NO matter how much we love our jobs from Monday to Friday, the weekend is when we shut our minds from the deadlines and demands of work. Weekends are always a welcome break, for down time and savoring life. (It’s not a coincidence that this column, whose name is a spin on “joie de vivre” or “joy of life,” comes out on a Saturday!)

For a year now since its opening, Weekend at The Greenery in Mabolo has been the new kitchen and watering hole of choice, winning Best New Restaurant in SunStar’s Best of Cebu 2017. Business partners Jan Rodriguez, Jay Alba, Jon Louis Yu and Edward Mellana wanted to offer a stylish place where people can unwind with good food and quality cocktails to savor those precious free hours outside of work. All the dishes are prepared with premium ingredients; the signature dishes include the hefty Fat Bastard and Weekend ribeye steak, while new on the menu are Salmon Sez, Norwegian salmon and quinoa, and the Fireburd, spiced roasted chicken with cauliflower puree and baked potatoes. The selection of drinks goes from spirits and liquors, to wine and balanced cocktails, to a 16-tap draft beer system that’s the first of its kind outside Luzon, featuring a carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas mixer.

To celebrate its first anniversary, Weekend hosted a party with music by DJs Marlon Orellano and Divine Maitland-Smith. A new burger was also introduced for this milestone—the Caveman, with pure Angus beef, smoked provolone, smoked mozzarella, dill pickles, fried onions, slaw, and roast bone marrow with a side of smoked macaroni and cheese.