Whenever one of my Japanese friends invites me for a drink, he always asks to meet at one of the bars in Taboan, MTS. But the other night, he ‘discovered’ Kanto Bar, also at MTS. So last night, he asked that we meet there. I was pleasantly surprised at the major facelift that Kanto has undergone — actually they renovated more than a year ago already, but I hardly ever go to that part of MTS.
A client asked me to a meeting last week, at a coffee shop I hadn’t been to yet. It was all business so I wasn’t able to sample anything other than their house blend, though. So yesterday, during a lull in my schedule, I headed for Café Palma Gil to check it out in earnest.
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.
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 »
I was at Netfront Coffee Shop & Internet Cafe last Friday, to talk to the owner and managers regarding the Davao Bloggers Party #1, which they’re sponsoring. I was with Kim C., who took this picture here. This new café is owned by a Korean who calls herself Janice. It’s interesting the way Koreans choose an English name for themselves. Somehow it shows an eagerness to learn the English language. But I don’t really know; I have virtually no Korean friends yet.
A new acquaintance gave me an idea to blog about: massage places in Davao. While we were engaged in conversation, Austin asked me about the best place in Davao to get a massage. I realized just then that there are actually quite a few now here. A colleague in the IT industry even opened a shop at the Matina Town Square.
You can differentiate massage services in Davao into roughly 3 categories: spas, or full-fledged services that offer more than just massages; massage clinics, where people go for no-fuss, no-frills body kneading; and home service. (Never mind the extra-service type — I have a GP rating here… well, sometimes R18, but not today 
)
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.
When I asked a Japanese tourist to describe Davao in one word, without hesitation she answered, "nonbiri". Relaxed. She was describing the general atmosphere, the pace of life, the way she feels whenever she’s in town. Many more visitors to our city feel this way. No surprise then that a coffee-shop culture has emerged here.
At my last count, there are now no fewer than 25 coffee shops in Davao’s urbanized district. For someone who’s been passionate about this heavenly brew, it certainly is a delight to witness the mushrooming of coffee houses just in the last few years. Compared to the present, my coffee moments at dear old Café Josefina in the mid-90s now seem so subdued, quiet. And there wasn’t much choice in the matter, either. Today, coffee lovers have a healthy number of choices — not only in the blends, but also in the character of the café that suits them. Here are a few of my haunts:
Basti’s Brew. The first word that popped in my head as I wrote this was ‘convivial’. Basti’s @ Victoria Plaza possesses an air of friendliness, and has such a great following that many can say that they’ve made friends with other patrons right there. While it wasn’t the very first honest-to-goodness coffee shop in Davao, it certainly was the one that pushed forward Davao’s coffee culture, in my opinion.
Blugré Café. This is most probably Davao’s pioneering coffee shop. Blugré was most likely the one that set the bar for all other shops to follow. While Basti’s has a relaxed atmosphere, Blugré has a decidedly business-like impression to it. Indeed, it’s a perfect venue for capping that deal, or for treating a client to a cappuccino break.
Bo’s Coffee Club (on F. Torres St.). Bo’s exudes a certain worldliness. It’s the one that’s probably closest to Starbucks in terms of appeal (well, it is a franchise itself). Most café goers might describe Bo’s to be exclusive, or in the local parlance, sosyal. So it might present itself as rather off-putting to the easily intimidated. The other Bo’s Coffee Club, the original franchise located in SM City, has a more affable charm.
51 Coffee Shop. They serve an exquisite Americano at 51 (pronounced five-one, by the way). They import their beans from Japan — thing is, Davaoeños might find the blends a little on the thin side. The owner runs the place like a typical Japanese coffee house, where you can expect the proverbial "Irasshaimase!" greeting. 51 Coffee Shop is huge, and is probably the most quiet of all.
Karl’s Koffee Korner. Now with 3 branches, Karl’s is the coffee shop that could possibly be known as a local franchise. However, its down-to-earth, gritty sort of appeal might not come across all too smoothly among coffee connoisseurs. But, it’s a comfortable place, especially the one in Buhangin.
The other coffee shops, like Copa Bossa, Formula Pete’s, Kasagingan, they all have their peculiar personalities as well. Some are easy to take; others take some getting used to. Some are instantly likeable; others, you have to let them grow on you. And all of this makes for an interesting café-hopping experience, don’t you think? Whatever your trip, I’m sure you’ll find that snug little café that fits you.
Ang Dabawenyo © 2007-2008, Oliver "Blogie" Robillo. | Nursing Board Exam Results June 2008
