BALBACUA
CEBU is in a festive mood as it embraces its biggest and grandest celebration each year, the Sinulog.
Though primarily celebrated as a religious event in honor of its patron, Senor Sto. Niño, like any feast in the local culture, food has also become an important part of this week-long festival.
Against the backdrop of the rhythmic Sinulog beat and songs, the smell of smoke from grilled meat or seafood, the aroma of spices, the sizzling sound and sight of meat or seafood everywhere fill the air and seduce the senses.
With all the gastronomic delights, you may want to indulge in a food marathon with family and friends as the excitement builds up towards the weekend.
And whether you plan to be on the streets or at the grandstand watching the Sinulog performances on Sunday, you will have to do a lot of walking anyway and burn all those calories away.
So here, take your pick among some of these food destinations.
MARCO POLO PLAZA CEBU
It’s fresh seafood at Marco Polo.
While showcasing distinctly Cebuano dishes every year under its trademark Culinary Journeys’ Sugbusog buffet, Marco Polo pulls a delightful surprise with its Seafood Edition.
Choose from a spread of fresh fish, shells, squid and have the hotel’s team of chefs cook them the way you want it. Of course, the usual favorites are also there, like the Lechon, Chicharon, Caldereta, Balbacua, Seafood Salad, as well as all-time favorite desserts like the Halo-halo.
The buffet is served until Jan. 17. Lunch is P1,099 net, while dinner is P1,395 net.
Call 253-1111 loc 8249 for reservations or email [email protected]
CEBU CITY MARRIOTT HOTEL
A Sinulog BBQ awaits revelers craving for barbeque at dusk by the hotel’s pool bar. Marriott Hotel whips up its own version of Cebu’s popular street food and comfort food for P650 net per person.
FISH Bone Tapa
But if you’re in the mood for international flavors at lunch or dinner, head for the Garden Café where another spread of appetizing new main courses awaits. Buffet is at P1,200 net per person. And if you’re up to it, ride the Marriott Sinulog Jeepney for a chance to win Food and Beverage gift certificates. Take and post photos on the colorful iconic jeepney using the hashtag #CebuMarriott or #Sinulog2016!
Call 411-5800 for reservations or email [email protected]
RADISSON BLU CEBU
No other city celebrates the start of the year like Cebu does with Sinulog. As the streets come alive with music and color, highlight your Sinulog 2016 at Radisson Blu Cebu’s Feria Fiesta.
On Jan. 16, indulge in a lunch or dinner buffet at Feria for P 825 net per person, and an upgraded buffet on Jan. 17 at P 1,650 net per person. Feast on well-loved Filipino dishes Humba, Balbacua, Bringhe, Bisktek Tagalog, as well as merienda items Turon, Biko and Buko Pandan. The carving station also features Cebu Lechon, Chicken Inasal, Beef Morcon and Tinapang Isda.
Dine at Feria until Jan. 14 for a chance to win tickets to the electronic dance music party LifeDance.
Call 402-9900 or e-mail [email protected]
CEBU PARKLANE INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
It’s Balikbayan Night on January 15 at Kan-anan Restaurant where Cebuano buffet with Sutukil is served. Relive the good old times in Flashback Friday from 6 to 11 p.m. There’s an open bar on selected spirits and cocktail with music, fire dancing and cultural performances for P999 net per person. On January 16 and 17, it’s Sinulog Weekend at Manuel’s Restaurant where Cebuano dishes amid international cuisines take center stage. With free flowing juices, lunch or dinner is at P750 net.
Call 234-7000 or 411-7000 for reservations.
CALDERETA-flavored Balut
QUEST HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER-CEBU
Flavored balut, anyone? The famous local delicacy gets a fancy twist and it’s part of Pusô Restaurant’s Sinulog offerings—a Filipino fiesta buffet that includes standout native specialties of some of the country’s most popular regions—Bicol Express, Laing, Iloilo’s Batchoy, Balbacua, Cebu’s Lechon Belly.
Offered until Jan. 23, lunch is at P599 and dinner is at P699.
Merienda set menus are available from 2 to 6 p.m. only for this month. The set menus include a serving of: Pancit Palabok, Camote Balls and Pandan Glazed Bico; Pancit Lomi, Cebuano Torta and Sapin-sapin; Guinataang Halo-halo, Cassava Cake and Ube Fritters; Fried Banana with Langka in Vanilla sauce, Kutchinta and Dinuguan with Puto. Each set serves three persons and comes with a pitcher of iced tea for P350.
BANANA Turon
Also enjoy Chef Neil Vano’s cake of the month, the Mangoconut, with ripe mango slices, chocolate cremeux, and mango and coconut mousse on flourless chocolate sponge cake and a coconut macaroon base, for P250.
Call 402-5999 or 230-5888 for reservations.
WATERFRONT CEBU CITY HOTELAND CASINO
It’s Fiesta Cebuana, a Sinulog special, at Café Uno. Savor Cebuano favorites like Humba, Danggit, Nukos, Chicharon and Lechon for P650++. At Café Fortuna, it’s Sinulog Shindig featuring Filipino favorites like Callos (P295 ++), Lengua Estofado (P299++), Beef Pochero (P495++), Lechon Kawali (P395++).
Call 232-6888 for reservations.
SHANGRI-LA’S MACTAN RESORT AND SPA, CEBU
Savor local cuisine at the Sinulog dinner buffet and enjoy watching a cultural show at the Buko Bar on Jan. 16. Buffet is at P2,500 net per person inclusive of free flowing drinks. More Filipino dishes at the dinner buffet in Tides for P2,305 net per person.
Call 231-8224 for reservations.
