Imagine a table for 20-22, set on an outdoor deck under some decades old molave, kapok and other trees, with a gentle breeze, the stars above and the twinkling lights of the city below… I’ve been toying with this vision ever since we had a lechon eyeball in Cebu 2.5 years ago. But I hesitated when I realized we would only use it once or twice a month at most. But then when we decided to open two restaurants, which are really just a notch above fast food, I thought it might also be the right time to introduce this one-of-a-kind dining experience, less than 100 meters from the lechon roasting pits, which would ensure eating lechons in their FINEST and FRESHEST state. We finished the deck enough to use it for the first time last night, and fittingly, it was for a special marketmanila.com reader…
Not sure how long C has been a reader, but I think she started actively commenting less than a year ago. She then had major medical issues, which led to major operations, which thankfully, led to her recovery. She emailed me once that she had WIFI in her hospital room and was sometimes browsing Marketmanila.com to keep her amused… I tend to remember those kinds of emails. At any rate, C had planned a trip to Cebu and since the Zubuchon outlets are opening a little later than originally planned, C would have been unable to enjoy our food. So in another MM and Zubuchon moment, we decided to rush our deck and hope we could finish in time to provide a private meal for C and guests…
The space is a simple tiled deck roughly 45 square meters in size on the edge of a sharp drop off on a small hill behind the Provincial Capitol building. It is a few hundred meters from the literal “center” of Cebu (the kilometer zero marker)… The recent storms and heavy rains were a blessing in that the surroundings are incredibly lush and green, but we nearly didn’t make the deadline as the rains prevented tiling and other construction work for days on end.
We used a custom designed and made mahogany picnic table that could seat 12 for the dinner, but two similar custom designed tables are still being made to take their place permanently on the deck. Beside the deck is a brick buffet table, and hopefully in a month or so, behind that will be another area with charcoal grilling stations, a place for a paellera over coals, and if all the stars align and the right person is found, a brick oven where I can hopefully roast small lechon de leches, among other things. :)
We envision the space to be used for private dinners or parties of roughly 20-30 people. A set menu of lechon fresh off the flames and other dishes will be offered in package prices that will range from PHP750-1,000 per head. This space is available by advance reservation only and we hope to have it fully ready in about 3-4 weeks time. So if you ever plan a visit to Cebu, along with friends and family, or you know of tourists seeking that one of kind dining experience, please remember this option… :)
So what is it about Pinoys and “photo finishes”??? This is what the deck looked like 3 days before the scheduled dinner for C! But somehow, the crew managed to pull it off, finish the deck, plant 300 kamuning saplings, clean up the construction debris, cover the buffet in bricks, lay wiring for 7-8 garden lights AND serve a multi-course dinner for C on Saturday evening… And now, for some help from readers… We aren’t quite sure what to call the space or the offering. I thought “Magellan’s Feast” might be nice, but it is too colonial, and besides he was killed in Mactan after he ate heartily. Then “Datu Humabon’s Feast” sounded cool, since Pigafetta wrote in the 1521 expedition’s chronicles that Datu Humabon had served them a wonderful feast on the island of Cebu with roast pig, fish, millet cakes, etc., but then after Magellan was killed and the rest of the crew returned to Cebu, Humabon apparently poisoned many of them at a meal… So I thought maybe “Datu Lapu-Lapu’s Feast” would do well, particularly since my grandmother was utterly convinced we were related somehow, Lapu-Lapu seemed to defy or resist conventional wisdom, was stubborn and proud of his heritage, but Mrs. MM thinks it might sound like a fish feast… So maybe a simple “A ZUBU FEAST” would suffice, but maybe not. So any cool suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :)
122 Responses
what a charming place to munch on zubuchon balat. :)
as always MM you never disappoint! love the idea and the venue!
A Zubuano Feast or Fiesta.
Oh you must quickly plan for an online reservation ala hotel reservation style where we can see if the date is available otherwise your staff will be overwhelm with calls :) ….yikes It really amaze me how you can handle all of this with two restaurant to open in less than a month time.
This is good…another place to consider for small group gatherings..
Oh this is beautiful! Food, outdoors, the company of friends and family, what more can we ask for? I’m so glad you were able to accommodate C.
