It’s an open-air affair, right along the road behind Victoria Plaza. It’s smallish, and can only accommodate about 20 to 25 people comfortably (although the seating capacity is about 35).

Rikki is the one who does all the cooking. And boy, can he cook! (In fact, this is the same Rikki who shared his cabbage dumplings recipe for Davao Delicious.) His specialty is Filipino cuisine, but he can also do other Asian dishes, such as his famous Bang Hoi noodles. (More on that in a future post!)

As carinderias go, you don’t really know what’s on the menu until you get there. There’s a buffet spread, but it’s not an eat-all-you-can thing: you tell them what you want to eat from the warmers, and you get served. Most of the dishes are only ₱35 each. My favorites there (having known Rikki’s cooking for some years now) are adobo, mechado, sinigang, pinakbet, … but there’s more!!

I know it’s a cliché already, but honestly, their food is home-cooked goodness.

Vianda Buena is open Mondays to Saturdays, serving lunch and dinner. They’re located on Veloso St., near the corner of Cervantes St., in Barrio Obrero. If you’re coming from Victoria Plaza, they’re on the right side of the road.

Thanks to:: Ang Dabawenyo

Grub Resto•Café used to be located in another part of town, but has now transferred to Gov. Duterte St., across the street from Shakeys, in downtown Davao City. This area has always been known as a food district, and is showing no signs of slowing down.

You will surely love their large portions and the tastiness of their dishes. The Dino Chops that I had was humongous! But more than that, it was prepared lovingly with finely-chopped parsley and golden garlic. It comes with brown rice, but I think you can order a side of mashed potatoes instead. Oh and the apple sauce thats served with this is a total taste match (but there’s no stopping you from asking for the good ol’ Filipino-style dip of soy sauce, calamansi and siling labuyo).

The appetizers that we had were winners — Cheese Loaf (₱140) and Buff Wings (₱128). The Cheese Loaf is a basket of sliced french bread, sprinkled with herbs, with two types of cheese melted over, slice of ham, and a dash of Tabasco.

The buffalo wings were promised to be very hot spicy, but, for me, it was just normal fare (well, I do eat chili for breakfast, so…). Still, it was finger-lickin’ good!

Weekends, they have special items not on the menu, and currently it’s Seafood Chowder, which has baby clam, fish, abalone. I still have to try it, but knowing that they prepare it from scratch, I will certainly be back very soon! Their coffee brews are also on my to-do list.

Proprietors Elisa and Dotty have created a comfortable setting for intimate gastronomic gatherings, one that will not fail to please both eyes and palates. The service is personalized, especially when the two ladies are in attendance. Do give Grub Resto•Café a try soon! They’re open everyday except Sunday, from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Tel. 301-8069.

But when it comes to Korean cuisine, hot spices reign supreme!

It had been a long time since the last time I had kimchi, so it was a very welcome treat when I had dinner for the first time at Sigol Bap Sang with my friends Brendel and Lyle. As I can be passionate about Japanese culture, so can Brendel be about Korean, so she was our culinary guide as we feasted on authentic Korean dishes.

At Sigol Bap Sang, they serve Banchan, or a set of appetizers to get your taste buds going. It’s free, and you can even ask for refills. I especially liked the fermented beans and the potato strips. Surprisingly, I also quite enjoyed the shallots; I am not a fan of onion at all, but that night, I ate so much of the stuff! And their kimchi — it made me ecstatic! I’m not an expert on Korean cuisine, but I can daresay that Sigol Bap Sang’s food is authentic (because Koreans run the place) and worthy of any food critic’s praise.

There’s a new item on my favorites list now, and it’s a spicy red noodle soup with beef and various vegetables, called Yukejang (₱250). Its distinctively Korean taste really livened up the entire dining experience at Sigol Bap Sang. I loved the way the ingredients were fresh and cooked to perfection (no soggy veggies and what not). I just wish they made it even more spicy… One serving is good for 3 to 4 people.

The rice dish that we had, Bibimbap (₱200), was something new for me too. One of the restaurant owners came by after it was served and did the honors for us. He expertly folded the eggs and vegetables into the rice and mixed in the red bean paste that gave it that zing. He also poured in a little sesame oil, which, Brendel told us, Koreans use a lot in their cooking. One order of this savory dish serves 2 to 3.

