October Fest

Island Flavors

CEBU, Philippines - Since its inception in 1994 as a fast food outlet in SM City Cebu Food Court, Island Grill has attracted a steady steam of patrons because of its home-cooked meals: "bringing the carenderia dining experience to a higher level", as their tagline reads. Today, there are franchise outlets erected outside the province, a stand-alone restaurant in Ayala Center Cebu which opened last July and soon-to-open is another branch on General Maxilom Avenue. The feast must include the specials of Tinolang Isda, Kinilaw, Nilagang Baka, Kare-Kare, Chicharong Bulaklak, Crab Relleno, Rellenong Talong (a personal favorite), Fresh Lumpia, Sinugbang Baboy (love the bbq marinade/sauce), and the local dessert favorites of binignit and minatamis na saging.  Island Grill continues to entice local palates with flavors close to home by adding more dishes into its extensive menu – Estofado and Bangus Express which is akin to Bicol Express – and more to come!

Pinch My Salt

Quest Hotel & Conference Center-Cebu's newest buffet station at the Puso Bistro & Bar features food pairing using gourmet salt by Aro-en.  Eight kinds of gourmet salt are available for diners to choose from, to go with their preferred dishes of grilled meat and seafood options, among other specialties. The application of salt is either during the cooking process, finishing, baking or dusting. Here's a quick guide on the perfect food pairing: Fleur de Sel is for pasta, roast pork, broiled and grilled; top it on sauced food, buttered toast, poultry, bananas and tropical fruits. Smoked Salt is for creme brule, vanilla ice cream, fatty fish, barbecue; Sel Gris for seafood, grilled prawn and fish, fried vegetables, steak and lamb, saucy fish dishes. Bitter Salt is for coffee (it will thicken and neutralize the bitterness), citrus fruits, sour dishes. Confectioner Salt is for chocolate fondue, pastries, desserts and ice cream. Mineral Sea Salt is for all types of local fares, Hawaiian and Mexican dishes, raw beef. Flakes Salt is for smoked duck, salad, fish cookies, savory pies, pretzels. These gourmet salts from Pangasinan give excitement into your plate since they bring out the flavors of your dish. So, take a pinch!

Brown Rice Puso

If Quest boasts of its flavored puso, Hukad sa Golden Cowrie turns the spotlight on its newest innovation – the brown rice puso for the health buff who wishes to indulge. It’s available in all Hukad and Golden Cowrie Filipino Restaurant branches. At the opening of its 16th branch in Parkmall, owners Kenneth and Kristine Kokseng served their guests the healthy option of brown rice puso along with some of Hukad/Golden Cowrie's bestsellers: Sweet & Sour Fish, Crispy Pata, Adobong Talong, Sisig (pork, tofu, or squid), Bicol Express, Ginataang Nangka and Budbud Turon. (FREEMAN)