CEBU, Philippines – To say that Filipinos love to eat would be an understatement. Apart from a full meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner, merienda - a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack - is a part of their every day. It is also customary to welcome guests with "kumain ka na ba?" (have you eaten?) greeting.
With 7,107 islands across the archipelago, the Philippines offers a wide array of delectable treats to delight the taste buds. In the capital Metro Manila alone, a gamut of restaurants - from classy to hole-in-the-wall joints - offers quite an adventure of flavors, textures and taste.
Filipino cuisine is as rich and colorful as its history, with influences from neighboring Asian countries, Europe and the US. Well-loved dishes can also get a modern twist by innovative chefs at contemporary restaurants. One such dish is the "Balut Surprise" of the 100 Revolving Restaurant on Eastwood Drive, Quezon City. The humble "balut" (boiled duck egg) takes a delicious turn, with the traditional street food and its soup nestled in a soufflé crust.
The 100 Revolving Restaurant is on the 33rd floor of the MDC 100 Building. It offers a 360-degree view of Metro Manila, including Laguna de Bay, Manila Bay, Sierra Madre, and Mt. Banahaw. Currently the only revolving restaurant in the country, the restaurant takes one hour and 40 minutes to make a full revolution.
Meanwhile, Elar's, also in Quezon City, got the seal of approval in 2009 from both Time Magazine and renowned celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain - for their version of the Philippines' lechon. With succulent meat and crunchy, golden brown skin, this traditional favorite is a celebrated treat in every Filipino festival, party and get-together.
Among the establishments that have perfected the spit-roasted pig is in Quezon City, Elar's roasts their lechon with the standard lemongrass, salt pepper, spring onions and secret spices and herbs. But Elar's lechon is perfectly complemented by their signature gravy.
For seafood lovers, Dampa at the seaside Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City is where to go. Customers may visit the market to get the freshest catch of the day and then head to the nearby restaurants to have their picks cooked. From lobsters, scallops and shrimp to oysters, mussels and clams, each seafood favorite is turned into savory soups and stews, baked or grilled to perfection, or served kinilaw-style (ceviche) to highlight their natural flavors.
At the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City is the Early Bird Breakfast Club. It makes sure that every day starts off on a high note with their all-day breakfast offerings. Their Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich has cheddar, mozzarella and gruyere flanked between toasted yet still soft bread, and dressed with sweet and spicy onion relish.
Another food hub known for comfort food is Barangay Kapitolyo in Pasig City. At RUB Ribs & BBQ, foodies can choose from an array of no-frills American comfort food at affordable prices. Big appetites can go for the Family Brunch, which comes with two racks of fall-off-the-bone-tender ribs perfectly paired with scrumptious sides such as Garlic Spinach and Mushroom, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato, and Spice Fried Rice.
The hottest street tacos hang-out place in Makati City, El Chupacabra, is renowned for its laidback, friendly vibe and scrumptious tacos that go best with a bottle of beer. The taco fillings range from healthy grilled vegetables and fried fish, to grilled steak, roast pork, lean pork sisig, and spicy chipotle shrimp.
Japanese feel-good favorites are served at Little Tokyo along Pasong Tamo, Makati City. One of the area's hotspots, Seryna, is popular for their selection of fresh sashimi and sushi, with seafood flown in straight from Japan. They have sizzling saikoro steak, or tender diced beef steak cooked in garlic-infused olive oil, value-for-money bento meals, and yakitori.
Authentic Cantonese cuisine are found at Jade Garden, located at the New Glorietta 2 in Makati. The Prawn & Dried Scallop with Beancurd Soup serves as a fresh and flavorful start, while the Mini Fortune Poon Choi, with layers of steamed shrimp and sea cucumbers, soy chicken, barbecue pork and vegetables, is a feast worthy of celebration.
Cebu food lovers eager to experience fantastic Filipino and international flavors can easily go on an exciting food trip in the Metro Manila. Cebu Pacific (www.cebupacificair.com) has daily flights to Manila and back. The gustatory treats that await there are really worth the trip.