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With a limited number of restaurants here in Davao City offering authentic Thai cuisine, Thai food enthusiasts know for a fact how difficult it is to satisfy one's palate. 

Marco Polo Davao opened a wonderful opportunity for Thai food enthusiasts as they bring another Southeast Asian flavor to CafĂ© Marco with its Thai Food Festival, with guest Chef Baupha from Hong Kong. Guests from various sectors including the diplomatic corps, government offices were present to celebrate the week-long festival of flavors which will run until July 6 and will showcase some of Thailand’s signature dishes.



Chef Nontra-Udon Baupha, a Thai national, brought with him his 38 years of culinary experience in Thai cuisine for the festival. He is currently with the Marco Polo Prince Hotel but has worked from various hotels and restaurants both in Thailand and Hong Kong such as Imperial Hotel (Thailand), Tip Top Thai Restaurant (Thailand) and Supapra’s Thai Restaurant (Hong Kong). 


Guest enjoyed an array of authentic Thai cuisine and fusion flavors which include Tom yam kung, Phad Thai, Chicken Satay, Thai chicken rice, Mango sticky rice and rich flavors of Thai grilled seafood items. Diners can enjoy this authentic Thai buffet every lunch and dinner at Php1500 per person from June 30 to July 06, 2017.



CAFE MARCO
Level 2, Marco Polo DavaoP.O. Box 81540 CM Recto Street, Davao City 8000, Philippines
Contact No: (63 82) 221 0888 local 7222
https://www.facebook.com/marcopolodavaohotel
Instagram: @marcopolodavao
Twitter: @marcopolodavao





Mindanao's first and only premier hotel, Marco Polo Davao commemorates the country’s 119th Celebration of Independence with a festive buffet of Filipino favorite dishes at CafĂ© Marco from June 12 to 17. This tribute comes timely now that Filipino cuisine has slowly taking over the global food scene. 


"Celebrating our country’s national day or Araw ng Kalayaan is very timely and important in our times today. Food is a representation of our freedom and culture as Filipino from where you can taste the influence of Spanish, American, Japanese and Southeast Asian countries. Filipino not becoming globally recognized to be truly appetizing and sumptuous," says General Manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin.




The celebration was kicked off with a switch of roles between Executive Chef Alex Destriza and Restaurants, Bars and Events Manager Chel Yabut. A food historian, blogger, recipe and culinary director, Chef Chel will once again put on the toque and takes over the kitchen to bring authentic recipes, such as Ensaladang Talong and the Pancit Pusit ni Asiong, from Southern Luzon to the Heart of Davao kitchen, and to your very plates.



From June 12 to June 17, guests can enjoy their favorite Filipino dishes like Kare-kare, Kaldereta, Mechado, Sinigang, Afriatada, Pinakbet, Adobo and sizzling Sisig and so much more at Php799nett for lunch and Php1,100nett for dinner. 
 



CAFE MARCO
Level 2, Marco Polo DavaoP.O. Box 81540 CM Recto Street, Davao City 8000, Philippines
Contact No: (63 82) 221 0888 local 7222
https://www.facebook.com/marcopolodavaohotel
Instagram: @marcopolodavao
Twitter: @marcopolodavao

Despite the evolving food scene in Davao and the growing number of restaurants and food themes to choose from, it’s undeniable that our palates would still crave for the familiar taste of traditional Filipino dishes that truly remind us of home. Good to know that Bagoong Club, a new restaurant emerging at the south part of the city, offers great Filipono comfort food and a warm homey ambiance to welcome families and groups looking for unique home-cooked dishes to celebrate with.




What used to be an ancestral residence along University has been creatively converted into an inviting gastronomic destination. It’s laid back interiors and interesting decorative pieces bring such a nostalgic feeling that sort of reminds of special traditional family celebrations. 



Their menu has a wide array of dishes to choose from – which includes the common Filipino dishes like Kare-kare and Binagoongan. Just seeing the names of dishes with bagoong was already enough to stimulate my intense appetite and craving for the famous condiment. However, not all dishes on the menu are infused with bagoong so it’s safe to say that even those who are allergic to bagoong still have a lot of options. Dishes are prepared as soon as it is ordered so make sure you’re fine with 15-20 minutes of waiting time. No need to worry though, as a complimentary treat of singkamas (turnips) served with two kinds of bagoong – the Bagoong Pag-ibig (sweet version) and the Bagoong Umaga (spicy version) makes the waiting time more exciting.

