Ang Dabawenyo

The culminating dinner of the Davao Food Appreciation Tour, on 16 March 2008, was at Bryan’s Grill & Café. At this al fresco poolside restaurant, my good friend Bryan Bajado served the bloggers samplers of his fine cuisine.

For appetizer, we had three samplers: grilled pepper-crusted sashimi (my absolute fave here!), shrimp in white wine and pesto, and a refreshing preparation of sausage and corn. And then there were two kinds of salads: shrimp cocktail and Caesar’s. The inspired presentation of the dishes wowed our group, and the variety of flavors impressed us even more. It was truly a fitting concluding event to DavaoFAT. Read more »

I’ve been getting the same inquiry from different people lately: Where is the best burger in Davao being served?

Well, in terms of flavor and value for money, my personal favorite is still Space Burger, although the taste isn’t quite like it used to be. And I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but their patties seem to be rather smaller now… Still, it’s grilled, and they have a number of outlets around town (one of of which is near where I live in Matina). Read more »

I had a very satisfying dinner with three very good friends at a private restaurant last week. Couple Mandy and Maej invited Alex and me to My Brother’s Kitchen, owned and operated by Richie Ferazzini. It’s located in the Ferazzini compound in Bajada. However, it’s not really open to the public, and that’s why I’m not writing about it on Davao Delicious.

It’s a simple, open-air affair, run like a home kitchen would be. The Ferazzinis also own the long-standing Merco bakeshops and restaurants in Davao. But for this one (Richie says he’s thinking of changing the name), it’s for friends only.

Too bad, because their food is fantastic! We had steamed pompano, paella negra, smoked sashimi, cuttlefish on a hot plate, and even kilawing kambing. The pompano was simply awesome! And the paella negra (for those who don’t know, it’s paella cooked in squid ink) was so rich in ingredients and tasted so good.

Thanks, Maej and Mandy, for inviting me!

A Japanese client invited me and a friend to a Christmas party last night, at Zakoya. I’ve never been to Japan, but I think I have enough Japanese friends to know that last night was a very Japanese get-together. My friend, Alex of Global Wings Travel, remarked that the party-goers didn’t behave in the ‘usual Japanese manner.’

The Japanese character is commonly known to be reserved and disciplined — some even term it Vulcan-like (from Star Trek). At work, yes, they’re pretty much like that. But when they’re relaxing and having a good time, they can be the total opposite. Read more »

Tomorrow is my folks’ wedding anniversary, but my brother Jake, who’s in town for the long weekend, would be heading back to Manila already, so we decided to take Mom and Pop out for lunch today. We brought them to Picobello Ristorante Italiano, which is a great little place for family get-togethers.

Picobello’s offerings are some of the best you’ll ever find in Davao, whether you’re a fan of Italian food or not. Their pizzas sell like crazy, and their other pasta dishes are just heavenly! And to top it all off, Picobello’s waitstaff are well-trained and show it with their brand of service. Read more »

I’m happy to see that my friend Tope Cubos and his wife Fritzie seem to be running a pretty sound operation in Fwendz Diner. Already they’re getting quite a few regular patrons — last night I overheard someone say that, at last, he had found a new hangout.

This isn’t surprising either. For one, the food is hands-down delicious. And cheap, to boot! The other day, Tope had us try a new item on the menu: a generous serving of chimichanga. It was really good and, as far as I could tell, was authentic Mexican fare. At 45 pesos per serving, it’s a steal! Read more »

Food is a tricky business — if you don’t get the right formula, chances are your restaurant or café or bistro will close shop. That’s probably why many businessmen who venture into the food & beverages industry stick with what’s proven. In Davao that would be barbecue joints or Chinese restaurants. Or if there’s ample capital, a franchise from fast food chains.

That’s why I find it very refreshing and exciting when more adventurous entrepreneurs come up with something new in the Davao restaurant scene. Alias Bar & Shahzad Restaurant was one, I thought. It’s a fairly new place (they opened last 28 July 2007) that offers authentic Pakistani and Indian food. I say authentic only because the owner is a Pakistani (who can speak fluent Japanese, I was delighted to find out). Finally, a place that serves South Asian cuisine — I adore deliciously hot, spicy dishes! Read more »

Swiss Deli, that chic European restaurant in Lanang, has recently completed renovations and now features extended dining space in a new wing. The al fresco area is also now much cooler, even during hot afternoons. Most importantly, Signor Romano Venuti has added a charming wine cellar at the basement of the new wing.

Last Wednesday night saw Rochelle Venuti, Ahbet, Miguel and me at The Cellar for a bottle of their house red. The Ventisquero Cabernet-Sauvignon Clásico is another product of Chile that I now enjoy — but I’m still holding on to the Sta Rita cabsav as my favorite red. The Ventisquero (2005) sells for Php361 per bottle. With its deep woody texture, it was perfect with the sausages and cold cuts that we had. Read more »

It’s always a delight to discover little places with great food. And that was my experience when I went to Pinutos for after-drinks dining with friends. The place is al fresco, decorated simply — far from the look and feel of expensive restaurants, but comfortable enough.

The food, though, now that’s what you’d go to Pinutos for. I had the Crispy Tadyang (deep-fried beef ribs) and Binagoongan Rice — not a very healthy dish… but when you have it that good, who cares? My friends had Adobo and Kalderetang Baka, which of course I had a taste of as well. The pork adobo was awesome! It gave me a very homey feeling, as well as a palate-satisfying effect. Read more »

Do you go for no-frills dining but expect gastronomic treats? Try Fwendz Diner and see just how much you’ll enjoy their food. It’s at the new arcade, Metro Avenue, at the back of the Gaisano Mall of Davao.

Fwendz Diner is a simple enough place, no nonsense and unapologetically inexpensive. Imagine: baby back ribs for Php99! In my honest opinion, they could be selling it for twice that. It’s really good. What about a meal with two pieces of crispy chicken wings, rice and gravy for less than 30 bucks? No kidding. Read more »