A Very Ordinary Cafe Laguna

People dine out in order to experience culinary dishes they cannot create or cannot duplicate at home. A restaurant should either offer something very unique – dishes that the customer does not usually have at home – or add something very special to already familiar dishes.

That’s why I was surprised when the dishes I had in Cebu’s Cafe Laguna Filipino Restaurant were very ordinary.

I’ve eaten in Cafe Laguna previously and I do not have any memory of eating a bad dish there. But strangely enough, except for one dish that I enjoyed – their Boulibase, I do not remember any dish that stood out.

I had the Baked Tahong (mussels), the Tangigue (mackerel) Steak, and the Lumpiang Sariwa (fresh lumpia) for dinner. Although I was definitely full after my meal, it felt just like I was just eating the usual pedestrian Filipino dishes at home.

I’ve tasted better Baked Tahong in other restaurants. It seemed like Cafe Laguna just mixed the cheese with the mussels without adding other ingredients to liven up the taste.

baked mussels

The Tangigue Steak was passable. I liked how the sauce had an abundance of garlic sprinkled on it. But it still lacked that distinctive taste that should differentiate it from what can be concocted at home.

tangigue steak

I’ve heard accolades on Cafe Laguna’s Lumpiang Sariwa. Unfortunately, I was not able to find anything special about it.

fresh lumpia

To its credit, the Cafe Laguna ambiance was very warm and comfortable. I felt very welcome and at ease dining in the restaurant. If only the food can match these interiors.

Cafe Laguna food prices range from P100 to P300.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for excellent and affordable Filipino dishes in Cebu, I suggest you try other Filipino restaurants.

Cafe Laguna restaurants are located at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu and at the SM City Cebu.