New Shopping and Dining Destinations in Cebu for the ‘Brrr Months September is just around the corner, marking the start of the ‘Brr months with cooler weather. For Filipinos who enjoy the longest Christmas season, this means hanging up Christmas décor early, or shopping ahead for presents. Luckily, the shopping and dining scene in Cebu is still bustling even as the end of the year approaches. Below are some places you can go to kick of the Brr months.
Ding How Dimsum
Ding How reopens in Robinsons Galleria Cebu (Image: Sugbo.ph) First opened in 1969, Ding How Dimsum House introduced dim sum to Cebu with their specialty dish original steamed fried rice. They were also the first to ofer all-day dim sum dining in Cebu. The restaurant shut down in 2004, but now, after 20 years, the brand reopened its doors in Robinsons Galleria last June 10. Other heirloom dishes they have incorporated in the menu include baked shaopao (buns), beef steak, ham suy kok (fried dumpling), kuchay (Chinese chives) dumpling, and pork trotter.
Joaquin Runway View Grill
Joaquin Runway View Grill overlooks Mactan airport and Brgy. Buaya (Image: Joaquin Runway View Grill) For a diferent kind of al fresco dining experience, foodies can head to Joaquin Runway View Grill. Since the place is located about five kilometers or 15 minutes away from the airport, diners can watch planes come and go while eating. Joaquin specializes in Bacolod chicken inasal (grilled chicken). They also ofer grilled pork, meat, and fish and street food favorites like isaw (barbequed intestines), atay (liver), batikon (gizzard), dugo (blood), and chicken skin.
Slate District
Customers check out what the hype is about at Slate District. (Image: Slate District) Carnivores, rejoice! You can satisfy your meat cravings at Slate District, one of the newest food spots to open in the Mandaue Reclamation Area. The name of the restaurant comes from a type of rock which they use in plating their dishes. Opened last May, Slate is slowly becoming known for their specialties like Jack Slate chicken. One can also enjoy grilled baby back ribs and grilled herb pork steak at reasonable prices.
Michel's Bistro
Michel’s offer Mediterranean fusion food at Cebu IT Park. (Image: Michel’s Bistro) For a taste of Mediterranean fusion cuisine, adventurous foodies can go to Michel’s Bistro. Michel’s boasts of being the first restaurant of its kind in Cebu, bringing together French, Italian, and Spanish influences to their cooking. It is owned by French consul Michel Lhuillier. Specialty dishes at Michel’s includes Paella Valenciana Michel and Chicken aux Herbe Romarin. They also have afordable pizza, pasta, and combo meals. Michel’s also ofers a cashback card which diners can use at over 50,000 merchants. Read Fusion of Cultures in the Cebu Restaurant Scene
Istanblue Resto Lounge
A Turkish dining experience can be had at Istanblue Resto Lounge. (Image: Istanblue Resto Lounge) Turkish cuisine is more than just shawarma, which Cebuanos are familiar with. Now avid foodies can get a taste of the whole range of authentic Turkish cuisine through Istanblue Resto Lounge. This new casual dining spot ofers exotic dishes to tickle the palate, from the cold appetizers in the meze trio plate or a main course of hunkar begendi(tenderloin beef in Turkish sauce). To complete the experience, customers can also smoke a shisha (water pipe) in their hookah lounge.
Plantation Bay Resort Bazaar
Plantation Bay is more than a resort, but also a shopping destination. (Image: Plantation Bay Resort & Spa) Plantation Bay Resort and Spa has added a new amenity to its sprawling beachfront property: the Plantation Bay Bazaar. Located at the front of the lobby, the bazaar carries high-end souvenir items such as bags, handicrafts, apparel, bags, jewelry, guitars, and cofee table books which can be given as pasalubong (take-home items) for loved ones. Guests can likewise shop for food at the weekend flea market or for sundry items, snacks, and personal efects at the Jamaica Market. A convenience store is also set to open in September 2017.
Gaisano Town Center
Gaisano Town Center is now open in Moalboal. (Image: Cebu Hipster) Homegrown shopping mall chain Gaisano Country Mall further expands its reach into neighboring Cebu provinces, this time in the municipality of Moalboal. Gaisano Town Center opened last June 8 in Poblacion East, Lucbon, Moalboal. The two-storey mall has a grocery at the ground floor and a department store which carries fashion apparel and accessories, appliances, and home furniture and accessories. Pizza outlet Pizzaro opened last Aug. 12. Other food outlets will also open soon.
Sampok
Sampok overlooking a part of Magellan Bay (Image: Sampok) For cockfighting enthusiasts, one place to go to see a match and have good food to boot is Sampok. Sampok, a Cebuano word which means to pair of to fight, is the first Filipino restaurant to merge the Filipino pastime of cockfighting and dining. Sampok features a glass arena where fowls can have a sparring match. Their signature dish is manok Bisaya (native chicken). Guests can also enjoy the sea breeze and a view of the ocean while dining. Read Top 10 Best Modern Filipino Restaurants in the Philippines 2016
Ramen Dojo
The newly opened Ramen Dojo in SM City Cebu (Image: Ramen Dojo) There are many reasons why people love ramen, but one thing that holds people back is that a bowl of this Japanese noodle soup can be expensive. Turning this notion around is Ramen Dojo. They ofer all flavors of ramen at PhP150. Diners can choose from beef, pork, miso, spicy, shrimp, mixed seafood, and spicy Sichuan ramen variants. They also ofer side dishes and chahan (Japanese-style fried rice) combo sets. Which of these destinations will you be visiting next? Let us know in the comments section below!