Italianni’s opens 15th branch in CDO

Italianni’s in Cagayan de Oro? Who would have thought that this internationally known authentic Italian Restaurant that has invaded cities around the world has finally touched down in the City of Golden Friendship?

So, is it really all about Italian Foods? Not really for Italianni’s was conceptualized to be an Italian-American Restaurant where pastas, steaks, pizza and salads are served from scratch. But of course, to retain its Italian identity, everything has to be authentic, the ambiance has to be Italian, the words and greetings that the crews use are Italian such as Benvenuti de Italianni's. 

Spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and salads are what Italianni’s is best known for. There’s no amount of word that best describes the Sicilian Chicken Salad. It is simply “delizioso.”

Their journey all started in Hurst, Texas. Italianni’s was envisioned by its first owner Carlson Restaurants to be an affordable place where one can enjoy great Italian food in a family friendly setting. Amor di' Merrier. That is how they do it where foods come in portions meant for sharing. That's perfectly the Italianni's way.

 Today, Italianni’s has come across the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Korea, and the Philippines. As of the present, Italianni’s has started to expand all over the country with Abreeza Mall Davao as its first provincial branch followed by Centrio Mall Cagayan de Oro which is also its 15^th branch in the Philippines. Their next stop would be Ayala Center Cebu.

Bring your friends and families at Italianni’s Centrio. They’re open from 10 AM to 10PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 11PM on weekends. What are you waiting for? See you there! Ciao!

CBTL: Now brewing in CDO

Ground Floor, Centrio Garden, Centrio Mall Cagayan de Oro

Coffee has become a social drink nowadays and for that simple reason, coffee shops have become a fad in the Philippines for the past few years. It’s a comfort zone for some and the perfect place for friends to meet, chit-chat, share laughter and memories.

If you want good coffee or tea and a good ambiance, we have plenty here in Cagayan de Oro from local to international brands. But the latest one definitely won’t disappoint you. They have been brewing around the world since 1963. It’s none other than, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. They have brought all the best coffee beans and tea leaves from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Bali to name a few here in CDO.

I am one of the fortunate few to be the first to taste CBTL’s flavoured coffee during their opening last November 9. And since I wanted something cold, Monica Escalona, their business development manager offered me original mocha frap which is one of their best sellers. I’m not a coffee connoisseur but I have tried a lot coffee of different brands and this is one of the bests I’ve ever tried. It isn’t too sweet. The coffee, milk, and the mocha blended just right. It tastes really good. Of course, CBTL’s coffees are handcrafted, prepared passionately by its people.

(R-L) Me and Monica Escalona, the business development manager of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

I had learned from Monica that CBTL has been actively involved in the community too. Right now, it has a charity program made possible through a puzzle. What? Yes, through a puzzle. People in a certain locality are encouraged to form a puzzle. I hope my mem’ry serves me right but each piece of the puzzle is P130. You could buy one, two, or even more and place ‘em them in the puzzle posted to their wall. The amount they earned from it would build habitats for the homeless. And guess what? Cagayan de Oro is one of its beneficiaries, building homes for the victims of Typhoon Sendong.

I was deeply touched that CBTL has never forgotten its social responsibilities. Providing homes make it more than just a coffee shop but a partner in uplifting the lives of the many. Thank you CBTL for choosing Cagayan de Oro. I will visit you again and try your another flavour. I am pretty sure that it's gonna be another tasty experience. 

J. CO invades CDO

Photo from Centrio FB Page

It all started in Indonesia. Owned and managed by Johnny Andrean Group, this cafe specializing in donuts, frozen yogurt, and coffee has gone as far as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and is the latest craze in Manila. Who would thought that CDO is on her list too! Welcome to the City of Golden Friendship J.CO! 

See you tomorrow... Centrio!

Photo by Centrio FB Page

Everybody is talking about her. Everybody is excited to see her. Everybody can't just wait to experience her. Facebook and Twitter, my God, she's everywhere. Who? Who's that pretty and trendy woman sitting along CM Recto? She's none other than Ayala's newest chic... Centrio!

