Four days foodie adventure in Cebu | Cebu Food Crawl 2016

Lami kaayo!

When I arrived in Cebu last August 25, the first thing on my mind is to try some Cebu delicacies before the annual Cebu Food Crawl which was organized by Cebu Bloggers Society aptly themed, “Destination Food”. The 4-day food tour of different restaurants and hotels will highlight Cebu as a prime spot for food travelers.

I participated in two food crawls here in Manila for the past two years, but it’s my first time to join a food crawl outside Manila.

“Beyond the pristine white beaches and beautiful islands, Cebu is a melting pot of varied food influences inherited from its early inhabitants and colonial past enhanced with modern techniques and technology. Cebu Food Crawl celebrates Cebu as a foremost gourmet destination best known for practicality and glamour of its food,” Cebu Food Crawl Project Director, Atty. Ethelbert Ouano said.

First day

We went to the Mactan Newtown Lechon Pit as first stop of the food crawl. I was stunned over how Cebuanos patronized their own products. Mactan Alfresco is a 500-seater covered dining strip nestled at Mactan Newtown. We witnessed how does Cebu lechon prepared from seasoning to roasting before served in plates.

Some of the establishments at the Alfresco Dining are Meximama, Orange Karinderia, Muvanz Pocherohan and Seafoods, Conching’s, Cebu Original Lechon Belly, Oyster Bay Seafood Restaurant, Choobi Choobi, Mama Linda Inato BBQ Haus, Manang Sayong, Anna’s Lechon and Ayer’s Lechon.

After Mactan Newtown, our group went to Movenpick Hotel’s Ibiza Beach Club. Feel the beach vibe while having a great time sightseeing while enjoying their tapas and to-die for ice cream. I love their Carmelita ice cream. I had a great time chillaxin along with my fellow blogger friends.

According to their social media manager, Armie Sheila Garde, Ibiza will branch out in BGC, Taguig before the year ends.

A sizzling dinner when our last stop for Day 1 for the food crawl is Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. We dined out at El Viento. I was able to try their Sizzling Favorites such as Sizzling Sisig, Sizzling Squid, Sizzling Gambas, and Sizzling Beef Tips. I was stunned when they gave us an apron because it might splash some sauce from the sizzling plate. I love the ambiance while a live band performed near the pool side.

Sizzling Nights is available every Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at El Viento, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

Day 2

It started our Day 2 itinerary at Profood Gallery Mango Museum and Factory Tour. I learned a lot about Philippine mangoes and how to process dried mangoes and other products under Profood International Corp. They see to it that it passed from the quality control.

Delighted to see various products from Profood available in other countries. Proud to have this kind of company producing packed dried mangoes, pineapple and other processed fruits.

Next stop is a quaint, relaxing cafe called Cafe Jasmin.

Whether it’s Espresso or Latte, Café Jasmin serves the best coffee in town! They sources its coffee beans from Antigua, Ethiopia and Tanzania. I always want to capture their artsy latte and try their delectable comfort food. The coffee beans are of excellent quality and also sold it in gram.

Aside from hot and cold coffee, Café Jasmin offers Japanese Style Curry, cheesy Lasagna, and Chicken Carbonara, among others. If you’re a sweet tooth, their mouth-watering desserts from their menu such as Blueberry Cheesecake, Mango Panna Cotta, Triple Chocolate Brownies and Affogato will make you stay in the café for hours.

While we were in Cafe Jasmin, Kota Yamada shares some contents from his latest poetry book called Lost Hearts.

If you want to learn about how coffee works, Café Jasmin has coffee class every Monday and Tuesday, 1 pm with their Coffee Appreciation and practical hands about making great coffee for those coffee aficionados out there. They recently organized their first event for arts, music aficionados called Stain.

Visit Café Jasmin at E-Zone Paseo, F. Cabahug Street, Cebu City. Follow them on Facebook page and Instagram for details.

One of my favorite part of this food tour when we visited Shangri-Law Mactan Resort and Spa. We were welcomed by the staff and chefs at Cowrie Cove . An exciting afternoon awaits us with a blindfold food tasting.

Upon learning the one we tasted, we were amazed on how Cowrie Cove gave us the opportunity to try gastronomic meals from their special menu. It’s one for the books!

As we headed over Asiatown IT Park in Lahug, we had a chance to try out District on 53rd. It was owned by Marco and Kate Anzani under Anzani International Group. I was stunned over their wide array of meals included on their menu. It’s awesome to learn that they gathered 53 different meals from other countries in one menu. I love their Black Bun and Porcini Fondue.

Last stop for Day 2 is Gibbs’ Hot Wings.

I got curious on the spiciness of their hot wings. They serve five level of hot wings: hot, original, insanely hot, 2intense, and freakin’ hot. Wondering how hot it is? Let’s find out on how spicy their Buffalo wings!

Enjoy their specialty hot wings with beer, I can tell you that you will satisfy eating it using your hands. With an affordable price for 10 pieces per order of this sizzling hot spicy wings, seize the moment eating this outrageous hot meal while in Cebu.

If you’re not into spicy food, they also have Gibbs’ Angel Wings. It is cooked in cream, cheese & garlic sauce, and parmesan cheese. Taste good, eh! If you’re a pasta lover, they also have Bacon & Mushroom Carbonara.

Drool with Gibbs’ Hot Wings Bacon & Carbonara which serves with their own white sauce to its linguine pasta, bacon cuts, mushroom and topped with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy the ambiance and food with friends at Gibbs’ Hot Wings. It is located at Holy Family Village 2, Banilad, Cebu City and Unit 20, Streetscape Lifestyle Mall, Paseo Saturnino, Banilad, Cebu City.

For the latest updates about Gibbs’ Hot Wings, check out their website, and follow them on Facebook , and Instagram.

Day 3

I got a fever during Day 3 but they went to Rico’s Commissary, Gusto Mare, Salinas Restaurant and Sugbo Mercado Dos.

Day 4

Last day for Cebu Food Crawl ended up with a bang! We visited Choobi Choobi in Mabolo and try out their delicious dishes such as Choobi Pata, Choobi Bay, and Pork BBQ. CEO Stan Tanchan demonstrated to us on how to eat the shrimp in a right way.

An exciting afternoon awaits us when our next stop for Day 4 is in Cebu City Marriott Hotel. We did an epic healthy Smoothie Challenge. The said activity highlighted their Meetings Imagined concept and also their Healthy Meeting Package that will start Mondays and Tuesdays of September.

A progressive dinner welcomed us at Ayala Center Cebu. They gave us a passport to stamp in every restaurant that we visited. Our team, Team Orange went to T.G.I,Fridays, Big Mao, The Lemon Grass, and Bo’s Coffee.

Delighted to see establishments that were originated in Cebu like The Lemon Grass, Big Mao and Bo’s Coffee. I love the fusion of Thai and Vietnamese Cuisine at The Lemon Grass. Hope that they will branch out here in Manila.

I enjoyed my stay in Cebu, especially joining Cebu Food Crawl 2016. Kudos to the people behind Cebu Bloggers Society for the success of the said food tour. See you next year!

About Christian Melanie Lee

Christian Melanie Lee is a freelance social media manager and web developer. She also devoted her time managing her food blog, and music/concert blog. One of the Hootsuite Ambassador for the Philippines since 2014 and currently working as social media manager for the local band, The Itchyworms. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.