Working professionals and café-goers alike are in for a treat as Q Café peels back its old layers to reveal a fresh, modern look and a rich repertoire of tastebud delights at the ground floor of Golden Prince Hotel & Suites (GPHS), Cebu City.
The new Q Café Lounge offers dedicated pod seating for focused work and comfy communal tables, creating a brilliant atmosphere. This, paired with a menu makeover, is designed to inspire creative minds.
“Our patrons tell us that many business deals have been closed here over the years, in such a small space,” GPHS Executive Vice President Aaron Que shared. “It has been a meeting point of possibilities. And it’s high time to revitalize it for Cebu’s changing landscape.”
The dynamic contrast of its new blue-and-orange interior palette solidifies the new era. The holistic design refreshes the weary and provides a well-rounded sensory experience.
“Blue incites serenity while orange embodies socialization. When you go to a cafe, you look for headspace and a balance of social energy. Whether you are here for a virtual meeting or to catch up with your friends, we want to give you different reasons to come,” Que said.
Polishing a Cebuano gem
Hospitality designer Shiela Solon believes that people always come back when the interior resonates with the flavors of the kitchen.
“Q Café used to serve as an extension of the hotel’s Lemon Restaurant and Kabilin Heritage Lounge,” she recalled at the pre-launch of its new chapter. “When I was asked to renovate it, we reflected on its direction. I wanted the design to align with the kitchen’s culinary vision.”
“Chocolate-based items and coffee products are on the menu. These flavors are commonly associated with brown, but when you look deeper, there’s actually a tint of orange,” Solon elaborated. “As for the color blue, we shifted from the old pastel to a darker shade, so that strength is there. Where modern meets elegance — that’s the new Q Café.”
Guests at the entrance will naturally be drawn to one of the café’s standout features — the show kitchen. Featuring a sleek window into the culinary world, chefs prepare dishes in real time. Patrons who venture deeper into the lounge will discover a second show kitchen dedicated to pastry creations.
GPHS President and CEO Benny Que highlighted that the innovation showcases their commitment. “Kitchens have a way of turning into a mess. This is our way of showing guests how cleanly their meals are prepared,” he said. “We must never stop evolving.”
A menu makeover from bean to bar, farm to table
The new flavors of Q Café Lounge are enriched by its collaboration with the Philippine Chocolate Company (PhilChoco), which sources its cacao beans from the Philippine Inno-Ventures Agriculture Cooperative (PIVAC) — a farmer-focused cooperative in Cebu ensuring that cacao cultivators are supported in the value chain.
PhilChoco Research and Development Chef Aisha Iryll Quintana whips up whimsical cacao-based and additive-free pastries such as:
The PhilChoco Tableya Brownie, a decadent, sizzling brownie drizzled with steaming siqwate and crowned with creamy vanilla ice cream; The PhilChoco Tableya Tiramisu, a velvety delight crafted for non-coffee drinkers and children, offering a smooth, chocolatey alternative to the classic dessert; and The Limited-Edition Chocolate Pistachio Dreamcake, an indulgent creation blending the deep flavors of all-natural cocoa butter with the delicate crunch of pistachio, available only while supplies last.
GPHS Executive Chef Camilo “Milo” Lopez also introduced all-day breakfast specials, including matcha pancakes, rice bowls, and international platters. “Before, we served items from Lemon Restaurant’s buffet. Now, Q Café can stand on its own,” Chef Milo shared.
He emphasized the café’s farm-to-table resources, with pesticide-free greens sourced from Q Farm Agri-Tech Ventures in Barangay Cambinocot.
“Our organic harvest from Q Farm are definitely staple ingredients in the salad we serve. That’s where we also get ingredients for our Five-Season Halo-Halo, which consists of caramelized banana, mango, pure ube halaya and grated coconut, among others. Q Farm plants the organic produce we need for Q Café Lounge.”
Just the beginning
To celebrate its grand reopening, Q Café is offering an irresistible promotion — PHP 500 worth of vouchers available for just PHP 350.
“This 30% off promotion runs until September 27, just in time for the Golden Prince 18th anniversary celebrations,” shared GPHS Marketing Officer Monarch Semblante. “It’s a great way to generate excitement and transition from the reopening buzz of Q Café into the anniversary and holiday season.”
Now with a revitalized look and fresh menu, Q Café Lounge is set to offer guests a taste of what is to come at Golden Prince.
