By Chef Ed Dychauco
Pots and Pans
TUCKED in one of the newest and hippest places in town is an unpretentious but sophisticated joint in the "uptown" area of the city. A place where one can enjoy the simple yet elegant ambiance with delectable and appetizing foods. A place where one can just truly sit and dine without being stressed, communicate without being bothered by the outside world, hang around and idle away the hours.
Alfon's Grill KTV Bar and Restaurant was opened last March 2007 by Mr. Alfon Catarman. Originally from Bontoc, Southern Leyte, Alfon is quite familiar with the city of Golden Friendship since he has been here a few times visiting relatives. It was during one of those visits that he was introduced to his future bride, Dr. Brenda Grace Gonzales, an anesthesiologist.
With a Bachelor in Elementary Education from Divine Word College of Tacloban, Alfon decided to pursue another course, this time finishing BS in Marine Transportation. While waiting for his initial trip, Alfon decided to apply and work as a kitchen helper in a restaurant in Manila named My Place, which was frequently visited by actors like Jimmy Santos, Herbert Bautista, Larry Mumar and many others. Incidentally, he comes from a family of cooks. His grandma used to own a restaurant in Leyte, and his father and sister are also good cooks.
Having traveled the world for ten years in worldwide cargo ships, he was able to hone his cooking skills with international cooks and chefs aboard during his free time. There, he was exposed to food preparation, cooking and even food presentation.
Eventually, Alfon got married and decided to stay put and since he wanted to put up a business, it was not a surprise to see him open his own restaurant.
Celebrating their first anniversary last March, Alfon's Grill continues to serve good foods to the public. Sellable items include their juicy grilled Pork Ribs, Chicken and Pork Barbeques, Sizzling Squid and Gambas, Kinilaw and Calamares. I personally liked the Petchay-wrapped Fish in Gata and the Korean Barbeque with Mongo Sprouts. One should also try their Tropical Fruit Salad with Latik - a refreshing mix of fresh fruits that is drizzled with homemade sweetened coconut sauce. For the budget conscious, they also offer budget meals at P75 only!
Aside from the mouth-watering food, they also serve refreshing and thirst quenching drinks, shakes and cocktails. Mr. Naren Lavictoria, a seasoned bartender who had won several competitions in bartending and cocktail mixing does this job with gusto. Most requested cocktails include: Margarita, B52 (a flaming drink...this I still have to see and try!), Tequila Sunrise and their very own concoction, Alfon's Cocktail.
The too well equipped KTV bar is just beside the restaurant and has a very good, if not excellent state-of-the-art sound system. I have tried it myself and was astounded and amazed at the acoustics!
It can accommodate about five to ten people comfortably. They charge P500 (consumable) for the first hour and P200 per hour thereafter. Truly a place to enjoy and sing your heart out till the wee hours!
With two other establishments inside Stonestone and Alfon's Grill, they also offer live acoustic music on weekends from 9 p.m. to midnight. Customers can delight in the air-conditioned room or al-fresco while enjoying their foods and drinks.
Well-known celebrities like Martin Nievera, Bayani Agbayani, Rowell Santiago and Andrea del Rosario have visited the place and I hear they sincerely liked the place because here, they can be "themselves" without being bothered while enjoying their foods or drinks.
Alfon's Grill, KTV Bar and Restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. then 4 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and until 1 a.m. on weekends. It is conveniently located inside Stonestown, Upper Carmen (next to Xavier Square), Cagayan de Oro City.
They are open for private parties and meetings. For reservations, they can be reached at (088) 859-2334.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2008/07/03/life/alfon.s.grill.(ktv.bar.and.restaurant).html
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