Now waiting suggestions from C and Footloose, the masters of word play.
very heartwarming, nice to know that there are still people who really pay it forward and would go out of their way just to make people happy…
name suggestion – Zubu Centro or Centro Zubu
How about Marketman’s Table
How about, ZUBU TOP? It’s short & can easily be pronounced. The Zubuchon dishes will definitely be on the menu- especially Zubuchon, it’s on top of a hill & the food offered are tops! :)
Pork banquet
Hope you can also have this available for tete-a-tete.. would definitely want to celebrate with a special dinner for two in this space… and the beautiful view and delicious food will definitely keep us coming back for more…
…The Datu’s Table…
as in facebook…. LIKE!
Zubuchon Square
Zubuchon Picnic
Lechon Square by Zubuchon
Lechon table by Zubuchon
ZubuFeast
Marketman’s table !!! i agree with artisan
The Datu’s Banquet?
What a wonderful post recovery treat for C that only an Oprah or MM can pull off!!
For the many expats coming home for reunions, MM’s special dining experience would be something to include in their get together activities on a Cebu stop…..and then all the pork loving seniors can die happy! the ultimate dining experience to die for!!!
I don’t mean to be morbid, but hubby, forever a hedonist always says whenever I remind him of his dietary restrictions: “mamamatay rin tayong lahat kaya mabuti na ang mamatay sa sarap at ligaya” !
Wonderful place!–I think any name that has Zubuchon on it will be fine.=)
like a one of a kind dining experience..eating the best pig ever, with wine, maybe acoustic music or pop, smoke from the flames and garden lights!
After sometime, I imagine that place gets bigger with rooms, a pool, recreational things, soft music..and tourists like me.=)
@ Connie C: pretty much my philosophy – when my hubs or friends see the rich, fat, delish food I eat, all I tell them is this: I know that if I don’t wake up tomorrow, I would have enjoyed my (last) meal. Life is too short!
Great idea, great looking place! Where did you get those white chairs? I am sure you will have lots of people lining up for reservations.
This would be such a treat to diners! Will surely recommend this to friends! :)
ZUBUCHON BY THE DECK :)
(a’la Tavern on the Green, Cafe by the Ruins)
How about these: Zubuchon on a Hill or Zubuchon in the Sky
Mom-Friday, Deck as part of the name is out of the question, as many Cebuanos pronounce an “E” with an “I” — hence Marketman’s or Tony’s DECK would be bordering on obscene… hahaha. Sonia, chairs were the HARDEST furniture to find, particularly at reasonable prices. These are made in China moldfed plastic with metal cores… from the largest furniture store in Cebu (can’t recall name right now). Dragon and Connie C, definitely eat till you drop philosophy here… :) Mary Kim, have always dreamed of a small shop with Artisanal products from all across Cebu and nearby provinces. Properly made goodies, done the old-fashioned way… rosemd and Artisan, I am liking the simplicity of “Marketman’s Table”… Elaine, there is probably a minimum required to mobilize this space, not to mention the loss of a larger booking for a party of 20, so while a tete a tete isn’t impossible, it will be extravagant to say the least. It could become a sort of kind of proposal dinner, maybe discounted if the lady says no, higher price with a bottle of champagne if she says yes… :)
At first glance, I immediately pictured your table with long benches made from the same wood. Those white chairs just don’t blend in.
Marketman’s Hill?
Mimi, these are the restaurant chairs, borrowed for the dinner… not sure what the deck chairs are going to be, but oddly at night, these work quite well…
I love it! Super gorgeous! The paella and lechon de leche combo sounds really delicious. And I can imagine having a small family party here for the special occasions. I’ll wait for the adverts to come out so I’ll know how to get there from the capitol ( so i can imagine the way already haha!) :)
What a place!
What is the Cebuano word for salu-salo or “a get-together meal”?
A well-conceived scenic location.
And yes, I’m glad you thought about it too. Marketman’s Deck pronounced carelessly can definitely steal attention from the roasted pig and devolve instead to where one barely wants to foster any speculation unless he is favored like Porfirio Rubirosa. Besides it’s more of a patio or veranda since it is not made of wood.
As your post points out, Magellan’s chronicler had a perfect name for this kind of enterprise: PIG-a-Fetta, Pig-a-Fiesta, or some such variation maybe? Plus he survived the trip :)
Such a quaint and peacful looking space. A dinner there would really be special and memorable.
