When we think of chocolates, I think most of us, including me, prefer those which come from European countries like Switzerland, Belgium, Germany but did you know that my beloved city of Davao also produces chocolates which are also of world-class quality? 

I already heard stories of locally-produced chocolates making news in other countries but it was only until the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2014 that I finally got a taste of what they were talking about. 

Unknown to many, Davao City is also home to farmers growing cocoa beans, which are considered as one of the bests in the world. One local producer, Cacao De Davao, bravely stepped up into the game of turning these high quality locally grown beans into premium-grade chocolates. 

Highlighting the quality of locally-grown cacao beans in Davao, Cacao De Davao encapsulates its rich unadulterated taste in their products such as unsweetened choco callets, cocoa powders, 70% dark chocolate and cocoa nibs. In addition to that, Cacao de Davao also sells pastries, such as Fudgy Choco Brownies,  and drinks made from their products. 

One need not go to places anymore to savor the rich, extraordinary taste of chocolate that is considered at par with the world's standards. In fact, satisfying the sweet tooth with rich and bitter chocolate does not also need to be expensive as Cacao De Davao products are affordable without compromising the ingredients and quality. 

CACAO DE DAVAO
San Pedro Extension, Davao City
Mobile 0917 250 2226

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/cacaodedavao

Instagram: @cacaodedavao

Cacao De Davao products are also available in EchoStore branches nationwide and Sea Green Cafe and Lifetyle Shop. 

For this year's Davao Food and Appreciation Tour, the first destination was at RBG Bar and Grill which is the in-house restaurant of one of Davao's top hotels, Park Inn by Radisson. Originally, its concept was to showcase international cuisine but recently, modifications have been made to feature dishes with a touch of local flavor and distinctively Davao. 

We were treated to a sumptuous lunch - from appetizers down to the desserts, every dish was packed with flavor that will leave you asking for more. To give you a glimpse, here's what we had:

APPETIZERS: RBG Mini Burger with Fries and RBG Ceviche

RBG Mini Burger with Fries

Ceviche

In addition to the ordinary ceviche, RBG Bar and Grill's version incorporated fresh pomelo (Chinese grapefruit) strips which added a unique taste and made it even more satisfying. I can truly savor the freshness of the tuna pieces with the added citrusy flavor brought about by the pomelo. 

SOUP: SEAFOOD SINIGANG IN MANGOSTEEN

Known as one of Filipino's favorites, the seafood sinigang was made more exceptional with the flavor of mangosteen. I'm not much a fan of sinigang because of its aftertaste but I wasn't able to resist the seafood loaded in it. 

PASTAS: PASTA DE DAVAO AND LECHON PASTA

Pasta De Davao

Lechon Pasta

Pasta De Davao  is made up of fetuccine in white sauce with imbao (mangrove clam), bagaybay (fish gonad) and bihod (fish roe). If you're familiar with the ingredients, you might think of foregoing a taste but surprisingly, it tasted really really good.  In fact, from among these two, I prefer the Pasta De Davao over the Lechon Pasta which is made up of pasta in red sauce with lechon strips. It was the first time I preferred something over lechon. 

ENTREES:  GRILLED CHICKEN, CRISPY PORK BELLY AND BEEF SALPICAO

Crispy Pork Belly

Grilled Chicken

Beef Salpicao

I was already enjoying the pasta when I realized that I needed to make enough room for the restaurant's main courses. RBG Bar and Grill sampled their Grilled Chicken, Crispy Pork Belly and Beef Salpicao and although these dishes may sound ordinary, the presentation and the flavor were of a higher class. Without a doubt, the Crispy Pork Belly won my heart from among the entrees. 

DESSERTS: MANGOSTEEN AND DURIAN CHEESECAKES

A Davao experience wouldn't be complete without a taste of two of the fruits that the city is well-known for - the Mangosteen and the Durian. But if you're like me who cringe at the thought of eating these fruits fresh from the pulp, then better yet, try first these two cheesecakes from RBG Bar and Grill. The flavors were not too overwhelming and both had just the right amount of sweetness which will truly make you relish the taste of mangosteen and durian. 

It was indeed a pleasant experience to kick off our food tour with these delicious dishes and desserts from RBG Bar and Grill. When in Davao, don't miss to grab a bite at this restaurant as they continue to offer new and exciting flavors every now and then. 

RBG Bar and Grill by Park Inn by Radisson Davao

Ground Floor, Park Inn by Radisson Davao

Lanang, Davao City

Operating Hours: 6:00 AM  - 11:00PM

Contact Information: 082 272 7600

In light of the 2014 Kadayawan Festival in Davao City, Vikings Luxury Buffet, the Philippines' largest buffet restaurant introduces their special Kadayawan menu. From August 11-17, 2014, favorite Filipino dishes with a twist of Davao flavor are added on top of their usual buffet selections. 

Here are the following dishes included in their special Kadayawan 2014 menu:

STARTERS

VIKING'S SPECIAL KINILAW

Not your usual Kinilaw as this one comes with tuna, salmon and lechon, seaweed and pomelo.

ENSALADANG TALONG WITH MALUNGGAY PESTO

BAGNET SALAD

BALUT A LA POBRE PATE

PINIRITONG LUMPIANG TINAPA AT MANGGA
Instead of having the usual pork meat in lumpia, this one has tinapa and a subtle taste on mango in it.

