SM Supermarket Beer Haus

During the past month or so, SM Supermarket has largely expanded their beer section with a good variety of imported beers. In this article cover photo, I have included some of the beers I recently purchased and enjoyed from SM Supermarket. Of the 7 samplers I bought, my favorite is the Belgian Beer, Stella Artois. It is beer that literally danced on my tongue with such a marvelous taste! I also liked Victoria Bitters from Australia but a distant second from Stella Artois.

I hadn’t had a King of Beers, Budweiser, since I moved to the Philippines, so that is why I bought one Bud. It seemed to taste better here than it ever did in the USA or in China, where I lived for 9 years! In mainland China, Pabst Blue Ribbon is one of the most popular imported American beers among Chinese. Believe it..or not! It is true and it is even served on China Southern Airlines. I can’t say it is among my favorite beers.

I’ve found most of the Japanese Beers to be pretty good and Sapporo Beer is no exception. When I eat at Cafe Bob’s Deli, I usually have a Kirin or Asahi Beer, both of which are Japanese Brews.

Some of the best beer in the world comes from Germany and while Beck’s is not top of the line, it is better than many local domestic beers. Yeah, I enjoyed the ice cold Beck’s from SM.

Dos Equis XX was popular where I lived in south Florida, with the large Hispanic population. It is a Mexican Beer and it is much better than Corona in my opinion! Corona is available at SM but I did not buy one. Had it many times and is much like San Miguel Light in taste.

I had never heard of Bear Beer before! It hails from Denmark but I think Carlsberg is better and it is also available in the Philippines.

I don’t drink beer to get drunk or to raise hell but I enjoy sampling beers made from around the world! Being a Beer Connoisseur is a personal hobby of mine. I have my own favorite in the Philippines and it is Beer na Beer Pale Pilsen, brewed by Asia Brewery. I also drink San Miguel Pale Pilsen when I am out and about since Beer na Beer is not common in most establishments.

If you enjoy a different taste every now and then with your beer, check out SM Supermarket’s new imported beer section. They should have something you like when you are ready to go for the gusto!

Retiring to the Philippines

If you are a music lover, you can check out my new article and read about the music that is alive and kicking in the Philippines!

The Music Is Alive and Kicking

Without a doubt, Music is a very important part of the Philippines Culture! I enjoy listening to music and I enjoy singing every chance I get.

I hope to see you soon, somewhere…all around Bacolod!

Rio Greeno’s Pizza in Bacolod

Located at the beginning of Lacson Extension, off Alijis Road, is Rio Greeno’s Pizza. Not to be confused with “Greeno’z Pizza” on Alijis Road. Rio Greeno’s is located in what look likes a two story house. We were there recently for a pizza to go, for taking to the beach.

While we did not dine in, there is a spacious dining area. Other than pizza and pasta, Rio Greeno’s also has Filipino and Swiss Food on their menu.

Waiting for Pizza

The wait for pizza was not long but long enough to enjoy a refreshing drink and look over the menu.

A cold one

There is a nice waiting area if you are taking pizza out.

Swiss Menu

Just a small peek for you concerning the Swiss Food on the menu.

Pizza Menu

A sneak peek at the Pizza Menu. There are more than 12 pizzas listed on the menu but you can also customize your own pizza.

Wall of Postcards

Take time out to look at the wall of postcards from Switzerland and other places.

Pepperoni Pizza

Rio Greeno’s turns out the kind of pizza I enjoy and that is, one made from scratch. I judge a good pizza by its crust. It doesn’t matter to me what the toppings are if the crust is not good. The kind of pizza that turns me off are the ones made from thick, prefab dough. Yeah, you know the place! Rio Greeno’s is not it. No, I am not getting paid to write this. Our son is also an excellent judge of good pizza and he enjoys Rio Greeno’s Pizza. He has been a little outspoken in the past when we would order pizza at other restaurants. When the pizza arrived at our table and before even tasting it, he said, “You call this pizza?” It is not the waiter or waitress’s fault, son. He understands now, not to be so outspoken. 

Pizza on the Beach

In line with one of the purposes of All Around Bacolod, I think that Rio Greeno’s is a restaurant that expats will enjoy going to and having a pizza and/or trying their Swiss Menu. We had rather dine in but we had already planned a beach trip last Saturday and we wanted to take pizza instead of having a BBQ on the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Villa Rosa Beach Revisited

“You can’t go home again,” were famous words of the American author, Thomas Wolfe. Home may never be the same as it was when you left years ago but there are locations which never seem to change.

The Sea, as Far as You Can See

For some, the beach is only a place to swim but for me, the beach always offers peaceful tranquility. The sound of the waves, the shells washing up on the beach, the scurrying of crabs across the sand and all the sea life down below, unseen and often mysterious.

Bringing In the Catch of the Day!

A small fishing boat pulled up to the beach to sell their catch of the day. We had already brought our food to grill at the beach, so we did not really need to buy fish.

Fire Up the Grill!

