would be the Bistro Amarillo of Hotel Salcedo de Vigan. Bistro Amarillo puts the Ilocano cuisine front and center.  I tried several of their dishes and I came out enlightened.

I did not know that I was starving until I tasted...Vigan.  For a couple of years, I have been food blogging and my food adventures revolved around my lovely island of Cebu.  Yes! Cebu has a lot of awesome places but my recent trip to Vigan made realize that our country has so much to offer to foodies all around the world.

I like drinking beer. San Mig Lite, Red Horse, and Pale Pilsen are the typical beers that I drink.  I have tried foreign brands and craft beers as well.  Recently, I was able to try the new beer line-up offered by Michel's Bistro and I would say that they have beers that any beer lover should try.

A couple of months ago I have been raving about St. Mark Hotel's Rico's Lechon Buffet. I enjoy it so much because it was affordable and it featured many dishes that I loved eating growing up. My only beef was that the buffet was only available 3 times a week.  Well, my prayers have been answered as the hotel recently launched their Crispy Pata Buffet featuring Alejandro's Crispy Pata.  Last week, I brought my "Kalaminions" from the Cebu Blogging Community (CBC) to feast on  the latest All-You-Can-Eat Buffet sensation in Cebu.

Cebuanos love deals.  Whether we are talking about food, clothing, gadgets and probably even mobile load. Well, Cherry Mobile – the leading local mobile phone brand partnered with the giant  telco company, Globe Telecom to launch its very own prepaid service called as Cherry Prepaid and they have super amazing deals for Cebuanos.

Earlier this month, I joined the Worldwide Photo Walk organized by Driftstories.Com . I am not really into street photography but I just joined the photo walk for the potential fun factor and the rewarding meal that was promised for those who complete it. Well, I had a great time and I would probably join more photo walks in the future.  My photos made me realize that I am really more into taking food photos than people photos but the best compromise are the pictures with food and people. 

A couple of days ago, I was invited by Seafood City for the launch of their #PalutoAllYouCan and I was totally blown away with the dozens of ways that they can bring you to seafood heaven. If you love seafood like me, then this the ultimate all you can eat promo for you.

I finally got to try the export version of my favorite local rum, Tanduay at Morals and Malice. I really like it and I am not surprised that world class Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue agreed to become its brand ambassador.

An awesome month has just passed and it was a hectic month for my tummy.  September is my birth month. I expected it to be busy and it really was.   I actually had a hard time picking the 32 best food and drink items of the month.   Why 32? Well, Cebu has a phone area code of 032 making that number somehow significant to Cebuanos and to Kalami Cebu.  

Cafe Laguna has always been one of my favorite Filipino restaurants in Cebu.  When I dine at any of their restaurants, I know that it is going to be a feast.  Last year, I was in their 24th-anniversary buffet and I definitely had a heavy dose of #happytummy. On September 28, 2016, Cebu's longest running Filipino restaurant will treat Cebuanos to a grand buffet for only Php 499.00 ++.

The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRAC) is once again holding another edition of Cebu Goes Culinary.  Cebu Goes Culinary is a biennial culinary competition featuring the best talents of Cebu.  Now in its twelfth year,  #CebuGoesCulinary2016 is set to be bigger and more intense than the past competitions. The event will be held on July 22-23 at newly-opened Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Lately, I have been concentrating on making videos for my Instagram account and Facebook page.  One of my videos recently got over 8,000 views without using ads and it was about this new food court that has opened in Salinas Drive named Makan Ahooy Food Kiosk.  This food court promises to give you some of the best eats at super affordable prices.  Check it out and tell me what you think about it.

June 2016 was a busy month for Kalami Cebu. I posted fewer blog posts compared to other months but most of my content were on my social media accounts.  The main culprit for less output in the blog would definitely be my new camera, the Sony A6300.  I bought a new camera to help in my blogging and it worked but breaking in my new cam was a bit detrimental to my blogging.

In my recent trip to Bohol, I went to Dumuluan Resort to learn kayaking. After hours of struggling in  a kayak, I wanted to have a belly-busting dinner.  Our host during our Seas the Day tour brought us to Gustus and it really satisfied the carnivore in me.  The trip to Gustus was another eye-opening experience about the vastly improving gastronomic options in Bohol. 

Italian brand Hausbrandt opened its first cafe in the Philippine at the Capitol Square, Escario Street, Cebu City. Hausbrandt has a presence in 70 countries worldwide and they plan to be a major player in the local coffee market. What sets Hausbrandt by Euro Food 1892 from their competitors is their way of brewing their coffee.  They are the only cafe that mainly uses the Bialetti Moka Pot to make delicious coffee.

When I watch movies, I always feel some jealousy looking at medieval kings and warriors feasting after a victory. I sort off salivate when I see Vikings eating a whole leg of lamb using one hand. I fantasize doing just that while eating some drumsticks. Well, my fantasy turned into reality when I went to the opening of Vikings SM City Cebu.

 Call me old-fashioned but when it comes to food that I crave for when I live away from Cebu, Dim Sum from Harbour City is on my personal Top Ten list.  I just consider steamed rice with some spring rolls and siomai as the best lunch option on some days.  This love goes back to over 25 years  ago when I discovered this type of food in the old Ding Qua Qua near STC in Mango Avenue.  Even up to now, I always associate this type of food to good times with family and friends.

I recently partnered with  +Emjae Argallon  of  Emjae Fotos  to produce video content for this blog.  One of our first collaborations was during Foodpanda Orange Awards held at Mandarin Plaza Hotel. Foodpanda is the country's No.1 food delivery app and recently, they feted their 50 best restaurant partners.  Nineteen of the fifty top restaurants came from Cebu.  Check out our video: Top 50 Restaurant Partners of Foodpanda in the Philippines

I am a "rice" guy when it comes to breakfast.  I have been that since I was a kid.  Given a choice between a Tapsilog and a McMuffin, I would choose the Tapsilog 99% of the time (save for the McDonald's National Breakfast Day). In my recent trip to Bohol, I had breakfast at Estrella Bakery and it made me realize that delicious bread and pastries can replace any rice meal on some days.

If you love pizza, pasta, and other American-Italian favorites you should check out the recently opened A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante at the lower ground floor of SM City Cebu.  The newly opened restaurant specializes in New York-style pizza, pasta, salad, calzone, and sandwiches.  The SM City Cebu branch is A Veneto's 7th branch in the country and the first one in Cebu.