I’d name it:
Zumbuchonan
Kainan ni Marketman
Marketman de la cubierta
Hi!Mr.MM-
Why not call it ”HALA!BIRA!FEAST”….sounds so CEBUANO….it can mean…”Eat to your heart’s content!”…….I guess you can also incorporate this while your guests are having dinner…..merrymakers dancing and chanting,'” HALA!BIRA!HALA!BIRA! “while guests are partaking your ZUBUchon!….Wow!What a FEAST indeed!
I hope this suggestion tickles your imagination….
uhm… I think “Pigafetta” is a better name than the both Datus. :)
Great location and what a view! How about “Zubuchon alfresco”. It’s outdoor dining, you get to enjoy the fresh air, appreciate the city view. I can just imagine how lovely this place is in the evenings, under the stars on a clear night sky, enjoying with family or friends a spread of great dishes Zubuchon style.
I love the picnic table! I want a smaller one for my lanai! And the chairs are gorgeous! Love the whole rustic look and feel of the deck and dining area MM. As for the name, I prefer Zubu Feast as zubu already has name recall for your zubuchon which in turn is synonymous with fantastic lechon. The other names sound too serious and historical for a hearty feast :) Marketman’s Table is nice too!
…very nice! Will certainly dine there!
I am eagerly awaiting what Lee will come up with!
Connie C. …I live by that philosophy nowadays….with all these disasters left and right, and all these ailments as time goes by, I tend to agree now with a dear Italian old gardener friend of mine who had a bypass surgery a few years ago. When asked about his dietary regimen, he told me that he might as well croak.
And for C: tried to convince my nephew to get in touch with you…I sincerely hope he does one of these days.
…very funny, Footloose!
Artisan’s “MARKETMAN’S TABLE”…very apt…simple yet evokes a scene of Tuscany…w/c was the first thought that entered my mind when I was looking at the photos…Congratulations on your ever-growing endeavours…and giving your tireless crew the chance to be empowered! You are certainly one of a kind!!
somewhere by the steps to the deck entrance I envision a decorative garden pig to welcome the diners…for a touch of whimsy…what do you think?? at night with dramatic lighting, this will just transform into a very elegant outdoor dining space.
How about Paraiso? That was what the place evoked the first time I saw this place (during the airing of AB’s No Reservations Philippines). The place so beautiful, lush and serene (reminds me of San Gimignano in Italy or Provence in France); the food par excellence …….what else do you call that? Or maybe name it in honor of your mom, …..who am sure was such a fine woman to rear a wonderful, renaissance man.
The Pig’s Den. Or maybe Marketman’s Pit. Sorry if it sounds lame. I’m no genius :)
Footloose, good catch. The original vision was a deck made of the same wood as the picnic table, thick planks of mahogany that actually stretched a little bit out and over the drop on the side of the hill. But when the estimates came back, it would cost nearly 6-7x the price of a tiled space, not to mention the problems with termites, so we opted for the lower priced alternative… but we have continued to refer to it as “the deck”… which is a bit funny if you hear a native say it. :) I am kind of amused by the “Pig-a-Fetta” hahaha… The crew have been discussing if some native black pigs should be allowed to roam free near the dining area so that in the evening you might catch a glimpse of one nearby. Or maybe run into one on the way to the bathroom which is 50+ meters away… :)
whaddahick it’s the deck (say this rhyming). Too funny MM when you mentioned how the locals would pronounce it, fell off my chair in stitches. And as Footloose noticed it is technically a patio, so i was trying a word play between patio and lechon but ended up with pantheon. Glorious in Rome but a resting place for the dead in our vernacular and i know you don’t want the place to be seasonal, only used during All souls day? Whoops i’m flying off tangent, anyway i guess what i am trying to say calling it simply “Patio Zubuchon” may be apt.
“DELICIOUS THRILL”
I’ve always liked Artisan’s suggestion: Marketman’s Table. It evokes great food, good taste, attention to detail, and class.
The perils of being Cebuano….I cracked up at “deck.” Must remember to tell P. Pigafetta is too funny!!!! I’m with Artisan, though. It is sort of Chef’s table but different. Appropriate. I would love to join you all on the 25th!
Susie, I once thought to register a company based in Cebu and thought of Chestnut Hill in Boston, where I lived for a few years, so I changed it to Chico Hill, until Mrs. MM axed that and said don’t you remember our brilliant yaya for the toddler who used to recite “Jack and Jell went to Hell…” hahaha. Therefor, Chico Hill would sound “Checo Hell”. :)
I liked Artisan’s suggestion: “Marketman’s Table” – simple but evokes of MM’s impeccable taste. :D
Hi Marketman! I am pure Cebuano. Born and grew up in Cebu, but I have been residing here in Manila for the last 17 years. Still, I consider Cebu as my home and I would always look for reasons so that I would be able to go home and visit. My husband would always joke that maybe I should move back to Cebu and live with my parents instead because if he adds up all the days in a year that I was in Cebu it would probably be more than my days in Manila.
