Cebu's Ayer Lechon Offers Many Choices

Cebu's Ayer Lechon is an emerging player in the lechon department in Cebu City. It has been receiving word-of-mouth recommendations from its customers and is becoming a favorite among Koreans so much so that its lechon may be offered with Kimchi, said to be a good combination.

One thing going for Ayer or Ayer's Lechon is that it provides customers many choices.

First, the branches: You can buy lechon prior to taking a flight at it's Mactan Domestic Airport branch. Across Country Club Banilad Road, there is also an Ayer branch. For those working in the IT Park, there is an outlet in the second floor of the I2 Building on top of Starbucks. There's also one in SM City 3rd Level and another one in Salinas Drive Lahug in front of USP.

Second, it provides not just plain lechon because there are several food items being offered.

Lechon

Boneless lechon spicy

Dinuguan

Lechon paksiw

Pritchon

Lechon sisig

Kimchi

The lechon is said to be made from native pigs. With the different food choices, the pig's various parts are never wasted. By the way, other food selections not in the pics are the pork spare ribs (not always available) and the bopis.

The lechon is crispy as well as the boneless lechon. The boneless lechon for me though is not their best product.The spicy boneless lechon does not have a lechon feel when eaten.

I love the taste of the lechon paksiw though. The dinuguan on the other hand tastes like dugo-dugo sprinkled with chicharon. Others may want to try the pritchon and the attractive lechon sisig.

Lastly, Ayers offer various options for ordering. You can order online with the choice to use even Paypal based on what is seen on their website.

If you want to know more about Ayers, you can visit their website and order there.

You can also contact them at telephone numbers (032) 268-0327 or Mobile #09228268133 or #09228268133.

Julie's Bakeshop and Me

Julie's Bakeshop is indeed the largest bakeshop chain in the Philippines with about 130 franchisees. It seems that everywhere you go there's a Julie's bakeshop. Be it in the province or in the city. Just like in Cebu. After all, Julie's has its roots in Cebu being founded by Mrs. Julie Gandionco with its first store in Mandaue.

I practically spent a large chunk of my adult life eating Julie's bread products. During my college days, I pass by a Julie's bakeshop on the way home before riding a jeepney to buy fresh from the oven cheese bread.

Even now at work, I drop by Julie's doing the same routine. But I do not just buy bread from Julie's, I also eat lunch and sometimes breakfast at Julie's. From a simple bakeshop, it grew. And grew. And grew.

Aside from cheese bread, they have the "nakakalokong Pan de Coco" as well as various cakes. Then you also have the local favorite Binangkal.

Julie's is not just about bakeshops. They also reach out to the public. A good example is during the Sinulog when they are one of the sponsors in the Devotee City.

Learn more about Julie's Bakeshop's Corporate Social Responsibility here.

Interested in franchise application? Go to this link.

Mexican Food in Maya Taqueria and Tequila Lounge, Crossroads

I got to attend an event in Maya Taqueria and Tequila Lounge, Crossroads and it was my first time to be in that place. I heard it offers Mexican food. And my oh my, they've got lots of it. I just don't know how they call these dishes.

Appears like a Mexican version of the empanada...yummy!

A different kind of liempo...very crispy

One of the best beef dishes served that day (Too bad don't know the name)

Craving for more Mexican food?...I am sure I haven't tasted the other dishes here in Maya. It appears Maya is a really one of the places to go in Cebu for Mexican food.

Stop looking at these pictures and go taste it for yourself!

Cebu's Original Lechon Belly - Liempo and Lechon All-in-One

During the last week of July, I chanced upon Elizabeth Mall and was surprised to see a new food stall in front of the supermarket section. I noticed the words "Boneless Lechon". Just recently, an alumni batch served boneless lechon so I thought this must be it.

Being somebody who always wants to try when something new comes up, I decided to taste the product and thus ordered just 1/4 kilo.

The name of the boneless lechon by the way is Cebu's Original Lechon Belly. When chopped, I noticed it looks more like liempo on the inside with the herbs and spices but the skin is like that of a lechon. With so many liempos around, what could make this product different?

I decided to order the spicy lechon variety. With the 1/4 kilo, because it is boneless you actually get more than the usual 1/4 kilo of lechon.

Now the tasting part...

The skin was crunchy like that of lechon actually. The meat is a combination of lechon and liempo but more of liempo for me and you can easily take a bite off it. I actually liked it. It's perfect dipped in the soy sauce and vinegar.

If you are tired of having lechon or gotten bored with the liempos you have eaten, you may want to try this. The contact numbers are in the picture earlier and as mentioned it is available in Elizabeth Mall.

A gentle reminder though... Enjoy the food but eat in moderation. And you might want to share some with me.

Relaxing Dolce Cafe in Lahug, Cebu City

Dolce Cafe is one relaxing, homey place for a hangout. I like the white finish of the entire place and the interior design. I will let the pictures do the talking here below.

It is not just the atmosphere inside but the outside as well where friends can also opt to sit down and have a chat with each other while enjoying the food and drinks Dolce cafe can offer.

To complete the package, Dolce has a lineup of delectable desserts and pastries including cakes. They all have a soft texture and are not too sweet that you would love to have more after one bite.

Yummy! Believe me, it's better to try them all! When we went there, people were coming in non-stop.

Dolce Cafe is located in Panorama Heights, Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City. Contact number is 231-3973.

There's still More Fun in Argao

There is so much to see in Argao that one day will not be enough to appreciate it.

