A Surreal Step Back in Time at Circa 1900

Food satisfies a hungry being, while history satisfies a longing soul. With that, let me take you to a trip down memory lane.

In the heart of Cebu, the city that draws visitors for its remarkable history and architecture, sits Circa 1900, a representation of an ideal union of the old city and contemporary design. As the first island settled by the Spaniards, Cebu’s local cuisine shares deep roots of Spanish influence, thus making it as one of the richest and most delectable in the country.

For the history buffs, I present one of the best places to get good grub the next time you’re in Cebu. Whether if you’re on vacation or just passing by, you cannot afford to miss this place.

Being under the Spanish rule for more than 300 years, almost every town or city in the Philippines has architectural gems. While most have been sold off, deeply neglected and are already in ruins, this colonial house has thankfully survived through the centuries and is still intact and relatively well-preserved. The arrival of Spanish conquerors introduced a certain style of architecture which was tweaked to suit the tropical climate of the Philippines and thereafter, had its own Filipino and unique character.

The term “circa” means approximately, making it a perfect name for the restaurant since it is believed to be built around 1900.

Circa 1900 is a colonial house that has been restored into a restaurant, piano bar and a function venue. The whole place oozes an air of Spanish nostalgia with the heritage details decked out such as antique tables and chairs, flooring, sampaguita glass windows, art deco railings, and original woodwork. The fine design and materials of the Circa 1900 show us the elegant lifestyle lived by the Spanish aristocracy and rich Filipinos during the nineteenth century.

Taking you back through time, Circa 1900 will remind you of old colonial Philippines. Privately nestled in Sanjercasvil Road, Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, the house alone embodies the beauty of traditional architecture and design we rarely see in today’s establishments, giving visitors to Cebu a glimpse of the island's history.

Eating is one of life’s simple pleasures, and a human experience that transcends cultures and language barriers. Circa 1900 features a variety of international cuisine yet paying respect to the Filipino culinary heritage by drawing influences through the use of local ingredients. Every meal is an event in itself, prepared with perfection and served with a warm smile.

Crispy Ravioli

Grab a fork and dig in! It’s going to be love at first taste! Ravioli is a traditional food in Italian cuisine, a type of dumpling composed of a filling sealed between two layers of thin pasta dough. This devouring dish at Circa 1900 were filled with buffalo cheese, fresh button & swiss brown mushroom, porcini mushroom & truffle cream sauce. It's a perfect harmony of ingredients that you simply can't resist! This is the best prelude to a delicious meal.

Chicken Adobo Simmered in Cocodobo Sauce

Fill your tummy with something yummy! Adobo is an authentic Filipino dish and has sometimes been considered as the quintessential dish of the Philippines. It refers to a cooking process in the Philippine cuisine which involves marinating and stewing any cut of meat or fish in a briny mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and spices. When the Spanish invaded and settled in the country, they witnessed this traditional Filipino cooking method and called it adobo, which is the Spanish word for marinade. Circa 1900 has a creative version of chicken adobo, a classic favorite with a surprising twist. They added coconut cream with green apple chunks in this dish to make it bold and deliciously different. Even better, this meal comes with a small serving of rice and green Asian vegetables. Sweet, savory, tangy and tasty - this is how your meal should be! One bite of this chicken simmered in cocodobo sauce and you’ll instantly know why every Filipino loves adobo.

Truffled Squid and Prawn Risotto with Fragrant Fresh Herbs

Rice is the most common staple food in the Philippines, which is why Filipino restaurants always make rice as part of the menu. Risotto is the epitome of Italian home cooking and comfort food. It is an Italian rice dish cooked in a broth to a creamy consistency and often accompanied with vegetables, meat or seafood. It is spiced up with saffron to enhance the flavor and at the same time, make it attractive in yellow color. Properly cooked risotto is rich and creamy even if no cream is added, due to the starch in the grains. Just when you thought risotto can’t get any better, Circa 1900’s risotto will just surprise you! A perfect blend of herbs and spices mixed together to give a delightful kick. The squid and prawn add so much and take it to new heights. It must be eaten at once, as it continues to cook in its own heat, making the grains absorb all the liquid and become soft and dry.

Maja Blanca Cheesecake

Filipinos are generally sweet, which they say may also explain their love through desserts. Almost every province in the country boasts of its own sweet delicacy. One famous dessert in Cebu is Maja Blanca. It was adapted from the traditional Spanish dessert majar blanco, which means “white delicacy.” Maja blanca is made primarily from coconut milk. Circa 1900 offers a maja blanca cheesecake. It is a cheesecake on a cup made from the popular Cebuano rosquillos biscuits. Rosquillos are cookies that originated from Cebu. This dessert was infused with sweet corn which makes it yellow in color. It is very creamy but not too sweet, and the sweet corn kernels that you find in between each bite will give another exciting flavor. Topped with Latik – a residue of coconut milk, it adds another texture with a nutty taste. Let yourself be charmed by this beautifully plated dish garnished with three pureed fruits including blackberry, mango and strawberry. There’s also a small ball of whipped cream topped with a mint leaf and drops of the three purees at the center. This delicacy is meant to soothe the soul for its tongue-tickling goodness.

Circa 1900 is a restaurant valuing hospitality and a dining experience that guests revere. The restaurant continues to serve more refined and innovative cuisine that is suitable for local residents, domestic and international travelers, corporate clients as well as social functions like weddings and birthday parties which makes it truly a must-visit dining, lifestyle and leisure destination in Cebu.

Stimulate your appetite and invite your enthusiasm at Circa 1900!