Cinco de Maya: Mexican restaurant turns five

CEBU, Philippines- Since Cebu's first and only true taqueria and tequila lounge opened five years ago, it has stayed true to the essence of the Mexican taste by serving delicious Mexican dishes bursting with colorful flavors and aromatic spices, using only the freshest, premium ingredients available. Heady tonics, good food, and a downright great time with friends - you can have it all at Maya Mexican Restaurant.

With close to 100 kinds of tequila, Maya dominates as the only 100% agave tequila lounge in the Philippines, serving the best margaritas in town - their pride and glory. The restaurant has also made a name for itself with their potent mojitos, wide array of Mexican beers, and premium cocktails, ensuring that one drink always leads to another.

Maya's clean and masculine interiors are a showcase of traditional artistry with Spanish and Mexican influences combined with the sensibility of modern aesthetics. On its 5th year, they are not only offering bigger flavors but bolder interior upgrades as well. Jason Hyatt, founder of The Abaca Group, which owns Maya, says that the new Maya is "modern, tasty, and doesn't have room for nonsense."

The restaurant's new menu boasts the largest taco selection in Cebu - nine different taco choices from classics like chicken tinga, carnitas, carne asada, and crispy fish tacos, to new taco varieties including "deshebrada" (shredded beef brisket), "cabeza" (pork cheek), "lengua," "chorizo" (spicy Mexican sausage) and "al Pastor" (marinated pork cooked on a rotating grill, available Fridays and Saturdays). New to the taco menu is a choice of handmade corn or flour tortillas, both made in-house. Also, most of the house dishes have been updated and revamped, as well, and regional specials are to be highlighted in the coming months.  Food and drink specials are currently being offered, discounts and extras on Sundays through Thursdays.

Maya is open from 5 to 11 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Maya is located at Crossroads Mall on Banilad Road. Inquiries may be phoned in at (032) 238 9552. Their website is at www.theabacagroup.com.