While I was on my way back from Bogo, Cebu to Cebu City last week, I got a text message from Feyma. She told me that a friend of ours had contacted her. Our friend’s name is Yam. I’m not going to use any last names, because I am not sure that she wants her last name published here. But, anyway, Yam’s boyfriend, Kevin is a regular reader of LiP (Hi Kevin!), and he saw that I was going to be in Cebu, so he called Yam and told her. Actually, Kevin and Yam thought that both Feyma and I would be visiting, but it was just me.
Anyway, Feyma told me that Yam wanted to get together while I was in town, so I talked to Yam on the phone, and we set up a meeting time to see each other that afternoon. Yam actually came and picked me up at my hotel, and she had plans! Yam told me that since I was always writing about good restaurants in Davao, she wanted me to try a favorite restaurant of hers in Cebu, a place called “Casa Verde” which was actually quite near to Yam’s office, which was also near to my hotel (small world!).
So, Yam took me on a short drive to Casa Verde (located on Ranudo Extension in Cebu City, not far from Fuente Osmena). She told me that Casa Verde was famous for thier Baby Back ribs, so with a little arm twisting, she convinced me to have the baby back ribs. At Yam’s instance we also shared a great Salad as well. Honestly, Baby Back Ribs are a favorite of mine, so it didn’t take too much arm twisting. I had actually suggested that we share an order of ribs, because it was an early dinner, but Yam insisted that we should each get an order, so I didn’t fight with her.
Casa Verde Restaurant in Cebu City
As Yam had said, the ribs were absolutely delicious. In my opinion, the best ribs in Davao are at Ranchero Grill, and these ribs at Casa Verde were at least equal, and the price was very cheap too. I don’t recall the exact price, but it was well under P200 per order.
Yam and I had a great talk over our dinner. Because I had come to Cebu to practice my Bisaya skills, Yam insisted that we speak in Bisaya, which we did for a while. I guess we switched back and forth between Bisaya and English through the meal, and I just hope that Yam could understand my Bisaya OK. She seemed to understand me alright, though. 😉
Feyma and I first met Yam last year when she traveled to Davao to attend my Virtual Earner Seminar that I held last year. It was nice to see her again, and hear about what she has been up to over the past year. Of course, we spent a lot of time talking about Kevin too, since he is our mutual connection. Don’t worry, Kevin, Yam didn’t have too many bad things to say about you! Just kidding….
So, if you are in Cebu and looking for a nice place to eat, I recommend Casa Verde! I would imagine that any taxi driver should know the place, as it is fairly well known, I think. You can do a lot worse than Casa Verde if you are looking for a good meal, and the price was right too.
I must say, though, I was kind of upset with Yam, though, on one issue. She would not allow me to pay for the dinner, which I fully intended to do. What a great hostess! Thank you very much for a great meal, Yam, and for some wonderful discussion. I really enjoyed it a lot.
My Recommendations in Cebu City
While I am on the subject of recommending places in Cebu, let me make a few more recommendations:
- Pacific Pensionne House – I stayed here two nights while I was in Cebu City. My room was very inexpensive, just P650/night. The room was clean, and everything worked fine. Air Conditioning, Cable TV, shower, private bathroom, etc. Everything you would expect. Not fancy, but comfortable as a place to sleep. I will certainly be staying there myself again if I am in Cebu City. Great central location too, near to Fuente Osmena. If you decide to stay there, tell them that “Mindanao Bob” sent you! I don’t get anything for it, but would like to build up a little repoire with them.
- Ayala Mall – if you are in Cebu City and want to see a first class shopping experience, Ayala Mall is the best.
- SM Cebu – Another great mall is SM in Cebu. Newly enlarged and renovated, you will find the place to be amazing.
- TGI Fridays – In Ayala Mall, if it’s been a while since you’ve had American food, this place is great!
- Nagano Pension House – If you go to Bogo, up north, this is a nice place to stay. Expect to pay P900 or more per night. When I visited, they did not have any of the P900 rooms, I paid the next higher rate, P1300 per night. It is clean, nice, and the staff is very helpful.
