Tales and Feelings — Restaurant in Cebu City

We recently had our 5-course dinner At Tales and Feelings, and it was the best!

We got squeezed in last minute on their February 14, 8 pm dinner thanks to Julian. Their courses were precisely crafted for you not to get full and appreciate the dishes as it is. The canapés were opulent. It was our first time trying an air-flown live French Fine De Claire Oysters, the oyster was easy to chuckle in and tasted sweeter, smoother and fruitier compared to our local oysters (talaba).

I also love the Hamachi mosaic, if I’m not mistaken, the raw Hamachi was cured with yogurt and let me tell you, the taste was sweet heavenly!

My partner loved our second course, the poached grouper drenched in caviar butter emulsion. She doesn’t normally like fish yet it was the dish that she cannot stop talking about even on our way home. She still cannot forget how the poached grouper tasted so creamy and it had the citrusy, lemon caviar spread all over it.

The main course simply melted in my mouth. I readily dived in their beef short-rib with grilled corn and young corn. In short, the short-rib was the star of the main course. I don’t know how to put into words how I felt at that exact moment tasting the 36-hour slow cooked beef short-rib. Delicious? Soft? Juicy? This is not enough to describe the main dish. I suggest that you go there to try. Nevertheless, I was not able to finish the mashed potato as I was already satisfied with the beef short-rib paired with the grilled corn and young corn.

The dessert was also full of flavors it had strawberry, 54% chocolate, mint, and their homemade vanilla ice cream to be mixed in after having the dessert pictures taken. The strawberry was substantial and it satisfied the strawberry and chocolate lovers in us. It was the best way to close our 5-course meal.

Thanks for having...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Tales and Feeling in Cebu City, Philippines—a cozy restaurant where Julian, the owner, brings his personal interpretation of Western cuisine with Asian influences. The atmosphere was warm and intimate, and Julian’s attention to detail truly elevated the experience.

We started with two amazing dishes: the Foie Gras, rich and buttery, and the Korean Fried Broccolini, crispy and full of flavor with a sweet-savory glaze.

For the main courses, the Truffle Pasta was indulgent and creamy, with an earthy truffle flavor that really stood out. The St. Helena Ribeye Steak, served with chimichurri, mushrooms, braised tomatoes, and onions, was another standout—perfectly cooked and packed with rich, savory flavors, complemented by the freshness of the chimichurri and tender vegetables. The Gensan Tuna, seared to perfection, was complemented by a creamy dill sauce and tangy pickled ginger, adding a fresh, vibrant kick to the dish.

For dessert, we enjoyed a playful Twist on the Banana Split, with caramelized French Toast adding a delightful crunch, alongside a rich Chocolate Mousse.

The wine pairings were fantastic: a crisp Chassagne-Montrachet Chardonnay from Paul Pillot complemented the richness of the pasta and foie gras, while the bold and complex Unico Vega Sicilia 2009 perfectly paired with the ribeye steak and tuna, adding layers of depth and sophistication to the meal.

To top it all off, they surprised us with a 10th Anniversary inscription on one of our desserts, adding a personal touch that made the evening even more special.

In short, Tales and Feeling offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience in Cebu City, blending Western techniques with Asian flavors in a cozy and intimate setting. I can’t wait to come back! Highly...

My wife and I have been dining here since the very beginning. When they first opened years ago, we found out about this hole in the wall restaurant through a post from social media. As an avid foodie, we immediately made plans and reserved for a table for 2 (we were still dating back then). From the moment we entered the restaurant, we were warmly greeted by the staff and owner of the restaurant and showed us to our table. They gladly explained everything that was on their menu and even after the dish was served, they’ll explain and teach you how to properly eat it as well. Not only food but they have a wide range of wine selections to choose from as well. The owner being a wine lover/aficionado like myself will gladly recommend you a wine to pair with your meal. From bottles, to glasses, or a tasting menu, you name it. Tales and Feelings has been a very big part of our lives. We’ve been frequenting this place since then. We’ve celebrated valentine’s, birthdays, anniversaries, are very much a few of the times we’ve dined to this place. They’ve even been a big part of our wedding as well, since we chose them to cater to our cocktail reception. Up until now their food and especially their customer service has been exceptional and consistent. One thing that’s great about them is that they occasionaly add new dishes to their menu so that there would be more varieties to choose from. They never stop exploring different flavors. Everytime they have a tasting or special dinner, we take our time to attend and join because everytime we go, there’s always something interesting and magical. They never stop surprising you with what flavors they can curate.

In behalf of my wife and I. We highly recommend Tales and Feeling to...