One of the dishes we ordered that I didn’t really enjoy (but which Brendel really liked) was the Dok Bokki (₱600). It’s a dish of rice cakes and vegetables. I don’t know, but the taste somehow reminded me of instant noodles… Maybe if it were spicy, then I might’ve gotten to like it. It’s a huge serving, hence the price.

The only recognizable dish for me — aside from kimchi — was the Bulgogi (₱300), which Sigol Bap Sang really knows how to prepare. The beef was tender and tangy, just a tad sweet but really tasty. It wasn’t spicy, though. The owner said they have another beef dish that’s really spicy, and that’s what I’m going to have the next time I dine at Sigol Bap Sang.

The restaurant is located in a small arcade across the highway from the Grand Regal Hotel (you’ll see a Merco bakeshop and a Korean grocer in that arcade). It’s in Lanang, approaching the intersection of J.P. Laurel Ave. and R. Castillo St. The place is not very big, with about 9 booths and a long table on one side of the restaurant. Service is prompt and the waitstaff seem to be well-informed of their food offerings.

They’re open daily, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Their landline number is 300-8989.

I like the modern ambience of the place — a fusion of earthy comfort and cool, avant-garde design. Their logo, though, was a bit queer because of the Sanskrit typeface…

The price is not inexpensive, but, for the most part, their food is worth the money. Their chicharon hors d’oeuvre, however, was a bit much. At ₱120+, the Nam Prig Ong was interesting but something we could’ve done without. On the other hand, the second appetizer we had, Pho Pia (₱95+) or fried spring rolls, was very nice. It has glass noodles, pork and mushrooms, and served with a sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce.

Always a fan of curry, I’m happy to say that their spicy beef curry dish, Kaeng Nua (₱210+), was really delicious. And very spicy! Of course you can ask for a less spicy preparation, but personally, I love my Thai food biting hot. The beef was very tender and generously served in bit-sized pieces, immersed in a rich, spicy curry sauce. It was spectacular!

The family-style rice we ordered, Kao Ob Subparob (₱140+), in spite of its difficult-to-pronounce name, was good for all four of us and it was quite tasty. I don’t normally like food with pineapple (even pizza), but thankfully, they didn’t put too much of the stuff. The rice was well-cooked and evened out the spiciness of the other dishes.

Many of the items on the menu are good for two, even three people. They have what you might expect to see in Thai restaurants, like Tom Yum Goong (₱195+) and Pad Thai (₱155+), and a few on the menu that I’ve never tried before. I’m definitely going back to try those other dishes soon! And, I won’t hesitate to recommend Bangkok Wok to my blog’s readers.

The service seems to be top-notch. The place was full when I was there with Jaime, Chattee, Angel and Jude, but we were served promptly and expertly. Although they’re still very new, the waiters who attended us knew what to recommend and how to describe the food. For me, that makes a big difference when choosing where to eat.

Bangkok Wok is located at the ground floor of Robinson’s Cybergate, J.P. Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City. Their landline number isn’t connected yet, but as soon as it is, I will post it here. Fax: 234-7008. Email: bangkokwok[at]rocketmail[dot]com.

Thanks to:: Ang Dabawenyo

Last night I went to eat at Antonio’s for the first time, and a couple of food-tripping friends joined me. We had a lovely meal and enjoyed the ambience (it’s always nice to have a good number of other diners around, don’t you think?) and the excellent service. The waitstaff who attended to our needs were very helpful, polite, and always wore a smile.

For starters, we had the Shrimp Tempura. They’re not a Japanese restaurant, so I tried not to expect too much. It was good, though, not bad at all. The shrimps were big and the batter was crispy enough and not soggy with oil. The el cheapo hot-sauce dip was a bit of a spoiler… but like I said, Antonio’s isn’t a Japanese restaurant. One order is good for two people.

The Inihaw na Liempo was a pleasant surprise. I found it good that they serve the pork belly in thin strips, marinated well and grilled just right. There was a bit of toughness around the edges, but that’s sometimes to be expected in barbecue. The smoky flavor was really good, though, and it was all I could do to keep myself from stuffing my face! And, I appreciated very much the care they apparently take in preparing their dipping sauces. In many other restaurants that serve grilled food, they just give you out-of-the-bottle stuff for dipping. At Antonio’s, the inihaw orders come with a soy-sauce dip that’s mixed with some spices and other condiments (but I couldn’t quite identify them…). Lip-smacking good!