It didn’t matter if we had finished breakfast only two hours beforehand, once at the seaside, it is time to begin preparing food.

Chicken Wings and Pork Chops

Where there is smoke, there is fire. Where there is food and good times, there is music!

The Wandering Gypsy Beach Minstrel

The Philippine version of playing for tips. He was pretty good, actually! Playing a twangy guitar, he reminded me of the Ventures. Hawaii Five-O and Pipeline.

Recognition and a Smile

It isn’t everyday a guy shows up with an electric guitar and a battery powered amplifier ready to rock your house!

Smoking BBQ.

Hot Off the Grill!

Grilled Hot Wings with Mama Sita Buffalo Wing Sauce and grilled Pork Chop. There were six of us at the beach, so we had to be patient with the food. It takes time but well worth the wait.

Ice Cold Beer na Beer

In Barangay Sum-Ag, where Villa Rosa Beach is located, Asia Brewery’s Beer na Beer Pale Pilsen is more popular than San Miguel Beer products.

Frisbee Time

Lost a shoe?

Our son lost his shoe while catching the Frisbee.

Peanut Brittle

Snack time! Many vendors come around the beach cottages the entire day. One after another. They are selling peanut brittle, ice cream, chicharon, garlic peanuts, fried peanuts, fresh fish and other seafood to grill, balloons, toys, chopping and cutting boards and just about anything you can imagine.

Last Wing!

The last wing, the last brewski and almost time to head back to the hacienda!

More Fishing Boats Arriving

We would see what this catch brought in! Some nice prawns and crabs are always nice to take back home for supper.

It will be a few weeks but we look forward to our next day at Villa Rosa Beach. A place we can go anytime. It is always there and so is the tranquility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Punta Taytay

In Bacolod City, there is a beach resort located in Barangay Sum-Ag known as Punta Taytay. There are actually several beaches there and Villa Rosa Beach is our favorite.

On the road leading to Punta Taytay is a very large restaurant complex known as “The Viewing Deck.” Each section or restaurant is known by a number. We just happened to stop at Viewing Deck 15 to check it out since this was our first time in this large restaurant complex.

Viewing Deck 15

The photo of the actual building of Viewing Deck 15 did not come out well due to the lighting. It was really a bright, sunny day last Sunday.

Behind Viewing Deck 15 were other restaurants, also numbered, so we decided to take a stroll. A lovely, friendly hostess standing outside Viewing Deck 16 greeted us with a big warm and friendly smile. We decided to go inside and take a look at the menu.

Viewing Deck 16 Bar

All the restaurants at Viewing Deck are native structures and this is the bar area of Viewing Deck 16.

We took a seat in the restaurant that overlooked the sea. Across the way was another one of many Viewing Deck Restaurants.

Another Viewing Deck Restaurant

Without a doubt, night time dining on the sea at Viewing Deck would be nice. Lanterns are used to light up the area when the sun goes down. Of course, there is also electricity. 

Hanging Lanterns

Some expats may not find the menus at Viewing Deck Restaurants very exciting unless they enjoy native Filipino seafood. I enjoy most all the native Filipino food, so I was excited! However, the restaurant we chose, Viewing Deck 16, had grilled pork chops on their menu and I think most Americans would enjoy grilled pork chops! We decided to go the seafood route.

Appetizer

We had to battle the sun in our photo taking but this one is not so bad. My best Filipino friend, Randy, was with us, so we started with an appetizer of Beer na Beer in the one liter bottle. It was about 1pm. The sponsor of the Viewing Deck Restaurants is Asia Brewery, so they do not sell San Miguel Beer Products. Beer na Beer, Manila Beer, Colt 45 and Coors Light is available. Of course, Coors and Coors Light are American beers but they are now brewed in the Philippines by Asia Brewery. 

Sinigang

Sinigang, Filipino soup, was the first dish of our meal. This sinigang had a tamarind base and the meat was lison fish. It also included onions, tomatoes, kangkong or water spinach, long green beans, eggplant and green chili pepper. This sinigang was not overly hot and spicy, as it was just right and A#1!

Grilled Pusit

Up next was grilled pusit, or squid, on bamboo skewers. Very tender which is how I rate a good squid dish. I’ve had some squid dishes that was like chewing on a rubber band but these squid were tender and not very chewy.

Grilled Lison Fish

One of my favorite native fish is Lison. I really enjoy it best deep fried, whole, but grilled well also rocks! Kalmansi, or local lime, kicks up the taste of grilled fish and other dishes. I only ran across two small bones in the Lison, so it was a nice fillet.

Randy and Me

Randy is my best Filipino friend and here we are on the Deck. My lovely wife was busy taking the photos and we never did get a shot of her at Viewing Deck of Punta Taytay!

If you are looking for inexpensive, quality Filipino style seafood, check out the Viewing Deck at Punta Taytay. There are many restaurants to choose from. It has a nice view of the sea and it is on the way to Villa Rosa Beach.