All images from the Ersao Authentic Taiwanese Street Food Media and Bloggers Launch last February 9, 2013

No need to pack your bags and head all the way to Taiwan for that authentic Taiwanese taste that sticks -- in Cebu and several parts of the country, one must simply head on to any branch of Ersao Authentic Street Food to experience a delightful snippet of Oriental food heaven.

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of attending the Media and Bloggers Launch for Ersao Cebu at JCentre Mall in Mandaue. We were treated to a smorgasbord of their Taiwanese style cuisine offerings and their huge selection of milk teas. Safe to say that all of us went home super full that night, and with a better insight of Taiwanese street food culture!

Having started 12 years ago, Ersao is one of the country's pioneers in the milk and pearl tea business. They eventually expanded their selections to popular Taiwanese favorites such as steamed dumplings, snacks, rice toppings, and specialty noodles. Cebu is the company's first venture outside of Luzon, strategically located in the bustling JCentre Mall. What's also fantastic to know is that Ersao prices only range from P45-195 only! Talk about delicious and authentic without breaking the bank.:)

Head on over to Ersao and experience the new and exciting flavors (and not to mention healthy!) of Taiwanese cuisine for yourself. Ersao is conveniently located at the 3rd floor of JCentre Mall in Mandaue City. Visit their Facebook page here to keep up with all things Ersao!

  

Shots, from top-bottom:

(a) Juxtaposition: Incredible Kenneth Cobonpue LED light fixtures and a simple votive candle tabletop accent

(2) Inarguably the best salmon I've ever had. The bed of polenta was the perfect finish.

3) Spoons of marinated salmon and shrimp to start of the night

4) Don't even let me get started on how heavenly this huge prawn and polenta dish is. My stomach still dreams of it frequently. 

5)  Dishes rich with pork cheek. Definitely the conversation piece of the evening.

6) Capping off the night with tiramisu

While this blog doesn't come close to being ever described as a "food blog", I do appreciate and acknowledge great, unforgettable food. I've got around 3 kilos of weight gain to prove that, and definitely I've traded a lot of the shoe shopping to give my share for those oft [pricey] special dates out-- something I have to pay for being in a long-term relationship with another food enthusiast.

So when my good friend Kristine Roa mentioned that we had a private dinner invite with Loft Cebu, I made no hesitations to go. Loft had closed for a massive renovation, and being a huge fan of the restaurant-cum-bar lounge,  I was definitely more than curious to check out the new look and feel that they came up with. To say that I was impressed with the changes was an understatement--Loft, now officially dubbed as Loft Cuisine by Giuseppe, has come back around bolder and more refined than ever. 

After sealing a deal with Cebu's Giuseppe, the famed Cebu nightlife hub will also now be concentrating on their restaurant element-- and will now bringing authentic Italian (ingredients imported directly from Italy, yes) dishes to the public at friendly price points. I cannot emphasize more on how their food gives you so much bang for your buck-- you either trust my pictures, or go try it out yourself. I can guarantee that going for the latter is way, way better.

Make Loft a part of your weekly habit and experience its culinary pleasures in a whole new light! It truly is Cebu City's chicest way to hang, dine and unwind.

Loft Cuisine by Giuseppe is located at the 2nd Floor, CJRS Point, Asiatown IT Park, 6000 Cebu City.

Special thanks to Charles Osmena, Moreno Benigno and Kristine Roa!