Thursday, July 1, 2010
AS PROMISED, this is my sumptuous journey to the bountiful and beautiful floral city of Davao a couple of weeks ago. I was there upon the invitation to act as one of the judge for the Mindanao Barista and Flairtending Competition during the 5th FPP (Food Processing & Pacakaging) Mindanao. I was also tasked to judge a "Sooo Pinoy" Dish, sponsored by Unilever Philippines during the Part One of the prestigious Mindanao Culinary Festival 2010 upon my arrival at Bangko Sentral.
And in doing do, I made quite a number of friends in the culinary industry, either during the course of judging or just being introduced to them. It was really amazing how we can make a lot of friends because of our affectionate and ultimate amorous love for our passion: FOOD!
First on the list was the meal I had with Rene Esteban, who is connected with Steuart Teas for so many a year and whom I've met & befriended through a friend. If I am not mistaken it was also during one of those food expositions held either in Cebu City or in Davao City. At any rate, he treated me to a delicious lunch at Sankai Japanese Restaurant, just across Bangko Sentral. I saw several Japanese looking people working on the kitchen, which made me believe that a real Japanese Chef authentically prepared the food we had. We had really fresh Sashimi, California Maki and an assortment of dishes in a Bento box. Needless to say, the food was great and we exchanged so much information.
Again with Rene, I was introduced to Ellen Ingan-Eng at the fair and since she was a close friend of Rene, we were invited and treated to a wonderful lunch by the "Tuna Queen" herself at her restaurant located at Bugac, Maa. I was impressed at how she managed to prepare and cook dishes for her clients. Really a one-woman show for her restaurant! The place was quite filled when we arrived past 12 noon. The wait was not long because it was such a sight to see Ellen working at the open kitchen, which everyone can see. I rarely eat Kinilaw, but hers was totally different! I never got to ask her how she prepared it because I was savouring every single bite of the Tuna Kinilaw to my heart's delight! She also gave us some Beef Caldereta, another wonderful dish. But it was her signature dish "Pritong Paksiw ng Buntot ng Tuna" that made me craved for more. It was so tender, flavourful and so fresh without any hint of fishy smell or taste! For the final dish, if you'd call it a dish, it was her scrumptious Pizza, made with her own concocted white sauce and baked in a turbo broiler instead of the traditional oven. It was really a Pizza for all season!
Since my Aunt, Violy Santiago wasn't feeling well that night, her youngest son, Sonny spoiled me with another mouth-watering meal at Nonki, another authentic Japanese Restaurant which recently opened its door to the public. I had my share of their divine Crunchy Rolls, Crispy on the outside but tender on the inside Tonkatsu, and the traditional Yaki Gyoza. Slurp it all down with a glass of very cold Watermelon Juice and their house tea. Definitely a great dinner.
Chef Mike Soledad, owner & Chef of The Molave Restaurant, located along Jacinto St., besides Ateneo de Davao is one place one shouldn't miss when I Davao City. He was my fellow judge during the Mindanao Barista Competition sponsored by Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation. And upon his invitation, I found myself devouring his ooh-so-melt-in-the-mouth Lenqua one afternoon. After which I had a slice of the very crunchy & nutty Sans Rival for dessert. Their signature cold coffee concoction was delightful. A very cozy place where Chef Mike wants to make it more of a family/sports dining experience. As I was told, it used to be a very formal dining restaurant.
Unilever Mindanao Sale's Manager, Joey Macaraeg was my "host" for two nights. He was so kind enough to drive me to our destinations where we had our share of fun. First was at Rona Naida's Karl's Koffee Korner along Dacudao Avenue where we were served with her very famous Smoked Tuna together with a few bottles of light beer while listening to the live acoustic music. The alfresco place was filled with the young and the young at hearts when we went there.
We also had our share of eat-all-you-can buffet at Melmont's Pinutos Republic, courtesy of Chef Ianne Monforte. Serving delicious Filipino dishes and desserts, the restaurant is again crowded when we arrived and then I found out it was Father's Day! No wonder there was a group of families enjoying their meal. Their Adobo dish was adjudged as one of the best ADOBO in town recently. No wonder it tasted really first-class!
I was also treated to Buffet Palace, located the back of Victoria Plaza by my Uncle, Bobby and his son, Geoffrey. Being the first of its kind in the city, it was over-flowing with people. At 280.00 per head, which I find really cheap, and with so much food that ranges from Chinese to Pinoy to Japanese Dishes plus so many delectable and yummy desserts to choose from, I really had my fill to the max! It was indeed amazing to see so many happy faces at the restaurant!
What is food without desserts of course? I was got the chance to relish and take pleasure in the 2 huge Mango & Durian Desserts at Ice Giants, which I shared together with Sonny. Not really a fresh fruit Durian eater myself, I have to say I did enjoy it tremendously. The Durian Gelato i had at Crepelato was also worth going back for. Very creamy and exotic-tasting. Just the thought of all the food & dessert I am reminiscing right now is making me open the refrigerator in search for food!
I really love these out-of-town trips! The warm, hospitable people, the food and the unique cuisine the place has to offer. That is why I always make it a point to visit and enjoy new and exciting food places whenever I go out of town. It is and will always be a gustatory learning experience for me!
Again, thank you everyone for making my stay in Davao an unforgettable one. Hope to visit you again very soon and enjoy your wonderful company!
Email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com / website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/dychauco-my-davao-citys-food-trip
No comments:
Post a Comment