SOUPS

PANCIT MOLO SOUP

BALBACUA

SEAFOOD ENTREE

BAKED IMBAO WITH SPINACH

GINATAANG ALIMANGO (CRABS IN COCONUT MILK)

POULTRY ENTREE

RELLENONG MANOK WITH MANGOSTEEN SAUCE

Surprisingly, the mangosteen sauce that comes with it gives off a well-complemented flavor to the tasty and tender rellenong chicken.

ADOBONG MANOK

CHICKEN TERIYAKI

INIHAW

BABY BACK RIBS IN DURIAN BARBECUE SAUCE

One's experience in Davao will not be considered complete without tasting the king of fruits and the city's most popular fruit, the Durian. Others may even cringe at the idea but what more if it's incorporated in a dish? Surprisingly, the durian in this barbecue sauce did not come off as offensive and overwhelming but rather, it gave off a very interesting and unique blend of flavor. Seriously, I was blown away with this dish! 

BEEF/MUTTON ENTREE

BEEF STEAK TAGALOG

 

SPICY BAKED CALDERETANG KAMBING

VEGETABLE ENTREE

LAING WITH TINAPA

GISING-GISING

A very spicy dish usually made up of beans, Vikings' version is made up of water spinach and the right amount of chili sauce that will literally wake your senses up.

NOODLES/RICE

SATEMI

BIHOD NA PASTA

FILIPINO PAELLA

DESSERTS

CHEESECAKE SAMPLER

LECHE FLAN

BRAZO DE DURIAN

I would not really mind all the calories I would get after indulging in this delectable dessert. It was my first time to try a durian variety of my favorite brazo de mercedes dessert which was also presented in a different look, and I totally fell in love!

MANGO SANSRIVAL

For tourists and guests visiting Davao City for the Kadayawan Festival, Vikings Luxury Buffet at SM Lanang Premier is launching its Traveler's Discount.

Traveler's Discount: Kadayawan Festival Edition

1) Tourist(s) will receive 10% discount off when paying in cash or 5% discount off when paying in card. This discount is applicable on a per pax basis.

2) Tourist(s) must present a valid boarding pass or travel ticket while supported by a passport or government issued I.D. to prove that he/she is a tourist visiting Davao City during the Kadayawan Festival.

3) Tourist(s) must be visiting Davao City, and their most recent inbound ticket or boarding pass should show that they arrived within the month of August 2014. They must show that they're traveling from a different city to Davao City.

4) This promo is only applicable in Vikings Lanang.

5) This promo can't be used in conjunction with other in house promotions or discounts.

6) Gift Checks will not be honored with this promo.

7) This promo is valid from August 11 - 17, 2014.

REGULAR RATES:

Weekdays

LUNCH | DINNER

Adults P588 | P788

Kids 4ft – 4ft 6’ P388 | P588

Kids 3ft – 4ft P188 | P288

Kids Below 3ft FREE

75 years old and above 50% discount

Weekends & Holidays

LUNCH | DINNER

Adults P788

Kids 4ft – 4ft 6′ P588

Kids 3ft – 4ft P288

Kids Below 3ft FREE

75 years old and above 50% discount

All prices are subject to 5% service charge.

All prices and promotions are subject to change without prior notice.

VIKINGS LUXURY BUFFET
Ground Floor, Fountain Court

SM Lanang Premier

Lanang, Davao City

https://www.facebook.com/VikingsLanang

http://www.vikings.ph

http://www.twitter.com/vikingsbuffet

http://www.instagram.com/vikingsluxurybuffet

My self went into manic mode when I found out that Tsuru Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar got included in the list of #DFAT2013 pit stops. If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, then the way to my heart is through Japanese food and that better be Tsuru to really  impress me.

Tsuru is proud to be known as the oldest and longest running Japanese restaurant in Davao City and has been delighting Davaoeños with authentic Japanese cuisine since 1990. I admit I am not a frequent visitor of this restaurant but I have been a customer during their buffet for several times already. One of which was when the BF took me out on a Japanese buffet date here in Tsuru in celebration of his first paycheck as a medical resident.

Moving along, Tsuru introduced four new additions to their menu during the second pit stop of the #DFAT2013 adventure. I was very delighted to know that Tsuru always continue to innovate their dishes to come up with something new and appealing to Davao's ever-changing gastronomic market.

Here are Tsuru's new offerings: 

Crazy Maki

Crazy Maki : Kani sticks with tempura bits

I can still vividly remember the first time I fell in love at a first bite of a hot and fresh original glazed doughnut. It was a rainy July 07, 2010. I dropped by at Krispy Kreme Mall of Asia to buy 2 dozen of doughnuts to bring home to my family and friends. I didn't knew about the hotlight then - what it truly meant - not until when it was switched on and the lady at the counter asked me if I wanted to have fresh and hot original glazed doughnuts. Realizing that I can be hungry while waiting at the airport, I ordered one and paired it up with a cup of hot caramel latte. The fresh and hot doughnuts plus a warm cup of coffee on a rainy day ignited my love for the original glazed doughnut that time. It was so great that other varieties of doughnuts became less attractive to me.

Who would not love the smell and taste of hot and fresh doughnuts? Who would not be enticed with the stimulating aroma of freshly-brewed coffee? And who would not mind getting your favorite donut and drink without the worry of parking space because there's a drive-thru counter?

KRISPY KREME IS FINALLY COMING TO DAVAO VERY SOON!

Stay tuned in my blog for more updates.

***posted using Blogsy***