I’m sure we’ve all heard the song that goes “I don’t care, I’ll paint the town red”. Is it just me or is Doja Cat really just singing out our thoughts? Who doesn’t love a splendid night out after a long, tight week? I know I do.
If that’s something that helps you survive the week too, we happen to know the perfect spot for you and your friends!
An Asian-fusion cuisine restaurant and bar opened its doors in June, and it’s everything you need for a refreshing weekend. Here, the rich flavors of the Philippines, Korea, and Japan can be savored from just the tip of your fork as you enjoy a cold martini on the side.
Situated at the heart of Banilad, Cebu City, Ten Over Ten (formerly X Marks the Spot, and now popularly recognized as X/X) boasts a refreshing menu that satisfies your cravings and promises a fun weekend with the gals or the homies.
Co-founded by siblings Mitz and Victor Jao, X/X was born from the vision of providing a great place to relax and unwind with friends. They introduced Cebu’s first soju bar and LED tables, adding a futuristic touch to the local scene. With the overflowing uniqueness of the place, you may stop by for one thing, but you won’t leave without a list of reasons to come back.
Name your favorite beverage and ten to one, it’s on the menu
Obviously, it wouldn’t be a restobar if drinks weren’t available, but X/X has found a way to make sure your spirits are high throughout the night. For only an affordable price, guests get unlimited access to sangria or margarita. Take note that this is available throughout the week and not just on the weekends.
Who wouldn’t love that?
X/X takes the drinking game to a whole ‘nother level with their selection of booze from Japan and Korea. Never tasted an unfiltered Japanese rice wine before? What about soju or Japanese whiskey? Don’t fret, there’s a first time for everything, and that first time could be here!
If that’s not your cup of tea, the classic selection of cocktails, bourbon, gin, and even sparkling wine will always be available alongside other beverages.
The food will bring you to places
Mentally, at least.
Though reputed as a good spot for drinks, the food they serve won’t fail to impress any day of the week. As a matter of fact, the owners wanted to convey their deep passion for Asian-fusion cuisine to the diners. They worked closely, engaging in a lengthy process of trial and error, and food-tasting sessions to create an authentic menu that reflects these flavors.
Having sat down and devoured—I mean, tasted—their food, I could truly attest to how heavenly it felt against my palate. The flavors were blended to perfection, so much so that I’m quite sure my soul left my body for a moment when I took my first bite.
While I believe the gojuchang must be a staple order, it’s understandable why the X/X dish made up of chicharon bulaklak, chashu pork chahan, and sous vide egg is a crowd favorite. Victor described it to be “a good combo of Japanese and Filipino food. [The dish] gives you the same umami from the Japanese fried rice.”
Honestly, if someone offered this dish to me as a kid, I would definitely be having it for lunch at school at least once a week growing up.
The pad thai, another crowd-favorite dish, has so many flavors bursting in your mouth that you’d forget you weren’t in Thailand. This is the only Thai dish on the menu since they had to bring it back due to popular demand. Yes, it’s that good.
As good as those dishes were, my personal favorite would be Rose udon with squid. As a sucker for spicy food, I could say they definitely didn’t forget about the flavors while keeping just the right amount of spice.
They’ve udon a good job. Get it?
They have a 10/10 selection of music
If you’re looking for something unique to them apart from the food, the music at X/X is an absolute crowd-puller. Sure, we’ve heard of DJs at bars, but where else can you find a group of well-renowned disc jockeys that play quality music if not here?
We Are Your Friends, commonly known as WAYF, a group of Cebu’s most popular and skilled DJs headed by Victor can be caught keeping the mob alive solely at X/X with up-to-date music you can jam to.
Despite Victor’s frequent out-of-town bookings and busy schedule, he ensures that the restobar remains a top priority for the team, maintaining their excellence. The Jao siblings take pride in knowing that one of the many reasons the business is sought-after is their great taste in music.
If a good beat is key to your idea of fun, catching WAYF exclusively at X/X every Friday and Saturday night should definitely be on your bucket list!
You’ll find a friend on X/X’s wall
Literally.
I know, I know. You’re probably looking at me right now with a sour face thinking I’ve gone insane to assume I could make friends with an inanimate object—wall art, to be exact. I mean, I won’t disagree, but hearing the story behind such an artistic mural makes me want to believe it can come to life. Upon coming up with X/X’s interior design, Mitz worked with a local Cebuana artist known as Luna to come up with a concept that had a story.
On the bar’s wall is an elegant drawing of Chani, dressed in a kimono with a native bag and the Philippine flag bearing Cebu’s area code, 032.
Chani is a woman who represents the rich cultural tapestry of the city. Holding a Johnnie Walker bottle, she embodies the people who bring life to the bar. What makes her even more special is her ability to open a portal that allows her to quantum leap. From Korea to the Philippines, she’s on a quest to Japan, carrying the bottle in hand.
See how she seems like such a fun person? I would love to hang out with her any time (and maybe experience her quantum leap powers, too)!
Of course, the mural isn’t the only eye-catching decor in the place. The neon lights add a lot of flair to the site’s aesthetics as well. The cool underground vibe to the bar are reminiscent of the signages in Japan that you see on television. Talk about going through that portal, huh?
And that’s a few out of a hundred other possible reasons to visit X/X. I could go on and on, but some things are better when discovered firsthand. I wouldn’t want to rob you of that opportunity! Overall, X/X is a ten in my book.
Paint the town red by visiting X/X at GF, 88th Avenue, Gov. M. Cuenco, Banilad, Cebu City, Philippines. Like and follow them on Facebook , Instagram, and Tiktok to find out more.
Photography Ted Bermudez & Mai Garlet
just factsssssss!!!!! place is lit yall and food is incredible. love the pad thai 🥵
Ela, hi there. your vivid description of X/X has left me utterly captivated! I can almost taste the fusion of flavors you painted so beautifully with your words – the tantalizing Chicharon Bulaklak, the delightful X/X dish marrying Japanese and Filipino essence, and the fiery Rose Udon with squid, each dish a journey in itself.
also your storytelling about the mural of Chani, bridging cultures and countries, added a touch of magic to the ambiance. I can picture the neon lights, the underground vibes reminiscent of Japan, and the beats of WAYF making the atmosphere come alive.