At first glance, it looks like your typical home in a first-class subdivision in Cebu. But there is more to 10 Dove Street than meets the eye.

I recently had a friendly meet with a lady friend. One thing led to another, and before we knew it, we were smooching around (but we are still friends). We decided to end our date with a romantic dinner. Our first choice centered on the restaurants of Ayala Center Cebu Terraces, but the place was packed with people. Then I recalled a friend�s recommendation�10 Dove Street, a restaurant somewhere in Santo Ni�o Village in Banilad, Talamban, Cebu City. Being gastronomic adventurers, we took a taxi and decided to check out this elusive place. Tell the driver to go to Santo Ni�o Village. The subdivision sits squarely shortly after the AS Fortuna crossing but before the Talamban USC campus. From the guardhouse, go straight until the main street goes left. Then turn left on Dove Street. House number 10 sits on the right side of the road after the street curves to the right.

After our taxi stopped, we were stupefied to find a house instead of a restaurant. �Are you sure this is the right place?� my date asked.� Well, since we are already here, we�ll just have to check the place out. After all, aside from not wanting to disappoint my date, I don�t want to let my taxi fare to go to waste. And of course, we were too hungry to go back to Ayala or look for another restaurant. Sighing, we went inside, expecting plastic tables, photo frames that would probably be an old calendar, or rickety wooden furniture.�

We had the surprise�a really pleasant surprise�when we went through the door. I have to tell you that pound for pound, 10 Dove Street is probably the best restaurant in Cebu.� Why?

Well, first, the decor is exquisite, similar to those found in first-class French restaurants. The tableware is superior; we found shiny utensils that would be at home in a grand English mansion. Instead of plastic Melaware dishes, there was delicate Dresden china, selected and shipped to Cebu with extreme care.

The food is a bit unorthodox but definitely delicious. The restaurant specializes on gourmet sandwiches, but it would be a sin to call them just sandwiches. It�s like calling Michael Jordan a mere basketball player. An artistic medley of fine, fresh ingredients�slices of roast beef, a layer of turkey ham, diced juicy chicken, and other delights�is housed between large chunks of moist, soft yet crunchy and flavorful bread. The items in the menu of 10 Dove Street are the epitome of the sandwich evolution.

Here are some of my recommendations:

* Roast Beef Dylan � tender roast beef with saut�ed onions and mushrooms and topped with yummy melted cheese. This was my order. Yum!

* Finger Lickin� Szechuan Chicken � diced chicken, cucumber, cheese, and chili sauce-peanut oil dressing

* Pilgrim�s Harvest � turkey ham topped with cranberry sauce, cheese, and fresh lettuce

* Chicken Santa Fe � chopped chicken fillet topped with tomato, bacon, cucumber, and cheese. This was my date�s order.

* Porky�s Nightmare � roast pork with sliced tomato and cheese and topped with apricot dressing

Mmmmm . . . mouthwatering, isn�t it? But 10 Dove Street does not stop there. They also serve great-tasting salads. Chicken Mango Salad, Shrimp Salad, Summer Delight, and Harvest Apple are their bestsellers; you should try them out. Another blockbuster of theirs is their set of home-made cakes, which are absolutely heaven. During our date, we ordered the Cake of the Day, Decadence, a wicked concoction of rich chocolates that would make any health buff perennially guilty. If you want a lighter meal, you can also order some soup�thick Seafood Chowder is my favorite while my date got an equally thick and creamy Crab and Corn Bisque.

I expected to pay a thousand pesos or more for such a fine meal. The tab actually went way lower�just about half the amount. That�s around Php 200 for a whole enchilada of sandwich, soup, salad, and cake! That is a great deal for a fine meal!

There is no army of waiters or waitresses to serve you. One of the owners will be your host for your stay there. 10 Dove Street, after all, is the brainchild of three sisters�Marisol, who is based in Cebu and running a successful business in making homemade delicacies, and Chuchi and Viki, who are in the US. Marisol took charge of the food while Chuchi and Viki took charge of the d�cor and the place itself, bringing first-world tastes, standards, and sensibilities.

Because it is a secluded restaurant, it is a great place for engagement dinners, dates, and quiet moments. The fairy-tale-like ambiance, which is better than most fine-dining restaurants I have ever been to, gives you a pleasant, lovely romantic feeling.

For reservations, call 10 Dove Street at 346-0618.

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Photos courtesy of wwww.hungitcebu.com