THE OVERLOOKING INDULGENCE | MOUNTAIN VIEW NATURE’S PARK EXPERIENCE [PHOTOS]

To be direct, Mountain View Nature’s Park in Sitio Garahe, Busay, Cebu City is one of the most famous places you could hear from talks in town because of the overlooking indulgence of the entire Cebu city, and I’ve been here for plenty of times but never experienced the way I did on the Holy Week passed.

 

HOW TO GET THERE?
Same as my blog for Lantaw Native Restaurant, which is just around the corner of the entrance there in Mountain View, if you don’t have a car, you can go there by taxi which you can rent from J.Y. Square, P250.00, or by Habal-Habal (motorcycle) which costs P50.00 per person, or if you have your own car; that’s probably the best.

 

STAY THERE

Because of a family affair, I got there again. To make the story short; my mother and brother rented a stay for one night just for P1,200.00 non-air conditioned room.

The P1,200.00 Cottages

I have a short knowledge that there was lodging in Mountain View! So bummer of me.

So the clan went there for a hike and ended up gasping for breath because no one expected how difficult it is to reach on top since it was most of their first times.

Back to the room: it was big, enough for my clan of ten (imagine that) but sush, they didn’t know we were that plenty. Though some of my family members brought with them tents and just stayed outside. The room is (as they say) good for four people. The bed is humungous and very good to sleep into.

You can order food in their canteen and have them delivered in your room if you like.

 

TIP: If you’re planning to go there, have your rooms booked ahead of time, especially on weekends and holidays like the Holy Week. And I, most especially, like for you to book on the air-conditioned room, good for P1,500.00 on the overlooking deck part because you can see the city lights from the windows of your room, and there’s no need for you to climb up just to see it.

 

WHAT TO DO?

You can also enjoy their amenities. They have an Adventure Obstacle that is variety for P150.00. Their trail entails a lot of challenges; from walking on an unstable hanging bridge (but safe) to zip line-ing your way to excitement. This is available 9:00AM to 7:00PM daily.

You could also experience their very cold swimming pool that’s good for P100.00 on adults and P75.00 for youngsters. It’s very good for kids because the highest is just 4 feet, so no fret.

You can do camping, as I’ve said a while ago. There are certain places you can do it, but mostly, people build their tents when the dusk hits the horizon.

I’ve seen people grill outside of their rooms too.

You can soul search, or try marathon from the top down to the entrance of the vicinity. (Just kidding, you’ll end up getting killed)

And when nightfall comes, the city lights below will enchant you. It’s very amusing and enthralling yet at the same time very serene. Looking away from the busy city makes you go past through everything you’ve been through and ponder about your life. It’s very nice, I tell you. I’ve been there many times, yet the city lights never fails to amaze me.

It’s best to see it in their viewing deck which you could also have a booze with your friends. Thank GOD there’s no entrance pay.

 

TOO EXPENSIVE?

Here’s the catch, is all the amenities too expensive or too much? Well for me, there are a lot of transactions to be done in the spot, and the prices are quite revamped from the normal prices in the city, but let’s give them the benefit of the doubt that it’s really quite difficult to transport goods from down below up there on the mountain, that serves justice.

Also the crew’s salary hehe.

 

CONTACT

Telephone – (032) 231 5444

Facebook

 

PHOTOS

Another evening shot

Cebu in the morning.

 

CAFÉ HOUSE DELIGHT | CAFÉ CAW | CUPCAKE EXPERIENCE [PHOTOS]

 

–          ★★★★½

Korean coffee houses have been a trend nowadays in the Queen City due to its popularity of cute themed setting like Café Noriter that delights customers with delish offers and cozy ambiance.

Maybe it’s the way they offer it in their mainland, Korea, and that’s how we Filipinos wanted to experience that coincides in every angle.

Café Caw branched in two here in Cebu; one at Lahug and one in Banilad; offers a variety of goodies from cappuccino to frap and cakes to cupcakes.

BANILAD BRANCH

Cafe Caw Banilad

Located at Gov. M Cuenco Ave., Banilad, across BRIGHT Academy; the Banilad branch is a small café limited only for small amount of people but still with refreshing and welcoming ambiance good enough for you to chill and have a good time. Decorated with plentiful of cute stuffs; this branch is good for a short stop by chill-out.

