Banana Leaf at the Ayala Terraces in Cebu

In one events I attended, I got  to taste an interesting mix of modern Malaysian, Thai, Singaporean, Indian, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine. An Asian fusion. Feast your eyes on some of the dishes I tried and maybe you want to try it out and be the judge.

Banana Leaf is located at the Ground Level of the Terraces at Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu City. Their contact number is (032) 233-3321.

McDonalds Mactan Newtown opening this January

You have already heard of Megaworld's new township in Mactan, right? The Mactan Newtown? Considered the Eastwood in Mactan. Well, the Mactan Newtown will open this January a very big McDo branch ahead of the other establishments that will rise in the area. This will be known as the McDonald's the Mactan Newtown branch.

This McDo branch will also have a drive-thru and PlayPlace areas children will love. The opening of McDonald's Newtown will pave the way for the launch of other commercial spaces to look forward to. This aside from the fact that luxury condominiums, world-class hotels and high-end retail shops as well as BPO offices are slated to rise in the coming months.

"McDonald's will undoubtedly be a key lifestyle component in the Mactan Newtwon township, since both residents and employees now have an easily accessible branch in this part of Mactan Island, " shares Jericho Go, Megaworld's first vice-president for Business Development and Leasing group (BDLG).

Yes indeed. So pay McDo the Mactan Newtown branch a visit sometime this month. Surprises await the customers this month which may include a nighttime firworks display.

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.