But this time, it was with my family!
My annual Cebu birthday celebration is usually spent with Ate and Gilly but this year, it was such a pleasant surprise when Kuya and Sophie joined us too!
When I woke up last Saturday, I was by myself.
My family has not arrived yet. I had breakfast at Tinderbox which is right next door to Crossroads Mall. I ordered the Triple Blueberry Pancake with cream cheese.
Breakfast #2 was the Morning Bread from Abaca Baking Company.
Breakfast #3 was Sunburst Fried Chicken!
I checked out of my hotel to transfer to Cebu Marriot Hotel.
My Ate called to say she was already in Cebu and on her way to the city.
I met up with them at CNT, Mabolo. She knows I like to have my own order of lechon so she got us one each.
Dinuguan
Puso - rice wrapped in leaves.
After lunch, we went to the new Robinsons Galleria.
Dessert at The Buzzz
Salted honey, avocado and guyabano flavored ice cream.
Next door was The Chocolate Chamber.
We tried the Dark sweetened hot chocolate.
The Venetian Hot Chocolate was more complicated.
The waitress filled a metal flask with hot milk, then dropped a bar of dark Venetian chocolate.
The server started shaking the flask and then she poured the hot chocolate into the cup.
Shaved chocolate over the beverage.
I prefer the dark sweetened chocolate, though.
We went back to Marriot so Ate and Gilly could freshen up while waiting for Kuya and Sophie. Their flight was delayed twice, add the traffic on the bridge and it was a formula for a nightmare. They arrived at 2:30 pm! They were so tired and hungry. We just brought them to CNT Ayala Center.
There was a newly delivered lechon!
I got them the rib part. It is the best, IMO. See those sinulid like meat? It is my favorite!
Next on the Eat O'Clock schedule was Giuseppe's Pizza and Sicilian Roast on Paseo Saturnino, Maria Luisa Road.
Quattro Formaggio/Marinara Pizza
Aglio Olio
Dessert at Tymad Bistro
Blueberry Cheesecake-Ate
Pistachio cake-Kuya
Nutella Crepe-Lia
Crepe with chocolate sauce and mango-Sophia
Crepe with Chocolate Sauce and ice cream-Gilly
I wanted to go to Matias BBQ by myself. It is on the corners of A.S. Fortuna and Hernan Cortes.
I figured they might not like the "ambiance" because you will just eat on picnic benches and tables under the mango tree.
They might not like the food because they are a bit.... Squeamish when it comes to food.
I just let them try the wings, we had 1 each.
Sophia could not eat anymore. Still so full from our eat o'clock schedule.
Ate and Kuya said the bbq was good! It reminded them of the bbq from Women's World across Sienna College in Quezon city circa 1970.
The next time I go back to Cebu, which is 2 1/2 weeks from today, I plan to buy bbq and bring home to Manila. IF there is enough time.
We all went back to Marriot to rest. We still had to eat dinner.
When I felt hungry already, I rounded up the troops. We went to my favorite pochero place in Cebu. Kusina Uno.
But it is not my favorite anymore!
If you read my blog often, you know that I never ever write anything negative about a resto or food.
I was just so disappointed because the shank only had 1 Tablespoon of marrow! They used to give me 2 shanks of beef per order!
Plus, there was hardly any meat! Mostly, cartilage and tendons.
Mainit ulo ni Madam!
We all went home a bit dejected. Maybe it was God's way of telling us to stop eating already because we might get sick. Kuya actually got an upset stomach because it was not used to eat o'clock dining.
Happy Birthday Lia when I woke up the next day!
It was a bright and sunny day and off we went to Abaca Baking Company!
Ate and Kuya each had the Bakery Benedict.
Caramelized Banana Waffle for the birthday girl.
Nutella and Cream for Gilly.
Nutella and cream for Sophie....
But wait .... Remember?
Last June I ate at Majestic? I told the waiter, I only want the shaved ice in my bowl and put the rest in separate containers?
Oh my goodness! My food OCD is genetic!
It runs in my family!
We tried the Omelette also. It had bacon, cheese and roasted red and green peppers.
I brought an extra suitcase just to bring home assorted bread for my neighbors.
Ate and I went to hear mass in Ayala Center.
I was so excited to eat lunch. I wanted to let them try the crispy pata at Alejandro's but both branches were closed on Sundays!
Fast thinking on my part.... I brought them to Abuhan Dos instead.
God gave me the best birthday gift!
Hahahahaha Aside from spending it with my family.....
In Abuhan Dos, you can order marrow by the bowl!
I did not order one but two!
All that buttery marrow with soup eaten with rice, patis, calamansi and sili!
Tapos na ang labanan!
We also ordered Pochero, it's Cebu's version of Bulalo soup.
Crispy Pata. Kuya and Ate love it. I only ate an ice-cubed size.
Fried Squid.
Hey! That looks like my typical Saturday food for them! But... Really.... It is their favorite.
I am so glad that my family and I were able to go on vacation together! I think the last one we had was 15 years ago.
What will I do without Ate and Kuya?
Thank you dear family for taking the time and effort to spend my birthday with me!
Hopefully, we could do this more often!
Or not! Ahahahahahahahaha!
Everybody's stomach got so tired from following the schedule of my Eat O'Clock!
P.S.
One of the best greetings I received on my birthday was from Yaya Hermie!
"Hppy2 brtdy, more brtdys 2 come. Injoy ur life be a gudhelt alwys,and ur so mabait lve u more tata."