What my friends and I found suspicious right away, however, was the Inihaw na Bangus that we had. The way the milkfish was prepared and presented seemed really delectable, but the fish itself was, well, fishy. The meat didn’t look the way it should — grayish, crumbly — and after trying some of it, it made my tongue itch a little. The fish wasn’t very fresh. Too bad. On the flip side, the staff was really concerned about it and promised to look into the matter. Judging by the way they take care of their customers, I’m sure it won’t happen again.

What made our meal most satisfying was our order of Stir-Fried Vegetables. The broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, bell pepper and other green goodies were really fresh and succulent. It wasn’t too oily, and I loved the subtle flavoring (oyster sauce, pepper, and very light on the salt). It’s the dish that I would recommend to round off a table full of grilled and fried food!

The family-style garlic rice, I should also mention, was fabulous. For me, rice can make or break a meal. Sometimes, no matter how good the food is, but if the rice is bad, everything goes down a notch. At Antonio’s, the garlic rice is steamed to perfection, and lightly cooked again with golden garlic and sprinkled with a little celery. Yummy!

I’ve heard that Antonio’s is also known for their steaks and Crispy Tadyang. That I will have to see next time I dine there.

The Antonio’s Bar & Grill branch at the Metro Lifestyle compound has a conference room, which can also be used for small parties. For reservations, call 225-4394. Both branches are open all week for lunch and dinner.

Café Latté

The chic yet cozy ambiance, and the Australian-inspired touches… The tasty pasta and waffles (which they call “jaffles”)… The friendly and capable service… The heavenly coffee! All that, and a bit more, in one delightfully inspired package called Jose Rafael Fine Coffee.

The first time — and up to the 4th time so far — that I had their Long Black (₱65 for the single), I was tremendously impressed by the way they brew their coffee. “Long Black” is what Australians call what we commonly know as the Americano blend. Their espresso base is very aromatic, full-bodied, and leaves a chocolatey but clean after-taste, hence the perfection in their various café offerings. I’ve had their latté as well, and it was quite an enjoyable drink!

It is obvious that the proprietors and staff of Jose Rafael take great care in roasting their beans and in brewing their coffee blends, and knowing this adds to the whole experience. Now I have one more in my list of favorite coffee shops in Davao City, and it could very well be #1.

The décor and the furniture, as well as the tableware, are very pleasing at Jose Rafael. The only problem is, the place is rather small, with a comfortable seating capacity of only 20 or so. It’s a plus, though, that they have an al fresco lanai with snug couches, perfect for a group of four or five friends. I also love the big glass windows with wooden frames, which give the place a warm attractiveness.

Looking at the menu, you’ll see the modern Australian influence I’ve mentioned — this is presumably because the owners, who’re Filipino, are living in the land Down Under. They have Sydney-Style Eggs on Toast (₱50 for the 1-egg order; ₱90 for two), which is perfect for breakfast or for an afternoon snack. The scrambled eggs are prepared with cream and herbs, and you absolutely have to try it because this dish goes very well with Long Black coffee.

So far, I’ve been able to try their pasta dishes, which were both lovely: the Creamy Fettuccine with Salad (₱120) and the Puttanesca with Salad (₱120). But there was a nostalgic surprise for me when I found out that they also serve one of my all-time favorite Filipino snacks, lug-lug. They call it Oz Palabok (₱45, petite; ₱100, meal). The staff said that it’s the owner’s favorite, so that even if it’s not really an Australian dish, they decided to include it in their menu. And I’m glad they did! The flavor is reminiscent of good growing-up memories.

Jose Rafael Fine Coffee

Jose Rafael Fine Coffee is open everyday, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM. They’re in Lanang, right outside the entrance to Insular Village Phase 1, sandwiched between the Monterey Meat Shop and ChinaBank. Tel. 305-5698.

It’s rather removed from where I usually find myself around town, and very far from where I live, but I’m sure going to make it one of my regular haunts from now on. Of course, they have free wifi.

Finally, one more café in Davao that offers truly fine coffee!

And because their prices are so low, they could actually give Hanoi a run for their money…

A good friend of mine had told me about Nha Trang’s curry dishes, so that’s what I went there for last week, with friends Angel and Jaime in tow. We ordered the Shrimp Curry (₱155) because they were fresh out of chicken curry, and we didn’t feel like tuna in curry. And we were rewarded with the best-tasting curry hereabouts!

