by Czarina Maye Mariano
UNO is the popular international buffet and a la carte cafe and restaurant by The Waterfront Group of Hotels.
If you’re flying to Cebu from June to August 2018 then you’re in for a treat! They have an upcoming culinary event entitled “UNO’s Modern Filipino Taste: A Filipino Feast for All Senses”, which happens at UNO in Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan (from June 8 to August 31) and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug (from June 9 to August 31).
This special culinary event brings together the celebrated husband-and-wife tandem of celebrity Chefs Roland and Jackie Laudico, as they create delicious and exciting innovations on classic Filipino and Cebuano cuisine.
Chef Lau and Chef Jackie have captured the imagination and taste buds of gourmets and foodies alike through the concept restaurants they have established in their 18 years in the catering and restaurant business. Their imaginative approach to cooking and artistic presentations have culminated in their celebrated restaurant Guevarra’s in San Juan, Metro Manila.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino
Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines
Telephone: +6332 232-6888 local 8605
Facebook: Waterfont Cebu City
Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino (Mactan)
1 Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines
Telephone: +6332 340-4888 local 7879
Operating Hours:
Lunch: 12:00 nn-2:30 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm-10:30 pm
Present during the opening were: Chef Roland Laudico, Cebu City Mayor Tomas “Tommy” de la Rama Osmeña, Chef Jackie Laudico, Waterfront Mactan GM BenHur Caballes, and Waterfront Cebu GM Anders Hallden.
(Chef Lau doing last minute preps together with Waterfront Cebu’s executive chef Linda Hou)
Chef Lau and Chef Jackie’s advocacy for the past 18 years is to promote native Filipino flavors, which has given them local and international respect, and runs parallel to the philosophy that animates and inspires the food and beverage outlets at The Waterfront Group of Hotels.
UNO leads its portfolio of F&B outlets, and has become Waterfront’s must-visit destination for foodies in Cebu and Davao.
Appetizers
With “UNO’s Modern Filipino Taste: A Filipino Feast for All Senses”, the restaurant broadens and enriches its already diverse culinary offerings, thus helping in the further evolution of the Filipino food and cooking culture.
Guests and food aficionados will, no doubt, find delight in the many tasty treats included in the festival, such as Sisig Baskets, Palabok Bites, Kinilaw Spoons, and Danggit Macaroons to whet the appetite.
One of the cold appetizers I liked was the Sushi-Noy. It’s basically a Filipino maki topped with matambaka flakes.
Danggit Macaroon, anyone? The macaroon is stuffed with laing mousse and shrimps. It tasted sweet but is obviously much saltier thanks to the danggit attached to it.
Main Dishes
Got a hefty appetite? Here are some of the filling and delicious entrees that await you in UNO…
Kaldereta Pie, made of spicy lamb stew topped with mashed potato and cheese.
They also offer Cebu’s specialty dish, Balbacua Uno–slow-cooked oxtail together with beef knuckles and skin, UNO style.
A visit to Cebu wouldn’t be complete without getting a taste of their lechon and this perfectly roasted pork belly. As expected, the skin was crunchy and the meat moist and juicy.
Need a break from the buffet? Their grilling station is packed with different kebabs and fresh seafood like blue marlin, squid, clams, etc.
For the complete Cebuano experience, why not eat the entrees with the puso or hanging rice? It’s literally just steamed sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf.
If you prefer skipping the carbs, head to the salad bar for fresh greens and healthy salad dressing.
Desserts
End your meal on a sweet note with the following desserts that UNO has to offer…
In-season fruits such as pineapple, papaya, watermelon, and mangoes go well not just with the chocolate but even with the batik fondue!
Apart from fruits, the dessert section is also well-stocked with pastries and cakes. I personally liked the chocolate banana cake, which was moist and creamy. A deliciously good way to end a great meal!
Final Thoughts
UNO has become the favored dining address of business and corporate individuals in search of great tasting food and quick service, families that expect a wide variety of food choices and a leisurely ambiance, and foodies who simply want excellent flavors that come from fresh ingredients and food done to perfection.
The Laudicos’ imagination, creativity, and signature flavors will certainly also find a welcoming venue in UNO at Waterfront Insular Hotel when the festival goes to Davao, just in time for the Kadayawan Festival 2017.
“UNO’s Modern Filipino Taste: A Filipino Feast for All Senses” food festival kicks off in Waterfront Cebu on June 8 and will also be available in Waterfront Mactan on June 9. Both events will last until the 31st of August 2017.
This service is available for both lunch and dinner for only PHP898.00 per pax. UNO is located at the lobby of both Waterfront Hotel in Cebu and Mactan.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino
Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines
Telephone: +6332 232-6888 local 8605
Facebook: Waterfont Cebu City
Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino (Mactan)
1 Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines
Telephone: +6332 340-4888 local 7879
Operating Hours:
Lunch: 12:00 nn-2:30 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm-10:30 pm
Live an Awesome Life,
CZARINA for TEAM OUR AWESOME PLANET
Disclosure: We were media guests of Waterfront Hotel. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
Hi Czarina,
That top image is both grim and delicious. I know it looks a little rough to some eyes yet I also know how good it tastes. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ryan
all delicious and brings back memories of classic recipes
fabulous dish and very nice,thanks for sharing