Group builds new culinary landmark in Mactan

CEBU, Philippines - A group of top Cebu businessmen have pooled their resources together to put up  a  multi-billion peso dining destination in Lapu-lapu City.

Prominent restaurateur Anthony Ballreich  and property developer Ray Go Manigsaca along with their friends Alden Elca and Fernando Cruz established the Marina Seaview Restaurant to cater to the ever growing lifestyle habitues in Cebu.

Located along the Mactan Channel on the former site of Anton’s Seafood beside Cebu Yacht Club, the sprawling Marina Seaview is divided into Fine Dining area, Ballroom, and Al Fresco Resto Bar. It is built to anticipate the economic and tourism boom on Mactan island, especially with the opening of the new airport (Terminal 2) soon, said Ballreich in an interview.

Ballreich, of the popular Blue Elephant Group,  said Mactan is still attractive and offer high potential for  businesses to thrive in even with the invasion of bigger national and international players.

As a restaurateur for almost two decades now, Ballreich is aware that competition nowadays in the food and beverage business is no longer limited to food quality and price.

The popularity of  social media has taken the competition to a new level. It is now very important for the restaurant to have a distinct ambiance and  aesthetics, Ballreich said.

"If you want to reach a wider audience in social media then you've got to have an excellent place for people to notice and take photo and post online.   The food and beverage business now has to go outside the ordinary in order to thrive,” Ballreich added.

Marina Seaview boasts of neo-international style with open glassed-in high ceilings, and luxe interiors that could compete with those from the world capitals. It serves international cuisine with premium steaks and seafood dishes expected of an ocean side restaurant. Its target markets include the employees and executives of Mepz locators, airline employees, tourists and guests of Mactan resorts and the MCIA passengers.

Apart from the restaurant venture, Ballreich said that their group is planning to  build  a boutique hotel on top of  Marina Seaview. (FREEMAN)