Saturday, February 15, 2014

Cebu, Philippines - Cheap Good Wines

JP Chenet....

JP Chenet!

JP Chenet!!!!

Did I hear you say JP Chenet???



Where to Get Cheap Wine?

@ Michel's Deli + Cafe, Banilad

Look for Ann. If you want good service with a smile look for the baker behind the counter. I know breads, wine, different department... Still, she is super sweet and there is something about her personality that is a-stop, get her name a-head turner. Ask her for JP Chenet wine, there are two kinds, so pick one.




What to Pair With?

Michaelangelo's Pizzeria

Right next door, there is a pizza place owned by the same people essentially... (Originally the name of this article was suppose to be ... Ehem ... "Three Tolerable Pizza Places in Cebu" but I thought it sounded rather negative if I called it that so I didn't. In any case Michaelangelo's made the list. 

But if you are curious, tolerable means "Oh Thank Heavens this food does not make me wanna pop a happy pill cause it's trying to be something it clearly is not and falls short of making me laugh at how annoying it is"  Michaelangelo's is actually decent pizza and not some Mediocre Filipino/Mediocre Italian ketchup tasting Kraft Cheese shit! Too much? Some people love the other stuff, that's cool, I just don't, (unless it's Mom's pizza.. that stuff is drugs! I should order some right now)

Anyway, when you're at this restaurant, order from Andrew... The charming server who made everything heartwarming and easy. Don't go wrong people do grab your order from him.




What To Do As A Post Dinner Activity?

After your done with dinner. Make sure you're just tipsy enough to stumble back to Ann. Shop and giggle around Michel's Deli for Cookies Butter, Chocolate, Spreads and take your wine filled date home with the promise of good breakfast in the morning. He/she will love you forever. 







Thursday, February 6, 2014

Camiguin, Philippines - Live In A Treehouse

Enigmata Ecolodoge and Sculpture Garden

Accomodation

Literally... It's a Treehouse. I know, it sparked questions about what and how that bothered me till I finally visited... 



It's a treehouse, with room suites on different levels of the Acacia Tree it's built on. 



Infact the suite is equipped with a kitchen, a full bathroom (with shower), a living room, a dining room, a view deck, 


a bedroom under a mosquito net (very romantic- wink wink), a den for extra overnight guests, and a fire exit "drop the ladder!"




Rates

Visit their website, as many times they are fully booked. An average of PHP 1050 per room per two guests 



Meet Ros

Ros... Ahhh... This young lady is One of the founders, creators and the current owner of Enigmata. Several articles have been published all over the world about this lady's community work and she is known as one of the "61 artists who will change the world." you will recognize her by her laugh, smile, and strong spirit. She speaks in sing song a lot... Random Ros observation:) 



Do A Class

Art Classes, Sculpture Classes, Theatre, Fitness. Or teach a class of your specialty to kids on retreat and summer camp. This opportunity is dependent on the time of year.



Do the Maze Ritual

Ros is awesome about teaching cleansing rituals in her garden, an experience that must be on your list while there. 



Get A Massage At Night

350-400 for treehouse service massage. This needs to be booked ahead.



Just stepping into this place is cathartic...  A must do a must stay a must repeat activity. 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Cebu, Philippines - Cheese Under "Cherry Blossoms"

La Vie Parisienne @ Gorordo

A memorable experience if done right...

Cellar, Deli, Oven

Get fascinated by their quaint deli stuffed with bread, wine, cheese and meats... The interior is captivating, real tiny, and you feel like you're in a modern day hobbit hole.


Brie and Danish Salami

It gets Very tricky to ask for the "Best Seller" suggestions at any given place in the Philippines. as what may be the favorite of the local may be otherwise to the palate of another. I took a survey... the Europeans that frequented this spot, stuck with the Brie. I'm not European but I'll to say this was my favorite with Danish Salami. Not the best Salami in the world but great to pair with their smooth
Brie.


Croissants

Sometimes there is a 45minute wait for these fresh babies. Unfortunately patience is a virtue worth practicing in this case. Reserve your batch of croissants (i can finish 2 large ones) while you get drunk outside and wait for them to serve it hot and straight from the oven.


Pressac

Another tricky feat is picking good wine. Order the Pressac, It's a Vintage Wine from France. The older the better... and the closer to 2000PHP the better your chances are of NOT going wrong. Don't waste your time with 300 Peso wines no matter how pretty the covers are, unless you want a less than average or worse... Just an average taste and feel. Ugh!


Servers

Here is the secret of it all. In the Philippines, many times you have to put your foot down and demand good service. The service here is, so-so, in fact I had to chase several servers just to finish asking my question about the Blue Cheese right  in front of me. Eh! typical for Cebu right? However there are two ladies whom I found minutes later, who are extraordinary at what they do and they just slam dunk it as far as customer service. Order from and only from these ladies, Jay-Ann and Erica. They go beyond the extra mile and are truly world class in their PR. With them You'll feel like your eating at Epcot (See Epcot Blog)


Seating

Two options; Outdoor, sit under the fake but very pretty lit cherry blossom trees, and enjoy the bustling aura of everyone else there enjoying their own time. The disadvantage is the cigarette smoke. They really should come up with that "no smoking law" here in the Philippines. 

2nd op., Indoor. sit inside the cellar a top a high narrow long table, and bring a jacket cause it's a few degrees below comfortable for human. Very Romantic.