Dining

Davao City Tour: A Do-It-Yourself Guide

August 10, 2011 by Davao Traveler Admin Leave a Comment

It’s the Kadayawan Season once again in Davao. And that means a lot of visitors will be coming over to Davao City to see the best of what the city can offer.

Frequent visitors are expecting some of the usual things they always see during the Kadayawan Festival:

Good Fruits (Durian, Lansones, etc) and Orchids
Good Deals (A lot of businesses are coming out with their gimmicks)
Good Vibes (Just have fun with friends)

For the first time visitors and travelers, it is also the best time to visit Davao! And by “best time”, I mean you really get to “feel” what the city is all about.

While it is generally safe to just stroll around the city from your hotel, having a sense of where you want to go would save you from encountering the unexpected – unless, getting lost in the city is your definition of an adventure. 🙂

To this end, we have prepared a list of spots where you can possibly go for a city tour and what you can expect to see if you go there.

Stopover #1: The San Pedro Cathedral — Where The Heart Is

san pedro church -- davao city tour

There’s really not much to see once you are there at the church.

Am I crazy to even suggest that this place should be the first stop? Well, not really. Consider this: Once you are there, you’ll be standing (or sitting – it’s really up to you) at the heart of the city. Hey, that’s the very center of Davao City!

On top of that, the San Pedro Church is a historical place. Wow!

But, don’t go around asking people to give you lecture about the Church’s place in history. They can’t recall anymore. And besides, who ever wants to remember High School History, huh?

Actually, if you are really into that kind of stuff, there’s the right kind of people to ask. Just across the street (or streets, if you may) is a place called Museo Dabawenyo. You know what that place is? It’s a museum! Oopps, sorry for the obvious answer! I know you know that.

And speaking about “across the street”, don’t you forget to drop by the following nearby places:

The City Hall of Davao
The Davao City Council
The Osmena Park

They are good places to take photos from; especially the Osmena Park where you get to see some magic tricks, live massage, palm reading, gospel preachers, etc.

Stopover #2: The Aldevinco Shopping Center — Where Native Crafts Abound

If I were to describe this place in a few words, it would be these:

Forex — the Aldevinco is a popular place to exchange a foreign currency to the Philippine Peso.
Native Crafts -– sometimes you can find antiques there, but mostly, you’ll see native crafts which are good for souvenirs.
Pomelo Stores – yes, those sweet, little balls you want to bring back to your place as pasalubong.

Stopover #3: The Magsaysay Park — In Search Of Excellent Durian?

This is perhaps the most popular destination for anyone in search of the Durian Fruits all year round. Just before you enter the park, there are small stalls that seem to never run out of durian fruits to sell — even during their off seasons. I’m still amazed to think where these vendors are sourcing their durian fruits from.

Now, Durian is not really for everyone; some just couldn’t take the smell. If you are that type, the Magsaysay Park is really a good place to stroll around — it’s a park, you know — and have a nice little talk with your companion about whatever topics you want to talk about. Maybe you can talk about your next destination? Well, you better print this article because it’s going to be your handy cheat-sheet for your city tour. Throw away that map, because the taxi drivers are all familiar with these places.

Next thing on the To-Do List: Eat, Pray, Love — or something like it.

Stopover #4: Jack’s Ridge Restaurant and The Shrine Hills

Have you read the book entitled “Eat Pray Love”?

Well, I haven’t, but I’ve seen the movie and yes Julie Roberts still looks cute — and Ketut was even more cute.

I’m not really a movie critic, but anyways… at these places, you can basically Eat, Pray, Do whatever it feels like doing.

dine in Davao at jacks ridge restaurant The most popular place at the Shrine Hills is the meditation center and church known as the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague. It’s one of the best places to pray, meditate, relax or just feel the fresh air and have an overlooking view of the entire city.

If you started this city tour at 9 o’clock in the morning, by the time you reach the Shrine Hills should be the perfect time for lunch.

