Not just another bistro

CEBU, Philippines – At first glance you'd mistake it for just another bar, same as all the others in the metro. But once you get inside, the sight of the plethora of drinks displayed in a glass case by the bar and the smell of unfamiliar food give off a distinctly different feel.

Part of the walls are plastered with posters of different beers from all over the world, while the other side with unpainted walls and the exposed pipes on the ceiling give that industrial look. And the taste of its authentic Singaporean dishes is such a pleasant surprise.

The best-seller is the Spring Wings or the Har Cheong Gai. One of Singapore's most popular food; deep-fried chicken wings with prawn paste and a secret ingredient that the chef and bar owner Samuel Cheow would never reveal, at any cost.

Another unique treat in the bistro's menu is the Peanut Butter Burger that generously uses special peanut butter sauce instead of mayonnaise or mustard to line the patty in the bun. The Golden Aburi Broccoli, smoked and seasoned with special ingredients, is also good to try.

Monkey's Belly Bar and Bistro is a nice place to chill with friends and enjoy good food and drinks. It's at G-01 Building, Capitol Square, N. Escario Street, Cebu City. The place is open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 5 p.m. till 12 midnight on Sundays.