Isla Sugbu Seafood City: Seafood All-You-Can! Paluto-All-You-Can!

Isla Sugbu Seafood City - Grand Canal Mall

Isla Sugbu Seafood City roots back from 1980s as a restaurant in Cebu. It re-emerged in 2014 as a venue for "paluto all-you-can" and became the Best Seafood Restaurant in Cebu for 4 straight years! Now, it is here in Manila, located at the 2nd floor of Grand Canal Mall in McKinley Hill, Taguig City. I couldn't be any happier because the mall is just in front of my work location, and just a few minutes away from my house.

ship-like ambiance

Paluto-All-You-Can. You might be wondering how similar or different it is from the usual dampa that you might be more familiar with. In dampa, you go to the wet market nearby to buy the seafood, you look for a restaurant where to dine and have them cooked. So two separate payments: for buying the seafood, and for having the resto cook your food, but this will be good for everyone. In Isla Sugbu Seafood City, there is a fixed price per person, which will cover all the seafood you choose, and the cooking itself, no matter how you want them cooked. Plus, if you want more, you can repeat the process without additional charge as this is seafood-all-you-can, paluto-all-you-can.

Things to note, though:

LEFTOVER CHARGE. As with other buffets, leftovers are charged. So even though you can have unlimited serving, be mindful as you will be charged Php1,450 per person for leftover food
PREMIUM ITEMS. There are seafood tagged as Premium such as mud crab. These are not part of the all-you-can and are charged on top of the individual rate. Desserts and drinks are also charged separately
NO TAKEOUT


inviting, spacious	function room is available

Opened last November 28, 2018, Isla Sugbu Seafood City here in the Grand Canal Mall covers a large area, probably the biggest restaurant I've been to in this mall. Despite the wide capacity, there are days when the resto is full or almost full so better to have a reservation when you come. There are also function rooms which you can inquire about.

fresh catch


suno	bangus, salmon, etc

Price:

Promo price from November 28, 2018 to February 28, 2019 (original price is Php1,300)

MON-THU Lunch (11:00AM-03:00PM) : Php848 per head (+3% service charge)
MON-THU Dinner (06:00PM-11:00PM) : Php888 per head (+3% service charge)
FRI & Holidays Lunch (11:00AM-03:00PM), Dinner (6:00PM-11:00PM) : Php888 per head (+3% service charge)
SAT-SUN Lunch (10:00AM-03:00PM), Dinner (06:00PM-11:00PM) : Php888 per head (+3% service charge)

Kids aged 5 and below : FREE
Kids aged 6 to 11 : 50% OFF the promo price
Kids aged 12 and above: Full promo price
Senior Citizens : Can avail EITHER the promotional discount, OR the discount provided under the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010

*Prices are inclusive of VAT and are subject to 3% service charge

king fish


alimasag	squid

The Experience:
It was my first time to experience something like this. Dampa is similar in some ways, but still different. You don't have to go to the wet market as all the seafood are in one section. And even though they're all laid out there, the place doesn't stink, which just shows how fresh the seafood are even without tasting. The restaurant itself has a wonderful inside-the-ship vibe, and is very inviting and spacious, that even with many customers, it doesn't feel crowded.

octopus, scallops

We were assisted by the Manager whose name is Mark. He was very helpful as for each seafood, he suggested different dishes or way of cooking suited for it. So we just either choose among his suggestions, or, if we have a preferred way of cooking, then we just tell it to him. Even the quantity or the number of grams to order, he helped us with estimates. After all, it is a paluto-all-you-can so you can start with not too much and just request for more if your appetite calls for it. But again, be cautious as the leftover charge is more than 1.5 times the promo price per person.


premium items	mud crab

fresh fruits and vegetables

So all the food that you will see here are what we ordered... and there were just three of us! In general, all the dishes taste great -- and I mean they really take time to focus on the flavors, which sometimes is lacking in other all-you-can's. And oh, the freshness of the seafood can really be felt and tasted! No wonder Isla Sugbu Seafood City is hailed the Best Seafood Restaurant in Cebu!

on our table

The only premium item that we ordered is the Pepper Crab, and it was so worth it! I didn't mind using my hands and licking them as it was so good! Another big hit was the Butter Garlic Shrimp. You can always see this in dampa, but this one in Isla Sugbu has spot on flavors. Buttery, garlicky, rich flavors combined with fresh shrimp.

Butter Garlic Shrimp

Salt and Pepper Scallops was addicting and great as appetizer. I have to stop myself from eating too much of it as there are other dishes on the table. Salted Egg Shrimp is also recommended if you're into salted egg.


Salt and Pepper Scallops	Salted Egg Shrimp

Grilled Pusit

Even a simple Sizzling Bangus, or Salmon Head Sinigang tastes yummy. So kudos to the Chef and all those working in the kitchen as despite several orders, and it could be different ways of cooking as they don't have a fixed menu, they were able to keep them fresh and deliver delicious dishes.


Sweet and Sour Shrimp	Lato Salad

King Fish Sashimi

King Fish is part of the paluto all-you-can. We had it as Sashimi and as fresh as it can be, it was still moving when served to us. I understand some people might be sensitive about this, but if you don't mind, then go, have it!


Sizzling Bangus	yum!

Chili Crab

Feel free to browse all the dishes that we had, which are just a small portion of what Isla Sugbu Seafood City can offer. Drinks and desserts are charged separately. For the dessert, I recommend the Salted Caramel Truffle Ice Cream, plus with its serving size, it can be shared by two persons.

So come on, visit while they're still on promo until February 28, 2019!