Ang Dabawenyo

Restless on a Sunday afternoon, I set off to do another walk of the city, since the afternoon weather was proving to be agreeable. At first I thought I’d check out the ongoing construction of the PTA grounds, but there wasn’t anything noteworthy (or picture-worthy) just yet. So I ended up at my favorite haunt to write my column for Sun·Star Davao.

Then I walked on from Victoria Plaza to The Venue, hoping to chance upon something there that might excite my palate. Alas! The whole compound is closed on Sunday. Darn… and a hefty serving of Space Burger was already sizzling in my mind! Read more »

The Damosa area used to be a dusty, neglected-looking part of Davao, until recently. This part of Lanang was almost exclusively for warehouses and industrial-type buildings. When the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (Mindanao International College) along Mamay Road was established in 2002, its first batch of students found the area dreary and rather isolated. But things started happening a couple of years ago when the Damosa Gateway was put up.

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When it comes to pizza, my favorite in Davao has always been Picobello (5/F Gaisano South). But my friend — who happens to be an excellent chef — upbraided me for my “uneducated tastes” (in his opinion), and claimed that the pizza offerings at La Toscana are much better. So to prove his point, off we went to that quaint-looking Italian bistro. I always see La Toscana whenever I pass through Quirino Ave., but the location just was never inviting enough. Until now.

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Last Monday I went out to dinner with a couple of Manileños and a fellow Davaoeño, all kindred bloggers. Andrew suggested the place: Karlyn’s. He said the restaurant had just transferred from somewhere; now it’s located off the Ecoland Diversion Rd., just past SM City if you’re coming from the north. Read more »

Happy 70th Araw ng Dabaw!!!

In Davao there are quite a number of various cuisines to get excited about. There are several European restaurants: Claude’s le Café de Ville (French); De Bonte Koe (the name’s Dutch, but what’s on the menu’s Euro fusion); Picobello (Italian); and a few more. There’s American… hmm… McDonald’s? Asian, of course: Tsuru, Mabo, Zakoya, etc. (Japanese); Twosome Palace, Korea Town, etc. (Korean); Hanoi (Vietnamese); Marco Polo’s Lotus Garden (Cantonese); etc.

But I’ve been asked: What really is Davao cuisine?

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I’ve been preoccupied with my Japanese clients lately I haven’t had time to check out Davao’s newly-opened restaurants and cafés. But it hasn’t stopped me from noticing them. As soon as I have the time — and extra cash — I’ll sample all of these new places and their offerings.

There’s Barbecue Boss over at the K1 compound, F. Torres St. It’s an open-air affair and specializing in — you guessed it! — grilled goodies. If I’m not mistaken, they opened before Valentine’s. Read more »

Sunday found me with birthday boy Ichido, his family and his guests from Japan at a Korean restaurant, called Twosome Palace. My Japanese friends actually like Korean cuisine — they share my passion for spice.

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