That was until my mama died more than 2 years ago. Suddenly, going home wasn’t appealing anymore. It was just not the same without her. I have rarely gone home ever since. Whereas before I would find reasons to go home, now I would find reasons not to.
You’re all probably wondering where this is going to…..
It’s just that after reading this post, weird as it may sound, I am finally finding a reason why I should look forward going back home to Cebu again.
My mama would always prepare a feast when I was visiting and it would never be complete without a whole lechon that she would order from her suki. That’s one of the things I definitely miss most about her. That’s why going home was never the same because there were no feasts to look forward to anymore…..
But now that you have this place, I would love to go home to Cebu so that I could experience the feast that you will offer. I would very much like to join you on the 25th but unfortunately, I won’t be able to. I will just have to plan my Cebu trip soon.
Thank you Marketman. Thank you for giving me a reason again to go home… :)
(By the way, my vote goes to Marketman’s Table and Zubu Feast. Both short and simple but catchy.)
How about just “ZUBU”?
Hey, this could be as famous or as good as Antonio’s of Tagaytay. Only if you had a Latin sounding name like Chef Tony. Joel’s doesn’t seem right hehehe
I wasn’t going to post anything but Maimai’s post brought tears to my eyes. I like Marketman’s Table too. Now am really looking forward to going home,although it is not until Holy Week 2012. :(. Will definitely reserve an evening with family at your place, MM. Too bad can’t make it to the EB.
The Lipitorium Crestorant.
I like Marketman’s Table. It captures the look and feel of the place (understated, tasteful, outdoor setting) and Marketman’s dining philosophy (fresh and top quality ingredients, well-executed dishes). It is distinctive (Marketman and zubuchon), but is not limiting– it also accommodates whatever other dishes and cuisines might be contemplated in the future.
my vote goes to Zubu Feast !
Marketman’s Table :)
very classy, MM!!! kudos!!! how about, “Fiesta a la MarketManila”?
Definitely “Marketman’s Table”!
Marketman’s Table.
Hi MM. The special event space is a brilliant idea! I was hoping my hubby and I would try your new resto when we were in Cebu in April and May. Tried Corner Table and it was good!
MM, there are a number of cultural references you can draw from that speaks about Cebu’s rich pre-Hispanic history. My suggestions:
Kalipalako – another name Lapu Lapu was known for ;
Babaylan’s Secret – gives tribute to the esteemed position women historically held in Cebu;
Cucina de los Pintados – borrowing from Islas de los Pintados; and
Hara Amihan – the pre-baptismal name of Rajah Humabon’s wife
I’m excited for you and fellow readers who will definitely make this their must-see and must-eats in Cebu!
Before she was Queen Juana, she was proudly Hara Amihan.
Being Humabon’s principal wife, she most probably had a hand in the preparation and food choices.
Amihan’s feast or Amihan’s table would be nice, with subtle reference to the cool
wind that passes through the deck during its (“hanging amihan”)season.
But to have to explain this to all who would ask why it was named this way…… :)
joan, I have a cousin named Amihan, whose brother is named Mulawin… :)
1. Marketman’s fat of the land
2. Marketman’s toast
3. Marketman’s Salute!
what lovely hillside feasts you will be hosting on this deck, MM! i can imagine it looking so perfect in the gloaming.
how about “hillside garden”, seeing how lush the trees and plants around the deck, am sure it’s beautiful especially during night time where you can put tiny lights around.
Is that true MM, you have cousins named Amihan and mulawin???? ;) what about amaya?
All this talk of Zubu around the time of first encounter with the West sent me scurrying back to my copy of Pigafetta’s Voyage of Magellan, Yale 1969. Pigs, whether alive or slaughtered were the present of choice to guests. No mention of Juana’s name before her conversion, no mention of Humabon’s poisoning any of the crew after the Mactan debacle, no one addressed as Datu just Raja, no Kalipalako but Cilapulapu. Ever on the look out for erotic tidbits (can’t blame them, they were sailors out at sea for some time), the women described were as tall and fair as Europeans and invariably walked around barefoot and bare naked. Apparently, they preferred the company of European men whom they assumed stood in readiness at all times. I do not know how Pigafetta found this out but the native men he noted, universally sported Prince Alberts. Ouch.
