Casa Verde Gluttons

When my friend Joseph and I went to Cebu, we had most of our meals at Casa Verde, a very good friend's homegrown restaurant that gave us a gastronomic feast of ribs, steaks, salads, pasta, cold desserts and its own drink blends. The gluttony went on for five days, and we're giving you the dish on some of our favorites.

photo credit: Joseph Interior

Casa Verde is insanely popular for Brian's Ribs (168PhP), baked pork ribs with sweet and tangy piquet sauce, a side of vegetables and a choice of harvest rice or mashed potatoes. I couldn't believe an order was meant for one person! The servings are huge.

It was love at first bite. The meat was so soft that we didn't need a knife, and the rich sauce had a delicious zing to it. The buttery mashed potatoes and harvest rice were also very tasty and complemented the ribs well.

photo credit: Joseph Interior

Surf & Turf (220PhP), charbroiled USDA round steak drizzled with balsamic glaze, was very juicy. I especially liked the sauce, which was sweet and a little spicy but not overpowering. The steak was served with a skewer of shrimp and harvest rice. Since I'm allergic to seafood, Joseph filled me in on how he found the shrimp, which he said was tender and so good that he didn't notice he finished it already!

photo credit: Joseph Interior

I also tried Penne Primavera (100PhP), penne pasta chockfull of roasted veggies tossed in marinara sauce, which is perfect for vegetarian pasta lovers! You can also opt to add grilled chicken (45PhP). I'm a veggie monster and I love tomato sauce, so this is definitely a dish I can have everyday.

photo credit: Joseph Interior

One of their most sinful desserts is Death by Chocolate (86PhP), chocolate and rocky road ice cream mixed with chocolate bar bits on a bed of chocolate cookies and dipped in rich chocolate sauce. Ooh la la. 'Nuff said!

photo credit: Joseph Interior

The restaurant's very own Panama Orange and Raspberry Iced Tea (30 PhPfor a glass and 75PhP for a pitcher) were both sweet and refreshing. Don't mind the shot glasses--they're actually served in tall ones. This photo was taken when we were doing sample shots.

These are only a few highlights of our sumptuous sampling of their menu. We seriously had Casa Verde withdrawal when we went back to Manila! Can't wait for our next Cebu trip for more!

Casa Verde Branches:

The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu (032) 233-8885

69 Lim Tian Teng Street, Cebu City (032) 253-6472

A104, Asiatown IT Park, Lahug (032) 412-3336

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The Manila Girl and the New Yorker

Who: Moi with Jenika, the only woman in the world who totally gets me (other than my mom!)

The Look: Easy dressing with a play on neutrals

I toned down my sunny draped tube dress with a pale pink cardigan and accessories in light shades of brown sprinkled with hints of gold. Jen spruced up her dark denim leggings and cream cami with nude sky high stilettos, but kept it cool and casual with chunky rings, beads on her wrists and a leather sling bag.

If I could have a super power, it would be teleportation. I'd raid Jen's closet everyday. I didn't say anything about actually walking in those deadly heels, though!

NOTE: All City Streets photos are posted with permission from the subject/s

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The Rykiel Deal

photo credit: Sonia Rykiel Look Book via www.elle.com

Stripes abound in Sonia Rykiel pour H&M's Spring 2010 collection coming out tomorrow. Her fun, quirky designs that are never without a girly flair are always a winner in my book.

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Mad About Alice

I've found so much fashion inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. I can't wait for Tim Burton's take on this classic.

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Sole Mates

Kick your V-day up a notch with sweet stilettos, boots, pumps and flats. Whether you'll be celebrating it with your special someone, your family or your girlfriends, you're sure to find the perfect pair from Centropelle's latest collection.

photo credit: Centropelle

Animal print stilettos hit trends spot on. These can add more edge to your casual duds. Slip them on and finish off your basic tops and bottoms with a flourish.

photo credit: Centropelle

Sexy heels with fringe details will dress up even the simplest dresses. Wear them with a nude dress, an LBD or a punchy-colored frock and you're all set.

photo credit: Centropelle

Not a fan of high heels? Look just as hot in a short number and a pair of these sassy strappy flats.

photo credit: Centropelle

Pump it up with these oldies but goodies. Classic pumps have a long "shelf life" and can be worn all year round, making them a very good investment.

photo credit: Centropelle

Planning to go to Baguio or other chilly places out of town? That'll give you the perfect excuse to bust out the boots!

Find your match at Centropelle stores located at SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, Festival Mall, Ever Gotesco, Sta. Lucia Mall, Ayala Cebu and SM Iloilo.

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Casual Friday

Who: Me and my college amigas Faye, Kristelie and Daryll after dinner and drinks on a Friday night

The Look: Faye and Daryll exude relaxed chic in a flowy gray tunic and a yellow shirtdress, black leggings and patent leather flats. Little details also add extra oomph to their getups, like Faye's turquoise necklace and the ladylike bows on Daryll's ballet flats.

Kristelie and I dressed up our basic tees for work with a few more funky but office-appropriate pieces. A high-waisted red and black gingham skirt gave a quirky-feminine vibe to Kristelie's knitted v-neck shirt. She kept it cute and casual with black ballet flats. I, on the other hand, threw on a long dark gray and black leopard-print cardigan over a gray round-neck tee and black jeans, and finished off the outfit with gray pumps. Oh, what a few add-ons can do to the good ol' t-shirt.

Too bad not all of our bags can be seen in the photo, but we all toted our trusty black bags that can go from day to night.

Casual Fridays need not be blah!

NOTE: All City Streets photos are posted with permission from the subject/s

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Fit for a Queen

Preparing an outfit for a formal event can be quite expensive, but you can save a lot by choosing versatile pieces that can be worn again for other occasions. For instance, you can turn a long black gown into an LBD by simply adjusting the hem. You can also save on jewelry with a single embellished headpiece. Just slip on one of these headbands from The Royalty Shop and keep your accessories simple and minimal.

photo credit: www.theroyaltyshop.com

Visit www.theroyaltyshop.com to order.

Oh, and don't forget to make room in your purse for your precious headband in case it gets replaced with a crown! ;)

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