And you don’t have to go that far just to satisfy your gastronomic trip. The Jack’s Ridge Restaurant could just be the perfect place to Eat and have your version of “La Dolce Far Niente”.

The good thing about dining at Jack’s Ridge is that you get a good view of the city from high altitude (imagine if it’s night time) while you enjoy the good food being served. Plus, there are other amenities there too that you can enjoy.

Stopover #5: The Crocodile Park

To just say that this place is awesome would be a disservice. The Crocodile Park is like a mini-zoo and a little bit more. To describe the place would be to combine the following words: exotic, wild, fun, colorful and… well, I’d rather want to see you describe this place.

Go there and see these things:

Crocodile – they claim to have the largest croc in the country.
Large snakes, Ostrich, and other animals
Butterflies — your kids will love it.

Well, here’s a short video clip to show you what’s there at the Crocodile Park

You’ll definitely like it.

Stopover #6: The People’s Park — By The People and For the People

You should have been tried by now. If you want to relax in an open air and watch people go by, one of the best places to be is the People’s Park.

As it turns out, someone has made a video of the place. Here, get a virtual tour of the park before actually going there or deciding to skip the place for the next destination.

Stopover #7: The NCCC Mall – Davao’s Homegrown Mall

There are a lot of malls in Davao. There’s the ever popular SM, the old-timer Gaisano Mall, and just recently, the Ayala Group has a joint venture with Anflocor to put up the Abreeza Mall — positioned to be a high-end mall in Davao.

Not to be left out is Davao’s very own NCCC Mall – known as Davao’s Homegrown Mall. I don’t know what it is with the NCCC Mall, but the people of Davao just love to buy their grocery items there. But of course, there’s more to be found at this little mall than just the grocery shop. They have a bakeshop, a number of restaurants and dinning centers, cinemas, specialty shops, old books, pawnshops, and much, much more.