One thing that also surprised me in Cebu was the number of people who knew who I was from my websites! Around Mindanao, and especially Davao, I meet people nearly every day who know me from my sites, but I did not expect that to happen in Cebu, since my sites tend to focus on the Southern Philippines, but really every single day that I was in Cebu I ran into people who recognized me and mentioned to me that they read my websites and follow me online. So, I’ll give a shoutout to all of those people, and thank you for being interested in my sites!
Well, this article will wrap up nearly 2 weeks of articles about Cebu City. I had a great time visiting the place. Thanks to all the people of Cebu who made my visit a wonderful experience. Thanks to Rusty and Jessie for hosting me for a day. Thanks to Yam for a great dinner and great company. Thanks to all the nameless people along the way who made it a pleasurable experience, and those who helped me out when I needed a little assistance along the way too.
Kamsta ka Bob,
Another great story, and a very nice thing Yam did, that is so nice of her to do that for you.
Now the Pacific Pension House, is it convient from the airport? Because I am just now looking at there website, and that place looks great. Not just the price, but looks very comfortable and very clean. I am not a picky person when it comes to hotel accomodations either, but then again, I don't enjoy staying at the "roach" motel either. But it looks like a nice place for Rose to stay when she meets me in Cebu, and depending on what time I arrive in Cebu, to stay a night there till we catch a ferry to Maasin City.
Salamat Kaayo,
Danny 🙂
Well Bob sounds like you had a wonderful time. 🙂 .Good going on the articles.. Phil n Jess
Nice to hear you had a wonderful time in Cebu , tis my favorite city in the RP. Ayalla mall at night is a great place just plain hang out and relax since they re-did the back area. have a safe flight home.
Hi dan2vero – Yam is a nice lady, and I like her a lot. Kevin is a lucky guy.
One thing about the Pacific Pensionne House Website – I will say that the photos make the place look a little nicer than it is. But, it is a perfectly adequate place for me, and as I said, I will most certainly be staying there again in the future.
The airport in Cebu is on a different island – Mactan – and is about 30 minutes ride from most parts of the City. So, unless you stay on Mactan, and not in the City, no hotels are really convenient to the airport. However, they offer good taxi service, and all the taxis charge the same fare (P260) no matter where you are going in the City. I find a 30 minute ride from airport to hotel to be satisfactory, and it does not bother me a bit.
Thanks Phil. Indeed, it was a nice trip!
Hi Brian – Actually, I've been home almost a week already, and did have a safe flight! 😉 I agree that Ayala Mall is a great asset for Cebu, I love the place.
Hi Bob… any article(s) you did in the past regarding a recommended hotels in Davao besides Marco Polo, Grand Regal, Insular and other than big-name hotels? Likewise, in Samal, do you think Isla Reta is a nice beach to visit compared to say Paradise. Sorry, a bit off /somewhat related topic… thanks!
Hi Gerry – I have not really done that kind of recommendation for Davao as of now. I will do it, though. For a hotel, if you were looking for an inexpensive place, I would recommend We Are Inn in Bajada which starts at P800/night.
On Samal… well, Isla Reta is not actually on Samal, it is on Talikud Island. It's OK, but nothing fancy. Paradise Island is, in my opinion, the worst place to go on Samal. It's where the crowd goes, and it is nearly always crowded with people. My favorite Samal Resort is Chema's by the Sea, not far from Paradise, slightly pricier than Paradise, but WAY nicer!
Thanks Bob! Isla Reta was recommended by my cousin… more isolated, more scenic(?) and idyllic. Yes, I agree Paradise is now very developed and alot of people unlike that place in the late 80's. I will consider Chemas if it is more accessible.
Can't wait for July to come and looking forward to meet you for coffee or dinner… on me. Thanks again!
Hi Gerry – Not many amenities at Isla Reta (like food!), but if you enjoy roughing it a bit in a beautiful place, then Isla Reta will be for you! Chemas is the choice if you want to be pampered a bit. It's sort of a mini Pearl Farm, on a smaller budget.
Hi Bob,
Now I know where to have, one of my favorites baby back ribs, if I ever go to Cebu. Nice articles and nice trip I hope. Certainly sounds like you enjoyed yourself.
