CnT Lechon

Cebu - Still hankering for the delicious Lechon, we asked around for the best Lechon and was told to go to CNT Lechon.   We went to the designated address but the Lechon @ CnT Lechon was already sold out and was directed to go to Ayala Mall as they have a small stall there.  When we reach Ayala Mall the CnT Lechon was located within the food court and there a queue had already formed.   When our turn came, we took what's left and it was sold out after us.

Donny and Lesley paying for our Lechon

As it was the ending of the Lechon sale, the skin was not crispy but the meat was still tender.  In fact, we came back about 2hrs later to purchase 200g of Lechon to taste the Lechon that just arrived.   The meat is much tender and the skin is very crispy.

Chika-An Restaurant

Cebu - This restaurant was highly recommended and was near Marco Polo Hotel.  I wanted seafood as Cebu is an island so maybe their seafood would be good.  Also the restaurant logo looks like a fish; so must be good.

We ordered 2 crabs and the waiter brought one crab still feisty and but the other crab is like half dead.  So, I decided to go with just one crab.  It was honest of them to bring out the crab to show us.  These are one of the many reasons why I like Cebu.

Very nice drink - Lemonade with Cucumbers

Garlic Rice

Sinigang Seafood

Hot plate Egg plant

Crab

For a seafood restaurant; the crab was not so good as it was not fleshy.  Donny had a portion where the meat was not cooked at all.

Squid on hot plate

Philippine Debut

Cebu - Whilst we were contemplating the choice for our dinner location and have our tea-break at the Marco Polo Cafe.   It was a celebration seldom seen in Singapore - A Philippine Debut or Coming of Age as I was told by the F&B Manager.   Seems only the wealthy Cebu people celebrate as it is very expensive to hold one in a Hotel.

On their 18th birthday, Filipinos customarily throw a large party, complete with her own hand-picked entourage of 18 individuals or multiple sets of 18. These 18 are conventionally nine males and nine females whom the celebrant pairs off into partners. The celebrant's court usually wears a uniform formal outfit chosen by the celebrant (similar to the dress of a wedding party), while the celebrant herself typically wears one or several extravagant gowns during the course of the night.

More low key for the guys,  Filipino men mark their own Debut on their 21st birthday, albeit with less formal celebrations or none altogether.

Whilst watching the continuous flow of Debutants and their guy companions, we sipped  tea and eat our Ensaimada.

Ensaimada

Onward to Cebu

Cebu - The flight on SilkAir was a pleasant surprise with an upgrade to Business Class.  It was a full flight so maybe the reason for my upgrade.   A wider seats and more leg room was really nice.   But it was a short flight and soon the Captain announce the arrival to Cebu International Airport.  I was on the window seat and took a couple of aerial photos of Cebu.

Upon arrival met up with Donny and Lesley, and we decided to go for Lechon lunch.  Asked the Hotel for the best Lechon and was referred to Park Mall.   So, we took a taxi to that location.  This Mall is unigue within Cebu as it allows pets on special days.

We finally found our Lechon stall and it's outside the Mall.  A queue has already formed.

We ordered an original Lechon and one spicy Lechon dish; just to taste the difference.

Original Lechon

The taste of this is so delicious; the pork simply melt in your mouth.  The skin is so very crispy too.

Spicy Lechon

Rice wrapped in banana leaf

The rice is similiar to Kutupat. In Cebu it is called Puso.  

Donny preparing the sauces for the Lechon

Red Eye back to Singapore

Melbourne - Arrived at the airport with at least 2 1/2 hours to spare and my flight departs at 1.05AM and Lesley at 00:50AM - 15 minutes difference but the boarding for SQ was earlier maybe due to the huge number of passengers on the A380 - super jumbo.  The plane was full and after the meals - I slept most of the way back to Singapore. 

Famous Australian Burger @ Grill'd

Lygon, Melbourne - Today is the end of Cisco Live 2013, by 2:30pm everyone is packing and leaving the Exhibition area.  Prior Cisco was flying this remote control craft and dropping free gifts for attendees to exchange for mugs, T-shirts, etc.

I think the next ehibition was Harley bikes as they had lovely and huge bikes parked inside the Exhibition area on display.

After thinking about eating this famous Melbourne burger for a while, we decided to walk our way to this Burger store along Lygon street.    We have to taste the burger to know why it is re-known in Australia.   The weather was hot and thus making the walk to our destination seems long.   From Elizabeth Street => Russell => finally reach the junction of Lygon Street.   Home of the RMIT University.

The Burger restaurant is called Grill'd and it is located at a quaint corner of Lygon Street.   There was queue formed in from of us and when it was our turn I ordered Moroncon Lamb Burger + 1 Pure Blonde premier beer and Lesley Simon Say (Chicken Burger) + 1 Pure Blonde Premier beer.  Add a small chips and the bill came up to AUD 43.90.  Very expensive for burgers which you can get good burgers in USA for 1/2 the price we paid.

Lesley and his Pure Blonde....

Morocan Lamb Burger with small thick fries

'Simon Says' (Chicken Burger)

Delicious Italian food @ Cafe Notturno

Lygon, Melbourne - We took a taxi to have our dinner at Melbourne's famous Italian street with many Italian restaurants.   There are so many restaurants to choose from but decided to go to this because there were so many people having dinner outside on the restaurant patio.   We walked into Cafe Notturno and the waiters were very friendly and helpful. 

The Ceasar Salad was delicious and well stired but a bit salty because of the smoked ham and anchovies.

My beer is VB and Lesley's is Pure Blonde Premium. 

Margherita Pizza - much differently prepared compared to the ones I have tasted,  The cheese is great but I generally do not like so much burnt stuff on my food....

Pineapple Pizza commonly called Hawanian Pizza elsewhere....very good ham and deliciously cooked pineapple.