You could be there shopping at night, which is perfect just before you go back to your hotel. Wouldn’t it be nice to be shopping for the things to bring back to the hotel? You can do just that at the NCCC Mall.

~~~

“Davao City Tour: A Do-It-Yourself Guide” is written by Carlos Velasco.

Rizal Street Has Good Food, Good Coffee and Good Music

June 25, 2009 by Davao Traveler Admin

Filipinos love eating, whenever, wherever, and wellâ€¦ whatever, as long as it is edible and tasty of course. Because of the love for good food, we’ve not only grown fond of eating, we also mastered the art of cooking… more or less. Adaptive as we will always be, we didn’t only master our own way of cooking, we also picked up techniques from all over the world. The product: A one of a kind cuisine culture so extensive that we can actually provide you the different tastes of the world in just one street. The proof: we’ll give you a free food trip in one of Davao’s nightlife destinations, Rizal Street.

Buckle up because this oneâ€™s going to be a really good ride.

That Street Named Rizal

Found in Metro Davao, this half-a-mile stretch is frequented by tourists and locals who are in search of some chow and booze. Tourists should have no trouble locating this well traveled road as it is very accessible â€˜round the clock. As for variety, thereâ€™s just so much to find in here that you wouldnâ€™t need to go far to suite the specific things your palate desires.

Fast Food? Get It Really Fast!

Jollibee

If you’re looking to go for a quick of pit stop from your touring all around the city, Rizal Street offers a wide variety of quick-cooks to relieve your hunger and fuel you up for your enjoyable race around town. Who wouldn’t recognize the famous fast food chain Jollibee? A yummy burger should do the job of satisfying you well and quick. Try their fried chicken fondly called the “Chickenjoy” too. That’s something that goes down as one of the Filipino’s favorite.

Merco and Mandarin Tea Garden

If you want a full meal of sorts and you want it quick, then go to Merco. This place is very well known for its cakes and pastries, but they donâ€™t only focus on the sweet stuff. Right beside their pastry shop is a restaurant where you can get some American style dishes. They also serve â€œlutong-bahayâ€ (home cooked) style Filipino dishes. However, if youâ€™re looking for Chinese food, then you can go to the Mandarin Tea Garden right across the street. Rice toppings, dimsum, congee, thereâ€™s just a lot of delicious dishes to choose from. With these two good restaurants, satisfaction will surely be guaranteed!

Big Appetite? No problem!

The Rizal Strata offers you a lot of options for a good place where you can eat a lot with your friends and family. You never have to go far just to find the very famous Filipino style roasted pig a.k.a. the â€œlechonâ€. Whaw Litson Biik Grill and Restaurant specializes in roasting homegrown piglets at an affordable price. Eating big with a big group? This is the place to be!

As for buffets, we have two restaurants in the place to give you maximum satisfaction when it comes to the food and the price. Vist the Iron Horse buffet and you shall see why this street is well visited. For around 130 PHP, you can choose from a wide variety of DavaoeÃ±o dishes in whatever way you want them. Grilled, fried, or baked, it doesnâ€™t matter. What matters most is that you enjoy the food! Also check out the Apung Kula Seafood Grill located further down the street. This place is highly regarded when it comes to catering for big events such as weddings and birthday parties. On a daily basis, it doesnâ€™t fail to impress as well. For 118 PHP, you can eat all you can find a long buffet table of delicious delicacies including your favorite seafoods!

And when you’re visiting the city, you should never miss out on Davao’s very own TAPS. This fast-food chain started out and grew big in none other than Davao City itself. What started out as a small family business is now bigger than ever. Filipino dishes anyone? This place offers all the Filipino favorites such as the famous Tapa, Adobo and Ox feet among many others â€“ all served with garlic rice and a scrambled egg. Truly delicious, truly Filipino, proudly DavaoeÃ±o!

Fine Dining Delight

Fine dining desires? You guessed it right, we have them here too! Check out Chico’s Music Bistro found in Casa de Habana. Casa de Habana is a compound where everything may seem too good to be true. Chico’s Music Bistro offers not only good food and wonderful drinks; they also offer good music, specifically Jazz and Samba, from Davaoâ€™s best musicians. If youâ€™re looking to relax and spend the night comfortably after a whole day of tours and sightseeing, you should visit this place. Casa de Habana also houses the De Boute Koe European Restaurant. Indulge in fine European cuisine. Hereâ€™s a taste of Europe right on Philippine soil. Also, do check out the El Toro Spanish Cuisine. This restaurant offers Spanish cuisine at its best. You can choose from their menu which includes Tapa, Salads, Soups, and Paellas. Casa de Habana also has an inn for with rooms available at low rates.

Also, don’t forget to visit Claude’s Le Cafe de Ville just beside the Iron Horse. This place specializes on French cuisine, something you would have pre-empted from the name of the cafÃ© alone. Anyway, this cafÃ© has been around since the early 90â€™s, and has established itself as the only authentic French restaurant in Davao City. The elegance is reflected by its sumptuous servings of awesome steaks and stews; not to mention mouth watering appetizers! Weâ€™re bringing Europe to Davao, and there’s no other place where you can find it better than here!

The Nightlife

We already expressed how a lot of people frequent this avenue for its nightlife. Now, the only thing left is for you to experience it. But for now, let’s go through the establishments which make this street tick during the night. This area is known for a place named The Rizal Promenade, an arcade flanked by a number of bars that will make you dance the night away. Good booze, lots of people and music that should make you sway to the beat â€“ all of these make this place awesome. Your presence should make this place awesome even more!

And if ever you get tired of dancing and decide to go singing instead, right across the street in front of Rizal Promenade is a commercial establishment named Cats and Dogs. For 100 PHP per hour, you can get a room hooked up with a Karaoke system so good it will only make you sing even more. Also, there are food stations outside Cats and Dogs where you can order some food and take with you to your karaoke room. You can choose from grilled meat, even the famous Asian dish we all know as the Kabab. Yes, they have that one too, in Majid’s Kabab, a small restaurant outside Cats and Dogs. They donâ€™t only offer their signature kababs, they also offer a few Eastern dishes. Wasn’t I right when I said we have everything in this place?

A Good Coffee for a Good Night

A truly satisfying night wouldn’t be complete without a cup of coffee. Visit Las Casitas de Angela, a hotel beside the Rizal Promenade. This exquisite hotel doesn’t only offer wonderful rooms at value prices; they also house the Coffee Mood Coffee Shop. Spend an easy time with a warm cup of coffee and a Mexican-inspired ambience. After a lot of partying and a lot of very satisfying meals, this should pretty much sum up everything well. And a bit of a reminder, go slow on the caffeine. You deserve a very good sleep after a tour around Rizal Street!

That deep sleep should re-energize you for another tour around Davao’s main streets one of these days. And we’ll make sure you’ll be up for that. Until next time! Have a good time in Davao City everyone!

