The Gastropub Concept

CEBU, Philippines – These past years Cebu's culinary scene has gone through a series of shifts, mainly with the emergence of new dining destinations and dining-venue concepts. For instance – the "gastropub."

A gastropub is colloquially defined as a venue that bridges the gap between "bar" and "restaurant." Historians generally attribute the origins of the gastropub to the United Kingdom - with "The Eagle" pub in Clerkenwell, London often mentioned as playing a crucial role in the coining of the term in 1991.

In the United States, gastropubs were all the rage in the early 1990s, with a number of venues opening their doors to clients in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

Here in Cebu, the gastropub concept comes with the name Irie Gastropubliko - a new place offering a selection of traditional pub fare and "modern classics."

Borrowing its name from the Jamaican term "irie" - a state of being that refers to positive and peaceful emotions - Irie Gastropublicko is essentially a manifestation of what a sound passion for impeccable design and fine quality food can lead to.

With proprietor and executive chef Jan Rodriquez at its helm, the venue has warmly welcomed anyone on the lookout for good food, good drink or beverage since 2012 - impeccably offering specials that are all made from scratch; cutting no room for shortcuts or quick-picks in its fares.

Recently highlighting new additions to its already-impressive menu, Irie's "Lito's Way" and "Ummmami!" burgers are a "step up" from the hamburger most people are familiar with - a step up that brings the hamburger's inherent potential for culinary innovation to light.

Made with Angus sirloin beef and served on brioche buns, Irie's selection of burgers are perfect matches to its offered selection of beer styles on draft and bottles - a quality that is, all-in-all, discernable in its select range of appetizers, signature sandwiches and entrees.

More than a restaurant and certainly more than a bar, Irie Gastropub at Skyrise 4, W. Geonzon St, Cebu IT Park is an experience in and by itself - as it brings the genuine gastropub ideal to Cebu.

Sweets. A good place to go for sweets is on a commercial block along the city's Gorordo Avenue. It is special because it is located at a stairwell that stands out because of its glass wall and overall daintiness. This concept of couple Sandra and PJ Lee is reminiscent of how Harry Potter's dreams are valid despite thriving in a cramped-up staircase by cruel circumstance. The place is called Sweet Little Things, a haven for sweet tooths. Its Almond Crunch, among three other richly baked cakes (strawberry shortcake using the lightest of sponge cakes; and the all-time favorite chocolate cake and red velvet cake) and a bevy of cupcakes, really deserves a try.