After dinner in Abaca, we were debating on where to hang out in Cebu on a Friday night. Most of the cafes closed early and we wanted to lounge in a place that is uniquely Cebuano with a good line-up of desserts. We found our answer in Bellini!
Bellini is a chill-out and dessert bar with live acoustic music. It is located in Lahug, overlooking Nivel Hills. It has the same owner as Anzani New Mediterranean restaurant. It is the latest high-end, fine dining establishment in Cebu.
Bellini Menu: Desserts and Digestive | Red and White Wine | Bar Standard Drinks
This is the perfect spot in Bellini for a night cap with friends.
The music of the live acoustic band reverberates throughout Bellini, which is shaped in a long fashion, following the edge of the Nivel Hills.
Bellini – Champagne with Peach
As you can guess, the restaurant was named after this drink.
Anzani Homemade Limoncello (P140 +10% SC)
My favorite digestive is the limoncello, and Anzani’s version has a hint of cinnamon.
Marco Anzani is attempting to elevate the restaurant experience in Cebu with his New Mediterranean Cuisine. Anzani’s claim to fame is that he opened a lot of bars/restaurants for the Shangri-La group. He is now based in Cebu.
We exchanged notes on the eating habits of Manila vs. Cebu. For Manilenos, foodies eat for the whole experience of eating with friends, enjoying good food in a restaurant with a nice ambiance and with warm service. In Cebu, foodies eat to fill their stomachs, and restaurants are judged by the food itself.
Interesting insights… Maybe you can share your own perspective on these differences?
You can reserve the special underground cellar room (see photo with Anzani) or this special black room, especially made for freestyle degustation dining in Anzani Restaurant. The black room has this interesting chandelier made of spoon and forks. It will surely be the talk around the dinner table.
A mezze plate of Mediterranean treats! I’m going back to Cebu to try Anzani. 🙂
Tropical Panna Cotta Defile (P200 +10% SC). Topped with fresh fruit compote.
The desserts had flawless presentation, but they failed miserably in impressing us. The panna cotta was too mild and the fresh fruit cooked in sugary syrup was too sweet. It was a disappointment — but the great view in Nivel Hills compensated for it.
Anzani Bomb (P250 +10% SC). Trio of ice cream, torched meringue.
The Anzani Bomb is a poor cousin of Five Cows Flaming Alaska. It is the same dessert except that the Five Cows’ version is ignited with flame and served while the lights are closed.
Maybe they got it from the same cookbook…
Anzani Tiramisu (P280 +10% SC). Cinnamon, amaretto, dates, savoiardi, mascarpone.
The Anzani Tiramisu was placed in a triangular glass with no stem, which was placed in a bowl of ice, similar to the La Dolce Vita signature drink. The taste was on the safe side and it was not memorable.
In summary, Bellini’s location (overlooking Nivel Hills) and ambiance were awesome, the drinks were standard, while the desserts were disappointing.
I aim to try Anzani’s New Mediterranean cuisine next time. Have you tried it?
Panorama Heights, Nivel Hills, Lahug
Cebu City, Philippines
Reservations: + 6332 232-7375, 236-0097, 233-4054
www.anzani.com.ph
Marco Anzani
Chef/ Restaurateur
Mobile: +63927 546-4704
Email: m_anzani@yahoo.com
Live an Awesome Life,
I couldn’t believe it when I saw a picture of your wife in SHORTS!!! Isn’t there a dress code in this restaurant??……and even if there isn’t, I would assume by now (having eaten in thousands of restaurants) that she should have known better. The other guests were more appropriately dressed.Gosh.
Gosh…who are you to impose a dress code? Chill out. She got nice legs…inggit ka lang ano?
Sorry Naz, I agree with Cecille. Dining in shorts is never appropriate…unless you are in your own home or maybe in the beach.That has nothing to do with jealousy!!
If it is a real formal dinner, then I would agree but just to chill out and shoot the breeze with friends, it is not really necessary. Well, I guess here in California, nobody really cares what you wear. Restos will have a sign if they require shirt and ties and shoes or no short for that matter.
Sorry!
unless theres a sign or the resto mangaer asks you to actually asks you to step out because of what youre wearing then i guess nobody really cares
Hi Anton,
Unfortunately I did not meet you when Glecy and the group were in-house. We go way back in our single days.
Thank you for your comments. Thank you for acknowledging our standard in drinks. We find that our desserts hit mid-palate and satisfy the sweet tooth. However, if you are more inclined as a “dessert epicurean” , we dont pride ourselves in being a pattisierie. So we stick to what we know. ( But we do in-house chocolate truffles, and did you try Marco’s Tahini & Sesame chocolate fondue?? )
Do come and try ANZANI NEW MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE when your in town next.
Regards,
Kate Dychangco-Anzani
A friend and I wanted to have some after dinner drinks at Bellinis but we just found the prices a bit too expensive. They are even more expensive than some bars in Manila, IMO. The ambiance was nice but we decided to move to the Marco Polo Blue Bar instead where the drinks were even cheaper.
I agree with naz. Loosen up Matt & Cecille. You sound like some stiff and pretentious fifi. No dresscode posted in the restaurant should generally mean casual dining. She wasn’t even wearing to something close to being indecent. I hope you’re not one of those ‘im-rich-and-you’re-not’ bastards. Who are we to dictate what people should wear and judge them based on our impression? Grow up and live beyond your own little bubble. 😛
Tried Anzani last month with the husband and it was just ok. not to impressive. when we asked the server of their bestseller’s she said everything on the menu was considered bestseller. i don’t think i’ld buy that. We were with friends and we were all not familiar with the food so it would have helped if she was able to provide us with input. It was a bit tad expensive for cebu dining. The place was cozy though.
We ordered the Anzani bomb as well and I was disappointed. My husband with 2 other friends forced themselves into finishing it as it would have been a waste of money.
We tried this restaurant this evening and had an awesome dinner…. We had the Herb crusted Cream Dori. They even brought us some fresh baked breads with dipping sauce that was out of this world. A little on the expensive side for dining in Cebu but worth it in my opinion.
I had dinner here once in February and I have to admit i didn’t enjoy the food that much. I’m Cebuano but currently live in Manila, so I’ve had my fair share of food trips. It is also quite expensive, but just about the same range as good restos here in Manila. However, I definitely will go back there one of these days, Bellini is a very nice place to hang-out with friends. Probably will try the food in Anzani as well.