Christmas treat from Down Under

CEBU, Philippines - Australia — that Land Down Under — has been in the forefront of creativity and innovation in the realm of culinary excellence.  A number of renowned chefs are Australian. Hence, Cebu is fortunate to have a dynamic Aussie chef in Steve Shrimski who has opted to settle down in Cebu with his Cebuana wife Eya Rapes-Shrimski, a formerly noted hotelier and now a chef herself.

Their outlet? CANVAS, a typical Aussie watering hole with a predominantly easy ambiance, is right on top of the Coffe Bean & Tea Leaf outlet in Ayala’s The Terraces, beside the escalators. The Shrimskis regularly feature artists — local and international — to hold exhibits within the premise, hence the resto’s name.  They change exhibits every six to eight weeks.  They are therefore a welcome haven for local visual artists, as well as the needed venue for those visiting. Currently, nine photographs of world traveler but now Cebu-based Conor Mc Cabe are on display till New Year.

Food is Australian Cuisine (Their beef pie is awesome! Makes you feel being in Sydney in Cebu!) but fused with Asian nuances, and adapted to Cebuano taste. They use what’s available in the markets, blend in imported items needed for their recipes with a twist for healthy options.

What’s an Aussie place without a decent bar? The bar at Canvas has Australian wines, international beers and spirits.  Regular wine tasrtings are conducted to educate locals, as well as introduce new vintages to connoisuers.

For this Holiday Season, with the terrible traffic and shopping rush, Canvas has come up with EXPRESS LUNCH at a very affordable price of P250.00, inclusive of a glass of iced tea. Eya made us sample their “tapas” of fried mozzarella (lovely & chewy), tofu kofta (my fave!), san choy bau (very aromatic, very Chinese), mini beef pie (you MUST try the real thing from the Traditional Aussie Pub Grub menu) and fish prawn cake.

From the package lunch menu: veggie burger w/garlic aioli & potato wedges (delicious!), chicken/potato curry pie with salad, bbq calamari with veggie fried rice(excellent combination), beef osso bucco with mashed potato, nasi goreng with peanut satay pork (my best!) and wok-fried soy & honey beef with steamed rice. Now, for Christmas — we tasted their all-time favorite item: 1 kl Honey & Mustard Glazed Ham with 250 ml honey mustard sauce for P795.00, properly packed for holiday gifts.

They also pack wine, ham, steaks and  deli hampers from P1,300 - P2,260.00 Christmas (December 25) Special is Rudolf’s Combo Plate of glazed ham, roast turkey with cranberry fig stuffing, baked sea bass and prawn mousse encrusted with Macadamia nuts, salad and dessert, for P650.00 On New Year’s Day (January1), they offer 2011 Tapas Platter for One of ham, roast turkey w/ stuffing, pumpkin mousse, salad, veggie risotto, garlic prawns, Brie Mozzarella & Red Currant Cigars in Puff Pastry w/balsamic plum sauce, for  P675.00 Do check out canvas for this Holiday Season. You will be greatly surprised on the delicious finds and the reasonable prices. No service charge added to your bill  ut staff has remarkable customer care efficiency at all times. Merry Christmas!