It had been a while since I last visited the Waterfront in Cebu. I think it was for the Dionne Warwick concert that I watched with Cebu Congresswoman Rachel "Cutie" del Mar back in 2011. (Thanks again, Q!)
A few weeks ago on an impromptu trip to Cebu, I was surprised - in a pleasant way - at the latest revamp to the look of the hotel. I was surprised to find "a piece of sky".
Familiar? Guess they were inspired by The Venetian!
Kulang na lang gondola ride ...
Talo sila ng Victoria Court Suites ... talagang may gondola IN the suite! No need to fly to Macau!
But the junior suite at the Waterfront is of course far more elegant, spacious, and ... wholesome!
In the past I never dined at the Waterfront. Why waste your time on hotel food when there are so many meccas of dining in Cebu? But since the opening of Tavolata (very elegant restaurant!) I'd wondered what other Italian restaurants might be out there in this beautiful, sunshiney city.
Waterfront has its own to boast: La Gondola. I love the effort to look like a Tuscan home and, of course, the brick oven.
The recipes might need a little upgrade though. A "bestseller" is their Caesar Salad pizza. Where the chef literally puts salad on top of the pizza. LOL.
Maybe it's time to bring over Margarita Fores to help with the menu. (Why not!)
My Cebuano by way of San Francisco friend Daniel and his bud from San Francisco Ted brought me afterwards to La Tegola, one of the more veteran Italian restos in Cebu.
A lovely place to open a bottle of Chianti at the end of the day. The prosciutto platter and gnocchi were good, too.
Daniel loves the patio and Ted noticed the owner's impressive grappa collection.
Afterwards they treated me to Cebu's latest foodie hit: La Taverna. It's a Greek stall across the Mango Mall that has the best gyros. Hope they bring this stall to Manila soon. (Franchisers, hint!)
But my best Italian meal on this trip was for a quick catch up with Grade School and High School friend, artist Karina Baluyut right before flying back to Manila. Kaka is contemplating moving to Cebu. Tavolata was closed so we ended up at Chef Giussepe's which stays open even at odd hours.
The food is finger-lickin' good and I don't mean it tastes like KFC! Definitely must return to this spot!
If you want to bring its flavors home, there's a deli upstairs.
Cebu is turning out to be my favorite city outside of Makati. I even find it nearer than Alabang! (Sorry Alabangers!) The food is cheap but delish, there is so much style, and the people, although a little too laid back sometimes for Type As like me (haha), are lovely. I'll definitely be coming here more often! I heart Cebu!
Waterfront.
Waterfront Lahug. Salinas Drive, Cebu City. +63 32 232 6888.
 |
| Front row seats for Dionne Warwick! Dionne with son David Elliot. Cong. Cutie del Mar on the right. |
A few weeks ago on an impromptu trip to Cebu, I was surprised - in a pleasant way - at the latest revamp to the look of the hotel. I was surprised to find "a piece of sky".
Familiar? Guess they were inspired by The Venetian!
 |
| The Venetian, Macau |
Kulang na lang gondola ride ...
 |
| On my visit to Macau in '09 with travel bud Erika Aquino (seen here), we were happily surprised to find Pinays singing away Italian arias on the gondolas. This Filipina was the singing sailor on our little boat and I requested her to sing a kundiman. "Hindi pwede ma'am, puro Italian songs lang pwede," she shared. Then I asked where in the Philippines she was from. "Pasig, ma'am. Sa Pasig River ako nag training para dito hahaha!" Loved her! |
Talo sila ng Victoria Court Suites ... talagang may gondola IN the suite! No need to fly to Macau!
 |
| For a Valentine's issue of the Sunday Inquirer Magazine back in 2010 I wrote a piece on motel food. Victoria Court Suites interiors are fab! Story here. They also have a Moulin Rouge Suite, an X-Men Suite, the most coveted Austin Powers Suite, and even a White House Suite!) |
But the junior suite at the Waterfront is of course far more elegant, spacious, and ... wholesome!
In the past I never dined at the Waterfront. Why waste your time on hotel food when there are so many meccas of dining in Cebu? But since the opening of Tavolata (very elegant restaurant!) I'd wondered what other Italian restaurants might be out there in this beautiful, sunshiney city.
Waterfront has its own to boast: La Gondola. I love the effort to look like a Tuscan home and, of course, the brick oven.
The recipes might need a little upgrade though. A "bestseller" is their Caesar Salad pizza. Where the chef literally puts salad on top of the pizza. LOL.
Maybe it's time to bring over Margarita Fores to help with the menu. (Why not!)
My Cebuano by way of San Francisco friend Daniel and his bud from San Francisco Ted brought me afterwards to La Tegola, one of the more veteran Italian restos in Cebu.
A lovely place to open a bottle of Chianti at the end of the day. The prosciutto platter and gnocchi were good, too.
Daniel loves the patio and Ted noticed the owner's impressive grappa collection.
Afterwards they treated me to Cebu's latest foodie hit: La Taverna. It's a Greek stall across the Mango Mall that has the best gyros. Hope they bring this stall to Manila soon. (Franchisers, hint!)
But my best Italian meal on this trip was for a quick catch up with Grade School and High School friend, artist Karina Baluyut right before flying back to Manila. Kaka is contemplating moving to Cebu. Tavolata was closed so we ended up at Chef Giussepe's which stays open even at odd hours.
The food is finger-lickin' good and I don't mean it tastes like KFC! Definitely must return to this spot!
 |
| Put the phone by the calzone to emphasize how big it is!!! |
If you want to bring its flavors home, there's a deli upstairs.
Cebu is turning out to be my favorite city outside of Makati. I even find it nearer than Alabang! (Sorry Alabangers!) The food is cheap but delish, there is so much style, and the people, although a little too laid back sometimes for Type As like me (haha), are lovely. I'll definitely be coming here more often! I heart Cebu!
Waterfront.
Waterfront Lahug. Salinas Drive, Cebu City. +63 32 232 6888.
