CEBU, Philippines- It's been 14 years since this restaurant that originates in Cagayan de Oro City opened in Cebu, its first branch outside of its home city. Bigby's Café and Restaurant was among the early locators in the then newly-opened Entertainment Wing of the Ayala Center Cebu, alongside established national brands. Of that early batch, Bigby's is the only one that has survived - flourished, even - through the years.
“We started with just 30 items on the menu," shares partner Henrik Kelly Yu, who along with his wife Joanna Cris Yu and friend Cathy Genabe opened their travel-inspired restaurant when they were just 22 years old. "Anne and I were both Rotary exchange students, and we always went home with new food discoveries." Through the years and with more travels inspiring new dishes on the ever-expanding menu, the present list has 68 items.
On the occasion of its move to a better location at the mall complex - to the Second Level of the Ayala Center Cebu Terraces - "We've brought back old favorites that we've taken off the menu for one reason or another, because customers across the branches have requested for them," reveals Sonjie, the General Manager. The "Kimmy's Chunky Stew," which was introduced as a special on the menu for their first Father's Day treat in 1999, is back in its original form: rice topping in a bowl, along with other old favorites.
"We're also celebrating the items that have never been removed from the menu, and are in fact our strongest items," adds Henrik. Their "Sinuglaw," a contraction of "sinugba" and "kinilaw," is a winner: "We got Gold with Distinction at the Kumbira Culinary Competition Chef Wars for this dish, which gave us the chance to represent Mindanao for the National Food Showdown."
Bigby's Café and Restaurant may be contacted at phone number is 234-2495 or thru ther social media accounts: www.facebook.com/bigbys, or Twitter @bigbys.