There’s a restaurant in Cebu called The Corner Table… so Marketman’s Table (however appropriate and classy it sounds) could get a tad confusing for others…
I like the idea of Amihan’s feast though… the story behind the name could make for an interesting dinner conversation…
Footloose, can you please explain what you mean by “but the native men he noted, universally sported Prince Alberts”?
How about “pranzo all’aperto” for dining or eating outdoors?… too italian? “mercado de la mesa” for market’s table?… “tabla de cerdo”? too spanish? Zubu peak or Zubu’s peak? Then your tag line would be, “Marketman takes it outside!” haha, just goes to show how lacking I am in the creativeness department not to mention foreign language deficient.
P.S. I also love the simplicity or Marketman’s Table. :)
Looks lovely! All the best to you! Perhaps I should recommend my husband for your grillman, a graduate of ICE in NYC and loves to grill. We hang out with foodie friends and exchange food notes from all over the world. I follow your site all the time.
Pinkytab…I don’t know if you’ve noticed but in some shows or books about native men? sporting their attire like G-string, their —–stood at attention underneath their G-string. Now, waaaaay back then Prince Albert is noted for piercing his same apparatus to make it stand at attention likewise!…now, that is the ultimate AAAARRRRRRRRAAAAAY!
I think this is what Footloose meant but then again, I could be mistaken…sorry, Footloose!
I like Marketman’s Table but we already have Bruce Lim’s Chef’s Table and the Corner Table… a case of too many tables? Marketman’s Feast sounds good…
Maybe Salu-Salo (Gej’s suggestion) sa Hardin….Bon Manger (translation …good eating!) …too Frenchie?…or what is good eating in Cebuano?
hi MM! as to your search for brick oven, check out JY firebricks. (i guess you can google him). we bought a couple of his smokeless kalans for our farm this summer, as bringing in an LPG tank for the stove us too heavy a burden, as the nearest city is 2 hours away! I think he makes ovens too, and he can customize them as well. :) and i do love your space. maybe you can eventually hold events/classes there like what they do in sunday-suppers.com
as for the name of your area, here are some suggestions off the top of my head:
The Lechon Workshop or Zubu Workshop (since it’s where you make the lechon)
The Weekend Table (Because eating there is reminiscent of family lunches on the weekends, where everyone comes together)
:)
Philippine Royals
Fiesta Datu
so lovely! you never run out of surprises, MM!
still laughing over “Jack and Jell”….! Marketman’s Table is my choice.. Pig-a-fetta is cute and smart, but that and other “historical”references will mean that you and the Crew will forever be plagued with questions about the name (who is Pigadetta? Lapulapu? etc.) Zubu Feast is fine, but please, nothing with “Fiesta” on it..sounds too much like kare-kare, bulalo..you get the drift…
ZUBU hidden paradise
“Feast” might get pronounced as “fes”…. ;-p
Beautiful spot! I just tried your Zubuchon. Ans now I can say for myself that it is GOOD! I am from Cagayan de Oro, and a self-confessed lechon snob (my favorite is this lechon from our hometown). This Zubuchon is really good too!
Beautiful spot! I just tried your Zubuchon. Ans now I can say for myself that it is GOOD! I am from Cagayan de Oro, and a self-confessed lechon snob (my favorite is this lechon from our hometown). This Zubuchon is really good too!
How about : ” La Table de Joel Zubochon.” ;-)
Sorry, I can’t help it. :) Been on lurker mode for a while. I’d love to try it out if I make it to Cebu next time I’m home. Good luck on the new business venture.
first off, hat’s off to you MM and your crew for going the extra mile for C! that shows how big of a heart you have for doing such. no wonder you’re blessed!!
my vote also goes to: marketman’s table.
still chuckling over that ‘jack and jell’……
Love this! The best ambiance for great food is always a natural setting – doesn’t it always feel like you can eat a horse when eating in a farm setting or a backyard setting in provinces? How about “MarketMan’s Mesa” instead of table?
How about “La Antre” french for “The Den”… Since this is a place where Zubochon rules…
Zubuchon Al Fresco?
I bet you lechon connoisseurs will be drawn to the place like pigs to the trough if you name it The Jerk Magnet. Drawback is anyone with a passing acquaintance with Jamaica will think jerk pork is the specialty.
