Cebu, Philippines: Lantaw Native Restaurant SRP for the second time

Every time I visit the Philippines I gain 5 kilos or more. It does not help that Filipino food is all about meat and rice. Not really the best combination for a healthy low calorie meal. But it’s delicious =)

Now I have been to Lantaw Native Restaurant at SRP before but my sister hasn’t. It helps that Lantaw SRP is near SM Seaside City mall where we were so after shopping and watching Star Wars Rogue One we only had to drive a bit then make a U-turn to reach Lantaw. Because it was evening, ergo dark and I am not anymore that familiar with the location of the restaurant because technically I do not live here, we missed it. We made it on the second attempt!

Finally at the restaurant the sister and I ordered our drinks – green mango shake as we wait for our dinner. It is less sweeter than a ripe mango with a touch of sourness. Love it, although I do not always go for shakes (read: do not like the sugar), but this was an exception because I cannot remember the last time I had a green mango shake.

We arrived a bit late actually, almost 22:00 and the musical band they have hired have already left for the day. Many restaurants and pubs in the Philippines hire bands to perform as live acts for the evening. Filipinos love entertainment and many seem to be gifted with great singing voices, well except me. If I will sing, all glass installations nearby will for sure break, haha.

So we hurried up with our order and voila....

Our green mango shake. Have you tried? It is very popular under the locals in the Philippines.

Pancit canton, typical Filipino noodle dish which is garnished with seafood, meat and vegetables. The calamansi (the small green lemon) makes a huge difference!

Fried calamari was not that crunchy.

This was the winner of the day. The delicious quintessential Filipino vegetable dish garnished with a little bit of meat and seafood -- Pinakbet!

Then the grilled pork belly came last. They almost forgot this. This was also not that really good. Doable but nothing to rave about.

We could not finish everything so we brought the rest home. Taking a doggy bag home is nothing to be ashamed of in the Philippines. It is similar practice in America. You don’t however do the doggy bag thing in Europe. People will not laugh at you, but they will wonder why. Firstly, why order a lot when you cannot finish it? But then again, the servings in Europe are not that huge. Plus meals are not like in Asia which are meant for sharing.

To sum up – we have not enjoyed this dinner as much as we have expected and wanted to. The calamari was not crunchy, the pancit canton was okay but nothing spectacular and the grilled pork belly came very late and was not well done. It was the pinakbet that saved the day though, which was superb!

Here is my first visit last 2015: Family Dinner at Lantaw Native Restaurant SRP IL CORSO.

I have also been to their floating restaurant branch in Mactan Island: Family Dinner at Lantaw Floating Native Restaurant in Cordova, Mactan

In addition, I have recently been to their Busay branch in the mountains as well. Lantaw should start giving me a discount, haha. More Cebu food diaries to come.

Travel Period: December 2016
Destination: Cebu City (Cebu - Visayas), Philippines

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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)

All pictures were taken by a point and shoot pocket camera or a smartphone.