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Happening on Sunday, July 30, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu continues its merry tradition as the acclaimed Café Marco celebrates this event over a Sunday brunch. Starting from 11:30am onwards, get ready to come together with a delightful company with some of international friends.
The event will also be graced by the honorable presence of the First Secretary and Consul of the Embassy of Switzerland to the Philippines, Mr. George Fristche.
Of course, along with this milestone of life, a fabulous Swiss buffet spread is ready for everyone. Plus, great entertainment, fun and some exciting raffle prizes are up for grabs.
With Marco Polo Plaza Cebu’s admiration of journeys, one can experience everything Swiss from July 30 to August 4. Explore the rich culinary goodness of Switzerland at Café Marco—be it for lunch or dinner, make time to know-how its cuisines evolve. World-class chefs are there to recreate Swiss goodness from A to Z – from Alpine-dried beef to chocolates, cheese fondue, sausages and Zurich-style sliced meat. Enjoy all these alongside Café Marco’s international buffet favorites.
So come up to Nivel Hills, celebrate the Swiss Alpine Festival and experience the wonderful week of ultimate goodness of Switzerland!
For inquiries and reservations, call 253-1111 or email mpplaza@marcopolohotels.com. You may also visit our local website . Advanced reservation can be done through the Hospitality Desk or emailing fb@marcopolocebu.com.
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Here are our top picks of dishes we ate throughout the food-filled month of May.
With the recent opening of its third branch in Cebu, Phat Pho in the Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu keeps the modern street style vibe it is known for. Phat Pho’s authentic, healthy, and quality flavors have satisfied the appetite of the many, easily turning it into the Vietnamese kitchen people can’t get enough. Chicken Satay, Claypot Pork Belly, Crispy Egg Rolls, Fish Sauce Chicken Wings are some of the food we love.
Phat Pho
The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu
The well-loved pasalubong from Bohol takes a major twist. Topped with real peanuts, it promises to quench thirst brought by the summer.
Amorita Resort
Panglao, Bohol
A Sunday brunch has reached a new level of fun and indulgence, and with Café Marco’s reenergized Sunday Brunch+, a brunch has never been this so good. Experience a smorgasbord for the senses as their Sunday brunch whips up an exciting feast of delectable buffet favorites. Of course, sorry to burst your bubbles, they’ve added some booze—whether it’s sparkling, red, or white wine, beer-below-zero, mimosas or cocktails, they have it.
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu’s Sunday Brunch+ is open every Sundays from 11:30am to 2:30pm.
Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City
Have you ever heard of crocodile tocino? This dish is served at Circa 1900’s Casa Dos, this is part of the restaurant’s breakfast menu. See full story about what breakfast at Circa 1900 looks like here.
Circa 1900
Sanjercasvil Road, Gorordo Ave., Lahug, Cebu City
Breakfast at Quest Hotel’s Puso Bistro and Bar is a great place especially when you are running errand in the city. Of course, they have must-try dishes and bacons to die for. Also, wide selection of pastries is worth to stab.
Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu
Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City
Not many would be too keen for its taste and looks, but if there’s one thing you must try, it is this. A common source of protein for many locals in Cebu, sa-ang is an interesting to find in the streets of downtown Cebu. Don’t forget to dunk it in a special spiced vinegar and pair it with puso or hanging rice.
For more streetfoods worthy to try, see here.
Acqua introduces its newest signature dishes in a true Shangri La fashion. Highlighting lobster and veal, diners can enjoy a taste of Italy with every bite. The Spaghetti Aragosta is palatable seafood pasta topped with a whole lobster, isn’t this so good?
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa
Punta Engano, Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City
The newly opened Pyramid at Cebu Business Park serves variety of food and drinks. What we really love is the macaroons. Like, really!
The Pyramid
Cebu IT Park
Bourbon Bacon Steak
Trust us, if you love bacon, you’ll love this even more. The newest restaurant Weekend serves this; with Bourbon maple-glazed double-double cut bacon, grilled tomatoes, fried eggs, dirty rice, quick pickled onions, you got to surely love this.
Weekend
The Greenery, Mabolo
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Skipping breakfast is a habit that should be done away with, and there are so many restaurants in Cebu offering amazing meals that’ll entice you to actually start your day right. Here are Zee Lifestyle‘s top picks.