~~~

This article on Rizal Street is written by Randolph Reserva. In Davao, you don’t have to go far to have Good Food, Good Coffee and Good Music. They are all in one street, according to Randolph.

The Damosa Gateway : A Davao Business Travel Must-See Destination

June 19, 2009 by Davao Traveler Admin

Today’s edition of our Davao traveler tour brings us northbound, to a favorite hangout for people staying in the Bajada area and beyond. We’re talking of none other than The Damosa Gateway. Let’s check out what this area has to offer in terms of both business and pleasure; perhaps a combination of ample food tripping and some business matters should convince you that there may be such thing as another place like home. Why so? Because we’re taking you somewhere that has everything you will ever need, and more than you’ll ever want! So, shall we begin?

The Gateway to Davao Travel

I remember this place being dusty and lifeless about a decade ago; save for a few small shops in the area, there was really nothing to care about. However, with passing time came consequential success, and for this Damosa Land owned estate, there was no way but up. It was a prime lot about to reach it prime; and that it was just a matter of time before it lives up to the hype. Now, this buzzing hotspot caters to business, nightlife, food, booze, and a lot of things that should make Davao proud, and every traveler happy!

Aptly named The Gateway, this booming domain can be found on the side of the Pan-Philippine highway, while flanking the ever alive Mamay Road on both sides. This position does not only give the place some much needed human influx, it also serves as an “oasis” to travelers. After all, this gateway is more or less, just a ten-minute ride away from the airport. The moment you land on Davao soil, you don’t have to go far to enjoy your stay right away!

Business By Day

The special thing about this area is its versatility. Whether you’ve been in Davao for days already and you’re looking for a place that offers essential services in the Lanang and Bajada areas, or you just landed and you need to do some quick transactions straight from the airport, you can be sure that this place means business.

To start with, the area has a number of banks, a travel agency, a barbershop, a massage and beauty salon, a spa, and a dental clinic. The Market Basket is also settled in the area, an establishment which houses dining and shopping boutiques. While in here, you’ll never run out of essential basic supplies as this place has a grocery too. That’s one good reason that makes this place a convenient hang-out. And then there’s even more!

You can also find the Damosa IT Park in this area. The IT Park was developed by Damosa Land to house big IT companies (think: Call Centers) going about its business here in Davao. This doesn’t only make the gateway known throughout the nation; it also is making waves in the global field of Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing in particular!

We Love The Japs

For our Japanese and Filipino-Japanese travelers who are looking to stay in the city for a relatively long time, this place has a grocery shop made exactly for you. Visit the Fuji Mart Japanese Grocery for your authentic Japanese shopping experience. Not only that, they also have two Japanese aided schools in the area that can provide your (or your children’s) educational needs the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School and the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku.

Accommodation

Also, if you just arrived in Davao City and you’re looking for a good place to stay, you might want to check the Microtel Inns and Suites out. Conveniently found only minutes away from the Davao Airport, this hotel is also in the vicinity. That means you don’t have to go far from the airport to find whatever it is you’re looking for once you stay in this hotel.