Red Velvet at Cafe Caw

LAHUG BRANCH

Cafe Caw in Lahug

At Salinas Dr., Lahug, across J.Y. Square Mall; the Lahug branch is bigger than of the one in Banilad, also having 2 storey; this branch is more cozy and more welcoming. With lots of fancy toys and decors plus cutely painted walls, you can never go wrong in this café.

Cafe Caw in Lahug

Perfect for chill-out and longtime stay; Café Caw at Lahug is one place for you and your friends to catch up with each other or read books or surf the internet as well.

Green Tea Cupcake at Cafe Caw

CONTACT

Facebook Page

RATINGS

Offers – 4.5

Banilad – 4

Lahug – 5

Overall – 4.5

PHOTOS

Cafe Caw in Banilad

Cafe Caw in Banilad

Chocolate Cloud

Cafe Caw

Cafe Caw

Cafe Caw

COWBOY JUNCTURE | THE RANCH | RESTAURANT REVIEW [PHOTOS]

 

The Ranch in Banilad

–          ★★ ½

Have you remembered my past blog about a grill restaurant in the Queen? Well, here’s another grill station that you’d fancy.

The Ranch, housed at Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue, Banilad, Cebu City is a western/cowboy themed restaurant abundant with anything grilled. They have a variety of offers from beef; pork to chicken that will suit your westernized taste buds.

The Ranch in Banilad Panorama

The place is decorated with dark and precise wild-wild-west bar reference, with the exception of a smelly barn of course.

But whoever said that this place was affordable?

I’ve heard and read lots and lots of reviews here telling how cheap the price is here and how they could easily afford it. Well, it’s either they’re rich or their favorite hobby is social climbing. But truth be told; their price ranges from P270.00+ to P300.00+ and they even reach to P500.00 peso mark. And that for us, when the price range reaches P300.00, I don’t think that’s affordable.

Don’t get me wrong; their food is okay, but the price was not that friendly at all. my partner and I were on a budget and we gave our faith to the blog reviews and Foursquare tips but it wasn’t what we’ve experienced in sense of money.

Nevertheless, The Ranch in Banilad is a true blue/perfect cowboy themed restaurant good for people who want to experience this kind.

The Ranch in Banilad

CONTACT:

Facebook

RATING:

Worth of money – 2 ½

MORE PHOTOS:

 

Outside The Ranch in Banilad

The Ranch in Banilad

Light in The Ranch in Banilad

Food presentation in The Ranch in Banilad

A TRUE CUPCAKE SHOP | CUPCAKEN | EXPERIENCE [PHOTOS]

Cupcaken

–          ★★★ ½

I’ve always loved the feel of a pastry house or any cupcake store just as long as it’s true to its theme and feels at home while chilling with my partner. It’s always good to discover a downtown treat because it goes to show how plentiful of good stuffs there are in town.

And I consider Cupcaken as one of the best out of them cupcake stores.

Cupcaken has variety of cupcake offers that are presented well in their store and which I appreciated due to its welcoming feel and cozy ambiance that differs to one store I’ve been which felt like canteen-ish rather than a cupcake store (But still have oh-so-delicious cupcakes).

Cupcaken

Their cupcakes are worth the buy too which are winners due to its delish frosting, cute designs and variety of flavors that ranges to P60.00 and above. They also have miniature version of their cupcake offers that is cheaper than the original ones but is only available at 2:00-5:00PM every day.

Cupcaken’s Peanut Butter Cupcake

Cupcaken’s Chocolate Chip Cupcake

Cupcaken has also drink delights that are complimentary to the cupcakes that are offered from juices to coffees.

Although, I wished the store was located somewhere else that feels safer from ill-doers.

Nevertheless, Cupcaken is located at R. Duterte St., Banawa, Cebu City, street-side, which you will truly enjoy with your friends and family plus a parking lot good for 2-3 cars, perfect for a stop-by chill out.

Cupcaken Panorama

SCHEDULE:

2:00-12:00MN

Closed on Sundays

CONTACT:

(032) 479-9466

RATING/VALUE FOR MONEY – 3 ½

MORE PHOTOS!

PITOS | Sutukil | Camotes Island | Experience [PHOTOS]

One of the best things in our Camotes Escape (click here for the blog post) was the fact that there are plenty of resort and home restaurants. And due to the fact that the island is situated afar from Cebu itself raises the toll on the expense.

Yet, you have to be like Dora, an explorer, to garner exquisite pigging experience!