I am one of the many Kagay-anons who has been monitoring the development of this major Ayala investment in the city in bloom, boom, and blossom. Am I proud? Who isn't? Modesty aside, having Ayala is like having Hermes. It's a status symbol, a positive indication that the city has what it takes for an upscale market. I am grateful to ALI for the trust and confidence that it has given to Cagayan de Oro City that is strongly evidenced by its enormous investments here namely Alegria Hills by Ayala Land Premiere, Seda - Ayala Hotel, Avida Centrio, Ayala Technohub, and of course the gorgeous and fashionable Centrio Mall. 

Boy, I can't contain my excitement as this lady brings the best shopping and dining experience here in CDO. Taters, Sbarro, J.Co, TGIF, Italianni's, Breadtalk, Sebago, Charles Keith, Esprit are just few of the popular international brands that it will showcase to the Kagayanons and Kagayanons at heart. It will also offer stylish and exciting amenities like its carpeted cinemas with the most comf'table seats and kids, yeah, Timezone. Lastly, Centrio has what Ayala Malls is all about. Its commitment to an eco-friendly lifestyle and sustainable living... ladies and gentlemen... the Centrio Garden. Here, family reunites. Here, friends will have their bonding. Here, couples will exchange their sweetest words. Here, children will laugh and play. Yes, it's going to be a different kind of experience, uniquely the Centrio way. 

So, brace yourselves Kagayanons as Ayala brings our shopping and dining experience to a whole new level. It is going to be a date with her. It is going to be one sleep away. Oh Centrio, see you tomorrow! 

Limketkai Center…the heart of the city

by Michael Ray

Limketkai Center (LKK), dubbed as “The Pride of Mindanao,” is surely close to every Kagayanon's heart. LKK is a homegrown, proudly Mindanaoan business complex that offers the atmosphere that you only experience with Ayala.

It houses many “firsts” in Mindanao like Limketkai Mall (the first mall in the island) and Starbucks. Branded Kagay-anons prefer this place for it has many stand alone stores of international brands like Springfield, Marks and Spencer, hey, a lot of SSI stores are already here, baby! It’s also the perfect destination of the culinary snobs for it has plenty of fine dining and upscale restaurants and bars like Roso, Countryside Steakhouse, Cafe Laguna, Bourbon St., Gloria Maris,  La Vetta and Candy’s to name a few.

If you’re a health buff then you can try Fit and Well or choose to jog around the entire business complex early in the morning. The vain and the so called "metrosexuals" could engage themselves and relax in spas and salons even as late as 12 midnight at Skin City, Vanity Works, Body and Sole, and Traveler’s Pod. And speaking of travelers, there are plenty of hotels to choose from like Mallberry Suites, Discovery Hotel, Traveler’s Pod and soon the much awaited four star hotel wrapped in gold… Limketkai Hotel.

If you need to shop, LKK Mall has more than 300 tenants. You could do your grocery at Robinson’s Cagayan de Oro just interconnected to the main LKK Mall. There are plenty of banks too like PNB, Allied Bank, Chinatrust, and Bank of Commerce. ATMs are found at the east concourse. Do you need a passport? DFA is located right beside Mandaue Foam Furnitures. Need a job? You could apply in different BPO companies located at Gateway Tower.

And after you have completed your to-do list, you could take a seat, read newspaper, or just chit chat with friends while enjoying the aroma of coffee at Starbucks, Figaro, Coffee Works, and Bo’s. Bring your date to a movie with four cinemas to choose from, 3D is at cinema one. If you talk about convenience, LKK has that because almost all facilities are interconnected with a covered overpass. Start your journey by taking the escalator at the overpass (the only one in the island) located along Lapasan Highway. Who says LKK doesn’t have a residential offering? If you could afford, live at the Millionare’s Lane in the southern tip of LKK near Macajalar Road.

Limketkai continues to evolve to cater the demands of time. True to its name, “The Heart of the City,” Limketkai Center....