Fun, Fun, Fun at Night

The Damosa Gateway offers a fun-filled night as much as it offers serious business during the day. With the oozing population preferring to stay in the area to spend the night away, the gateway never runs out of life round the clock. May it be booze, deli, or coffee, people just can’t resist visiting this place.

The Flavors of the East

For some Oriental taste, you might want to visit Taj Minar Bar and Restaurant. They offer Indian cuisine at its best. This place also caters to vegetarians via their vegetarian meals. All the dishes they offer come with authentic Indian spices that make the food even tastier.

How about Japanese food? Tsuru and Tadakuma are two Japanese Restaurants in the area. With two Jap restaurants offering a large menu in the area, what type of food could we probably miss out? Even the ambience in these two diners makes you feel you’re in Japan while you’re in Davao!

And then there’s the Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant. This one’s my personal favorite. With dishes like Fried Spring Rolls, Cha Noung (pork barbeque, lettuce, rice noodles and basil wrapped in rice paper), and the scrumptious Butter and Garlic Crabs (this one is a must try!), youâ€™ll surely have a happy stomach the moment you step out of the restaurant to continue your Davao travel.

How about some Fillipino dishes? Visit Dencio’s Kamayan for the beautiful food this beautiful country has to offer. For some Chinese food, Dimsum Diner offers fresh and hot Chinese delicacies round the clock.

The Wild Wild West — Flavors from the Other Side of the World

If you’re craving for Mediterranean food, Ristorante Spirale won’t disappoint. Food in this restaurant is, as they say in Italy, Delizioso! How Italian? Carbonara Spaghetti, Spaghetti with Meatballs, and pizza; all prepared the Italian way. How delicious? Food is “must try”, and this place is a “must visit”. All because saying they’re all delicious is understatement!

For booze and deli, go to La Taverna and Hola Espana. After you get some good Spanish meal including the likes of Gambas and Paella, there’s nothing better than a mug full of ice cold beer. They also offer the rustic Spanish ambience inside, while outside, they’ll lure you by playing some smooth Latino music.

Pizza anyone? The Damosa Gateway is home to the Yellow Cab Pizza Co. and Giacominos. The former is very well known for their hefty, American style pizza. The latter thrives in preparing pizza the Italian style. They also serve something other than pizza. You can order things like chicken fillet, chili wings, barbeque ribs, and carbonara spaghetti.

Burger lovers will have an easy time finding their favorite in the area. Space Burger offers grilled burger patties and a lot of yummy stuff in between. Or if you’re always on the go, McDonald’s is open 24/7. That place doesn’t need a lot of introduction, right? Ronald McDonald is just everywhere every time, just like the traveler in you!

You might also want to check that place that looks like your typical cowboy cavern named the Avenue S Bar and Grill. While the look of this place looks comfortable old-school, the ice cold beer should be just as good as it always is! For chicken lovers, there’s the Q Resto. This resto is famously known for their eat-all-you-can greaseless chicken meal which you can get at only PhP 95 PHP. Now I’m hungry. 😉

Coffee Love

Because a day without coffee is never a day; only a fleeting moment.

Whether it’s in Coffee Dream or in Caffe Firenzo, complete your night with a cup of warm or cold coffee. Or perhaps, some chilled blends? As long as it’s coffee in a good coffee shop, you’ll never find it dead boring. Top your coffee with some pastry or sandwich, and you’re all done â€“ the day will surely be complete. Though I haven’t been to Coffee Dream, I’ve spent some time in Firenzo. Apart from the Wi-Fi connection, the place offers a relaxing and cozy ambience. I’d give big ten stars to rate whoever did the interior design of this place. He or she just did us a lot of favor by providing us comfort that goes with the coffee. All in all, the whole experience is truly remarkable!

