The Boat Load: delicately marinated jumbo prawns in butter, tarragon and fresh seasonings

Having ventured in the city's food industry in Davao City for a year now, Outback Grill prides itself as being the "BEST" BBQ in the city. For quite some time, they have been filling our nights with fun, friends, entertainment and most of all, incredible food. 

Outback Grill offers a very wide and delectable selection in their menu. They also have barkada platters and family sets perfect for groups and junior-sized meals for kids. Of course, the star of this restaurant is their grilled delicacies. Take a look at the following photos to see (and crave for) what Outback Grill has to offer.

Bulilit Cut : 200 grams of juicy pork ribs served with cucumber salsa and rice

The Wrangler (650grams) and Chuck Wagon (1 kilo): Juicy pork ribs with Outback's secret sauce

Outback Chicken Tower

Chicken Barbeque

Every time I go on travel, one thing I really look forward to is to taste the delights that a particular place has to offer. It is not everyday that we get to chance to grab a bite of these specialties since not all of them are readily available in local restaurants. So when it is my first time to set foot on a place, indulging on the city's best food is always on my bucket list.

So when I heard about Archipelago 7107 by Barrio Fiesta, I felt really ecstatic to try this new restaurant at SM Lanang Premier considering that I do not need to hop on a plane or a bus to explore on dishes boasted by different places in the Philippines. Archipelago 7107's concept of bringing selected authentic recipes from the north, south and anywhere between the 7107 islands under one menu is definitely a brilliant idea.

Archipelago 7107 is actually a part of the Barrio Fiesta chain of restaurants. Its ambiance is causal and chic and perfect for families wanting to dine out and celebrate or professionals wanting to unwind after a day at work. Its first branch in Davao located at SM Lanang Premier also serves the famous and loved Barrio Fiesta recipes like Crispy Pata and Kare-Kare.

KARE-KARE

CRISPY PATA

When Davao City got famous again for putting an end to a kidnap situation and was placed under red alert, me, myself and I  braved all the way from my workplace to SM Lanang Premier to attend an exclusive food tasting event by Claw Daddy's. My physiologic need for food outweighed my need for security. Patay gutom lang ang peg! 

Kidding aside, the invitation from Claw Daddy's Great American Picnic was definitely something one cannot resist. Of course, who could resist having a dibs on the delectable offers and dishes provided by Claw Daddy's for their All-You-Can Eat Ribs and Crabs Great Weekend Buffet? Try to take a look at what they served us and let me know if you can resist them or not.

Well, the following are just what's in store for their weekend buffet. Expect that some of these may or may not be available on your time of visit.

APPETIZERS

Seafood Cocktail Salad

Bacon and Spinach Croquettes

Other Appetizers:  Tuna and Penne Salad, Shellfish and Penne Pesto Salad, Tuna and Citrus Salad, Tuna and Cucumber Salad, Roasted Vegetable and Penne Salad

SOUP OF THE DAY

Mushroom Soup (delightfully creamy!)

MIXED GREENS WITH YOUR CHOICE OF TOPPINGS AND SALAD DRESSINGS

I thought I was already transforming into a Chinese mafia after all the tasty and flavorful Chinese dishes we consumed at Chef Lu and Lotus Court of Marco Polo Hotel Davao. However, our day has not ended yet as we were off to another hidden destination in Tugbok District at the Partoza Durian Farms, for our snacks and dinner. 

The Partoza Durian Farm was an hour trip from the downtown area of Davao City. Gluttony and the decongestant I took for my flu knocked me over that I became disoriented with the location. The next thing I knew upon waking up from my slumber was that we were already in this hidden haven of joy and peace.

Don't get deceived by its name. Although boasting of more than 500 trees of durian and other fruits, this family-owned farm has already been transformed into a leisure destination for retreats, camping, educational tours or an escape for some peace quiet. One can really escape from the hustles and bustles of the city-life as there is no Wi-Fi connection and mobile connection signals in the area. 

