Circa 1900 Restaurant: Gourmet and Old World Charm in Cebu City

Drizzled. The road to Circa 1900 restaurant is dark, sinewy, bespattered. I was worrying how I'd get a ride out. Cebu is truly getting to be a world-class cosmopolitan city. I wanted to try something special so I went. I used to be so timid asking about unfamiliar items on a menu. Not anymore. I'd ask the waitress if she thinks I was capable of consuming a single order. She'd size me up and say her piece. Later, I even asked to transfer everything "because I need more light". Brat. 

The appetizer I chose sounded delectable: pan fried garlic prawns with Spanish chorizo and chilli tomato olive oil with chiabatini. Those big gourmand-easy words alone seem to justify its price of P350. Hah! I took my time finishing every morsel, as though caught in slow-motion. THAT is how you appreciate a P350 appetizer, I thought. Main dish came: crunchy, slow roast pork belly with apple and fennel compote. I pretend I understand every ingredient, though "compote" should be pretty much the stewing of fruit, thus the apple. Or something. 

Most times, I appreciate the ambiance more than the food. There's a palpable, but subtle atmosphere of affluence. Circa is an ancestral home turned into a restaurant. Beside me were chatty med students taking a "break", drinking champagne. My goodness, I don't remember drinking the bubbly when I was a student. She's from Cagayan de Oro, I heard. I'm from where i am. I guess Cagayanons are more sophisticated. I just pretend to be one.

Later that night, I asked the front desk to call a cab. It was there in 10 minutes, no sweat. Circa 1900 Restaurant is located at the back gate of USC. Google for directions and contact number.

 Crunchy, slow roast pork belly with apple and fennel compote

Appetizer: pan fried garlic prawns with Spanish chorizo and chilli tomato olive oil with chiabatini.

Complimentary appetizer