So there you have it, the Damosa Gateway scouted and reviewed for your convenience. All that’s left is for you to actually visit the place and experience the fun for yourself. Just be sure to tune back in for some specific visits to the shops in the area. Aside from that, we’ll continue to give you every Davao destination that suits your interest. I hope to see you around town one of these days. Have a good week everyone and bon voyage!

~~~

The Damosa Gateway article is a personal review by Randolph Reserva. He has more travel stuff to review in the pipeline.

The Harana Tradition of Good Food and Family Values

May 24, 2009 by Davao Traveler Admin

Torres Street in Davao City is now a bustling hub of nightlife and restaurants. I pass that way everyday to and from work and I can’t help remember my childhood days when it was an out of the way street we would visit only on special occasions. Though the old Torres Street was usually avoided at the time it was secluded and “out of the way“, lined by unkempt banana trees and very dimly lit, that was a special and almost magical place from my childhood. The reason was that Harana, my parent’s favorite restaurant was there. To this day, the Harana of my childhood has changed with the times but the food and the ambience still echo the happy memories we had there. Even now, when the family finds an excuse to eat out together, Harana is still the place to go.

A Brief History of Harana Restaurant

Harana has a history that started in 1966, when it began as a simple place where friends and family could get together in the backyard of Attorney and Mrs. Fermin Abella in Matina, Davao City. The house specialties, which you can still order to this day, were sinangag (fried rice) and spare ribs, the original recipe of Mrs. Rosario Abella-Lizada. The “outdoor picnic feel” of the place attracted friends and neighbors of the couple to come over with family and friends, especially in the evenings when the yard was lit by little gas lamps. Eventually, word of mouth made the little place popular with Dabawenyos for its good food.

In the 1970’s a bigger Harana was set up in a new site along McArthur Highway in Matina to cater to the growing number of patrons. Knowing that Harana was a family restaurant, the owners added a playground with the intention of making Harana a place where families could spend their quality time together. Harana’s popularity grew with the laughter of children and families having fun filling the free flowing garden ambience. On its opening night in June 29, 1970, the Feast Day of St. Peter, Harana cemented its place as one of Davao’s most beloved places for special family occasions and as a place to relax and unwind over a special meal. I find my memory jogging down memory lane as I walk around the restaurant, remembering the times when I was there with my parents. It always seemed like one big family reunion whenever we were there. My parents would even relate the times they were still teenagers and enjoyed a meal or two with their families at Harana. There was always more than enough good food, light conversation and children’s glee to go around.

Davao’s Food Street?

On June, 28, 1979, the second Harana was put up along Torres Street, encouraged by the continued swell of the number of its patrons and the start of Davaoâ€™s boom as a city. The bright lights brought the dim street to life and the cheer of the place made its patrons forget the world outside. Most Dabawenyos consider the opening of Harana along Torres Street as “the day Davao’s Food Street came to life.” Over the years, the children who once played on the gardens of Harana have grown and had families of their own. Still, their childhood memories of the place keep them coming back and year after year the playgrounds of Harana have seen children grow from toddlers to adults. The benches around the gardens has been the site of many a whispered first â€œI love you” and marriage proposals. The original Harana customers have handed down the â€œHarana dining experienceâ€ to younger generations that at present, its common place to see groups of friends and even young couples to enjoy the original house specialties. Even until now, the menu hasn’t changed much. Also on the property are the Mongolian Garden, which serves its signature Mongolian barbecue, and Sarung Banggi Steak House. Now manned by the third generation of its original owners, the Harana tradition of family values and good food is alive and thriving in this one of a kind place that is beloved by generation upon generation of Dabawenyos. What was once a backyard family affair has now become synonymous with good food and family memories.

~~~

This article is written by Monique Musni. Obviously, she loves this restaurant. If you have not been there yet, you will love it too.

She would like to give special thanks to to Mr. Carlo Aquilar for helping her out with the history of Harana Restaurant.

Food Trip in the City

March 4, 2009 by Davao Traveler Admin

Aside from the beautiful tourist spots and the famed courteousness of the Dabawenyo, Davao City is also known for its abundance of good food.

From fruits such as the luscious Durian to sea foods, like crabs and prawns, and other truly Filipino exotic meals, Davao has it all for you. While the issue of food in other places revolves around the lack of supply, visitors of Davao City face a different dilemma: with so much food, choosing where and what to eat is always a problem.

