CEBU: ARANO SPANISH RESTAURANT – Guadalupe, Cebu City

March 25, 2011 – Arano Spanish Restaurant: Guadalupe, Cebu City

We’ve been posting quite an amount of food lately… just getting on with the show! Cebu’s got a lot of gastronomic jewels hidden uptown, downtown… even behind concealed doors. And when we think of Spanish secret gardens, we think Arano.

Belle: There’s this place I haven’t visited since I was in highschool. Almost 10 years ago? It was pretty neat… a literal watering hole in-the-wall.

Jake: I’ll grab the buds. Let’s go!Senyor Arano’s hideaway isn’t exactly a secret anymore. Word of mouth spreads like wildfire when it comes to restaurants with 3 main ingredients:
1. Nom nom (Yeah, you got that right.)
2. Value for money
3. Hush-hush

For another choice which has got all 3, check THIS post out.

So there we were— me, Jake, Paowi & Mikka— hungry creatures lurking around in the dimness of the night looking for the solitary wooden-style sign which read Arano. It’s hidden amongst a weave of vines on the wall.

Belle: If I remember it right, we’re supposed to knock 3 times and yell out a password.
Jake: Cut it out.

We stepped into a cheerful air-conditioned indoor dining area adorned with Jai-alai memorabilia, heritage carvings and framed portraits.

Senyor Angel Arano himself greeted us with a warm and jovial “Maayong gabii!” festooned in the whiteness of his moustache. He emanated the lightheartedness of a man, though graying, still having the appetite for life. Of course… after all, it takes a huge leap (of faith) to get from Jai-alai player to restaurateur.

We wanted to stay out back by the garden area but almost all tables were reserved. Hemph.

As soon as we were seated inside, the temptation to order everything on the menu was on the up-high. Most dishes served 2-3 people and were surprisingly affordable. Jake & I wanted to stick to seafood as that was a Lenten Friday. No como carne. Very, very tough as the ones we wanted needed to be prepared days prior.

Jake: Gambas it is!
Belle: *sobs over lengua*

Here are some of the menu choices for you to drool over. Scrumptious Spanish food ripe and for the picking! (Totally forgot the language equivalent of each on the menu but what the hey- pictures mean so much more.)

- Squidward would not be pleased. But we sure are!-

- Not your ordinary everyday torta.-

- Spicy gambas with rice -

- Savor this steak with mashed potatoes.-

- Gambas yet again (on spag) -

Those are some of the appetizing dishes served in Arano besides your helpings of such favorites like lengua estofada, callos, paella (seafood and whatnot), Spanish sardines, grilled fish, chili con carne, baked chicken… top it all off with some red wine (amongst other beverages). 3 letters = MMM.

Dining in Arano Spanish Restaurant will always be fireworks in the palate without busting the wallet… not to mention you’ll be stuffed like a turkey in Thanksgiving. How’s about that for an option for tonight’s dinner!

- Yeap. Chipmunk cheeks-ier than usual. -

How to get there:
If you’re heading towards Guadalupe Church on V. Rama Ave., watch the left side of the road and look for a sign that says Fairlane Village. It’s a small road beside a bakery or right across Guadalupe Elementary School. Once in, go straight then turn right. Then go straight, and turn left. Then go straight, and turn left again. You’ll see a doorway on a wall that’s lit up with a sign that says Arano. Actually, it’s not too hard to go around the village as the road just goes in an oval.

Arano Spanish Restaurant @ 31 Fairlane Village, Guadalupe, Cebu City…. Open from Mon-Sat Lunch 11:00am-2pm Dinner 6:00-10:00pm (even on holidays). Tel. No.: (032) 256-1934

Besides serving awesome Spanish home-cooked meals, they even have lodging available.