Last Day of Cebu Food Crawl 2016

And finally, off to the last day of this sinful adventure in Cebu. We are now down to the final three: Choobi Choobi Restaurant, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, and Ayala Center Cebu. 

Chill at Gusto Mare

Cebu's economy has been on a steady rise. The South Road Properties (SRP) used to be a sprawling land with just a highway connecting to the Talisay City, another thriving city of Metro Cebu. Today, more and more establishments had sprung out like mushrooms in this area alone. The same scenario goes to the food scene of Cebu.

The Sugbo Mercado Experience

Have you watched the movie, Matilda? There's this particular scene in the movie wherein a young boy (Bruce Bogtrotter) was forced to devour a large chocolate cake as a punishment. The poor boy was about to throw up yet he has still to devour the scrumptious chocolate cake. In the end, he managed to finish the whole cake. I feel uncomfortable every time I watch that scene. I know for a fact that I have a big appetite but I know my limitations.

To cap off my 2nd day in Cebu Food Crawl 2016, we went to Sugbo Mercado. Little did I know that something big awaits us.

It's Always a Feast at Golden Cowrie

My brother and my dad aren't really that adventurous when it comes to food. They prefer eating Filipino food for obvious reasons. So much for being nationalistic. Haha! They frequent the SM Ecoland branch of Hukad. I can't blame, though. I mean, who says no to crispy pata, patatim, and kare-kare? After feasting myself with Lechon and Italian food, we went straight to Salinas, a concept restaurant by the Golden Cowrie.

We didn't know what was in store for us, but I'm sure it's gonna be grand and festive.

Rico's Lechon: Da Best Gyud

Lechon (roasted pig) is officially Cebu's staple food. I mean, your day in Cebu would not be complete without devouring even a small portion of this delicious roasted pig. The second day of our food crawl got even better. We started our day by stuffing ourselves with Cebu's best lechon and ended the night with more of it.

Destination Food: Day 1 of Cebu Food Crawl 2016

The weather was fine when the plane took off Tacloban's Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport. Prior to that, I only ate 3 pieces of pandesal and drank a cup of brewed coffee to fuel my brain for work. In less than 20 minutes, we landed at Mactan-Cebu International Airport and I am hoping that I'd still be able to catch up with the food crawl. I was sulking because I missed a lot during the first day of food crawl due to work. #Priorities.

As I hailed a cab, I only wish to have a good food experience despite mingling with people whom I barely know. The introvert in me is challenged but you can't say no to good food, especially in Cebu.

Cebu Food Crawl 2016 in a Nutshell

Now, look who's back? I just recently came back from Cebu and whoa, I just had the most sinful weekend with my blogger friends. Together, we traveled around Metro Cebu to discover the region's best food. True enough, our gastronomic adventure in Cebu was not only limited to lechon and mangoes.

#BisayaNaFood: Cebu Food Crawl 2.0

It's the time of the year again when bloggers all over the Philippines gather at the Queen City of the South to feast some of the best Cebuano cuisines and local dishes. Last year, I was fortunate enough to attend the first Cebu Food Crawl and it was a success! On its second year, the Cebu Bloggers Society welcomes more hotels and restaurants as they continue to showcase Cebu's best food scene.

An Afternoon Snack at Anzani

The island hopping experience in Mactan was fun yet tiring. Good thing was, our second to the last stop was Anzani New Mediterranean Restaurant. Perched at the side of the hill, it offers a panoramic views of Cebu City and the surrounding verdant mountains. Not only that, this idyllic restaurant served us some of their finest snacks that one can truly enjoy.

Pink Heaven Bakeshop & Bistro

Right across the border of the cities of Cebu and Talisay lies a quaint bakeshop and bistro, offering quality cake products and innovative food dishes at an affordable price. 

A Wine to Remember

Martin Luther once said that beers were made by men, but wines were made from gods. As in?

