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Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurant. Show all posts

Had I been given a lot of free time in the world, I will definitely use it to grow an organic garden. Being aware of how food and nutrition play a crucial role in our current health conditions made me more cautious of what I take in. So if given the chance, I would like to see to it that as much as possible, I will only take in organic, fresh and chemical-free ingredients. But sadly, that's quite far from reality. 

Dalandan Juice and Balik Bukid's Cheese and Bread Platter

I'm quite relieved to know that Davao City is now welcoming more dining options which can address my need for a healthier lifestyle. One of which is Balik Bukid Farm and Kitchen,  a restaurant which advocates organic farming by serving dishes made out of fresh and locally grown produce and ingredients from their own garden in Wangan, Calinan, an hour drive away from Davao City proper. 

So what does one expect from Balik Bukid? Nothing more but healthy, delicious meals made from only fresh, organically-grown and chemical-free ingredients served within a traditional Filipino homey atmosphere. 

Classic Caesar Salad
Farm Salad

The lunch we had during the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2014 wasn't my first time to experience dining at Balik Bukid. During my first visit, my taste buds were captivated by their tasty Classic Caesar Salad, of which they used anchovies as the base for their dressing (others use bacon!). From then on, I started trying different salads from this restaurant and all of them exceeded my expectations.

Here are the main courses served to us during the food tour. All of their dishes were made from ingredients harvested at their farm so the availability of the dishes in the menu is based on the availability of ingredients.

Kare-Kare
Pork Liempo with Ensaladang Talong
Paksiw na Pata
Blue Rice 

One thing noteworthy about Balik Bukid is their unique Blue Rice. The blue pigment of the rice is actually derived from the Blue Ternate flower which is known to be rich in antioxidants. Thus, the blue color doesn't only make it aesthetically beautiful but adds more nutrients as well. This rice goes very well with their flavorful entrees.

Chicken Barbeque with Ensaladang Talong
Kinulob na Pugo


Quail eggs are usually a common addition in Filipino dishes but in Balik Bukid, the quail itself is the star of one their unique entrees, Kinulob na Pugo. It might not look as good as it tastes but the dish was flavorful and so tender that the meat just fall right off the bones. Definitely worth a try!

Chocolate Island
Ice Cream in a Basket

Who says ice cream can't be healthy? Balik Bukid has delectable ice cream desserts made in their kitchen. Don't forget to try their Chocolate Island Ice Cream which is a trio of chocolate ice cream sandwiched between their home-made tasty puffs, drizzled with tableya (native chocolate) and smothered with peanut bits. Ice Cream in a Basket is another option if you want to skip the chocolate.



Everything from Balik Bukid follows the concept of natural organic farming and sustainable living. The walls of the restaurant are made up of recycled plastic bottles drawn together and the furniture and fixture depicts rural living. 

The next time that your body is craving for something healthy, listen to it and give Balik Bukid Farm and Kitchen a visit. Your body will then thank you for that!


BALIK BUKID FARM AND KITCHEN
Quimpo Blvd. Matina, Davao City
Contact Number: 0915 595 1127
Email: balikbukid@yahoo.com

Operating Hours:
Monday - Thursdays: 11:00 am - 10:00pm
Fridays - Saturdays: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm 
Sundays: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm 





Whoever does not have any idea who Bruno Mars is after that superb performance during the NFL Super Bowl 2014 Halftime show must have resided in a different planet. And if there's one thing you would really wish after viewing his performance, then definitely it will be to see him perform live in front of you.  

Good news to all Filipinos! This amazing artist behind the phenomenal songs "Just The Way You Are" and "Locked Out of Heaven" is coming to Manila, Philippines on March 22, 2014 for the Moonshine Jungle Tour 2014 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.


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

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



Good morning foodies!

I have finished sharing about the first day of the DFAT 2013 and now we're off to the 2nd day. The 2nd day was a bit exciting than the first one because we're off to a place not so far away from Davao to discover dining places that will surely give you a great gastronomic adventure even when you're away from home.

Our first stop for the 2nd day is at Fiesta Sorpresa in Digos City, Davao del Sur. Yes indeed, we traveled 45 minutes to 1 hour to get our tummies filled with their delightful and savory offerings. It is located in the heart of Digos and specializes in offering Filipino classic fiesta dishes. During the DFAT 2013, Fiesta Sorpresa treated us to a sumptuous brunch - a very good way to energize us after traveling.

Here's what we had for brunch which is actually more than enough to feed a hungry lion (like me):
Binagoongang Bagnet
Garlic Fried Chicken
Sizzling Stuffed Squid


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.

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!





One of the restaurants that I would always wish to frequent into every single time I chanced upon The Peak in Gaisano Mall is Pepper Lunch. This Japanese-inspired steak restaurant softly opened its doors to Davaeno foodies last 2012 but it was only last March 17, 2013 that this restaurant was formally inaugurated. 



I was lucky to be invited as a blogger to this momentous occasion. I had instantly become a fan of Pepper Lunch ever since I first tasted a Pepper Rice meal last November and from then on, I had always wanted to come back every now and then. There must be really something in their dishes that does not only satisfy our hunger but create an instant craving that will make you drag your feet to visit their restaurant again.

“Fine Steak, Great Value!”, that is Pepper Lunch’s promise to the people. It is the only restaurant that provides mouth watering steaks and pepper rice at an affordable price! The original from Japan has landed to the Philippines and offers a unique dining experience where guests could cook their food the way they want it.

One of the owners of this franchise, the multiskilled athlete, Chris Tiu, was there to grace the inauguration. It was so inspiring to hear how his love for a business like this has made him turn a dream into a reality.