3 must-try food spots in Cebu: Ilaputi, Hala Paella!, Ibiza Beach Club

There’s more to Cebu than lechon. Though it prides itself in its roasted whole pig specialty, there are other dine-worthy destinations in the Queen City of the South.

All-day comfort food at Ilaputi

Ilaputi's Southside ribs with salted egg fried rice will make your tummy happy. Photos: Nikka Sarthou-Lainez

What used to be a humble carinderia is now a full-fledged 24-hour restaurant in IT Park. Ilaputi is the brainchild of Jan Rodriguez, who established it almost 14 years ago. “Ila” is a local term for “kila” and “puti” is his nickname, so “Ilaputi” was coined and the name stuck.

This hardworking entrepreneur used to serve just two kinds of dishes, but the menu has evolved and grown into something that specializes in Asian soul food. "These would be dishes you’d find in different countries [and] cooked by your mom probably," said Rodriguez. "These are not authentic cuisines from different places, but authentic in the sense that it’s my iteration of how I wanted it to be."

The Saigon Adobo, for instance, is a hefty serving of lemongrass-marinated tenderloin with garlic shrimp fried rice and nuoc nam. “We prepare all our food from scratch. I don’t do shortcuts,” said the creative restaurateur.

The restaurant’s version of Bibimbap attracts Koreans in the area, while The Stroganov has become a bestseller with its tenderloin tips in thick sour cream sauce. I personally like the Southside Ribs with salted egg fried rice. The baby back ribs was generously glazed with spiced guava barbecue sauce and paired with the salted egg fried rice. The unexpected combination will test but please your palate—it’s sweet, tangy, and savory—all at the same time.

The meals in Ilaputi are also good for sharing; definitely value for money. “People like quantity. Might as well make it big,” said Rodriguez.

Affordable Spanish cuisine at Hala Paella!

Have a Spanish feast at Hala Paella!

The Filipino palate is very in tune to the flavors of Spain since the Spanish were a major culinary influence for us. Typically this kind of cuisine falls on the high-end side, but I discovered one cozy restaurant that serves mouthwatering Spanish-inspired meals without breaking the bank.

You’ll be tempted to order more than you can chew at Hala Paella! with its affordable price points. Imagine a solo serving of paella for only P98 to P128? You can choose from valenciana, negra, chorizo, aligue, pollo, and even lechon. It might be difficult to find a table since this restaurant in Banilad Town Center has limited seating capacity, so it’s best to order paella to go. A familia serving that is good for four to five people costs between P408 to P508. In Manila, you’d only get a serving for two for that price!

Young entrepreneur Anton Aldeguer said that his grandfather—and now business partner—taught him how to cook paella and other Spanish dishes back when he was still a teenager. "I wanted to make something scalable and fast casual—[but] not fast food," he said. "It’s like fast food in the sense that the service is quick, good, and it’s inexpensive. But we want to keep the soul of the food."

The specialty dishes came from recipes that have been in the Aldeguer family for decades. Diners will be pleased to discover that the place and food are very Instagrammable, too. Who can resist taking a picture of the huge paellera, or the chuletas (large pork rib) served on a chopping board?

For starters, go for the chorizo, a very tasty Spanish sausage with just the right hint of spice. The restaurant’s version of callos (tripe stew) is excellent too, as the meat practically melts in your mouth. Definitely leave room for dessert—the churros are a must-try! It has a denser consistency but still delicious when dipped in melted chocolate.

All-you-can-eat churrasco at Ibiza Beach Club

Enjoy traditional churrasco at the Ibiza Beach Club in Movenpick

Ibiza Beach Club offers the ultimate buffet for meat lovers. Patrons of the on-site restaurant and lounge bar of Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu can enjoy traditional churrasco with its Balearic-inspired 15-course grill.

It was my first time to have this kind of tableside dining experience. I must say, I like the idea of a server going to you instead of you having to line up at the buffet area. After finishing my Pao de Quejo (cheese bread) and salad, I was given a plate of mashed potatoes and vegetables to eat along with the grilled meats.

Being a fan of seafood, I particularly loved the prawns, squid, and buttery rock lobster that the restaurant sources locally. Some of the favorites are the juicy rib-eye steak, filet mignon, and baby back ribs. I also tried a little bite of each, including the ostrich meat, just to satisfy my curiosity. For me, it actually tasted more like beef than chicken.

My taste buds had fun sampling everything, including an assortment of wines by Manny O. I had my fair share of Agapitos Branco, a variety of white wine that’s fruity and crisp. It was good to know that we have a Philippine brand that can compete with other world-class wines around the world.

While dining, you might just catch a performance by the Ibiza show team or some live beats from the in-house DJ. It was one of the most epic meals I ever had! Good thing the restaurant was just walking distance to my hotel room. — BM, GMA News

Ilaputi
I1 Building, Cebu IT Park, Lahug.
(032) 415-8800

Hala Paella!
Banilad Town Center, Banilad.
(032) 344-4252

Ibiza Beach Club
Punta Engaño Rd, Lapu-Lapu City.
(032) 492-7777