Talking to the owner after our very satisfying meal, she revealed that she makes curry from scratch! Jessica, whose husband is Vietnamese, said that their curry preparation isn’t really Vietnamese but more of Indian because she uses turmeric. No complaints here! I actually couldn’t stop myself from lapping up the leftover sauce…

Interesting twist: they put fresh okra in the curry dish. Very nice contrast to the shrimp. One order of the Shrimp Curry is good for 3 people, if you order a couple of other dishes.

We also had Bagoong Fried Rice (₱110), which is good for 3 to 4. It wasn’t quite as good as I’d hoped, but then they were correct in not making it too tasty, because it provided the perfect “frame” for the gastronomic “pictures” we had.

For appetizers, we had Cha Gio (₱85) — fried spring rolls. You could tell that they don’t scrimp on ingredients, unlike in some restaurants where they make the rolls with ridiculously thick wrapping. The Cha Gio is perfect as an appetizer, but Jessica suggests the fresh spring rolls, especially if you’re into vegetables.

Others on our dinner table that night were the Bo Nuong (₱130), or spicy beef in a sizzling plate, and the Sizzling Tofu & Mushrooms (₱120). I tell you, we ordered too much! We didn’t realize that the portions would be that big. The Bo Buong, which has a distinctive taste that tickles the palate, comes with a spicy vinegar dip that’s infused with powdered dried plum.

Nha Trang probably isn’t a place you’d bring your date or your boss, because of the way it looks. But, I promise you, the food will not embarrass you, so go ahead and impress that special someone with their delicious Vietnamese and Filipino culinary offerings!

Nha Trang Vietnamese Restaurant is located on Jacinto Extension, across this feeder road from the Bangko Sentral complex. It’s on the same side as Tadakuma’s first branch in downtown Davao. Tel.: 305-2542.

Food-tripping at Tunalicious

It’s very refreshing to see food establishments in Davao that come out and offer new things to stimulate the taste buds — those that veer away from the typical chicken barbecue that you see all around. This is what my friends and I have discovered at Tunalicious, a relatively new ‘native’ restaurant in town.

From the outside, the place doesn’t look very impressive (especially because there’s still some construction going on around it). Also because it looks much like all the chicken-barbecue places out there. The tables and chairs aren’t anything you might find terribly comfortable, and the surroundings look decidedly low-budget. But the food–! Delicious!

Pinutos na Adobong Baboy

I had the Pinutos na Pork Adobo, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. They have 3 kinds of Pinutos: pork adobo, chicken adobo and, of course, grilled tuna. And get this — the price tag on this dish? Only ₱38 for a generous plate of rice and meat (or fish) wrapped in banana leaf! I loved the banana-leaf-infused flavor of the steamed rice, which was cooked just right. For the price, I wasn’t expecting it to be that good, but it was.

I was able to talk to the manager, Rainier Bello, and he said something that made a lot of sense. He said that, instead of offering “unlimited rice” — a common tactic hereabouts to attract patrons — they decided to serve the Pinutos dishes with a healthy amount of rice. Aside from the fact that rice isn’t cheap anymore, large intakes of rice isn’t really very good for the body.

I will surely be back to sample the other Pinutos (which literally means “wrapped”) dishes soon!

Sinuglaw

The Sinuglaw (₱108) was also quite enjoyable. The tuna was very fresh, and the grilled pork blended quite nicely in the whole ensemble. Sinuglaw is a concatenation of “sinugba” (’grilled (pork)’) and “kinilaw” (the term used to mean ‘eating raw food’, usually fish).

The vinegar they use in their Sinuglaw is sukang tuba. It’s the kind that comes from ‘coconut wine’ — fermented coconut sap. And they don’t scrimp on the ingredients: chili, radish, cucumber and everything that makes kinilaw a uniquely Filipino appetizer.

Tuna Chicharon

True to their name, Tunalicious also serves Tuna Bopis (₱88), Tuna Sisig (₱88), even Tuna Chicharon (₱68)! Rainier, who has helped set up other restaurants in Davao City, said that they really want to specialize in various tuna preparations, to provide Davao with a healthier dining alternative.

The Tuna Chicharon was good. It tasted just like the real thing. And, it’s guilt-free! But the Tuna Bopis was rather fishy… Their sisig, however, was a hit. Even Andrew, who gets queasy about unfamiliar food, found it to his liking.