I meant “La Table de Joel Zubuchon.”
It’s early in the morning and some of your suggestions are just seriously cracking me up… I love them. benchorizo, I am particularly amused… :) Footloose, too funny, but outsiders wouldn’t get it… ML, good one.
Marketman’s D*CK…
Jack and JELL went up the HELL…
CHECO HELL…
You guys have made my day! I just gave birth last saturday and the comments are making my stitches bust at the seams!!! :)
The scene is so beautiful and relaxing. Someday I will visit there.
Btw MM, there is a Yahoo! group dedicated solely to brick ovens, free plans and other tips from owners. I am absolutely waiting for the posts about that particular project of yours.
Have a nice day :)
”Lakan Busan’s Pig Roast Festival”. (Lakan Busan: A king in Mandaue in the Pre-hispanic era.)
”Lakan Busan’s Pig Roast Festival”. (Lakan Busan: A king in Mandaue in the Pre-hispanic era.)
another option would be L’Atelier de Joël Zubuchon. :)
Very nice! I like MM’ s Table too. Marketman’s Lamesa (Cebuano for table) perhaps?
I like the apron of you Crew MM, will that be for sale as a merchandise along with shirt printed with zubuchon logo for your new restaurant :)…. I’m sure it will be a hit !
Junb, yes, they will have aprons and t-shirts at the restaurants… :)
We have a place here in Pateros called Chico garden. Which is not really a garden but a big lot that have many Chico trees (though I think not as many as before) that doubles as “bitawan ng manok” and inuman. :)
VERY NICE, MM! I HAVE TABLES LIKE THAT. I USED DISTRESSED WOOD GATHERED FROM VERY OLD HOUSES. EVERY TIME I HEAR OF AN OLD HOUSE TO BE DEMOLISHED, I’M ALL EXCITED TO COLLECT THE “CHARACTERED” WOOD FOR LONG TABLES, SHORTER ONES AND ROUND ONES. RUSTIC, ALMOST CRUDE! OIL LAMPS (SALT, OIL, A COTTON-WRAPPED-STICK FOR A WICK) ON THEM MAKE FOR ROMANTIC EVENINGS … “LONG TABLE/S” by MARKETMAN/ZUBUCHON?
I had earlier voted for Marketman’s Table, but after reading that there’s The Corner Table and Bruce Lim’s Chef’s Table, I am reconsidering. Like #72 millet, I am not too keen on pre-Hispanic references because that is not what this blog is about, and most of us have come to know Marketman via his passion for food/produce/travel, not some datu that waged battle with Magellan. And if Chico Hill can turn into Checo Hell, try making people pronounce “L’atelier de Joel Zubuchon.” Also, no “fiesta” in the name, please.
Zubu would be perfect (short, evocative of your lechon, yet also not limiting as it does not conjure up images of a particular cuisine), but then there’s Cibo and Bizu and consequently the likelihood of confusion. I think Zubuchon Alfresco and Marketman’s Lamesa (not mesa because, again, it could be mispronounced as “misa”) have potential. These two are growing on me actually.
Artisan’s suggestion is nice .. i’ll go for ‘Marketman’s Table’ ….. thank you MM .. will be looking forward to visiting your place .. soon i hope … :D wish you all the best !
how about “Z” or how about “Capitol” …I am really looking forward to eating here do make the announcement as soon as you can so I could make an culinary tour of Cebu while I am there…excited
Asotea de Zubu/Zubuchon?
I also like Marketman’s Table but i think its too long. how about simply, D’ Table (by Marketman)
Let me thank you again, MM and crew, for a most memorable evening of very good lechon and other Filipino dishes. The place and the night view is fantastic and a perfect place for family get togethers. I especially appreciate how you guys made this possible for me and my family. It was my first out of town flight after my kidney transplant 4 months ago and indeed, the dinner you prepared was a great way to celebrate life and being togther with my family. As I was enjoying myself biting into the crisp skin of the freshly cooked zubuchon, I was mentally talking with my Dad, who passed away less than a month ago, and telling him that I am enjoying the lechon for him. He loved lechon and he always asks for lechon whenever we celebrate. So, I can really empathize with Mamai and I wish her well for her upcoming Cebu homecoming.