But it’s the kind of problem most tourists, especially those who like to indulge in good food, love to have.

So, where would you go for a food trip in the city? Let’s start off with the so-called Dabawenyo Specialties.

Durian — Tastes Like Heaven, Smells Like Hell?

The Durian Park along the Torres Street is a popular hang-out when Durian fruits are on its peak season. If you are not familiar with the place, it is close to the Davao City Convention Center and fronting the famous restaurants of Davao like the Harana, Bistro Rosario, and others. If you’re looking for take-out outlets, the most notable location is the Magsaysay Park.

Foreigners beware: Durian can be considered an exotic food for you. Please tell your friends if you are offended by the smell of the fruit. The other technique is to keep it in the refrigerator for a while and the take a few bites as you feel comfortable. It works for some. Ask your other foreigner pals how they handle that smell of hell.

Barbecue

Now if you’re craving for delicious barbecue, there are even more to choose from. The more popular barbecue food chains in Davao City include Banok’s, Penong’s and Delongtes. Each of these food chains offers delicious and affordable barbecue plus a variety of other popular dishes. They are usually served with unlimited rice. It all you kan-on, as popularized by Penongs. This means that when you are done with the first rice serving, you can order as many plates of rice you want.

Restaurants

For regular meals, there’s an abundance of quality restaurants to choose from, such as Taklobo Restaurant (located in JacksRidge resort), Yellow Fin Seafoods Restaurant, Luz Kinilaw and many more. At the back of the Victoria Plaza Mall, you will find a number of good restaurants service Chinese and Filipino specialties.

Fine Dining

For high-end and first class dishes, you can find them in hotels like Marco Polo Davao, Apo View Hotel, and Grand Regal Hotel, among others. There are also several restaurants that cater such food like the re-knowned Zakoya Japanese Restaurant, Hanoi Vietnamese Restaurant, and so on.

(If fine dining is your thing, you may want to refer to the previous article on Fine Dining in Davao.)

The Fastfood That You Love

And for fastfood junkies, Davao doesn’t have a shortage of it either. In fact, a variety of fastfood chains abound the city. You’ll find good ole’ McDonalds and KFC over here. Western visitors will surely love to see they can eat hamburgers that taste and smell like those back from the homeland. Thanks to globalization and the carefully standardized Franchising manual.

Plus there are also the locally-started food chains like Chickies N’ Patties and Cecil’s (for merienda) and nationwide run outfits like Chowking and Jollibee. You will find them in the malls of Davao and along the major streets.

