Life's Sweet Little Things

When SLT (Sweet Little Things) opened its first shop at J Block, corner Apitong and Escario St. in the last quarter of 2011, more Cebuanos began growing curiosity for cupcakes. Who wouldn't?

SLT Lemon Poppyseed. Photo from here.

Usually, people go to this part of Cebu for Sprockets Coffee + Milk Tea Cafe (one cool restaurant) or go for a sumptuous lunch or dinner in Red House Taiwan Shabu Shabu. Oftentimes, while either waiting for the order to be served or even as soon as finishing a meal, impulse take customers into the tiny glass, see-through SLT shop. It sits right between the two bigger restaurants and from outside, you can already notice the shop attendant moving around, checking on the cupcakes display, or fixing the chairs and table arrangement. One can't help but walk in out of curiosity.

As soon as you are inside the shop, you will notice their wide array of cupcake flavors labeled clearly for proper identification. Unlike the usual cupcakes we find in ordinary bakeshops, these on the other hand are very eye-catching. Some are adorned and topped with colorful frosting while others, in fact, have real fruit slices. Each cupcake is priced neatly at Php 58. The more you buy the higher the discounts go. A half a dozen (Php 298) in a "pasalubong" box will slash a few pesos from your total bill. The boxed delights make good Christmas presents for friends and loved ones.

Just for today, however, I and a "laagholic" decided to skip the icing and go with the real cream topped cold coffee drinks. For a price between 100-150 pesos, you can already sip through the regular-sized, ice-blended java chip or chocolate cream coffee.

Let that curiosity take you to SLT today.

Sweet Little Things Branches:

J Block Building
Apitong Street corner Escario Street
Cebu City 6000

2/F SM CITY
Northwing (fronting CyberZone)
Cebu City

Contact Number: 09228608600



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Finding Joed's

I only wanted California Maki but it got me a friend's company and a pancake-like food entree. It was right after work and I remember hurrying my way from the office to get to McDonalds at Escario St. to meet Bee so we could hit Joed's for a sumptuous Japanese food trip.

At McDonalds, we hiked our way to Juana Osmena St. to get to Joed's. As you may know, jeepneys do not pass through this street as it is quite a narrow access road to Mango Ave. unless you hire a taxi. Joed's restaurant is formerly located at Mabolo and used to be just an extension of a house. Minus the hanging banners of Japanese images and drawings, one would find it as just an ordinary "carenderia". I remember being brought there by a former housemate for his despedida party. The beef teriyaki was so delicious and plentiful. This time I was all set to taste their California Maki in their new location beside Sacred Heart Girls High School.

California Maki

that Pancake-Pizza hybrid!!

We arrived at the place and I am delighted to finally find it after its unheard transfer from Mabolo. From the outside, you will begin to hear the sound of a live band playing and some people chattering from the tables set up outside the shop. Upon entering the premise, we were sure about our orders - a plate of California Maki for me while Bee ordered this round pancake sliced in four like a solo pizza (Okonomiyaki). I enjoyed my maki which I always associate for a healthy food due to its cucumber, tuna, and mango ingredients. It was served in an eye-candy presentation making it look all the more tempting. Okonomiyaki, on the other hand, which I had the privilege to taste had the texture and flavor of a pancake topped with chopped onion leaves, salty-sweet dark sauce, and mayonnaise. It was surprisingly delectable and I would gladly choose it over plain pancakes if given the choice.

That Joed's visit was truly an answer to Japanese food craving. We had to walk again from the restaurant to go to the Capitol - and guess what? To hunt One Claypot, the next food destination.

Price Peek: Joed's has their menu price range from as low as P45 - P250 and it is guaranteed to get you full after the last spoonful. See more details by visiting their Facebook page, Joed's Lutong Hapon.

