Patsitivity's Palate: The most expensive dinner I paid for

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On a normal day, I spend Php 100 ($2) for lunch and dinner. Yup, Php 100 pesos only! You might be wondering how I manage to budget that amount. Well, I can spend more if I want to; it’s not like I couldn’t afford it. But if spending more means getting a large cheeseburger with fries in Jollibee for lunch and a deep-fried chicken with spaghetti in McDonald's for dinner, I’d rather eat at a lowkey restaurant (or what we call carenderia) and be able to pick two (2) vegetable viands and one (1) main course (either pork or chicken) and a half cup of rice. I further divide all viands as well as the rice into two, I end up eating ¼ cup of rice, 2 half servings of two (2) vegetable viands, and half a portion of chicken or pork. One will be served during lunch and the other half at dinner. I’ve lost around 14 kgs since I started my wellness program in 2018. Maintaining and adopting a healthy lifestyle for four years was the hardest part. If you’re following, I’m just trying to hit two birds with one stone. 😉

Most days, I spend $2 for both lunch and dinner, but at times, when I feel like spending more and rewarding myself, I spend Php 2,500 ($46) for dinner alone.

What happened? Here goes!

Long story short, we got our annual performance bonus; for higher ranking personnel we usually get more. We weren’t expecting the bonus so when I saw my bank account ballooned for the first time in a very long time, I was too happy that I immediately told my boyfriend that I’ll be buying dinner at this expensive restaurant I wanted to visit a long time ago. Let’s be honest, I’m too frugal that I always live as if I have no money. 😅 Lol! Most of the time, I equate eating expensive food with wasting money. So I rarely go out for dinner or lunch on my own. Why does this blog sound like personal finance content? Haha! Let’s go back on track!

Let's skip to the good part!

My boyfriend picked me up in the office and we arrived in Circa 1900 just in time for dinner. I was filled with an uncanny excitement when we got the menu from the waiter and for the first time, I didn’t look at the price and just ordered what I want to eat. I didn’t tell the waiter to bring the most expensive food/drink on their menu tho. Lol! But I definitely believe that ain’t too impossible from happening soon. 😉

After careful deliberation, here are what we ordered with their corresponding prices:

Gambas and Calamari Ajillo [Php 340 or $6.2]
_{shrimp, squid and chorizo sauteed in olive oil, garlic, onions, and tomato served with grilled focaccia bread}

This appetizer tasted weird at first but the more I tried it, the more I fell for its sourish finish in my mouth. It did its job to pump up my salivate and bring my appetite to the next level, ready for the main dish of the night!

Pork Tenderloin and Marble Potato Gratin [Php 495 or $9]
_{brined pork tenderloin served with mushroom gravy and potato with melted cheese}

My boyfriend ordered the pork tenderloin with marble potato gratin. The pork tenderloin wasn't something I couldn't forget but the potato with melted cheese was to die for.

BBQ Ribs in Tangy Barbecue Sauce Solo [Php 695 or $ 12.64]
_{slow cooked pork ribs marinated in spice rub served with grilled corn and potato wedges}

For my main dish, I ordered their solo barbecue ribs. I was expecting a smaller serving because their menu mentioned solo but when they served it, I was shocked that it was too big for a single person to consume on her own. It fell off the bones just how I liked ribs to be. I loved the sauce although I'd honestly say it's not the best among those I've tried before. Still, definitely worth a try!

Grilled Chicken and Chorizo Pizza [Php 425 or $ 7.73]

We didn't think that we'd be full with the main dishes we ordered so we had pizza, too! In the end, we weren't able to finish everything. We had it packed to bring home.

Kombucha [Php 110 or $2] and Mango Shake [Php 165 or $3]

For our drinks, my boyfriend wanted to try their Kombucha while I went for the safe option, Mango Shake.

Fresh watermelon juice [ Php 120 or $2.12]

Okay, please don't judge why I ordered another juice haha but I couldn't really recall why I ordered another one when in fact, I was already very full! Lol! 😂

Bohol Bee Farm Ube Ice cream [Php 60 or $1.1]

When I heard that they were serving Bohol Bee Farm's ube (purple yam) ice cream (my favorite ice cream), I ordered a scoop of it without thinking twice. If you're in Cebu or in Bohol, don't forget to grab a scoop or a whole pint of this ice cream! You'll love it's creamy and not-so-sweet taste.

A fancy restaurant in an ancestral house

And just when you thought today's gastronomical tour is over, you're wrong! Aside from the fancy and expensive food offered in Cicada by Circa 1900, there's another feature of the restaurant that's attracting more and more customers and that's none other than, the restaurant itself.

The restaurant is located right on the heart of the city but because it's a few meters away from the main road, it gives you the feeling of serenity as if you're away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

The restaurant is inside an ancestral home that turned into a business. We didn't make a reservation; when we arrived all seats inside were taken so we ate on the patio. It was less elegant there but we didn't make any reservation so there's no room to complain.

This is what it looks like inside the restaurant. We were the last ones to leave; they were done cleaning and arranging, and as you can see they were ready to call it a day. The first thing I noted when we got here was the elegance that almost goes hand-in-hand with any wooden ancestral house. Much of the space is filled with heavy wooden furniture and fixtures in contrasting colors and with the dim warm light in strategic locations, you'll fall with the simplistic elegance of this place. And those vintage tiles seal the package!

There's this attention-grabbing elaborate staircase that leads to the second floor of the ancestral house.

This is the main entrance of the restaurant. Look at those huge pillars/columns that supports the entire structure!

After our dinner, we thought we could use a few minutes of walking (to help with digesting what we just ate haha). We roamed around the property and realized that it's huge. Here are more photos:

There's an events place right beside the main entrance. In fact, there was a wedding reception there that night.

Beside the open space for events is a swimming pool and garden.

More spaces for events.

There was other ancestral house just across Cicada/Circa 1900.

More photos of Cicada/Circa 1900:

I'm not planning to pay $46 for another dinner soon haha 😅 But in life, we have to try the good things every now and then. Reward yourself for doing great work day in, day out. Rewards might come in different forms; it doesn't matter as long as you give yourself that pat on the back for a job well done. As for me, I was blessed that I got to eat in this fancy restaurant at least once in my life.

I hope you enjoyed it! How about you? What rewards do you give yourself for working so hard?

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Patsitivity _{Living life intentionally every single day, she believes that there’s no limit to one’s potentials. Right now, she’s on the loose for the pursuit of endless holistic self-growth and development. She wants to light the way for others. She believes there’s no better way to leave a legacy than to pay it forward.
Her ultimate goal in life is to reach the state of enlightenment where there’s nothing but peace, love, happiness, and contentment - nothing more, nothing less.
If you are captivated by what this girl just wrote here, an upvote is pretty appreciated. Follow her as she tells her stories full of positivities. The next story might be for you! ❤️}