Holiday 2007: Places in Cebu - 1 of 2 (album)

Its a long story which made me frown ferociously a couple of times, but I missed my afternoon flight on Dec 22, 2007 back to Cebu. However, I look at the bright side today...I managed to spend some time (a short if somewhat stressful time queuing around PAL ticket counters and waitlisted desk, luggage at side) with my bro Dennis and one of his sons (Martin) and I also did manage to catch a seat on a morning flight the next day.

I thought I'd share a couple of pictures of some of the places I've been to during my trip home last Christmas time..maybe you would also take time out to visit them if you do manage to pass by my hometown.

...strangely enough, I wasn't able to visit the places I had planned to visit...most of these were just spur-of-the-moment-because-I-am-hungry...or..we just happened to pass by and thought it might be an interesting place to visit again.

= "Lai Garden" at the new wing of SM Cebu.
I didn't really like their food after all was said and done and since they recently opened, the kinks in their operations were not ironed out. This is the first time I dropped by since its been a habit of mine to eat out after my parents pick me up from the airport, and I usually pick an establishment all of us have never tried before. Oh well, win some, lose some.

= "A Taste of Mandarin" at Gaisano Country Mall.
One of the higher-end but reasonably priced (compared to Manila prices) Chinese food restaurants. My dad is addicted to their pulutan-while-you-wait (a new discovery for him since he's never been here before) -> peanuts covered in rolled crystallized sugar. Their chef is imported from China.

It was good timing that there was a lion dance was being performed during our visit to the department store. If you have the patience to scour and prowl, you can come across good bargain items in their Italian clothes boutique, home furnishings section and even a porcelain exhibit somewhere on the premises. By the time we finished our grocery shopping at GCM (we usually buy here since its roomier and cheaper, except for liquor), it was ringing dinner bells for my stomach and the only other place which was open and which was not serving burgers or pizzas was this restaurant.

= "Lighthouse"at Gaisano Country Mall.
There are two branches, one located in Mango Avenue (near our home) and another one in Country Mall. I used to come here for their crispy pata, alimango in coconut milk, crab claws, white squash soup, crispy kangkong, lobster tails, baked tahong/scallops, to name a few. You can be sure to bump into some foreigners while eating in this place since its part of a tourist guide's way. 

This time, I was looking over the on-sale imported clothes in GCM when I noticed it had gotten dark. Since its been ages (more like back in 2002) when I last ate here, we decided to check if it was open since they were closed on Christmas eve.

= "Marco Polo Hotel" at Nivel Hills, Lahug.
Formerly known as Cebu Plaza Hotel. It is also related to Alegre Beach Resort in Sogod, a town in the northern part of Cebu. Used to have a "happenin'" disco named Bai if I am not mistaken. It also used to be the choice for ringhops, necklacing and other graduation ceremonies though they said the food was fit for vegetarians and goats only *grin*. 

I ate breakfast here with Pearl, food seems to be ok though...or maybe because it was a buffet breakfast and not the plated dinners we had before in my time. 

= "Ginza" in Banilad.
This Japanese restaurant which is located cheek-by-jowl with Patio Isabel (see photo album about reunion lunch with college friends last Nov 2007) in Banilad does have some good Japanese food. I don't eat here much since its out of the way for me but this time, thanks to Pearl and her friends/vendors who chose this resto, I visited it again (last time was probably early 2000). I also dropped by without plan at Starbucks and The Tinder Box after dinner. I had planned to visit Europa Deli which is very near our house, but since I was already in this area...why not, chocnut?

TBC...in part 2

- Jan 17, '08 12:46 PM