Tunalicious is actually just one of the shops in what is now known as “The Strip” at the old “The Venue” (couldn’t they get even more generic??). The place is on Jacinto Extension, across the road from the Bangko Sentral complex. But, Tunalicious seems to be the one that people look for when they go there. Aside from their tuna dishes, they also have what they call Sabaw Republic, or their line of stimulating soup dishes for the after-party market, if you know what I mean.

Tunalicious is open daily, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, then from 5:00 to 11:00 PM. Sabaw Republic, on the other hand, is open until 4 in the morning — although, Rainier said they’re thinking of keeping it open until 8:00 AM in the near future.

For takeout or for catering requests, here’s their phone number: 225-8588.

Thanks to:: Ang Dabawenyo

Not that I’m a certified coffee connoisseur, but I think I do know what good coffee is.

My favorites, so far, are Kangaroo Coffee Company’s Americano and Espresso con Panna. In my estimation, it is this coffee shop that seems to have invested the most time and effort into perfecting their brews. And their customer service. And their scrumptious food (which could, however, use larger portions). My only real complaint now is that they’re closed Sundays.

In the past weeks, my friends and I have been doing the rounds of Davao’s newest coffee shops: Coffee for Peace in Matina, La Core in Victoria Plaza, Brewedkaster, Lorie’s, Chicco di Caffè, the new branch of Tata Benito’s on Legaspi Street. Still, none of them surpasses (or even approaches) the quality of Kangaroo’s coffee.

Chicco di Caffè does serve a mean Espresso con Panna, though. They boast of having a US-trained barista… although, there was something wrong with the Caffè Americano that I ordered the first two times I was there. But, they’re still very new (as of this writing), so I’ll give them a few more weeks and then I’ll give them another go. They’re in this new building on the corner of Roxas Avenue and Padre Faura St., near the Ateneo de Davao college campus.

Coffee for Peace. Now that’s an idea, don’t you think? The owners donate a portion of their income to the farmers of Mindanao, as well as to other beneficiaries all over the country. This NGO also conducts training programs for skills enhancement among the less privileged. So when you have a cup of joe at Coffee for Peace, you are in fact helping out. I just wish they’d make the experience as gratifying taste-wise as it is soul-wise.

The other new coffee shops? Let’s just say I wouldn’t bring my coffee-loving friends there. Then again, I believe in second chances…

It’s going to be quite a spell before we see the likes of CBTL in Davao. In the meantime, coffee lovers will have to settle for the slim pickings hereabouts. Aside from Kangaroo, there’s also Bo’s Coffee Club, the one in SM City. Basti’s Brew too (but they do have a slight problem with consistency…) — but the service is top-notch and their place is always good for people-watching. Also, Fagioli Coffee Club and Caffè Firenzo offer some good alternatives. For a different experience, Kopi Roti is a good bet.

Where do you go for your caffeine fix in Davao?

Cappuccino

If you’re looking for a classy but cozy café in Davao City (or in Tagum, for that matter), Caffè Firenzo just might be the place for you. There are presently two in the city: their first coffee shop is in Lanang, and the newer one is in downtown Davao.

Caffè Firenzo’s brews are alright — their Americano is better than most others’ in town, although it’s a tad pricier for Davao standards. I like the way they prepare my favorite brew, because I can always detect that subtle chocolatey after-taste.

Speaking of price, I find it rather odd that they would price the Caffè Americano higher than their Espresso Con Panna (which, anyway, didn’t taste all that great the one time I had it).

Hungarian Sandwich

The panini at Firenzo are quite satisfying. My favorite is their Hungarian sausage sandwich, which always gives me that hit-the-spot feeling whenever I have it. And at ₱120, it’s practically a steal!

One sandwich that I was craving for, however, didn’t make the grade for me. Their corned beef sandwich (₱60), while it did taste good enough, had too little meat — I wouldn’t mind if they made it a little more expensive as long as they put more meat in the sandwich. The bread that they use, though, is high quality.

Andrew @ Caffè Firenzo

If Basti’s Brew is my “office”, Caffè Firenzo is Andrew’s. And I think he’s got a better deal because they don’t charge for Wifi nor for power. Also, both shops have ample space for lounging around, as well as for conducting an intimate business meeting.

Service. Hmmm… I just wish they’d invest just a little bit more in their customer service training. Their staff need to smile a little bit more, I think.

Caffè Firenzo
• G/F Damosa Business Center, Mamay Road, Lanang
• Quirino Ave. (beside Honeybear Chicken House and across the street from the Bangko Sentral)