After devouring too much food at Mactan Alfresco, we went to Dolce Casa Cebu's branch at Parkmall Mandaue to drink something made by the deities above. Drinking wine isn't really my thing to be honest that's why I got really happy when I learned that we're going to have a wine tasting activity in Cebu Food Crawl 2015.

Sailing Around Mactan Island

I am a sucker for turquoise seas, coconut trees, and white beaches. Growing up in Davao, the beach will always be a familiar territory to me. In fact, my undergraduate thesis was all about rearing a marine invertebrate in a manmade saltwater pond. Haha!

For our final day in Cebu Food Crawl, we went island hopping!

Dine Around the World at The Sails Restaurant

A new culinary journey sets sail as Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu's all-day dining outlet introduces its nightly themed buffet concepts. It's a treat in a whole new level - a gastronomic feasts of different origins.

Celebrating the Flavors of Cebu at Mactan Alfresco

A new exciting dining concept in Cebu had recently opened in Mactan Newtown! Food junkies will definitely love this place as it showcases the finest Cebuano cooking and cuisine. Mactan Alfresco is a covered food trip, inspired by the hawker centers in Singapore.

The Chocolate Chamber

A sweet escape.

I was awake for more than 24 hours. After devouring hot wings at Gibbs', we went straight to LIV Superclub and partied way too hard because duh, we only live once. At almost five in the morning, we went back to our hotel, and slept right away without bothering changing my clothes. I was reeking nicotine and alcohol that time, eww.

For our next stop in #CebuFoodCrawl, we went to The Chocolate Chamber in Mabolo, Cebu City for some sweet affair. It was an antithesis of last night's activities.

Cebu Food Crawl: Gibbs' Hot Wings

I was supposed to leave Tacloban at around 12:30PM but due to some unforeseen circumstances, my flight to Mactan-Cebu got delayed for almost six hours. Once I got off from the plane, I waited for another 50 minutes for my cab. The queue was crazy as most taxis in Mactan Island were nowhere to be found due to the large passenger demand at the newly opened mall in SRP.

I was really tired and hungry. Good thing, the next destination of the #CebuFoodCrawl was Gibbs' Hot Wings at Streetscape Lifestyle Mall in Banilad.

Where to Stay in Cebu: Big Hotel

There are so many things that you can do in Metro Cebu like shopping, hiking in one of their off-the-beaten tracks, island hopping, and many more. One of the things you need to consider is a comfortable place to stay right after your activities. And yes, BIG Hotel is the answer.

Cebu Food Adventure: Season Two

Uswag, Sugbo!

I had fond memories of Cebu.

Three years ago, I went to Cebu with some of the seasoned travel bloggers here in the Philippines. First time to meet them in flesh, first time to visit the Queen City of the South. We explored the beautiful islands of Malapascua and Bantayan. Three months later, we went back to discover more places in Cebu and this time, we went south. We conquered Osmeña Peak, the province's highest peak, swam with the whale sharks of Oslob, and experienced the laid back life of Dalaguete, the quintessence of calm.

It's really great to be back at the Queen City of South last month. Here are some of the things that you shouldn't afford to miss when you're in Metro Cebu.

Yes, I'm talking about the FOOD that you SHOULDN'T MISS! Get ready for the part two of my Cebu Food Trip. Part 1 is here... and that was uhm... two years ago?

Postcard: Cebu's Wild Beaches

Rockberg!

Before 2011 ended, I decided to fly out of Davao to Cebu to meet up with my travel blogger friends; it was my first time to see them in person (lol). Actually, seeing them beyond the screen of my laptop was surreal. Upon arrival, we headed straight to the north bus terminal and off we went to the pristine beaches of Cebu.

Postcard: Southern Cebu Landscape

Robbie, Jerome, and I traveled all the way from Cebu City to the municipality of Dalaguete, which is a three hour journey from the Metro. Along the way, we were greeted by the picturesque seascapes on our left and old churches on our right. It was such a beautiful sight! Everything was well preserved, the air was clean, and life seemed so simple.