Cebu: An Urban Dining Experience

(Pictures from top to bottom: the signage of Cebu's Grand Majestic and the different dimsum delights found in the restaurant)

Note: This is the first part of a month-long series dedicated to Cebu and its foodie gems. We invite you to read on and tell us what you think. 

As the Philippines’ second major city after the capital Manila, Cebu holds a special charm of its own. Possessing an urban and cosmopolitan character, Cebu can give Manila a run for its money by boasting of a city that is a melting pot of Filipino and foreign influence. Being an island province, Cebu can take pride in its more laidback lifestyle, fine beaches and stunning sights. Truly, Cebu is a perfect hideaway for an urbanite, much peaceful than bustling Manila, but possessing the vibrant pulse of a city.

I was lucky to experience the charms of Cebu when I took a trip to the province this April. Flying to Cebu via Cebu Pacific, and staying for about five days in a private resort, I had the opportunity to see some of the province’s sights. More importantly, I also sampled the great food and flavors that the Queen City of the South has to offer.

Our first stop was the Grand Majestic, touted to be one of the finest dining experiences in the province. Located at the city proper, Grand Majestic featured Chinese and vegetarian cuisine. As we were treated by our hosts to a lunch buffet priced at about 400 pesos, it is at par with restaurants found in Manila, but with much more value for money.

A revelation at the Grand Majestic was the presence of Peking-style duck. For about 400 pesos, one could maximize the value of his money by just feasting on duck. The restaurant, for its lunch buffet, featured duck slices and duck in mini crepes to be dipped in sauce. Though I did not exactly feast on the duck, as I found it a bit on the gamey and greasy side, its presence on the menu was promising for someone seeking value. Nevertheless, I observed that other patrons gamely ate up the duck though, which required the restaurant’s servers to bring in another batch of the dish.

What I really liked about the menu was the steamed fish in soy sauce. In my opinion, it went really well with the vegetarian fried rice, with the clean flavor of the fish going with the simplicity of the rice. Moreover, I also found the steamed beef balls in the dimsum table quite appetizing, as its herbs gave it a distinct Chinese flavor, as well as neutralizing the oftentimes strong smell of beef. I particularly enjoyed the pork rolls as well, which was pork done in a seeming asado style with a crunchy outside.

What really drove me crazy was their dessert offering, which was an unassuming bowl of mangoes and pandan gelatin in sweet cream. The sweetness of Cebu mangoes was just unbelievable! Combined with the gelatin and the texture of their sweet cream, it was a dessert perfect for the tropical Cebu weather. Other patrons seem to have agreed with me, as a big serving bowl of their dessert was literally eaten up in minutes. This did not discourage us from lining up for seconds, even for thirds. I myself had four servings of this sweet treat.

As I ended my meal at the Grand Majestic, I was happy with the way this restaurant delivered value for money. With its standouts from the buffet menu, it had the makings of a crowd pleaser, something that would make people appreciate the offerings of Chinese-style cuisine. Whether it is truly grand and majestic, it is out for the jury to decide. Nonetheless, the Grand Majestic experience certainly left me piqued for more Cebu gastronomic offerings, and this was something I pursued during my trip.

(to be continued)

Note: I would like to say thanks to http://extra-rice.com for being the source of one of this article’s pictures.

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