Michel’s Delicafe

Cebu has undergone a lot of changes in terms of availability of grocery goods and imported food items. In the sixties, the only places to shop were Carbon market, Taboan market, T. Padilla market, Cadigal grocery store and later, Ramos Market. Words like delicatessen and supermarket have yet to been invented and the dollar peso exchange rate was two dollars to one.

Then the first supermarket opened, Thrifti Mart and that caused some excitement because there were so many grocery and food items to select, all within one location. Much later, Europa Delicatessen and Butcher Shop opened and the full circle of grocery goods was complete and the food items you read in foreign cookbooks were finally available right here in Cebu City.

A delicatessen means "delicacies" or "fine foods" and is a type of business that combines elements of a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant. Many luxury items like wines, spirits, spices and confectionaries are made available to discriminating clients. Foods like cheeses, sausages, ham and other cured meats are usually sold by weight.

Newest player in the food and beverage industry is the Michel's Delicafe (#1 Paseo Saturnino Maria Luisa, Banilad, phone 239-4214, [email protected]) and last September 28, it formally opened to the public. There is a management team that runs the Michel's Delicafe and it is a triumvirate of personalities.

 The Café is run by Chef Massimo Lamagna (0931-8928909) and my beloved readers have already known him because of the fame of the Pizzeria Michaelangelo. Customers have described their pizzas as delicious, authentic Italian and affordable. The latter is the Cebuano's guiding principle for any dining adventure and they always believe in the principle of VfM or value for money.

The Deli is managed by Marlita "Aloy" Magos (0917-3225074) and she has the goodies which your favorite food columnist desires. At times, I buy some bottles of wine that my budget dictates, 200 grams of that newly imported cheese or cured meat and some spices. Top sellers in the delicatessen are the imported creams, frozen potato fries and wines to supply the major hotels and restaurants in Cebu.

The third member of the team is Caroline Cañares (0999-8830199) and she in charge of the Stainless Food Equipment. On display at the Michel's Delicafe are refrigeration equipment, food processing and various stainless steel products. You may also view them at ww.mlstainlessfood.com and you will be amazed that they have nearly everything for the kitchen including the kitchen sink!

To welcome the guests and clients of Michel's Delicafe, we had Platters of Fine Chesses, Gourmet Sausages, Tortilla de Patata, Croquetas with Apple Sauce and my favorite, Mixed Mushroom or Mischpilze. And when a delicatessen opens, wines, excuse me, never run out of stock! [email protected]