Table 7

Location: Lagoon Area of Ayala Center Cebu

First off, you may wonder a bit about what fusion cuisine/food is all about. Some people would think that it is the art of food; some would find it the creativity of food preparation that instills a little bit of blending at least two or three food cultures from any place of the planet. Actually, I researched a little bit about it and found out that those descriptions are true. Would it be nice to put a little bit of Carribean style with a sprinkle of Middle East ingredients and South American menus into something out of the ordinary special plate? Now, that’s way out of the ordinary.

However, I’m not going to delve into its long history since the definition is already there and it could go misleading to my intended subject. Anyway, I was a bit curious about this innovative style of “food art” and thought about trying it. Luckily, my girlfriend was able to spot this restaurant by the Ayala Center lagoon area called Table 7. So, we decided to go and try it out, one evening, to satisfy our curiosity and invest on some self image. The waitresses were accommodating when we arrived and they even let us transfer from table after table since it was too cold inside courtesy of their “full-blast” air conditioning (I don’t mean to be fussy but it was really that cold). Anyway, the waitress gave us the menu and we were able to order right only about 15-20 minutes later since we were asking each other what kind of food is this one and that one. We didn’t want to ask the waitress though since it’s a matter of surprise. So, she ordered the blue marlin and me, the tiger shrimps, since I’m fond of seafoods.

First, they served our soup then our food 20-25 minutes later, which could be forever if you’re alone but I’m with my girlfriend just talking about how great the ambiance is inside. And there on our table, the fine impression of food art was served with its distinctive presentation and the conclusion on what fusion cuisine is all about. Fortunately, me and my girlfriend tried to fathom what the deal is all about since we both know our art aesthetics after 4-5 years of studying Fine Arts. Unfortunately though, my empty tummy made it more complicated so we simply tried it out. My first taste was a bit of confusing since, of course, it’s a mixture of different food cultures. Bite after bite, we were able to finish the whole plate and started staring at each other.

The critique? Fine food and luscious taste with the essence of food innovation and art appreciation doesn’t always please everybody. We were quite pleased, yes… or more, that is, if only their food serving is actually quite filling on first glance, at least for me. But anyway, the idea of food cuisine is, indeed, not for me, my girlfriend and to those who simply like to munch and gulp than the attractiveness or beauty of the menu… but that doesn’t mean that it’s disappointing. It is more of like, in Advertising terms, for the higher target market and for those who anoint food for art.