Further Readings:
Cebu Food Spot
Everything Cebu

Location:
Joed's Lutong Hapon - Branch 1
G/F Enmore Residence Hall
257-A Don Jose Avila St.,Capitol Site, Cebu City
For Delivery, contact 09173100885.
OPEN: Monday- Sunday from 11AM-1AM
 

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Joed's Lutong Hapon - Branch 2

F. Cabahug St. Cor. Pres. Quirino 
Ayala Access road (Panagdait, Mabolo),  
Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Phiippines

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Feasting at One Claypot House

It started when I read Mustachio's blog. I was just watching a google image that showed a thumbnail of a very familiar picture I suspected was of Sumaguing cave in Sagada. I clicked it only to be directed to a familiar blogsite. When the header populated, I knew it was Khonie's. Amused to find out that she credited me for having taken the picture she posted in her site, I scanned to her other entries. Alas, I chanced on an interesting mustachio article about One Claypot restaurant.

One Claypot is located just a few steps away from one of the newest 7 Eleven branches in Cebu. It's just across the Capitol (NOTE: The shop has since changed to a new location. See address at the bottom of this post.) and along the road at the back of La Fortuna. Its signage isn't that huge, so if you are walking along that road and expecting to see humongous banners of the shop, you will sadly walk past it without seeing any. And if that happens at brisk strides, how much more if one went to locate it using a car or a motorcycle?

 At broad daylight, its exterior is just ordinary. The more colorful laundry shop beside it catches even more attention than its plain white painting. At night, however, and talking about it at present, it happens to be the brightest and liveliest spot in that area. In terms of size, it is best described as cute: 2 family-sized tables and a table for two, a small kitchen behind a partially glassed wall, small hanging chandeliers, wall decors, and tiny decoratives lined at the kitchen wall. As if not content with the light from the ceiling, tables are also accented with tiny candles in clear glasses. Given that description, the place can be pop for romantic dining (if it ain't crowded), or appropriate for small group get-togethers where friends are up for light conversations. It is not a good place to be loud and noisy especially when other diners are eating at nearby tables. A loud laughter easily reverberates inside.

There are at least two waitresses who are alert at taking orders. For dinner, we took the interstingly-named specialty of the house,  Lah-lah-lah Claypot (Large), Matsya, and a platter of Chicken Wings.

Lah-lah-Lah Claypot is said to be of Cantonese heritage. They say that cooking using this method requires more time than when using metal wares. Rice is put inside the claypot with sufficient amount of water before it is heated. When about 70% cooked, the rest of the ingredients are added until all the flavor coming from the mix blends and spreads. It is a preferred style of cooking for most that are familiar with it because the moisture is retained inside the pot while steam circulates the smell and flavor of the different ingredients until it unites making that distinct taste. In this version, I and my friends enjoyed the taste of rice rich with sweet, spicy syrup, flavored pork cutlets, and slices of hard-boiled egg and chorizo bilbao. The latter turns out to be the most prevailing ingredient of the dish both in scent and taste. As if to add contrast to the color of the dish, a leaf or two of a vegetable were added.

Matsya is a pita bread dish that comes with a slice of parrot fish mixed with yoghurt, chunks of fresh cucumber and  cilantro/coriander (wansoy) toppings. The dominant flavor in this dish is "wansoy". Its tang or mint is hot in the taste bud which immediately became my friend's disappointment. I on the other hand, find its degree of saltiness a "pull back". I think the salt came from both the bread and sour yoghurt mixture. For vegetarians, this could be a typical pick at quick scan on the menu.

The last dish we ordered was a platter of chicken wings. Chicken was cooked appropriately, not dry, nor undercooked. Although the menu did not spell the secret ingredient that made its coating unique, we suspect that it was usual batter with shrimp paste for an additive. It is not crispy fried chicken but tender and juicy.

Since the food in the pot left us beaming we decided to maximize gratification by ordering an additional medium pot. We ate until we were full and stuffed. The entire meal for us 4 cost a total of P1,210 inclusive of the 10% service charge and 2 canned sodas.

