Something new and yummy at Lighthouse Restaurant

CEBU, Philippines – In case you haven’t already heard, here’s the news: The Cebuano haunt for delectable local dishes, Lighthouse Restaurant, has added exciting and “healthy” selections to its menu.

Not in the mood for the crunchy lechon de leche or crispy pata? Enter Healthy Choice, the collective name for Lighthouse’s six new dishes created especially for health-conscious diners. Included in this group of light, mouth-watering selection are Langka, Okra at Pusong Saging salad, Crab Salad, Grilled Chicken with Toast Salad, Porkloin with Coleslaw and Mango Salsa, Tanguige with Spinach and Alugbate, and Mango Salsa.

Aside from caring for its patrons’ health, the proprietors also aim to give their customers a new and unique taste so it has flown in from Hawaii, Filipino-Chinese Chef Roger Yao to help bring the restaurant’s distinctive menu and cuisine to life. Upon his arrival here late last year, Chef Yao immediately put himself to work — meeting and consulting with restaurant staff, observing the eating preferences of the locals, experimenting with native culinary techniques and flavors, and incorporating these with what he has learned in Hawaii. The result is the Healthy Choice line and eight other dishes which were offered to Lighthouse diners starting in December: Chicken Soup in Papaya, Coco Shrimp, Fried Tilapia, Relyenong Manok, Shrimp Buko Soup, Roast Crown Ribs, Baked Chicken, and (because it was Christmas), Our Signature Ham.

Commenting on his culinary mission in Cebu, Chef Yao said: “Challenging but I feel we are on the right track. We are serving healthy food because we saw that a great number of our diners are now very conscious about living and leading a healthy lifestyle. By infusing our menu with healthy items, we are not only adapting to the new lifestyle but we are also offering our diners wider, varied choices in irresistibly low prices.”

Asked whether diners are patronizing the new offerings, Chef Yao has this to say: “Yes, absolutely! It’s moving really well. Everyday we sell about five to seven items. It’s good considering that we have not yet gone all out to promote them.”

Chef Yao guarantees that all dishes on the Healthy Choice menu are MSG-free and use only the freshest ingredients just like the rest of the restaurant’s offerings. But other Lighthouse favorites like Crab Buttered Chili, Lapulapu Sweet & Sour, Chicken Pandan, Baked Wild Scallop, and CrabMeat in Gata have a dash of MSG in them. “If you do not like MSG, sugar, more oil, or whatever is your preference, just tell your waiter upon ordering and we’ll serve your food just the way you want it,” Chef Yao said.

(Lighthouse Restaurant serves lunch ( 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and dinner (5:30 to 10:30 p.m.) daily in its branch on General Maxilom Avenue, and at Gaisano Country Mall in Banilad. Its General Maxilom branch has two function rooms for private parties, and a verandah that can sit 30 pax for al fresco dining.)