Finally, always remember that most restaurants in the city adhere to city guidelines on quality of food and service, so have confidence and happy eating.

~~~

Another article by Ramesh Dataya in response to the previous article on fine dining.

Savor Davao’s Fine Dining Options

February 24, 2009 by Davao Traveler Admin

Metro Davao prides itself with various food venues that truly appeals to both our appetite and cravings; truly a Land of Promise for Filipinos and foreigners alike. Title absolutely justified! Ask anyone from the city for their favorite restaurants and you’ll surely get excited to try every food destination being suggested.

There are several classifications of restaurants based on the menu style, pricing, preparation, as well as the way the customers are being served and certainly, one of the sought after restaurants in Southern Mindanao are the fine dining restaurants.

Defined as full service restaurants with a specific meal course, interiors of fine dining restaurants showcase higher quality and sophistication. The restaurateur employs highly trained staff featuring a more formal and decent attire. Fine dining is perceived to be a privilege of a select few, unlike fast-food, family style, and casual dining restaurants because of the classy ambiance and highly satisfying food choices.

Below are the three highly recommended fine dining spots in Davao:

Lotus Court, Marco Polo Davao

Located in the heart of the city; at the junction of Claro M. Recto Street and Manuel Roxas Avenue, is the Marco Polo Davao. Winning the 2007 Hotel of the Year Award, besting all other Marco Polo hotels in Cebu, and Beijing, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Wuhan in China, proves that Marco Polo Davao emerges as a true-world class hotel. You may choose any of the five restaurants serving exquisite cuisines from international buffet at CafÃ© Marco to Cantonese delight at Lotus Court.

Lotus Court, Marco Polo’s premier fine dining Cantonese restaurant offers the finest choices of fresh quality seafood, served in an elegant and stylish setting, highlighted with warm Filipino hospitality. With four private rooms that are truly perfect for private parties, family or social gatherings, and business meetings, the restaurant is located at the 3rd floor of the hotel. Also, it has a total seating capacity of 228 persons.

Lotus Court is open on:

Lunch: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

For inquiries and reservations you may reach them at (082) 221-0888 local 7232.

La Parilla, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao

Relax and dine at the La Parilla Grill and Restaurant, as you treat yourself to sumptuous food creations. Located at Lanang, Davao City and nestled all along the picturesque Davao Gulf, La Parilla never fails to satisfy every guests of the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. The modernly designed Filipiniana interiors with luxurious amenities and of course a tropical taste to the flavors of Davao welcome every foreign and local guest to an exceptionally Davao dining experience.

The open-air Seafood Restaurant offers seasoned-inspired menus and signature entreÃ©s. Anticipation rises to a new level as everyone looks forward for the Lobster Night. Yes! Have your stomachs ready for a mouth-watering lobster dinner; great with chili sauce. Other well-remembered options are tuna kinilaw and the grilled prawns, among other savory specialties in the midst of a nightly live entertainment. A 90-person total seating capacity restaurant, La Parilla is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 5:00 PM – 11:00 pm. Dining at the “al fresco“, La Parilla will certainly bring the fond friendships and close family ties together and bolder.

For further information and queries, La Parilla Grill and Restaurant can be reached at (082) 233-2881 loc. 8701

In a quest for a more private and romantic restaurant, one can dine in a relative silence to complete the highly adored French and Continental fine dining. Davao takes pride for having Claude’s CafÃ© de Ville as the well-loved restaurant for French Provencal and Mediterranean Cuisine. Now on its 15th year of operations, Claude’s CafÃ© de Ville remains to enjoy a regular patronage from businessmen, executives, and tourists with Chef Claude Le Neindre and his wife Theresa Villanueva Le Neindre taking the role as the primary drivers of its success and legacy.

It’s a crowd-drawer for their steaks and Ceasar salad; remarkably the best in town. Few of the top favorites include the rib eye in mushroom sauce, Lamb Chops Vert PrÃ©, shrimp cocktail smothered with light dressing, tomatoes and avocado, Crepe Samurai, Roast Chicken Forrestierre, and salmon patae with a slice of a lightly toasted French bread. Because of its quality food offerings marked with classiness and variety, Maurice Arcache, a well-known social arbiter and columnist featured Claude’s CafÃ© de Ville in his book entitled Cosmo Dine in 1997. Feature write-ups in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine F and B Magazine and other lifestyle magazines proves that itâ€™s a dining place worthy to be regarded as the first and only authentic French and Mediterranean Cuisine in the South.

Other Options

Categorized as semi-fine dining restaurants, below are a few to consider:

Ground Flr. SM City Davao
(082) 298-0111

Polo Bistro
4th Flr. Marco Polo Hotel Davao
(082) 221-0888

Swiss Deli Davao
Lanang, Davao City
(082) 2340271

Hola EspaÃ±a Bodega de Vinos y Deli
Damosa Gateway, Lanang, Davao City
(082) 2346877

Above is just a part and parcel of what DavaoeÃ±os are adept of doing. Davao City has a lot more to offer to the Filipinos and to the rest of the world. Culinary expertise along with the much valued and appreciated services speaks something of Davao’s dedication in providing global productivity and efficiency.

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This article is written by Julius Neil Piala. A true-blooded Davaoneo, Julius has earned a degree in Communications Arts from the prestigious Santo Tomas University in Manila. He has traveled extensively around the Philippines.