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Good Old Classics from Savory

Dining Date: October 6, 2010

Originally Posted in Kat's Musings

a partial shot of the menu

For less than 300 bucks, we ordered the "Combo A Budget Meal" which was a set meal that is good enough for 2 persons.

The set meal included a half of a chicken, pancit (noodles), lumpiang shanghai (pork-filled rolls) and two cups of rice. It was of good value and quite filling. The chicken was deep fried to a golden brown and yet the meat was tender inside. And while the pancit was an extra carbohydrate-load, I appreciated the vegetable mixed with it. And as lumpiang shanghai is my favorite finger-food, I found it a treat for it to be included in the set meal. The wrapper was fried to crispy perfection and was served hot.

Since we were ahead of the lunch crowd (which usually comes at 12 noon onwards), the service was fast, efficient, and the waiters were attentive.  

Now I must say that this is one Filipino restaurant which has continued its tradition of serving quality affordable meals.

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The Classic Savory Restaurant

Level 1, Robinsons Place Manila

Pedro Gil corner Adriatico Streets

Ermita, Manila

Telephone Number: 567.1944Kat's Musings

Dining Date: November 5, 2010
Originally Posted in Kat's Musings

The Abuhan Restaurant is touted to serve the best pochero in Cebu. We went to their Dos branch on F. Ramos Street which is just a few steps away from the Cebu Midtown Hotel.

Abuhan Dos Restaurant on F. Ramos Street in Cebu City

The following photos are shots of Abuhan Dos' menu to give you an idea of the restaurant's various offerings:

We did not think twice and ordered the dish which made this restaurant famous.

Beef Pochero, Medium Php 304

This was just the medium size order and HB and I had much difficulty finishing it. To say that it was sinfully delightful is an understatement. HB and I exercised self control in eating the bone marrow and each of us just took small portions. (pa-healthy kuno ;) ) The broth was very tasteful and it instantly warmed our tummies. In addition, the meat was very tender and easy to take off from the bone. 

And while Cebu's pochero is actually what Manilenos and Batanguenos call bulalo, we had no regrets in taking time to sample the Cebuano version of this classic Filipino comfort food.

Hukad sa Golden Cowrie in Cebu

Dining Date: November 4, 2010
Originally Posted at Kat's Musings

On our first night in Cebu, HB and I dined in one of Cebu's finest homegrown restaurant - Hukad sa Golden Cowrie which was located at the Terraces of the Ayala Center Cebu.

Menu board in front of the restaurant

interior dining area

exterior dining area

We chose to sit outside because we wanted to enjoy the view of the Ayala Center gardens.

overlooking the gardens of Ayala Center Cebu

For starters, we ordered the baked scallops

Baked Scallops, Php 123

and it was absolutely divine. As I popped the first scallop meat in my mouth, I felt my eyes open wide as I tasted the lemon butter and garlic and I felt the cheese melt. It was really delicious and baked to perfection. I easily understood why this dish is one of the restaurant's best seller.

Our next dish was a boo-boo of sorts. We ordered atchara (pickled unripe papaya) as a side dish and were surprised to be given this huge serving:

Atchara, Php 29

We couldn't help but laugh at ourselves and exclaimed that for less than 30 bucks, we did not order the  content of a whole bottle.

Our main course was the grilled baby back ribs.

Grilled Back Ribs Regular, Php 209

The meat was tender and succulent and it easily came off the bones. This was just the regular sized back ribs and it proved enough for a couple of not-so-heavy eaters.

We were curious when we saw that they served "blue crab" which was known locally in Cebu as lambay. For 110 bucks, we figured it was worth a try. We chose to have the crab grilled (the other option was steamed) and it was served with lemon butter sauce. 

Blue Crab (Lambay), Php 110

Though the crab was small in size, it was meaty and had plenty of the orange-colored deposits (which we Filipinos call taba or fat) beneath its shell.

Rice was served by a roving waitress who scooped it with a ladle from a wooden bucket to our plates. The restaurant's name, Hukad, was actually derived from this gesture. In addition, diners could ask repeatedly for more and eat all the rice they wanted. 

The service was good and efficient and we barely had trouble communicating with the purely Cebuano staff. Even when all our orders were served on our table, our waiter came up to us several times and asked us if there was anything else we wanted or needed.

It is no wonder then that the local Cebuanos take pride in recommending Hukad sa Golden Cowrie Restaurant. The affordable prices and quality of food make the dining experience memorable and worth coming back to.

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Hukad sa Golden Cowrie Restaurant

The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu

Cebu Business Park, Cebu City

Telephone Number:  417.1301

Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant

Salinas Drive, Lahug

Cebu City

Telephone Numbers: 233.4670 ; 233.4243

Lower Ground Level, SM City Cebu

Telephone Number: 231.8530

Level 1, Robinson's Cybergate

Fuente, Cebu City

Telephone Number: 236.5740

Mactan Marina Mall

Lapu-lapu City, Cebu

Telephone Number: 238.1206

Rosario Strip, Limketkai Center

Cagayan de Oro City

Welcome to Kat's Food Blog!

At 112 lbs., a food blog from me seems far out and unthinkable. But I do love to eat and I do eat to live. And when I travel (either for work or for play), it has been my mantra to try the various flavors of the locales I visit. Lately too, my HB and I found ourselves on several impromptu "dates" over the last couple of months, and we have dined out more often than before, going around the Metro and venturing back to some classics and daring to explore some hole-in-the-walls. Armed with my trusty point-and-shoot camera, I shall chronicle our dining experiences through pictures and text.

So here are tales of our dining hits and misses ...