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

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

The #DFAT2013 adventure started off with a "light" lunch and a quick orientation about the itinerary and things to do at Mam Bebs Bakeshop.

Blast from the past: When I was still aspiring to be an official member of the Davao Bloggers, one of the requirements is to pay a registration fee to Andrew Dela Serna at Mam Bebs Bakeshop. To be honest, I was really clueless about this place that I searched the entire C.M Recto St (from San Pedro Church going to Marco Polo) but failed because it was located near Planters Bank in front of City Triangle.

When I became an official Davao Blogger, Mam Bebs Bakeshop is no longer a new place for me. Several blogging events were already conducted here yet it never fails to tickle my palate every time that I am here savoring every bite of their sumptuous offerings. One of the dishes you must try whenever you get the chance to visit Mam Bebs is their famous Pancit Luglug.

Mam Bebs Bakeshop Pancit Luglug

Aside from being not your ordinary kind of bakeshop, Mam Bebs Bakeshop is more than just a bakeshop since it also offers affordable combo meals yet very satisfying to your hunger. Every meal comes with a bowl of delicious noodle soup.

Double-cooked Pork Adobo

Korean Chicken

Fish Fillet

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!

It seems like only yesterday when I was still very excited for the opening of the first T.G.I.Fridays restaurant here in Davao City located at the ground floor of Abreeza Mall. Time indeed flies so fast that I came to realize that they will be turning two when I got an invitation to their 2nd year anniversary celebration last May 18, 2013.

T.G.I.Fridays celebrated their 2nd year anniversary by having a Buy 1 Take 1 on their famous cocktails and at the same time, holding a Bar Champ Competition with their in-house bar experts. Judges had a great time deciding the winner since the competition was very tight among the contestants.

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.

In celebration of the 115th Philippine Independence Day, Army Navy Burger + Burrito at Abreeza Mall is giving away free Freedom Fries for every burger purchase.

Promo happens on June 12, 2013 only so grab a burger + free freedom fries now!

The story behind this restaurant chain started out in downtown Manhattan when Alan Stillman opened a place not only "as a way to meet Pan Am stewardesses" but also to create an environment where people can meet their friends and make new ones and all of them can just relax and have fun in 1965.

Then came T.G.I.Fridays.

Suddenly, there was a place where great food, exciting drinks and an electric energy can be combined - a place where bartenders create a euphoric environment in the same way that they mix a drink. To simply say, T.G.I. Fridays is a place like nowhere else.

T.G.I.Fridays have expanded to different branches in the world, fourteen of which are found in the Philippines. In Davao City, this restaurant is located at the ground floor of Abreeza Mall.

It has been 2 years since T.G.I.Fridays opened its doors to Davaenos and will still continue to provide great food and drinks plus excellent service. In celebration of its 2nd year anniversary this Saturday, May 18, 2013, T.G.I. Fridays Abreeza branch will be offering Buy 1 Take 1 on Cocktails and at the same time, will hold a Bar Champ Competition.

So what are you waiting for? Come and celebrate this occasion only at T.G.I.Fridays at Abreeza Mall, Davao City. Hope to see you there!

Complete your summer fun with this unique kind of treat! See you there!

I have a confession to make. 

Contrary to my health teachings as a nurse, I do not like eating vegetables nor do I even indulge regularly in healthy food choices. But I also admit that there are also days when you feel like craving for them, or just feel like ditching away the rice on the plate for something healthier like greens and fruits.

I discovered Rego's Cafe when I had a meeting with my classmate in MAN, Jay, who just recently came back from his Manila trip at that time. We were supposed to meet in Happy Lemon but since we were both hungry, we decided to look for a place to dine instead. I wasn't in the mood for something heavy since I was aiming for a few days off from rice at that time. Then, we spotted Rego's Cafe. I was lucky to have seen this cozy and charming restaurant at The Peak just when my taste buds were craving for something healthier. To be honest, it was my first time to have heard of this restaurant's name but what really caught my attention were the affordable price and healthy food selections on their menu.

GRILLED CHICKEN CEASAR SALAD

One thing that made me love this Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad is that there are lots of dried cranberries which added more flavor to it. The grilled chicken is tasty and flavorful which complemented the crispiness of the lettuce and cucumber.

CHICKEN, FISH AND FRIES

This order was supposedly made up of chicken, fish and fries but the owner of Rego's Cafe told us that their fries is not good enough to be served so I opted to add more fish in it. I truly admired the honesty of the owner, who also happened to be Joshua's classmate in high school. That means to say that they really serve only the best and high quality products to their customers. 

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!

 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

It's the last day of the year 2012. We've been hurdling a lot of end-of-the-world predictions and until now, we're still alive, breathing and blogging!  

Just like when the Mayans predicted the end of the world to happen on December 21, 2012, I also predicted that something will end but only a day before that said prediction and it is---- the end of my 3-week diet! In an instant, I finally gave in back to my love for food when I was one of the bloggers who got the chance to have a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine at the newly-opened West Empire Chinese Restaurant and Seafood Garden last December 20, 2012.

Let me just give you a brief background of this new restaurant. West Empire Chinese Restaurant and Seafood Garden is actually one of the three newly-opened restaurants located at the West JBT Plaza, the new food haven in Davao City. Alongside with it are the Jaime's restaurant which offers an international fusion cuisine buffet and the quaint-looking Chiyo Authentic Japanese Restaurant and Yakiniku House which offers the best yakiniku and Japanese food in town. I'll be making separate blog posts for the two other restaurants so for now, I'll be focusing the spotlight on what West Empire Chinese Restaurant and Seafood Garden has to offer.

Brace yourselves, I'll be flooding you with pictures which will surely make you drool!

Assorted Cold Cuts for Appetizer. See next photo for the contents!

White Chicken, Pork Asado, Suckling Pig, Peking Duck  (everything tastes delicious!)

Every minute that I am writing this post feels like suicide to me. Since the start of December, I have been adhering to a "very strict diet" which, together with all the other factors, made me lost 3 kilos in 2 weeks. (Mind you, it's not that easy!) But this post has long been overdue and I guess you deserve a little information about the latest craze in town: J.CO Donuts. So here I am killing myself (and my cravings) in order to share something to you my beloved readers.

I first heard of J.Co Donuts from a flood of posts in Instagram to a dozen rants in Facebook and Twitter sharing how people manage to wait in queue for an hour for just a dozen donuts. An hour for a donut? Are they really worth it?

Having been a language teacher to Korean students for almost half a year had made me steer away from Korean food. No offense, it's just that I don't like eating spicy food. From what I have experienced in my previous Korean employer, almost every food I tasted is too hot and spicy. But when I heard about a lot of positive raves about the Bon Chon Chicken, I couldn't help but get curious and later on indulge myself (and thy boyfriend) to have a taste of the much-hyped Korean chicken delight.

 Bon Chon's Spicy Chicken

The chicken pieces were coated with a glistening reddish brown spicy sauce just enough to cover the chicken. The skin was crunchy and tasty and much to my delight, the spiciness doesn't overwhelm. The meat is also juicy, flavorful and tender in every bite.

Bon Chon's Beef Bulgogi

Aside from the jaw-dropping scenery and amazing landscapes, Palawan has much more to offer than what meets the eye. The city also has a wide array of restaurants that would suit every craving palate, therefore a wandering traveler will surely never go hungry in this city. Mostly, the restaurants in Puerto Princesa have a native theme serving Filipino dishes and boasting of the Filipino pride. From among these restaurants, one of the most famous places in Palawan is Ka Inato.

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***