As for the name, it has to be short and catchy – how about Marketman’s Place or MM’s Zubu Feast? As I mentioned to Joan and the rest of your crew, magaling akong buena mano, :) so I am sure this new dining venture and your two restaurants would be great successes!!!
Hi Ms. Betty, will watch out for your nephew’s email. I have been praying for him since you mentioned him to me. I read in one of the comments that you have been sick – I hope it is nothing serious and that you are feeling better now. Do let me know when I can send you the palayok for the tulingan :)…
how about Zubu Eats?
Hi Marketman! I’ve only been recently introduced to your blog and I just need to tell you how awesome I think it is! I’m in the country for a combined vacation-slash-business, but I make it a point to check your blog regularly as it simultaneously provides me with information and entertainment. Your writing style alone is so well-thought out and filled to the brim with tidbits and adjectives while still getting your point across, that I am tempted to ask whether you go through several drafts when creating your posts or if it all just comes out of you naturally? (In which case if it’s the latter, I am now in eternal awe of you and am symbolically worshipping the ground you walk on…)
That being said, my 2 cents for the name of your outdoor space…maybe “LaMMesa,” with the two M’s to represent you? My vote is still for “Marketman’s Table” – simple, classic, and it evokes something familiar and homey.
I wish I can get the opportunity to dine at any of your soon-to-open fine restaurants, or perhaps attend a lechon eyeball!
Thank you, Marketman! Keep on writing!
Hi MM,
You built yourself a really lovely outdoor venue. It’s absolutely gorgeous!
If I can share my thoughts on the name, I personally think the most striking part about the venue is its location. Private, and lush with greeneries. I would love to hold dinner or small parties there (if I can afford it, haha). In my opinion, the name should try to ‘sell’ this factor. I can’t help but think along the line of ‘Secret Garden’. Maybe ‘Privy Grove’ ?
Cool it’s like a local hard rock cafe that sells shirt and other stuff :) ….zubuchon will soon to be a popular brand not only in cebu but in the world :)….”the best pig ever”
Let me know MM if you are open for franchise :) ….I’ll open one here in Singapore :)
Oh, how lovely. I am dying to go there someday.
point taken that there are already dining places named with “table” but Marketman’s Table has that distinct mark of marketman and marketmanila…….it sounds so right :) so my vote goes to artisan’s suggestion.
Hi, MM! Your blog continues to amaze me…My two cents’s worth vote on your new place’s name: Marketman’s Table. Why? Marketman’s Lamesa or Mesa is not a parallel construction, as Marketman is English and la mesa and mesa are Spanish terms and such pairings don’t sound natural. Marketman’s Table is folksy, homey, evokes the familiar and the every day and as romanticnomad opined the name is classic. Read: The Man goes to the Market, cooks in the Kitchen and serves his dish on the Table. I bet this contest will be won by Marketman’s Table :-)
Congratulations on your new venture!
hmm.. a name for the space? how about “Hapag” (for hapag-kainan?) .The place resounds of humbleness and simplicity which makes it sooo beautiful! Congratulations again!
Perhaps you should bring back Circe’s magic “Aeaeae” from September 25, 2008.
Footloose, egads, I can’t believe your recall of particular posts on the blog… I completely forgot about Aeaeae or Circe. Both would be interesting names. The first simply cannot be pronounced by locals I think… :)
We are planning a trip to Cebu in July with some relatives from the US. How can I contact you to get more details and to see if we can make reservations for a private party? Thanks!
Michelle, Zubuchon can be reached at 032-236-5264 for inquiries and reservations. Thanks.
MM, having just arrived from Europe, my vote goes to L’ Table de Joel Zubuchon, very very amusing. But alas, very Westernized. Maybe L’ Mesa ni Joel Zubuchon? My brain juices have run dry though due to jetlag so no suggestions from me. Great idea. I would love to book it in the future. I will tell all my relatives in Cebu about it!
Cuisinero perhaps? To portray a Pinoy cook serving refined dishes?
I vote for Marketman’s Table or Hapag Kainan. Good on yah MM?
Mesa de Zubuchon or meZa or Alta de Zubuchon haha
It was truly a “Dining Experience”! First hand at that! From the moment we stepped in that magical promontory, not knowing what to expect, to the table setting, the mood lights, the appetizers, to the LECHON! I have never been to cholesterol heaven and back, and if I had stayed in Heaven…I would have a smile on my face. Our hats off to you MarketMan, you are truly inspiring. And Market Manila should be ‘LIVE in Manila!’.