Just when we thought that we already had enough of authentic Chinese cuisine from Chef Lu, we were totally wrong. Our brunch was actually followed by a 5-course meal from no other than Davao's top of the class Chinese restaurant, the Lotus Court at Marco Polo Hotel Davao. I bet our tummies were already about to surrender so we resorted to a 10-minute walk from Chef Lu to Marco Polo Hotel in order to give way for the upcoming gastronomic feast.

We felt like royalties with the exquisite 5-course meal Lotus Court has prepared for us. The end result: 3 HOURS of incomparable gastronomic satisfaction which made me conclude that this was the best meal I had so far for the entire DFAT 2013 adventure.

Here's a glimpse of what Lotus Court has prepared for us, but in actuality and based on the following pictures, we got more than what was written in the menu. Get ready to drool!

Appetizer: Roast Suckling Pig Combination

Unlimited Dimsum  (Hakao, Pork and Shrimp Siomai and Shao Lung Pao)

Happy first of August! I have a feeling this month's going to be awesome!

After two days of nonstop binge-eating of delicious food from different participating restaurants, we still had to prepare our tummies for the third and final day of the DFAT 2013 adventure. This time, we reserved our tummies for authentic Chinese cuisine, thus giving you a taste of Hongkong, from Chef Lu restaurant. 

Just a tidbit of information, Chef Lu restaurant is named, of course, after Chef Lu, a Hong-kong trained chef and teacher of cooking lessons in Manila for over 40 years. If you're  a fan of Mandarin Tea Garden, then you'd be delighted to know that Chef Lu was actually one of the people who established it here in Davao.

During the event, we were served with different authentic Chinese cuisine and Hong Kong style dishes which this restaurant exclusively boasts of here in Davao. I admit I wasn't a fan of Chinese and Cantonese dishes but having a taste of what Chef Lu has offered us definitely changed my mind.

Here are their delicious offerings:

Egg Noodles with Spicy Meat Sauce

Salted Dumplings

Salted Dumplings (inside) 

Every bite of their signature dishes is delightfully delicious. I highly recommend the Salted Dumplings because it is far from the usual Chinese dumpling you tried in other Chinese Restaurant. The outer shell  made up of glutinous rice is surprisingly crunchy on the outside but soft and pretty chewy on the inside. In addition to that, the mixture of shrimp, ground pork, mushroom and spring onion really complement the taste of its shell.

Chef Lu's famous egg tarts

One of their popular offerings is the Egg Tart. I have not yet tasted this one but according to le boyfriend, it tastes really really good. 

My previous post for the DFAT 2013 adventure talked about the sumptuous meal offerings from Lachi's. However, if you're already dining in Lachi's then you should not miss out on their delicious and mouth-watering desserts. To be honest, I am having a hard time coming up with this post because at the same time, I am fighting my cravings. Not now, Lachi's!

I've known Lachi's for their famous and incomparable Sans Rival, hence the name of the restaurant. As years go by, Lachi's has produced more and more delectable desserts that you just can't resist. One good thing I like with Lachi's is that their desserts are way cheaper than most coffee shops around town, and I guess they also supply some coffee shops so in order for you to save a few bucks, then go straight ahead to Lachi's instead.

Just when I thought that their meals were already enough to cap off the 2nd day of our DFAT 2013 adventure, then I was totally wrong. After being served with these desserts, you simply can't close your mouths on these heavenly goodness. Get ready to drool and crave because here's what they served us with:

Assorted Cheesecakes

Assorted Cheesecakes

Assorted Cakes and Tortes

Twenty-five bloggers embarked on a fun-filled gastronomic adventure last June 14-16, 2013 for the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2013. These bloggers got the chance to try the sumptuous offerings of different local restaurants here in Davao City and I am very grateful that Shutter Cravings got included in this adventure.

Want to know the happenings behind this event? I prepared a teaser for you! The following images are just a few of what we had for the entire #DFAT2013 event!

