Yet, as I quickly discovered, self-proclaimed foodies like myself have every reason to be thrilled. The property boasts a wide array of dining options—both at the resort and the newly opened The Mall at NUSTAR—that are sure to satisfy cravings across various cuisines and cater to even the heartiest appetites.
InsiderPH had the hard-to-resist opportunity to try some of the dining establishments for a day of indulgent culinary delights in Cebu’s premier luxury and lifestyle destination.
Abaca Baking Company
While a branch of a popular international coffee chain can be found at The Mall at NUSTAR, it was only right that we sampled what Abaca Baking Company—a homegrown Cebu bakery and cafe well known for their breads, baked goods, and coffee—has to offer.
Apart from having a nice cup of flat white and, during a subsequent visit, a bottle of their 24-hour Cold Brew which provided just the kick that I needed, their pastries like the Fruit Filled Danish, Basque Cheesecake, and Egg Tart were quite irresistible (diet be darned!) and paired perfectly with my chosen brews. Should I return when the opportunity comes, I will definitely try their breakfast fare next.
Good Luck Hotpot
I was not aware that it has locations in Manila (in Pasay and BGC to be exact) but that said, I did enjoy a long and satisfying, albeit a hot and spicy, repast at Good Luck Hotpot, made even better by an engaging cultural show.
The interiors, though almost bordering on kitsch, evoke strong Raise the Red Lantern (the 1991 film by Zhang Yimou) feels.
A word of caution though: as someone who has a relatively strong tolerance for spicy food, I found the soup base that I ordered quite fiery. Next time I’ll go for either the healthy tomato soup or the mushroom soup.
Il PRIMO
Dubbed as Cebu’s first Italian Steakhouse, Il Primo offers premium quality steaks that are cooked on a Josper grill as well as a curated selection of authentic Italian fare, signature beverages, and an extensive wine list.
I was lucky enough to partake of a special three-course meal—an appetizer of Carpaccio, Risotto for the mains, and the dessert of Tiramisu—that was simply exquisite.
Mott 32
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve yet to set foot in Hong Kong, which therefore disqualifies me from comparing how the Mott 32 in Cebu, franchised by the Gokongwei family, fares against the original HK outpost.
Nevertheless, I must say that the Shanghai-inspired interiors add a uniquely stylish ambiance and their Negroni, my cocktail of choice, was good. Of course, their Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck really took centerstage and was the highlight of our meal, which included dimsum.
So there you have it. Should you find yourself in the bustling metropolis that is Cebu City, and happen to visit or even better stay at the gleaming NUSTAR Resort and Casino, be sure to make room and add that food crawl to your itinerary. You’re definitely spoiled for choice.
For a full list of NUSTAR’s dining outlets, click here.
Features Reporter
