Lemon Grass — Restaurant in Cebu City

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Lemongrass, situated in the vibrant Ayala Center of Cebu's business park, offers a mixed experience of flavors and ambiance. Ambiance (⭐⭐⭐): The restaurant boasts a view overlooking Ayana's beautifully landscaped surroundings, accompanied by lively music. However, despite the picturesque setting, I opted to sit outside due to the overwhelming smells inside. The bustling atmosphere, while not bothersome to others, might not be for everyone. Service (⭐⭐⭐⭐): Service at Lemongrass stands out as a highlight. The staff provided good service, and the food was served promptly, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. Food (⭐⭐⭐): Now, let's delve into the dishes. I started with Banh xeo, which turned out to be an omelette of epic proportions. Described as a crepe on the menu, it surprised me with its size. The taste, however, did not disappoint. It was super flavorful and delicious, even if not what I expected in terms of traditional accoutrements. For dessert, I ordered mango sticky rice. Unfortunately, the mango was overripe, and while the rice was sticky, the overall flavor was disappointing. It was edible but not something I would reorder. Price/Value (⭐⭐⭐): Considering the mixed experience, the price seemed reasonable. The exceptional Banh xeo balanced out the underwhelming mango sticky rice, earning it a 3-star rating in terms of value. Tips for Travelers: For fellow travelers, Lemongrass offers a mixed bag of experiences. If you can handle the crowded atmosphere and are a fan of oversized, flavorful omelettes, definitely give Banh xeo a try. However, be cautious with your dessert choices. Conclusion: Lemongrass in Cebu's Ayala Center provides a dining experience with its ups and downs. While the restaurant excels in service and offers a picturesque view, the overpowering smells inside and the hit-or-miss nature of the food make it a mixed choice. Visit for the omelette, but approach the dessert menu...

EDIT: Reserved a table here for a big group dinner and it was one of the worst dining experiences I had. Their air conditioning was broken for the whole resto, we waited 30 minutes for the food to be served (some tables waited so much less!), they kept forgetting to serve cutlery for the food (we ordered soup but they didnt give a ladle and bowls!), and we were often ignored by servers since it would take so long for them to come to our table! Since it was a birthday, we kept our cake in their kitchen and requested it to be kept there until it was to be served. Most places would stick the candle, light it up, and sing happy birthday. But this place sliced it up unceremoniously and served it in the box— we didn't even get to see the message.

Really disappointed since the food is still good but the customer service here was hard to ignore.

I ordered the fish fillet with lemongrass glaze and iced Vietnamese coffee. The Vietnamese coffee was not too sweet, highly recommended. I was informed that they had no fish fillet so they had to serve a whole fish. Kinda a bummer, considering the menu said it was a fish fillet.

Service was fine. Serving time took nearly 10-15 minutes to serve the fish. Servers were generally friendly, but I noticed preferential treatment towards certain customers.

Restrooms were clean— very important!

Overall, great food. Great ambiance. Probably needs improvement with...

I finished my classes earlier than expected, so I had the opportunity to have lunch here. The atmosphere is pleasant, cozy, and has a touch of Vietnamese culture. The staff is friendly and approachable, which is a nice touch. Although the sweet and sour fish was too sweet for my taste, I would rate it a 4 out of 10. I had ordered the beef red curry, but they served me the seafood red curry instead. I didn't complain as I understand mistakes can happen, but I wasn't a fan of the pineapple in the curry. Overall, I would rate it a 6 out of 10. On the other hand, the yum nua or Thai beef salad was excellent and deserving of a solid 9. I enjoy the combination of nutritious greens, their tanginess, and the depth of flavor. The only issue is that the salad is saturated in sauce, which makes it difficult to eat cleanly.

If you don't mind spending money, this place is perfect for you since they offer small portions at a higher price than other restaurants I've visited. The portion size is small relative to the price. A dish meant for two people is not enough for two individuals but then the meals are prepared well, served fresh and presented beautifully, so even though I didn't love the food, I would still rate...