The selection of fresh breads and pastries from Abaca Baking Company (Photography by Jessica McYorker/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2015)
If there’s one restaurant synonymous to breakfast in Cebu, it’s definitely Abaca Baking Company. The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries easily makes this a favorite early morning destination, although for a more filling meal, we highly recommend the ABC Breakfast Skillet, with eggs, bacon, and sausages–and that’s only some of it!
Crossroads Mall / Ayala Center Cebu / Robinsons Cybergate / Robinsons Galleria / Paseo Arcenas
Facebook

Avocado and poached eggs on toast (Photography by Patty Taboada/Zee Lifestyle)
Run by Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton, The Pig & Palm was bound to be a popular addition to the local dining scene, and it certainly did not disappoint in that aspect. While it draws the crowd in the evenings, the restaurant also boasts of a wonderful breakfast menu. The avocado and poached egg on toast is a must-try.
MSY Tower, Cebu Business Park | Facebook

Cafe Marco (Photo: Facebook)
If you want a breakfast of champions, the morning buffet at Cafe Marco is the way to go. The extensive selection of international fare and local favorites will definitely fill you up. Besides, we’ll take any excuse to have malicious cookies, which are best paired with coffee.
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu | Facebook

Salmon Eggs Benedict and Angus Beef Tapa from Cafe Sarree (Photo: Facebook)
Three words: Angus. Beef. Tapa. That’s right, this well loved Filipino breakfast is given an international spin with the use of Angus beef, and it’s a specialty you can have at Cafe Sarree. The quaint and charming ambiance will also make you linger long past the last bite.
Escario Central / Ayala Center Cebu | Facebook

Tymad Bistro’s bestselling crepe (Photo: Facebook)
Crepes for breakfast? Not the crepes you had in mind, for sure. This little bistro in Banilad takes pride in their Crepe Complete, an ensemble of a dish with Emmental cheese, ham, and eggs sunny side up–and with good reason. It’s so good, it’ll make for one of your most memorable breakfasts ever.
Paseo Saturnino, Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad | Facebook

Birdseed Breakfast Club’s Eggs Benedict (Photography by Nath Ybañez/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, April 2016)
Our website has already dubbed Birdseed as the place to have the best Eggs Benedict in city. The bacon is homemade, the yolk is rich and thick, the English muffin is flavorful with the wilted spinach, and the hollandaise is served quite generously. It’s hard to top that.
Axis Entertainment Avenue, Escario | Facebook

Going bananas at Canvas Bistro Bar Gallery (Photo: Facebook)
Modern Australian cuisine restaurant Canvas gives a twist to pancakes with their fluffy banana buckwheat version, with grilled ham, brie and scrambled eggs. Besides, who doesn’t love pancakes? We know we do!
One Paseo, Ma. Luisa Road, Banilad | Facebook

Cherry tomatoes, black beans, chickpeas, onions, bell pepper, garbanzos, corn, jalapeno and lime make up Camden’s Ensalada Obregon (Photo: Facebook)
Along with its Instagram-worthy interiors, the best thing about Camden is that you can chomp on your favorite breakfast dishes all day. With regards to our New Year’s resolution, we recommend Ensalada Obregon for a hearty and nutritious fill.
Rosal St., Cebu City | Facebook

