Dance to the gastronomic beat of Waterfront Cebu’s Gourmet Walk this Sinulog

The Sinulog 2023 is on! What to expect? Throngs of revelers--locals and tourists-- taking to the streets to dance in honor of Cebu City's Patron Saint, the Sto. Niño. Viva Pit Señor! 

Choosing your address when visiting at this time is essential. Traffic can be horrendous! Stay at the center where much of the action is steps away from the front door, like Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino. 

There are several other reasons why you should choose Waterfront Cebu City Hotel as a home base this season (or no matter what time of year), but let me give you one that topped my list: the Gourmet Walk is back into the groove. Yes, all four restaurants are open and fully operational ready to serve everyone’s favorites. 

The Sinulog main event happens on a Sunday but the city will be bustling with activities on the entire weekend. Settle in at Waterfront Cebu City days ahead. Friday will be a good day to do so, and start stacking up with energy for the hours and days ahead. 

Before dancing to the Sinulog beat on the streets, groove to the gastronomic rhythm of the hotel’s restaurants along the Gourmet Walk. 

Cafe Uno on a Friday is a most awaited day for food lovers, especially for pescatarians. It’s the time of the week when the chefs fill the Cafe Uno spread with the much-loved seafood delights from an assortment of shellfishes prepared in different ways (think: oysters, crabs, shrimps) to fish favorites like salmon, baked whole or as a sushi ingredient. Mark Fridays on the calendar: Seafood Friday is a weekend dive to sumptuous seafood feasting. 

Tin Gow is a byword among gourmands in Cebu City and beyond. It lands on top of the list for many, including SunStar Best of Cebu, when it comes to authentic Chinese cuisine, thanks to Master Chef Low Yuen Kong for his eagle eyes focus on food preparation, quality and consistency. 

While menu holds a cornucopia of heavenly bites of meat, seafood and vegetables, including Chinese dining staples of Peking duck and scallops, the regulars (or soon to become one after the first bite) seem to gravitate to these dishes: Deep Fried Pork with Sweet & Sour Sauce and the Squid with Butter. It’s still a wonder how the chef can make these dishes crackling pork-like. It will take several visits to have a taste of each of the delicious entries on the menu. Diners exit saying xiexie to the chef with a promise to come back. 

The other Oriental wonder along the Gourmet Walk is Mizu, the Japanese restaurant manned by Japanese Chef Ken Imamura. From sushi to tempura, ramen to teppan, the chef captures the flavors of Japan in each preparation with authenticity. If the chef can’t source one ingredient, the dish, perhaps a favorite of yours, won’t come out of the kitchen, even if you beg for it. There’s no compromising quality in this restaurant. Give the Sukiyaki a go, or have any of the ramens to go with the Gyoza and choice of sushi. Mizu is the closest thing to dining in the Land of the Rising Sun. 

Now sashay to the fourth food stop on the Gourmet Walk and raise the wine glass to the Bel Paese. From antipasti to dolce and everything in between, La Gondola will take you on a tasteful journey across Italy in the comforts of Waterfront Cebu City. Brick oven-baked pizzas, Parmesan Wheel pastas and the risottos are must haves but go for the main dishes as well for a fuller meal.Take a bite, close your eyes and let the flavors sing “O Sole Mio” on your palate, taking you back to that romantic gondola ride along the canals of Venice. Buon appetito! 

Coupled with nights of relaxing slumber in a room with a view of the bustling metropolis, come Sunday, you may be fully charged for the Sinulog Festival. But just in case you need back up energy, have a hearty breakfast at Cafe Uno before you head out to dance on the streets. Viva Pit Señor! 

To be published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.

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