STK Ta Bai is one of those local grill houses you usually go to when you're craving for something to share in a group, be it a business meeting, a casual date or some bonding time with the family. This house-turned-restaurant eatery has quite a lot of religious articles in it, some of which are for sale, while others are displayed as decoration. Obviously, this place has one of the best homely ambiances there is in Cebu. It is packed by the time we arrived here for lunch time, so if you're planning to come in a group, it would be nice to place a reservation in advance.

 

grilled tuna and scallops

one long table for big groups

another long table for those who want to breathe fresh air while eating

the restaurant is actually an old house...it is divided into several sections....the front area which i assume was the garage before has a display of their grilled offerings.....there are also two long tables with antique centerpieces.....the first room looks like the main restaurant....it is an airconditioned room with about 10 tables...the room is also adorned with antique decorations and images of saints......and there's a harp

the next section (which has a separate entrance - near the long tables outside) is the receiving area of the house....they maintained that 'receiving area' look...there are old wooden chairs......mirrors.....cabinets filled with antiques.....an altar with a lot of religious statues (they have more statues than some small chapels i've seen)....the owner of the house actually invited us in...she saw us having put pictures taken outside....she was very gracious...she switched on the lights so we could take better pictures of the decorations.....she showed us an old phonograph....and a 102 (or is it 112)year old clock....she then told us about the third section.....i actually, i thought the main restaurant is the only place where diners can go to so i was surprised when she let us in on the receiving area and the third section...

  

 

Like several grill houses, STK ta Bai offers unique dishes like Grilled Tuna Jaw and deep fried fried fresh fish roe. I loved their chicken soup hands down as well as their grilled scallops. Bad points of this restaurant would be their famous tuna jaw and their fish roe (served cold and oily, in short, disgusting) nor was I satisfied with their grilled squid plated with raw onions, tomatoes and scallions. Plus the fact that we had to endure the smallest table in the corner, with very poor lighting. The menu is pricey as well.

  STK ta Bay! paolito's Seafood House can be found at 6 Orchid St., Capitol Site, Cebu City