Chorizo and Egg in a Pan (Photography by Christine Cueto/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, March 2015)
What’s breakfast without a cup of good coffee? Yolk, tucked in one of Mabolo’s quieter streets, is one of the few bistros that specialize in third wave coffee that’s freshly roasted. It’s the perfect pair to Yolk’s extensive menu of egg-based dishes, our favorite being the Chorizo and Eggs in a Pan.
Tres Borces St., Mabolo | Facebook
]]>Chanterelle is considered one of the most important and best edible mushrooms, and was known to be served at the tables of nobility. They are rich in flavor and are known for its golden appearance and golden taste as well.
Come and experience the Chanterelle Creations of Executive Chef Stefano Verrillo, available at the El Viento Restaurant & Pool Bar, Lobby Lounge & Blu Bar & Grill.
There’s the warm chanterelle salad with white balsamic dressing, crispy prosciutto, organically farmed greens and sprouts, sautéed French chanterelle mushrooms on grilled ciabatta toast, garlic butter and cream, chanterelle & chicken fricassee with homemade Pappardelle Pasta and provolone cheese, braised veal osso buco with chanterelle risotto vegetable ragout and gremolata, and US – Beef Tenderloin with fresh Chanterelle sauce, seasonal vegetables and chats potato.
One will truly never run out of culinary discoveries at Cebu City’s Finest!
MARCO POLO PLAZA CEBU
Cebu Vetarans Drive, Nivel Hills, Lahug
6332. 253 1111 | e-mail
Ridiculously refreshing and utterly delicious, the Earl Grape Iced Tea is the chain of hotel’s unique take on a classic favorite. The amount of care and detail that goes into creating each Earl Grape Iced Tea can only be surpassed by its taste. Cold Earl Grey tea provides the base of the beverage, and is poured over seedless green grapes and elderflower-infused ice cubes. The grapes are slightly pressed so the combination of flavors can meld together, completing the thirst-quenching drink hailed by many as the perfect summer refreshment.
Every Earl Grape Iced Tea is presented with a freshly-baked lokum or Turkish Delight. The sugar-based infusion is the perfect accompaniment to the Earl Grape Iced Tea, as it helps to accentuate the various flavors resulting in the beverage.
Get your fix at all dining establishments at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. We’re sure this is one secret you won’t be able to keep.
MARCO POLO PLAZA CEBU
Nivel Hills, Cebu Veterans Drive, Lahug
6332. 253 1111 | website

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu: Cebu City’s finest (Photo courtesy of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu)
There were big shoes to fill after Hans Hauri departed his post as the hotel’s Area General Manager in December 2014, yet Julie Najar, with knowledge and skills acquired from her 30 years of working in the hospitality industry, is a more-than-competent successor to watch out for.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu introduces their new General Manager, Julie Najar (Photo courtesy of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu)
Najar graduated with a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree in St. Paul College, Quezon City Philippines, with further training in various fields of hospitality at the Cornell University in New York and the Cornell-Nanyang Instutute of Hospitality Management in Singapore.
She worked for a handful of hotels and resorts in Singapore, Manila and Cebu before joining the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, where she rose through the ranks. A long-serving employee of the hotel, she started out as a Front Office Manager in 2005 and became HR Manager after two years. In 2009, she became the Resident Manager, and subsequently in 2013, the Hotel Manager.

Marco Polo’s Lobby Lounge is the perfect place for a light meal, a casual meeting, and unwinding with friends. It serves high tea, signature coffees, cocktails, and desserts. (Photo courtesy of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu)
A diverse leader, Najar is also actively involved in other organizations, serving as the new President of the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) and as the Assistant Secretary to the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, a private sector consultative body mandated to assist the government in the development, implementation and coordination of the Philippine tourism policy.

Located at a thousand feet high, Marco Polo’s Blu Bar & Grill serves a choice of award-winning cocktails and grilled favorites, superb entrees and desserts. (Photo courtesy of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu)

Café Marco, the hotel’s signature outlet, is designed to showcase the preparation of a la carte and buffet dishes (Photo courtesy of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu)
Najar’s experience and expertise ensures that the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu will continue its brand of excellence under her management.