One of the things I really recommend when you get the chance to dine at Bigby's Cafe & Restaurant is their Blossoming Spinach Dip. It is a delectable blend of creamy mozarella and parmesan cheese mixed with minced spinach and served together with baguette toasts. It is best consumed while it's a bit hot and creamy. One serving is perfect for sharing but with my intense love for cheese, I can consume the entire serving all by myself. Seriously.

Priced at around Php 200, this dish is worth the price. It can truly satisfy a craving palate and a hungry tummy. Ever since I had tried it, it has instantly become a favorite at Bigby's.

One of the things I love the most about Davao City is food. Dining places here in Davao have been so generous with food that almost all places offer unlimited rice. And what could get better than that? Of course, nothing but unlimited BBQ and grilled food for only P200.

So come and join the fun as we grill and dine to our heart's delight on the first ever Dabaw Sinugba Festival. Hope to see you there!

I have always been a fan of burgers. Without a doubt, I would instantly choose to binge over a burger meal than force myself to consume a rice meal. In fact, I am one of those people who are very delighted that Davao City is now embracing more and more burger stores with different offers to lure their costumers. Just last February, another burger joint opened in Davao City with a pleasant surprise to burger aficionados like me. 

Ladies and gentlemen, help me welcome The Metro Burgers!

The Metro Burgers recently opened its doors to the public last February with a lot of choices of delectable burgers to choose from. Burger lovers can get to choose the Regular Burger, Chinese Burger, Mexican Burger, Hawaiian Burger, Bacon and Mushroom Burger and the Double Burger. Every burger comes with a 100% pure beef patty and extraordinary spices that bring out the different flavors depending on the burger variety. With this, each burger variety offers an exciting flavor and ultimate satisfaction for your appetite. 

Know what sets the burgers of  The Metro Burgers apart from the other burger joints in town? Take a look at the pictures closely and try to find out.

Bacon and Mushroom Burger

"Well then, if you don't want to try the real durian fruit, how about some durian in your coffee?" 

Many of my friends from Manila would always cringe to this idea believing that these two aromatic substances can't be mixed together. However, for the past few years, I may have a difficulty of making them taste the real durian fruit but it has always been easy to convince them to try the durian coffee just by bringing them to Blugre Coffee at Matina Town Square. And would you believe there was even a time when I had to hand-carry a cup of the famous Durian Gatchpuccino to Manila so that others can have a taste of it? 

Blugre Coffee is the pioneer coffee shop when it comes to offering the famous durian coffee and still considered to be the best durian coffee in town even though a lot of other coffee shops have replicated the mix. Truly, the original is the best!

Now, the good news is, I will no longer be bringing a cup with me to bring to my Manila friends for Blugre Coffee has been grilling the idea of a very wide expansion of this coffee shop, not only within the Philippines but they are bringing Davao's pride to the world. In a recent meeting with Mr. Benjamin "BMC" Cuaresma and Ms. Joanne Sy, the great minds behind this famous coffee brand confirmed their expansion plans to major cities in the Philippines like Manila, Makati, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga and Baguio and even to other places like Singapore, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, Las Vegas and many more.

Of course, the famous Durian Coffee is not what only Blugree Coffee could offer.  They also have a lot of coffee and non-coffee drinks available to choose from. Not only that, to complete your coffee experience, Blugre Coffee has added a lot of exciting and delicious offerings to their cakes, pastas, and even breakfast meals. With a lot of branches to frequent to, you will surely have a very good time at Blugre Coffee.

Still the undeniable King of Coffees, Blugre Coffee's vision of being a global brand and a lifestyle is slowly becoming a reality.

To know more about Blugree Coffee, you can check out their website at http://blugre.com or like their Facebook page at http://facebook.com/officialblugre.


***This entry is also posted on my personal lifestyle blog at http://blog.misslitratista.com.***

Forgive me for not updating my food blog more often but trust me, I got a lot of food posts coming up! But for now, let me share to you one of the latest additions to pump up the milk tea craze here in Davao City - Chatime!