Our average rating based on dishes tasted and our actual experience resulted to the following:

Food/Taste             - 4
Value for Money     - 3
Presentation/Class   - 3
Crew Service          - 4
Ambiance                - 4

Overall experience: Recommended

Old Location
One Claypot House
68 Don Gil Garcia St. Capitol Site,
6000 Cebu City, Philippines,
Contact Number: 0908 279 1498

Current Location:


18-CS Rosal St., Kamputhaw,
Cebu City



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Captivating Cordova

Our company’s community of photographer wannabes headed out to Cordova, a municipality located in the 6th district of Cebu, to give our cameras a run for the so-called street photography. We had no idea what to expect in the place but we went, anyway. From Cebu City, we decided to ride via jeepney to Mandaue, then to Opon, and finally, Cordova. Expectation-wise, I envisioned a place crowded with people and busy streets. Instead, we were greeted by few pedal trike drivers and the smell of grilled pork barbecue at a nearby food shop. At the jeepney drop, we caught sight of a Sweet Corn for Sale sign and headed to the vendor to inquire. Apparently, they just started cooking, so some of us bought bread from Julies’ approximately 6 meters across the street.  As soon as everyone began filling their stomachs, we started walking.

First stop: the Freedom Plaza. When you are a stranger in a new place, you would likely find capitols, museums and plazas the popular landmarks and immediate representations of the community and its history. We decided to take a picture of the Freedom monument which proved witness to the heroism of two Cordova locals, Juan Nuñez and Pablo Biongcog, who lost their lives during the Japanese occupation. We were busy having our pictures taken when we realized that the structure held the word “FREEDOM” with the last letter inverted, showing “FREEDOW”, instead. It must have been removed through time and put back in place the wrong way. Sometimes, we unconsciously present the irony in our messages. In this case, looking around the old capitol (designed with touches of Spanish and American style)  and the inverted “M” makes me skeptic if  the municipality indeed fully freed itself from the bondage of its past under non-Filipino regimes. To note, “CORDOBA”, a merging of 3 balangays (Gab-I, Day-as, and Pilipul), was decreed independent from Opon in 1863.

Right across the plaza, we paused to take a picture of San Roque Parish Church, and side-tripped on what hoped to be our overt attempt to sports photography when we chanced upon tennis players whiling away time at the court beside the church. Further onwards, we caught sight of an old, rustic gasoline station (a non-operating Petron station), kids playing on the streets, men drinking on their pedal trikes under the bright 8AM-sunshine, and a lounging grand dad bonding with his grandchild.

Some other shots were taken at the parola, which stood beside a supposed hotel. Both (parola and hotel) were unfinished structures which have instead become a popular photography subject in the town. Right at the place where both stand, we noticed families and friends on a picnic beside the shore. Even casual acquaintance frolic the beach area for a good time. A stranger approached one of my confreres to ask if we brought a lighter and a foil. Although he didn’t get any from us, he still voluntarily shared information about how he and his friend ended up on the beach with a girl they met from a public disco who insisted to go with them wherever they went. I think we all silently agreed not to meddle with their public lives. Besides they all appear to be enjoying the chance to bask under the sunlight together with other happy locals.

The simplicity of life in Cordova reminds me of my hometown and the genuine, carefree laughs I shared with friends whether by the beach or just along the streets. It is a challenge for me and others who succumb to complications and harassed by city noise to have intentional pauses, just appreciating and reflecting the plain and ordinary things that mean more in life: family, friends, and a quiet, peaceful soul. However, to maintain these treasures, the town has to also be able to live up to the standards of a healthy society where the families are taught and ushered to ways and means of surviving modernization and overcoming crises. I trust that their local government officials are constantly executing well-thought-of plans for the upliftment of the lives of the locals from whose taxes its operating expenses are sourced from. Albeit slow, the town's progress is promising.

Last stop: Lantaw Floating Restaurant. The team headed out to Day-as mangrove plantation known by the Traffic enforcer we met at the junction as the famed "bird sanctuary". Most of the common trike drivers had no knowledge of such reference but will take you there if you tell them to drive you to the "bacau-an" (pronounced bakhawan). When we arrived, there were no birds in sight except for the common ones we see all the time. However, what seemed to be disappointing turned out to be a special treat. The arduous journey brought us to rewarding Lantaw, a floating native restaurant. It was only on its 5th day since it started operating in Day-as, Cordova when we arrived and their delicious food offerings were ravishing treats for the excited palate.

