NUSTAR Resort Update: MOTT 32 CEBU @ NUSTAR // Is it Worth It?
We were excited to try the first restaurant to open at the high-end NUSTAR Resort & Casino in Cebu, featuring Italian specialities with Chef Luca at the helm. This property is an exciting new development in the South Road Properties area in Cebu, with at least 40 more food and beverage brands to be launched, including Mott 32, a Michelin-starred favorite in Hong Kong.
NUSTAR Resort and Casino, the first integrated resort in the Visayas and Mindanao, is a premier, 5-star development that is set to elevate and redefine luxury in gaming, entertainment, leisure, dining, and retail in Cebu and the entire southern Philippines. Highly anticipated for its grand opening in the first quarter of 2023, NUSTAR is poised to be the biggest lifestyle and entertainment destination outside Metro Manila.
Here’s our first taste of NUSTAR Resort’s flagship Italian restaurant.
About IL Primo Steakhouse
Il Primo means “The First” as it is the first restaurant to welcome guests when they set foot at the grand entrance of the casino.
It takes pride in its premium quality steak prepared using Josper grill to bring out the best in every meat, preserving its aroma, delicacy, and succulence. Il Primo also serves a curated selection of authentic Italian cuisine that includes appetizers, salads, entrees, pastas, desserts, and signature beverages.
IL PRIMO ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
NUSTAR Resort and Casino
South Road Properties, Cebu City
Email: contactus@nustar.ph
Facebook: Il Primo @ NUSTAR Resort
Instagram: @ilprimonustar @nustarresort
Visit https://www.nustar.ph/
IL PRIMO MENU: Antipasti, Zuppe, Pasta | Pasta, Pizza, Carne | Pesce, Alla Griglia, Japanese Wagyu | Dolci | Beverage Menu: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Chef Luca, formerly with Edsa Shangri-La with experience from Paparazzi and other hotel restaurant outlets, fell in love and transferred to Cebu to launch Il Primo Steakhouse at NUSTAR Resort.
Chef Luca’s 6-course Italian specialty menu excellently paired with wines specially crafted for the Cebu Food & Wine Festival 2022.
Vino e Cibo: A Night of Italian Food, Wine and Music
Php5,888.00 net per person
Register here: bit.ly/VinoeCiboRegistrationForm
Vino e Cibo
Mini Truffle and Parmesan Cappucino
Mushroom soup with truffle essence topped with crisp aged Parmigiano-Reggiano to resemble a cappuccino to tickle our appetite. Everyone raved about this soup that set the tone for the rest of the meal.
Refreshingly fruity with a pleasant aroma, medium-bodied, not overpowering but complementing the palate teaser.
Tuna Tartare with Stracciatella Cheese, Pistachio and Tomato Confit
Raw Gensan tuna with onion, capers, and lemon topped with stracciatella cheese and tomato confit to give a sweet, juicy tomato taste and a bit of pistachio to cut through the flavors. Yum!
This chilled chardonnay, with flavors of tropical fruit and a nutty finish, gave a nice dry freshness to pair with the tuna.
Pappardelle with Lamb Ragout, Porcini Mushrooms and 24 Karat Gold
This flat pasta was cooked just right, absorbing the flavors of the lamb and mushrooms while the 24 karat gold gave it an elegant feel when you eat it.
This Italian red wine made from Montepulciano grapes with red cherry aroma and balanced flavors was pleasant to drink or pair with the lamb in between bites of the pasta.
Braised Angus Short Ribs
served with Char-broiled Asparagus, Rosemary, Marble Potatoes and Chianti Sauce
The main dish did not disappoint—short ribs steak cooked medium, braised with Italian wine on a bed of baby potatoes and asparagus.
This would have gone well with rice had there been an option. 🙂
The steak needed to pair with a bolder dry red wine with lots of tannins and decanted before serving. It paired nicely with the steak sauce and cut through the flavors of the meat.
Tiramisu with Espresso and Mascarpone Foam
As a finale, Chef Luca’s tiramisu was served with a chocolate crisp tunnel with espresso and mascarpone foam on the side, finished with shredded chocolate.
The best moscato we tried, not too sweet. It was the right pairing for the tiramisu, giving it another dimension with the alcoholic sweetness.
from Chocolate Chamber
Capped the meal with chocolate truffles, which you can also take home to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
This was so far the best meal we’ve had during the ongoing Cebu Food & Wine Festival. Each dish concept was executed well, building on the flavors until the main steak dish. Loved the wine pairing which did not feel forced and, in fact, made each course more memorable, adding more value for money to the experience. As the meal progressed, the conversation among us friends became intense as we raved about each dish while enjoying the wines and exchanging pandemic stories.
Congratulations to Chef Luca and thank you to the NUSTAR Resort team for sharing with us the vision of NUSTAR and the reason why the entire Cebu is excited about this premier development. Can’t wait!
Vino e Cibo: A Night of Italian Food, Wine and Music
Php5,888.00 net per person
Register here: bit.ly/VinoeCiboRegistrationForm
IL PRIMO ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
NUSTAR Resort and Casino
South Road Properties, Cebu City
Email: contactus@nustar.ph
Facebook: Il Primo @ NUSTAR Resort
Instagram: @ilprimonustar @nustarresort
Visit https://www.nustar.ph/
IL PRIMO MENU: Antipasti, Zuppe, Pasta | Pasta, Pizza, Carne | Pesce, Alla Griglia, Japanese Wagyu | Dolci | Beverage Menu: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: We attended the media preview of Vino e Cibo menu for the Cebu Food & Wine Festival 2022 at Nustar Resort. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Check out the awesome view of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) from the outdoor patio of Il Primo.
Note: There is still a lot of construction around Nustar because it was delayed by the destruction brought by typhoon Odette.