It was a hot Tuesday afternoon when I chanced upon a new purple tea shop at the ground floor of SM Lanang Premier. Who would not notice the long line of customers wanting to have a taste of milkteas? Little did I know that Chatime was actually a popular brand for milk teas not only in Manila but around the world, and before the end of 2012, it  finally opened its doors to Davao's milk tea enthusiasts.

 The first time I fell in love with Cafe France's Beef Lasagna was during my practicum days in UP-PGH barely three years ago. I first had a taste of it when my classmates and I decided to had a late lunch at Podium and oh boy I got so enticed. Ever since then, their beef lasagna has become one of the food that I made sure to eat every time I am in Manila. Ever since then, the same beef lasagna had also become my staple airport food every time I get to fly back to Davao from NAIA Terminal 2.

When I heard about their opening here in Davao, I got so giddy like a little child seeing her favorite candy within her reach again. And just last Tuesday, I was able to visit their branch at The Peak where I had another Tuesdate with the BF. It was my first time to really dine in at their place but I have already been a satisfied customer of their breads, croissants and sandwiches which I usually order for take-out since they opened their doors in this city.

Just a quick trip down memory lane, it was one hot afternoon in August 2012 when le BF and I decided to try Backyard Burgers for the first time. This burger joint is situated just a few walks away from le BF's house so we ordered 1 cheeseburger (for me) and 1 Ha'ang Burger (for him) for take-out because the place was jam-packed. At first try, I wasn't happy with my burger. I found the bun to be stale for my taste, and the patty was a bit burnt and dry. On the other hand, le BF liked his extra spicy burger. Although I was disappointed, my first experience with Backyard Burgers didn't stop me from visiting them for a second try.

Last December 2012, I came back again for another dining experience. This time, my friend, Sarah and I decided to dine in as the place was empty, unlike my first visit. I was eyeing for the customized burger but found it very expensive after the lady at the counter calculated all the ingredients so I settled for the BB Garshroom Bacon Burger instead, while Sarah had her burger customized.

BB Garshroom  Bacon Burger (Php 150 + add-on Php 35)

The BB Garshroom Bacon Burger is made-up of a single beef patty with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, mayonnaise, garlic mushroom fried in butter, bacon and sesame bun. Since I like my burgers with loads of cheese, I opted to add the Cheesy Dip Sauce. 

The first time my curiosity got triggered with Pepper Lunch was during the time that I saw a long line of people in their Greenbelt 5 branch. I thought to myself that definitely, their food must have been very good for people to be patiently waiting to be seated considering that the price is a bit steep to my liking. That same curiosity also wanted me to try their meals at that moment but the impatient me opted to dine in another restaurant.

Then I heard that Pepper Lunch already opened another branch at The Peak in Gaisano Mall. On our first visit, the BF and I backed off because like I said, the price was a bit steep and we weren't that hungry enough to splurge around P300 for every meal. However, on one special day in November (it was in fact our monthsary. Notice how delayed this blog post is?), we finally gave Pepper Lunch a try.

Teriyaki Beef Pepper Rice with Egg

Curry Beef Pepper Rice with Cheese

If you're someone like me who's always scouting for great places to unwind, chill or just be productive with studies and work, then surely the first thing that will pop into your mind is a coffee shop. However, some of the coffee shops I've been too here in Davao, although relaxing, are not that conducive for productivity, at least for me. Others don't have comfortable chairs/couches, many don't have fast Wi-fi and some won't even let you charge your gadget for free. But last Sunday, I was glad to discover one of the newest coffee shops in the metro that made it up to my list of go-to places in terms of relaxation and productivity.

Have you been to Java Jive?

Java Jive: Coffee-Tea-Soda-Music is a home-inspired, Filipino-themed music cafe where one can avail any or all of the following: drink coffee, tea and soda blends, enjoy Davao-produced sweets and savory dishes, and listen to the music of  local homegrown talents from the city. One thing that sets this coffee shop apart from the rest is its music - they only play original Pinoy music (OPM) and on special days, you get to listen to a live band playing their originals and covers. Proudly, it's the first of its kind here in the metro.

Before I get to the heart of this post, I will first let your eyes meet these sweet treats.