And since we stayed in Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, which costs us nearly P1, 700.00 per night (gush), we need to find a nearby restaurant that will not extract huge amount from us, yet will give us sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not that we don’t have money, but it’s wise to be thrift especially when you are travelling.

Here’s the tip: if you are staying in Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, there’s this family owned restaurant which is called Pito’s Sutukil. Worry not, for the said restaurant is just located within the shoreline of the resort.

Calamares in Camotes Island, Pitos SUTUKIL

Sutukil means Sugba, Tuwa, Kilaw which means Roasted (Pork), Fish Stew/Soup, Ceviche respectively. Pito’s Sutukil offers a menu of delicious food, good for plenty! Take note, plenty! Serving is enough for 2-3 people; even both of us couldn’t finish one dish!

On our very first time there, we ordered Tinuwa (Fish Stew), Calamares and my new favorite Sinuglaw.

Sinuglaw (Modified Ceviche) in Camotes Island

You should try Sinuglaw which is a modified version of Kinilaw/Kilaw (Ceviche), that has raw fish cooked under the battling taste of sweet and sour vinegar plus added with onions and some spices. What makes a Sinuglaw unique is the added Sinugba (Roasted Pork) onto it.

I think it’s the best food I ate while I stayed in Camotes, although the dish can be found in Cebu. (Which I tried weeks after the Camotes escapade, but Pito’s is really different) But I love how the taste bombards to all of the taste buds in my mouth, down to my throat. It offers a variety of battling flavors, in a good light. I can really tell especially when I took my first mouthful, a salivation process takes part. It just gives me those feels.

I guess what differs in Pito’s from the way I tasted it in the main land Cebu was that they used a different vinegar.

Pito’s also offers breakfast meals that are way cheaper and affordable than those in the restaurant.

While on the road on our second day, we took our lunch at the Island’s marketplace which offers barbecue, enough to carry on for the rest of the tour. Moreover, while on the Island, we only ate at Pito’s restaurant and tried their Pancit which upheaves flavors, away from the usual bland taste from the city.

RODEO GRILL | RESTAURANT | REVIEW [PHOTOS]

Rodeo Grill

 

Have you ever dreamed of being a cowboy/cowgirl and ride your way to the bar and while you’re entering the swinging doors everyone’s staring at you because you are a famous head-shot assassin in the Wild, Wild West?

Oh yes, you got it right at Rodeo Grill. (Except for the part where you ride a horse)

Located across Café Noriter and just beside Hotel Elizabeth at Archbishop Reyes, Cebu City; Rodeo Grill is a Cowboy slash Texas slash Wild, Wild West slash Barn themed restaurant, with offers that are mostly hot plated grill.

Outside Rodeo Grill

The vicinity is truly remarkable, with its barn-like ambiance. Although the grill is quite hidden from the glimpse of the highway, and just a marquee on its entre; Rodeo Grill offers a revamped luxury barn experience. Yet, I would recommend going there in the evening, rather on the daylight, since the lighting captures the essence of Western living, and eliminates the loud and uncomplimentary details of the trees and some unnecessary junks in the surroundings.

When you enter the grill, you will then be amazed of how close-captured it is from some of the bars we see in the movies: but not to mention their counter which is really modern and not Western, plus the air-conditioner (which is forgivable). Although the grill is too small; I cannot deny the inviting feel of the home-ish style restaurant.

Panorama inside Rodeo Grill

I loved how they designed the huge picture of a riding cowboy on their wall, and how detailed their windows are, complimentary to the theme (unlike the one I mentioned in the Grecian theme inspired restaurant CYMA), and their tables were wooden: just the sound of rodeo it is. The floor wasn’t polished too, which creates excitement and a perfect feel of western.

Cowboy picture on the wall

They have a wide range of grilled offers: I ordered their famous Sgt. Pepper Sizzling which is grilled pork that costs us a shocking P169.00 BUT a huge serving great for two!

Sgt. Pepper Sizzlers at Rodeo Grill.

I’m in love with the fact that their serving was big AND delicious. The meat was grilled viciously but with no excess coal which is not healthy and I don’t fancy. Also, the gravy is what I was raving about. The eerie taste of mixed flavors but still compliments to the grilled pork but will not give the taste of displeasure even after plenty of spoonful.

