CEBU, Philippines - Coming home elicits newfound sense over how much can change within intervals of moments, adding more value in the process of reacquainting oneself with what one had left home from.
For the Urbina family, the opening ceremonies of U Kitchen held last May 18 is more than just an occasion celebrating the launch of the Laguna Group’s newest venture, but a forever constant moment of reverence dedicated to the humble home which started it all.
In 1978, Julita Urbina decided to setup a small carenderia, utilizing the space she and her husband Dr. Ricardo Urbina were renting in Lahug, Cebu City.
Serving only three dishes at the start, the venue eventually grew to become Mother’s Best Food, a venue which inspired its own ranks of regulars who were keen to good food whenever it was around. Mother’s Best Food eventually grew into a restaurant, sporting a name which many Cebuanos today have come to know so well – Laguna Café.
Pivotal in the growth of the Laguna Group, Laguna Café brought new dimensions in Cebu’s culinary landscape, borne from Urbina’s passion in satiating the gastronomic fancies of different gourmets and gourmands from different walks of life.
The new U Kitchen – located in the very spot where the first Laguna Café opened its doors – is borne from that same passion, with inspired takes on traditional Asian Specialty Cuisines and Fusion-Creations as its highlight menu features.
“U Kitchen is not about haute cuisine. It’s about the experience of a home-cooked meal,” shares Chef Raki Urbina of the Laguna Group.
Not bound by fixed specific menus, U Kitchen is intent in constantly expanding its culinary repertoire, just as with any kitchen in any home. With its wood-fired oven, U Kitchen also gives new meaning to the use of the traditional pogon, heralding that varieties of culinary creations can be accomplished with its use.
U Kitchen’s stone grilled and wood roasted Pork Belly Miso Roast and Pugo have already done much as a “sneak peak,” indicative of what future culinary feats Cebu can expect to come from U Kitchen.
“U Kitchen stands to be a sentimental place for me and my family, because of the rich history behind it,” shares Julita Urbina, CEO, Laguna Group.
“As such, all that U Kitchen has to offer has sentimental values as specialties, specialties which me and my family have loved all these years.”
It has been said that part of the fun of any new venture lies in actively engaging the what ifs, then followed by bringing those what ifs home, coming to a full circle.
For Julita Urbina, the Urbina family and the Laguna Group, U Kitchen is more than just a dining venue, but a hallmark – coming home from a long journey, at the same time marking the start of a new one.
U Kitchen is located in the Laguna Culinary Center Building, Veterans Drive cor Torralba Streets, Lahug. For reservations/inquiries, you may call (032) 268-3627. You may also visit www.cafelaguna.com.