Of course, there is this old church in Argao, the St. Michael the Archangel Parish with classic paintings in its ceilings made by famous artists Canuto Avila and Reynaldo Francia. It also has an old pipe organ inside.

Francia is the same painter who made these paintings in the ceiling of an old church in neighboring Sibonga:

This painting in a convent in Sibonga typifies Francia's works.

Back to Argao, the St.Michael the Archangel Parish is within the walled Pueblo which, believe it or not has a FREE and STRONG WI-FI SIGNAL!

And oh by the way, Argao got its name from this tree Sali-Argaw which is also seen inside the walled Pueblo.

Argao is known for its torta which is still prepared in traditional ovens and made up of tuba, eggs, and margarine among some of the ingredients.

Argao is also known for its tableya.

The beach is also nice in Argao and equally nice is the seafood -- sutukil!

Within Argao, the rivers and streams are still clean and crystal clear, a testament to the very efficient management of the local government and their clean and green initiatives. Argao, is a town worth emulating.

They also have young people dedicated to their heritage and culture who accompany visitors and tourists.

I did not even mention the well known spots in Argao like the balay sa Agta and many more.

I look forward to have more time exploring Argao. I know that each year there is already a Gabii sa Kabilin version in Argao and Sibonga and it would be a nice opportunity to revisit Argao. Perhaps also I will try boating there.

Harolds Hotel, Comfort and Good Taste while doing business

Having a business trip in Cebu? Harolds Hotel is a premiere business hotel that you may want to try for a change.

It is relatively small than the other business hotels that came before it but it doesn't necessarily mean that it offers less especially when it comes to comfort.

With comfort, I am talking about the rooms. It is elegant-looking befitting a business executive. It is sound-proof I think since I was not able to hear outside noise from the room where I was staying.

The bed is made of memory foam thus one is assured of a good night's sleep. Beside the bed is a dock for your smartphone that can serve as a speaker for playing music or as an alarm clock of sorts.

Inside the room are the following for your use:

There is also a safety deposit box, a working desk, 32-inch LCD screen with cable TV programming and complimentary wired internet connection.

The minibar is complete with coffee or tea setup.

The comfort room is very nice although I wish that the bath tub was bigger or a little longer.

In some rooms, one can control the "cover" of the bathroom so that from one's bed, the bathtub and the bathroom can be seen. (Obviously, these are for couples on a honeymoon of sorts.)

Dining at the H Hotel will make you forget about dieting. They offer set menu this Summer as well as buffets. Looking at just the pictures below, I am sure you would want to take a bite.

Crispy, tender and delicious crispy pata

Visayan beef steak

"Chocolate" cake made of tablea

The buffet offers a wide selection of food and may include lechon.

Parties can be held at the Highlights on the roof deck where live entertainment is offered also late in the evening.

There is also a fitness center in the hotel but I haven't personally tried it. There are also meeting facilities and function rooms.

For those looking for a swimming pool however, there is none.

Want to know more of Harolds and perhaps make a booking? You can visit their website here where you can do online booking.

Harolds Hotel is located at Gorordo Avenue corner Rosal street. Jeeps plying the Lahug route pass the area.

MyEatinerary, an app for the budget-conscious eating customer

MyEatinerary is an app created by a team of Startup Weekend Cebu participants that helps you decide what and/or where to eat based on your budget.

Imagine, you're hungry and you realized you only have 50 pesos on your pocket. You wonder where can you eat for a budget of 50 pesos. (Can you relate to this?)

Enter....the MyEatinerary mobile app!

The MyEatinerary asks you. "What do you want to eat -- breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert?"

The next screen provides you a budget selection in pesos -- 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 500plus.

You tap on one of them and voila! -- you are provided with the following:

1. The name and address of the food establishment or restaurant/s that fit your budget together with meal/s recommended by featured food bloggers. 
2. The actual price total of the recommended meal.
3. The previous ratings for that particular restaurant and food establishment.
4. An image of the map showing the location of the food establishment (could be a regular eatery or carinderia) once the "See Map" button is pressed.
5. The name of the featured blogger and link to his or her blogsite.

Cool, right? But that's not all.

Once decided, one can press the "I'm Going" button and immediately the app will update your friends in Twitter and Facebook that you are on your way to the place.

And you can give a rating to the restaurant or food establishment also through the app as you finish your meal eliminating the need for filling up manually a form made of paper.

So the app can help the eating customers decide. It also will help increase exposure for the food establishment as well as provide them with feedback regarding their food and perhaps, their service.

Want to have a closer look of the app and test its features? Go to the MyEatinerary website. There is a test version there. Prices are for demo purposes only as the developers are fine-tuning it before making it available in the Market.

So, what can you say about this app? Do you like the features? Do you find it useful? You want some additional features? Comments are welcomed below.

If you like the app, click 1+ to show it.

Chikaan sa Cebu in Salinas Drive, Lahug

There are many restaurants in Cebu offering Filipino cuisine but one of the more popular ones is Chikaan sa Cebu in Salinas Drive, Lahug and rightfully so.

As one visits the place, one would notice that it is a favorite among families and barkadas. The place has a homy and very Filipino feel.

The food? Well, the all-time Filipino favorite dishes are being offered here.

I particularly love the "ginataang mongos".

 They also have what I think is the pinakbet with a twist. Because it has chicharon bits on top.

Craving for caldereta? They also have it too, complete with "saba" in it.

Then there's grilled squid and bangus.

Of course, there is also crispy pata.

Chikaan is near IT Park Lahug. Just ride any jeepney going to IT Park. Below is the map.