Phát Phó® - Ayala Central Bloc — Restaurant in Cebu City

UPDATE as of May 2025: New management as of a few weeks ago, and all the staff seem happier, rocking and awesome! They have eyes scanning the room at all times, quick service, cleanliness, and consideration for every move they're making. This is a rockstar staff and location now! It's amazing what can happen when management is capable and friendly. This reminds me of the old Abaca customer service standards, pre-pandemic. Shrinkflation is still real but at least the service is great!

Previous review from 8 months prior: I want to love this location, but the service isn't up to the pre-pandemic Abaca levels. While they're nice and some of them smile a lot, they don't anticipate needs or prioritize requests amongst the multiple tables/customers very well. Abaca restaurants are known for service which has always made up for the shrinking portion sizes since 2020, but this is a disappointment.

The food and seating (number of seats, layout, etc. as compared to Crossroads) is good, even if the portions are getting small. Also, the pre-made Vietnamese iced coffee is pretty awful and it tastes like cold 3-in-1 instant powder; they should go back to freshly made instead. Stop cutting...

We had an amazing dinner at Phat Pho yesterday, July 22, 2023. The food was fantastic, but the service was truly outstanding!

It was my first time dining at Phat Pho, and I wasn’t sure about the portion sizes. To my surprise, our waiter went above and beyond by bringing out sample bowls to help us decide. I was also pleasantly surprised when he asked if we had any food allergies. Fortunately, we didn’t, but I really appreciated the consideration—it was the first time I personally heard a server ask that. He was incredibly accommodating and professional. I’m just sad I didn’t catch his name to give him a special mention here.

I also want to highlight how helpful the staff was with our request to split the bill. My friends and I were paying separately with our credit cards, and they handled it perfectly.

Given the exceptional service, I was ready to leave a generous tip, but I noticed a service charge was already included. This is one of the few times I can say the service charge was truly...

I had a somewhat mixed experience at Phat Pho. The food tasted great, but unfortunately, many dishes contained shrimp, to which I’m allergic. Additionally, as someone not into leafy food, the menu options were limited for my taste. The prices were also on the higher side, which was a bit disappointing.

On a positive note, the location of Phat Pho is excellent, being situated in Ayala Central Bloc, right at the center with easy access for those working in nearby BPO companies. The ambiance and surroundings were quite pleasant.

The highlight of my visit was the attentive and considerate staff. They were mindful of our preferences, reminding us to enjoy our Pho Bo while it was warm. Their service certainly left a positive impression.

Overall, if you enjoy shrimp and leafy dishes, Phat Pho could be a perfect spot for you. But for those with allergies or specific taste preferences, it might be worth checking the...