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Further readings:
- Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordova,_Cebu
- Intercebu.com - http://www.intercebu.com/cpc-portal/casquejo/Poblacion%20Cordova/page2.html


Lantaw Restaurant
Contact Information:
Manager: Allen N. Malubay
Globe #: 09176680464
SUN #: 09332704731
http://www.facebook.com/LantawFloatingNativeRestaurant

“Surprised” to “Enlightened”

You get yourself in midtown Cebu at this hour and you would certainly at the least think that you must be standing in an unfamiliar place. This is by far the first in my career years here in this part of the Philippines that I am experiencing what Cebu is like during Holy Thursday. I headed out late in the afternoon to check out if I can chill out in one of Ayala’s Coffee Shops, however, I was denied entrance to the mall because it is Holy Thursday. I thought, perhaps SM is open, but the security guard I chanced on said it, too, is closed and won’t open until Saturday.

Should I entertain anger and disappointment? Certainly not! It’s Holy Week.

Patiently, I waited until the jeepney I rode in arrived at IT Park. Here is where life seems to persist despite the occasion. Still, one will notice the apparent difference of the ambiance from the regular days. So I began my food search. Just as I entered Joe’s Barbecue and Grill, I was met by my housemate’s familiar face dining with his girlfriend and her family. Holy Week has narrowed even people’s choices of food shops. For some reasons, I felt that Cebu seems full of surprises.

Takes all around Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City. The background shows the coarse texture of coating mixture applied on the actual driveway 

After dinner, I headed out to Cakewalkers in Osmena Blvd., my favorite hang-out for huge slices of chocolate cakes and speedy internet connection. As expected, the upper deck was empty and the comfy chairs were so inviting. The atmosphere wasn’t gloomy. It was just quiet. Very quiet.

I was contemplating and enjoying my quiet solitude when a text message popped on my cellular phone. It read,

“ All great Love Stories end up tragically. Like.. when Romeo drank poison for Juliet, or when Cleopatra let herself be bitten by a serpent (snake) for Mark Anthony, or, when Jack froze to death just to let Rose be safe from an icy ocean. But nothing is far greater Love Story than Jesus laying His life as ransom sacrifice for our sins… and that Love Story doesn’t end.  .. blessed Holy Week!”

Knowing it was meant to give meaning to the commemoration of Holy Week, I mindlessly forwarded it to several friends. One response, I got made mention that “happy Holy Week” didn’t seem appropriate to close any message and that I shouldn’t sin a lot this week. At one point it felt right, but on second thought, it also seemed wrong.

Holy Week is the last week of the 40 day season of Lent and the week preceding Easter ( http://www.orlutheran.com/html/holyweek.html ). It is said to be the final week of Christ’s life, his death, and his resurrection. At some extent, however, only the death of Christ in the week’s story is given much emphasis that it has unconsciously created gloom in peoples’ subconscious, making them consciously reacting to the occasion in sadness, loneliness, and sobriety. Generalizing it as such is an insult to the eventual and most important message of Jesus’ resurrection, his Victory. The issue on abstinence from immorality and sin during the observance of the Holy Week is also not good enough. Righteousness is a call for all which respects no time and occasion. It should be a daily goal.

He who is steadfast in righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) attains to life, but he who pursues evil does it to his own death. Proverbs 11: 19

And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. Isaiah 32: 17

These verses plus the enlightenment linger to this very moment. I dug for Christian Literary Books from my shelf, thinking that it was the only way I could get quality reflection of the occasion. In contrary, it was the element of surprises, the gentle experience, the quiet ambiance and atmosphere, and a few text messages which brought light to the meaning behind Holy Week: the blessed hope through the message of Christ’s resurrection and the persistent call for consistent righteousness.

A blessed Holy Week to all!