There are restaurants you try once out of curiosity, and there are places that quietly pull you back for another visit. For us, Ettas Cucina & Bar at SM J Mall Cebu belongs to the second kind.
We first visited the restaurant back in January, and recently returned again this month of May. Since SM J Mall is a bit far from our usual route, dining there is not something we do often. But after enjoying our first experience, we felt that Ettas was worth visiting again — and honestly, we were happy we came back.
A Cozy and Elegant Dining Space
One of the first things you notice when entering Ettas is its warm and modern interior. The restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere with wooden ceiling details, comfortable seating, soft lighting, and stylish accents that make the place feel welcoming without being too formal.
Whether you are dining with family, friends, or even having a casual date night, the ambiance feels comfortable and inviting. The interiors alone already give a pleasant dining experience before the food even arrives.
The restaurant itself stands out inside SM J Mall with its clean and elegant exterior design, making it easy to spot while walking around the mall.
Exploring Their Menu
During our visits, we had the chance to browse through several of their menu selections. Ettas offers a variety of Filipino comfort food and familiar dishes with a more elevated presentation.
From soups and appetizers to mains, pancit, rice meals, desserts, and drinks, there are plenty of choices available depending on what you are craving. Their menu also includes cocktails, shakes, juices, and group meal sets perfect for sharing.
It is the kind of restaurant where you can easily find something for both light dining and heavier meals.
Food That Made Us Come Back
What really made Ettas memorable for us was the food itself.
During our first visit last January, we ordered the Tinanglad na Manok, which gave us that comforting homemade flavor with a rich and savory taste. The dish was satisfying and flavorful, making it one of the meals we still remembered even after months had passed.
This recent visit in May, we decided to try the Peppery Chicken Tinola. Since we preferred something milder, we requested for it not to be spicy, and the kitchen gladly accommodated our request. The soup was warm, comforting, and packed with flavor without being overpowering. The tender chicken and vegetables paired perfectly with rice, making it a very comforting meal.
We also ordered the Fresh Lumpia, which was beautifully plated and generously topped with sauce and crushed peanuts. It had a good balance of freshness and flavor, making it a nice complement to the soup dish.
What we appreciated most was that the dishes were not only visually pleasing, but they also tasted genuinely good. Sometimes restaurants focus too much on presentation, but at Ettas, the flavors matched the appearance.
Relaxed Dining Experience
Beyond the food, the overall dining experience felt relaxed. The table setup, attentive staff, and calm atmosphere made our meals enjoyable both times we visited.
Even during mall hours, the restaurant still maintained a comfortable and peaceful ambiance that allowed us to enjoy our food without feeling rushed.
Worth Visiting Again
Since SM J Mall is not exactly part of our regular destination, returning to Ettas says a lot about how much we enjoyed the place. Our second visit this May confirmed our first impression back in January — the restaurant consistently delivers good food, a pleasant atmosphere, and a dining experience worth repeating.
If you happen to visit SM J Mall Cebu and are looking for a comfortable restaurant with satisfying food and elegant interiors, Ettas Cucina & Bar is definitely worth considering.
Sometimes, finding a restaurant you genuinely want to revisit is rare — and for us, Ettas became one of those places.