Hi Andy – Yeah, in Cebu, Casa Verde has great Baby Back Ribs! Here in Davao, Ranchero Grill is the best place for Baby Backs, just in case you had not found them yet!
Yeah, Cebu was a great trip! I'm looking forward to bringing Feyma along next time!
Hi Danny,
Have you been to the Phil?
Roy
Hi Bob, no pictures of what a P 650. Cebu accommodation can give you? Was the Bogo room w/c was twice as expensive as the Cebu room and in a 4th flr (it was 4th flr, right?) worth it?
My favorite pension house in Cebu is Kukuk's Nest right in Lahug. I always get the same room. It was a great recommendation from a nice lady I met in Camiguin. I wish I could see her again. She owns a resort there.
Hi Roy – I provided a link to the Pacific Pensionne Website, which is full of pictures! I didn't think there was any need for pics here, since they were already on the hotel's site.
Hi Roy,
Not yet…
Maayong adlaw Bob,
Yam was surprised to see pictures of herself on your site this morning. I agree with you about your comment that I'm a lucky guy. Yam is sweet, intelligent, very pretty,and a talented sales executive at one of the largest companies in the country.
You two talked about me? No wonder my ears were burning! I hope that Yam didn't say anything too bad about me! Seriously though, I'm glad that you and Yam were able to get together. I am a little jealous though that you got to eat ribs at Casa Verde before I ever did. She says the ribs cost 178 pesos.
Yam says that you have a pretty large Bisaya vocabulary already and you are very easy to understand in your pronunciation. She is excited about the two of us coming to visit you and Feyma,and for us to visit the resort on Samal Island you told her about.
The next time you go to Cebu, and especially if you bring Feyma, Yam promises some more restaurants you can visit with good food at great prices, especially some seafood restaurants. Hopefully I can be there too instead of here in the Houston, Texas area.
Amping ka
Hi Kevin – Nice to hear from you! I figured I might get a comment out of you today! 😆
Yeah, it was nice to see Yam again, it's always a pleasure to talk with her. The ribs at Casa Verde were great! You're jealous? That's a good thing, will make you hurry up and come over for a visit!
Feyma and I will certainly be paying Yam another visit in the not-too-distant future, and see a few more Cebu restaurants! 😀
Hi Bob, Thanks for all the recommendations for eating and sleeping. I've bookmarked them all and will certainly be trying out your recommendations next trip. It's nice to have advice from the locals on places like this. You sure made me hungry describing those ribs! 🙂
Hi John – Enjoy the ribs! Tell them that Yam sent you, because if not for her, I would have never known the place! I am hungry right now, thinking of those ribs! 😉
Some good articles about Cebu Sir BoB. Looks like photo journalism is right up your alley! Hmmmm, I can see you defecting to National Geographic lol.
Cebu has some very clean and very cheap pension houses, you just got to look for them. Also the food in my opinion is well priced, of good quality and there is a variety to suit all tastes.
I think if you get to go to Luzon ( if your wife lets you lol ), your trip will be a winner. Luzon is a different kettle of fish to the rest of the Philippines. Its an area that can make or break a "green foreigner". I can't wait to read about your experiences in Manila.
"Casa Verde", that is also the name of an excellent restaurant in the campus of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. Macrine and I were there last March. Good Food and reasonable prices.
I thought that there is a Philippines government agency that regulates naming of business establishments , so that only one Casa Verde could be registered in the whole Philippines. I guess restaurants are exempted.
Anyone knows?
Bob, my favorite dish is also baby back ribs and seafood paella!
Hi Boss – I am happy that you enjoyed my series of Cebu articles. Photo journalism? Ha ha… good joke there! 😆
I have done very little travel in Luzon, and it is something that I really look forward to a great deal. Looks like everything is a "go" for that trip.
Hi David – On business name registration, it is possible to register a more formal name, but "doing business as" a simpler name like "Casa Verde" – so it is possible for multiple places to have the same, or similar names like this. One of the key factors, though, is to make sure the two places cannot be confused for each other. It is highly unlikely that a Casa Verde in Cebu and one in QC would be confused with each other due to the distance. The business names like this are regulated by the DTI, but the way.