Ang Dabawenyo

My last stay in Metro Manila was my busiest this year, even counting my stay in the nation’s capital for the WordCamp Philippines event on 6 September. On the plane back to Davao last Saturday, I was mildly surprised at my count of the number of restaurants I’d gone to: 18! My new favorite cheap, [...]

Once again, Chattee and I attacked the streets of Davao at night. But this time, the objective was food. We had planned on joining Chow King‘s congee-picture-taking contest yesterday, so off we went to the Bajada branch… but they were out of stock! This branch is open 24 hours, but they wouldn’t serve us congee [...]

Andrew, Migs, Ria and I had another organizational meeting for WordCamp Philippines 2008 yesterday, this time at Café Andessa. It was also a mini food trip for the four most intrepid bloggers of Davao City (we’re missing Winston, who’s in Cebu). My friend Sue Anne Orig, whose family owns this restaurant, graciously agreed to host [...]

The other night, I met up with a couple of friends, Ahbet and Rochelle, at cups & lowercase, that posh café on F. Torres owned by the Lizada family. I was surprised to find a new establishment in between the café and Bistro Rosario (that venerable steakhouse) — a new pizzeria in Davao! I’m not [...]

Contrary to expectation, I had a very enjoyable and restful stay in Cebu — exactly what I’d been pining for. The Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City provided a relaxing respite for a stressed-out worker bee who hadn’t had a vacation in more than a year! The Waterfront in Lahug is one of the largest hotels [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

My brother Jake’s leaving for Manila already — moving up the corporate ladder — and so the family had a despedida dinner for him last night. I was delighted that Mom decided on Aseya, that Asian fusion restaurant in Humberto’s Hotel. I’d already tried their sumptuous Thai fare when they catered the launching of Suay [...]