Hello, Hive Food Lovers and Travelers!
12 days sans blogging and the creative dry spell I was under was not for the lack of words. It was however from a 4 am heart-crunching anxiety attack from a recent design project I had undertaken. I couldn't blog until I submitted the concept to the client. Phew, that's done and now I'm back and itching to type on the keyboard.
Around this time, I craved to getaway. Face-to-face classes had resumed, at least twice a week. This left my husband and me the opportunity to celebrate our wedding anniversary away from our small diving village.
A Lunch date at Café Alfonso
Café Alfonso is more than just a cafe. It serves authentic Filipino Cuisine with the possibility to try the adventure all-terrain vehicles (ATV). That itself states there are beautiful nature trails around. A friend recommended that we experience it but we didn't have the luxury of time to do so, for we needed to pick up our daughter from school in a few hours.
The café was introduced to @iamyohann by a dear friend and we dined here a few times prior. It offers a break that promises a good leg stretch during the long mountain cliffside drive between Carcar and Barili in the southern part of Cebu, Philippines.
What I love about Café Alfonso is its tranquil location. It is lost in the middle of nature with the much-needed breeze from the scorching heat this summer.
How to Get There
It is around 50 minutes drive from Moalboal, 2 hours, and a 20-minute drive from Mactan International Airport. Once you get to Barili there's a short 1.2 kilometers detour inland from the main national road.
Café Alfonso
Address: Sitio Lower Caimito, Barangay, Barili, Cebu
Telephone: +63 908 634 8348
Open daily from 9 am - 9 pm
Price per person: Php 500 / USD 9.72
The narrow path was under construction for a road-widening project. It was empty when we got there. On the weekends, the parking space is often full of tourist vans and 4x4 vehicles.
A Lunch with a view. The openness of the restaurant evokes a feeling of dining alfresco. The staff was quick to offer a smile as we came in and we immediately chose a table by the wooden railing.
It was a fierce summer day and the cool breeze welcomed us while we perused the menu.
One of the challenges for vegetarian and vegan travelers in Philippine rural areas is the limited plant-based dishes on most menus.
I struggle to keep up with the vegetarian lifestyle that I aspire to not for the reason I just shared but for a gut flora issue. I went in too fast, wretched in intestinal pain and constant flatulence that kept me up most nights after 2 months of veganism. I slowly introduced yogurt to keep it at bay and slowly tried to balance it.
Hence, I failed now and then, especially during a celebratory meal like this one.
I intend to eat more vegetarian dishes most days but have not limited myself completely. I know I could get back to it if I so desired but I'll take it slowly.
We placed our order and I walked around to take photographs and admire these colorful blooms along the road. Not long after did our orders arrive.
Starters
Regional dishes such as Ngohiong (Php 100/ USD$ 1.94) are a must-try for all travelers visiting the island. Ngohiong (ngo-yong) is a Philippine adaptation of the Hokkien Nga-Hiang. It is a deep-fried rice paper roll with jicama (singkamas), bamboo shoots, five-spice, shrimp, garlic, and onions. It is a popular Cebuano snack and it works well as a starter too.
I initially thought this was a vegetarian version but I later realized there must have been some minced pork in it.
Although their ngohiong is not the best I have ever tasted, it's a perfect opportunity to try them if you're pressed for time, unable to gastronomically explore, and stay longer in Cebu.
Lumpia Shanghai is one of my husband's favorites. Lumpia Shanghai (Php 200/ USD$ 3.90) is a Filipino version of minced pork and carrots spring rolls usually served with sweet and sour sauce.
We ordered a plain dim sum (Php 100 / USD$ 1.94) to share that came with a chili sauce. There is a mushroom siomai that was interesting to try as well.
Main Course
I ordered Sweet & Sour Fish Fillet (Php 340 / USD$ 6.61) while Yohann ordered Cashew Nuts Chicken (Php 360 / USD$ 7). We were both pleased with our orders. The battered fish was fresh and deliciously covered in a thick sauce. Yohann enjoyed the mouth-watering cashew nut stir fry as well despite his aversion to ginger. He may not have been pleased with the ginger bite surprise but ultimately he was satisfied with his order.
Our total bill came up to Php 1,270.50 / USD$ 24.70 inclusive of service charge and VAT
My Takeaway
Their claim to fame "Best Dimsum in South Cebu" needs to be tested but I enjoyed their siomai nonetheless. It quickly became an automatic response when ordering starters. The portions were huge so we didn't order dessert but I do highly recommend ordering coffee here.
I know the use of plastic monoblock chairs is practical but as a designer, I wish they could upgrade those chairs to something else.
Apart from that, we chose the right place to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. They took a picture of us on our way out click here for our photograph on their FB business page.
P.S. A Quick Travel Tip and Detour
Continue driving inland or take a stroll to burn down the calories after a meal to enjoy the surrounding areas. You'll spot a carabao enjoying a bath by the stream, a cow nibbling in the field, and the scenic countryside terrain.
Thank you very much for reading. Would you take a 1-kilometer diversion away from the highway to eat in a place like this one? If you're ever in the south of Cebu Philippines, do try, it is worth the detour! Have a great week ahead!
*Cover Image Edited with Canva
"I am an old soul who simply loves coffee, who finds joy and beauty in both tangible and the unseen."
Curiosity and imagination lead to unexpected experiences. Interested in Nature, Places, Roads Less Traveled, Minimalism, Authentic Living, Anything French, and International Cuisine. Feel free to follow her, re-blog, and upvote if you enjoy her content.