Efren Gloria, Cebu, Philippines

For this entry in the greater Hong Kong region we are in Cebu, Philippines. It is still in the Pacific rim so within the boundaries of LQ:HK. My wife and I visited this floating restaurant when on a quick trip to Cebu last Sunday (16th Oct) and arrived there by boat from our hotel. The journey probably took 40 minutes.

Entrance Signboard

Technically it's not floating as it's supported off wooden stilts that suspend it above the water. It's well ventilated meaning there are no windows but the sea views are pleasant and calming. Tables and chairs are plastic but you're not here for the furniture. The kitchen is at the back, which is where they catch and store the main ingredients i.e. seafood.

The catching nets

Choosing what to eat

There were over twenty guests and we were treated so a seafood feast. The following food that is listed is in some kind of order and might not be all I ate.

Conch: the word always reminds me of 'Lord of the Flies'. The mollusc was fairly large but a bit bland so it could have come with a dip to give more flavour.

Conch (with rice to the side)

Abalone: fairly chewy (I've eaten chewier) that was cooked and served in a flavoursome black bean sauce.

Abalone (which was cooked before it was served and not straight from the boy's hands)

Crab: meaty if you can get to the meat. I'm quite lazy/impatient when eating crab, so it's very nice when the shell has already been removed and nice if you've got to do it yourself!

Crab

Fish soup: very refreshing with chillies to give it a slight kick.

Fish Soup

Squid. Stir fried with onions & chillies making this a nice dish.

Garoupa: excellently steamed so that the meat was lovely and tender, in a Chinese style soy sauce & oil dressing.

Steamed Fish

There was also a couple of guys with guitars who played a few songs at our request to entertain us.

The bill was taken care of by our very hospitable hosts, Richard and Yan, who got married that weekend so a big thanks and congratulations to them both!

Overall Efren Gloria is an unassuming restaurant where the food is caught fresh and service is friendly.

Ratings:
Food: 4/5
Presentation: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Setting: 3/5

Overall: 13/20

I ate: a bit of everything noted above, maybe a bit more that I have forgotten to mention.

I drank: San Miguel, Pepsi

I wore: swimming shorts, tee shirt, flip flops