Hukad

When in Cebu, I always make it a point to eat at my favorite restaurants namely Golden Cowrie and Sunburst Chicken. So when I heard that Golden Cowrie has opened a new branch at the Ayala Terraces Cebu with a different name, I was excited to try it.




Called Hukad by Golden Cowrie, the restaurant has a modern vibe yet it has managed to infuse into its decor certain Cebu characteristics. Getting a table was by no means an easy feat. When we got there, we were informed that there was to be a waiting period. Humidity and the stifling heat was what almost turned us away from dining at Hukad. Eventually we did get a table but it was to be outside the air conditioned area. Hungry as we were, we decided to take the table. Before we were even able to settle ourselves, another vacant table nearer to the open area presented itself so we just decided to transfer there with the hopes that the heavens would take mercy on us and blow us a huge gust of wind to take away the sweaty feeling.

Usually, when I like a restaurant, I tend to order the same item(s) over and over and over again so this time it was no exception. Except for the Pinakbet (or mixed vegetables), everything else was what I usually order at Golden Cowrie:




Dinuguan or Pork Blood Stew. This name may sound and look icky (specially if you're an INC member!) but this is actually delicious. Flavorful and goes very well with plain rice


Gising-Gising. A combination of pork, yardlong beans (i think) and coconut milk. This would have been even better if it were made a bit more spicy. For people who are lactate-intolerant, please think twice about taking this dish


Sisig. Made from pig's snout, ears and kidney. Sizzingly good (even if I was able to try the best Sisig in Pampanga a few weeks ago). I would rate this as 4 out of 5.


Pinakbet or Meat-Vegetable Stew. Didn't touch this so can't say much about it.


Crispy Pata or Crispy Pork Leg. This was supposed to be the piece-de-resistance but it turned out to be more like piece-of-trash (I'm being too harsh as we did finish eating it!). First of all, it wasn't crispy enough so that was the biggest disappointment. Second, the taste of the meat was a bit bland. I try to avoid eating anything fatty or unhealthy but I always make an exception if its Crispy Pata we're talking about so to be presented with something that is less than excellent is a real let-down. (Luckily, that night, a friend of my friend brought me to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant/bar called Alejandro where the Crispy Pata was superbly done!)

Overall, the restaurant was not that bad...good ambience and lots of people proving that Golden Cowrie is one good restaurant to go to. But, I'd still stick to my old Golden Cowrie located at Salinas Drive. As they say, the original is always better (not always though)