Close-up shot of Sgt. Pepper Sizzlers

Next, was the Texas Sizzling Chicken which costs us P139.00 and still was a huge serving. The chicken was smothered with the said gravy on the heated plate plus extra random vegetables as the side dish same as with Sgt. Pepper Sizzling. The chicken was also soft and delightful.

Texas Sizzling Chicken

We also ordered their Ranch Pochero which costs us P159.00, and, I’ll keep raving about their huge serving, because it’s truly commendable in a small amount of money but plenty offerings and tasteful, really. My partner ranted about how he would’ve ordered only the Pochero, since he’s in love with the taste, so was I.

And oh, have I mentioned their unlimited rice which is uh-mazing. And not just their rice, but also their bottomless soft drinks, offered in Coke, Sprite and Royal AND lastly their unlimited gravy. But I would comment on their rice, because I felt it was like in Golden Courie’s (a famous Filipino restaurant), which is quite a heavy kind. What I mean is that the rice itself is too concentrated that will make you feel full right after the second cup of rice is offered. And with the huge serving; I think it deserves a light kind of rice, so everyone can truly enjoy the grills.

The only comment my partner made was that they don’t offer charging your phone, which is a true bummer, and there was no WIFI around, and again, internet is everything especially when there’s Instagram. Although their waiters were OK, but I’d rather see a smiling and inviting one, so they should fire all of them… just kidding.

In totality, Rodeo Grill was a delight which only coss us at abou P577.00. A TIP, well, maybe you could just order two dishes and share it with your partner. Bring your friends too, it should be fun. Check it out and go home full and happy!

RATINGS:

Sgt. Pepper Sizzling – 9

Texas Sizzling Chicken – 8

Gravy – 10

Pochero – 10

Ambiance – 9

Service – 7 (No wifi and no free charging of phone)

Value for Money – 9

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• Kaona Grill || Baby Back Ribs and all other dishes (onesettingatatime.wordpress.com)

Kaona Grill || Baby Back Ribs and all other dishes

Satisfactory treats.

One branch located at H. Abellana Street, Banilad, Cebu City, just beside Jollibee; True to its name,
Kaona Grill offers variety of grilled dishes to satisfactorily tasteful noodle style cuisine. The place, in that
branch (which is no less than like other branches), is pretty small which has large wooden chairs and
tables, and also located just beside the street that causes some dusty feel, but in the evening, the
yellow-ish light complemented the ambiance.

Kaona Grill, H. Abellana St., Banilad, Cebu City

Kaona Grill is now famous for their NEW offering that is the Baby Back Ribs which I ordered for myself.
Costing about P179.00 (with rice and iced tea), the latest food is the same as their other dishes which
isn’t a big bang, wow offer. Although, same as their other dishes too, it’s satisfactory. You are going to
enjoy it, but will not engross you to have that euphoric moment that will forget all your problems.
Kaona Grill’s Baby Back Ribs is delicious, just enough to stuff an empty tummy!

Comparing to Casa Verde’s version, which offers a huge, good for two (2) Back Ribs; I fairly can say I’d
prefer Kaon Grill’s, due to a fact, that in Casa Verde’s, a displeasure sense right after a couple of
mouthfuls and its distasteful sweetness results to a disgust feel.

Kaona Grill’s Baby Back Ribs with Atchara

I’ve eaten plenty of times at Kaona Grill’s and I always ordered their Pork Belly Meal that costs P149.00 (also with rice and iced tea);
which is again another satisfactory treat, but just enough too.

Kaona Grill’s Pork Belly. (Sorry bout the chipped part, it has been eaten)

Also, I’ve tried their fair taste Pancit that costs about ONLY P49.00 that is a bit hard on the buds but still
satisfactory.

I don’t know how many times I’ve mentioned “Satisfactory” in this post, but that’s a fair fact about that
growing restaurant. But I’d rather express my audacity for readers not to expect too much out from really
mediocre reality.

Kaona Grill is not really splendid YET also not a paper-crumbled fiasco kind; but they offer enjoyable
dishes for you and for everyone else which can relate too, and an undeniably Filipino style debonair
perfect for every Pinoy, and foreigners who wants to get a taste of what it’s partly like to be a modern
Filipino.

Baby Back Ribs – 8

Pork Belly – 7

Pancit – 7

Iced Tea – 3 (gush! Out from a pitiful sachet)

Service – 8 (People in the branch are pretty ok)

Location – 9 (Accessible)

Ambiance – 7 (meh)

‘Satisfactory’ word count – 7 times (hahaha)