Affordable top tasting steak in Cebu "CASA VERDE"

I discovered this awesome grill house when we opened our Cebu office site in 2009. Our Cebu counterparts suggested us to dine in Casa Verde since they knew the place better. Without thinking twice Jill and I went there for lunch. It’s my like lucky day, as steak is one my preferred chow and we’ll dine in one of the top grill house in Cebu. I didn’t mind to look in to their menu for I always ask the waiter their best seller whenever it’s my first time to dine in a particular resto. And it’s the “BRIAN'S RIBS” and “THE DAX”. I had “B. Ribs” Jill had “T. Dax”

Jill's order "The Dax" A combination of USDA round steak drizzled with brown sauce and onions with a catch of tavern shrimps accompanied by tartar sauce for dipping served with harvest rice plus "French onion soup" classic soup has a rich & flavorful broth loaded with sautéed onions, red wine & topped with crusted bread and cheese.

I had "Brian's Ribs" Baked pork ribs with a sweet, tangy piquet sauce served with rice, corn and carrots and  "Baked potato soup" Thick hearty soup of potatoes sprinkled with a medley of toppings of cheese, bacon bits & chives. This is one heavenly soup I ever tasted.

Boy Zilla's Verdict  (5 ★ = perfect)

Taste: 4★ Tender,you could really taste the all the good steak ingredients they put in to it.
Ambiance: 4.5★ (Lim Tian Teng St.Ramos branch) Old Spanish styled house very cozy
Price: 5 ★ "Brian’s Ribs" for only Php168.00 and "The Dax" Php220.00 (Wow!) I wish they're planning to put up a branch here in Manila

Casa Verde
# 69 Lim Tian Teng St.
Ramos, Cebu City 6000
Philippines
Tel. +63.32.253-6472 | +63.32.253-8234

 Also:

Casa Verde The Terraces Ayala

Casa Verde IT Park

-Boy Zilla

LifeStraw® (Portable water filter) now you can drink water anywhere.

I got a chance to discover this gem when I attended the 10th APRUB (A Partnership in Resource Utilization for the Betterment of Children) convention of Children's Hour in Mandaluyong last June. Since our company was also one of the major sponsor/exhibitor of the event, I was able to mingle with some exhibitors (that promotes products and services for children’s welfare)   and one of them was the official distributor of LifeStraw® here in the Philippines. I got curious when I saw this picture.

 

Then I started to asked what in the world this thing does?

The Hikezillas rating

Hiking/camping usage (5 ★ = perfect)

Frequency of use: 3★

Level of use:2.5★

Life saver:  4★

Fun Stuff:   4★

LifeStraw

It is a portable water purification tool that cleanses surface water and makes it safe for human consumption. It is just 25 cm long and 29 mm in diameter and can be hung around the neck. LifeStraw requires no electrical power or spare parts. It can filters up to 700 liters of water and effectively removes most of the micro organisms responsible for causing waterborne diseases.

Filtration Process

How does LifeStraw function? 

Contains PuroTech Disinfecting Resin (PDR) - a patented, extraordinarily effective material that kills bacteria on contact. Textile pre-filters are used in the LifeStraw to remove particles up to 15 microns. Active carbon withholds particles such as parasites.

The first thing that crossed my mind was, we should acquire this thing since we often do mountain climbing and drinking  water is always our concern specially Mai. This thing will lessen my load of at least 4 liters of water every climb, what a relief. 

Imagine, we could just get water from a near by source from our camp site or even collected water from a basin then zip it using this straw with our eyes open. How cool is that?

We usually obtain water for cooking, drinking and others.We get it form rivers, water flowing down from higher ground, swamps and wells. 100% contaminated, Lol

Bear Grylls should include this in his survival kit (Knife, Flint, *Pee bottle + LifeStraw).

I remembered some of my co-mountaineers in "SMC" filtered their water using clothes. Video to be uploaded soon.

June created a makeshift downspout to guide the water to the bottle.

Capones Island Zambales 2009

June, patiently filling-up our bottle of water supply

Unfortunately, this product is not available in your favorite outdoor shop not even in sulit.ph and ebay.ph the last time I checked and this usually sell in bulk, at least 40 to 50 pieces, approximately 1,600 Php per unit. What a bummer! But, but if you're really interested with this thingy I can do something about it, just inform me. Since I have a direct contact with its official distributor here. 

Fueling my body, the water looks safe? Mt. Pinatubo, Zambales

 
This is one remarkable invention, would be the best if it's only made more available and affordable.


-Boy Zilla

  

Tamilok (Wood worm) is actually not a worm, it’s a mollusk.

I've tasted Tamilok a favorite delicacy in Palawan when Me and Rye went together with some friends in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. I was more excited than squeamish to try it out.

The famous tamilok cuisine is kilawin (delicacy either fish or meat marinated in vinegar, pepper, chili) which is best for pulutan along with their local drink tuba, but we decided to order the breaded tamilok. It tasted like oyster, a bit mushy and salty and best dipped in spicy vinegar. Not everyone in the group tried it out. As for me, I liked it! Will have Tamilok if I visit Palawan again. You may try "Tamilok" at Kinabuch Grill and Bar restaurant.

Breaded "Tamilok" the taste of sea!

They open from 5pm and are filling up by 6:30 pm to 7 pm

It's a place you must go and will return again and again. P250 to P300.00 per head is enough to fill your empty stomach with a blast.

So, if you plan to eat at Kinabuch, be sure to come early. The place has a good and extra fast service. Aside from Tamilok Kinabuch also serves Crispy Pata, (Rye's favorite) Laing, the grilled pusit (squid), large grilled blue marlin steak, baked Tahong, sinigang na hipon, Pansit and exotic delicacy like Tamilok, a wood worm and a lot more western dishes as well.

Kinabuch’s Restaurant Bar & Grill

Address : 369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines

about 1km west of the airport (towards the city center).

Phone:Inter +6348 4345194  Local  048-4345194

References:

http://www.tsibog.com/special-features/tamilok-a-palawan-delicacy-2007-05-02.php

http://www.palawan-business-directory.com/kinabuchs-restaurant/

-Girl Zilla

Mountaineering Quotes

Yes, we do have a handful of quotes about mountaineering. Here are some and make sure to share yours...

Mt. Maculot (Traverse) January 2011

The best climber in the world is the one who's having the most fun.

(Alex Lowe)

To qualify for mountain rescue work, you have to pass our test. The doctor holds a flashlight to your ear. If he can see light coming out the other one, you qualify.

(Willy Pfisterer)    

The mountains will always be there, the trick is to make sure you are too.

(Hervey Voge)

Mt. Batulao (Old trail) August 2011

Together we knew toil, joy and pain. My fervent wish is that the nine of us who were united in face of death should remain fraternally united through life.

(Maurice Herzog, Annapurna 1950)    

If you dont let go, you cant fall off!

(Jerry Moffatt)

Mt. Pinatubo 2010

 But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live. Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom. Only a person who risks is free. The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; and the realist adjusts the sails.

(William Arthur Ward)

-The Hikezillas