One fascinating thing with Bagoong Club was how they creatively innovated classic Filipino favorites like the Ukoy, which was commonly served as a round fritter. But in Bagoong Club, their version was a tower of goodness made out of sweet potato, carrots, crispy shrimps and beans, that’s not greasy at all. 

Ukoy Php 265.00


Street food fanatics will surely be delighted to see their favorites at Bagoong Club, but prepared in the most sanitary way possible. No need to be wary of indulging in street food. 


Isaw  Php 145.00

Bagoong lovers will truly enjoy these flavorful bagoong-infused traditional dishes to their heart's (and tummy's) content. These dishes just had the right tinge of saltiness that doesn't disappoint.

Bagoong Rice Php 190.00
Club Binagoongan Special Php 290.00 
Traditional Kare-kare Php 490.00
Of course, almost all traditional Filipino restaurants definitely serve these classic favorites:

Crispy Pata Php 530.00
Crispy Pork Dinuguan 
Unlike the usual Dinuguan, Bagoong Club’s version has crispy pork meat in it. Not only was it flavorful, but the crispy texture of the pork meat added a different feel to the usual version.

The following dishes are what I considered to be heart-captivating for me that's worth coming back to Bagoong Club for over and over again. Not only that these dishes stood out because of their uniqueness, these are also flavorful and surprisingly incredible. Whoever thought of whipping out such dishes must have been a culinary genius!

From among the dishes served to us, the Mula Sa Puso was my most favorite. Behind the clever name was actually a sisig of banana blossoms. Still not believing it? This dish may be far away from the usual kind of sisig but it tastes similar. Plus the dip made out of mayonnaise and pig brain was a perfect match. The dip makes the flavor pop out, you'd crave for more.


Mula sa Puso Php 180.00
Another surprising dish that stole the scene was this Pancit Inasal. Imagine two Filipino favorites - Inasal and Pancit - in one dish will surely blow you away. Two familiar flavors make a very good combination that it's already tummy-filling in itself.

Pancit Inasal Php 280.00
Another unique but sumptuous dish that's a best-seller as well is the Bulalo sa Monggo. This bone-marrow soup with monggo is so packed with flavor that it makes an exquisite impression.   


Desserts and fresh fruit shakes are also available. Of course, any meal would not be complete without desserts and thirst-quenching drinks to complete your satiety.


Dishes are usually priced at P150.00 to P500.00 but it's quite reasonable considering that one serving could generously feed at least 2-3 persons. Service is commendable although it might take some time before food is served since most dishes are prepared as you order. The place is usually jam-packed, regardless of whether it is lunch or dinner, most especially during special occasions so be sure to make reservations ahead. 

Have you tried Bagoong Club? Tell us what you think!


BAGOONG CLUB
123 University Ave. cor Talisay St.
Juna Subd. Davao City
(082) 298 - 5968
Opens 10 am - 10 pm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bagoong-Club-Davao/1216589611784796




Last Saturday, I was one of the foodies who got to enjoy a sumptuous seafood feast at Marco Polo Davao’s Seafood Dinner Buffet. For reasons I could not fathom, it has been years since I found out that I became hypersensitive to crustaceans and mollusks. To others who experience the same thing, every trip to a seafood buffet felt like going on a suicide mission, but for me, it’s simply what I rationalize as desensitization.  As long as I pop in an antihistamine a few minutes before the feast, I simply believe I will be just fine (and I was even until now, hence this post!)


One of the hotel’s exciting treats this summer, Marco Polo Davao’s Seafood Dinner Buffet will satisfy seafood cravings every Friday and Saturday until April 29, 2017 at Cafe Marco. This treat is a perfect alternative for guests who chose to abstain from meat during the Lenten season. Diners will get to feast on abundant fresh produce like crabs, shrimps, shells and various fish that can be enjoyed in different preparations according to the guest’s preference. The wide array of delectable seafood selection definitely stood out from the other food stations readily available on a regular Cafe Marco buffet.



Those whose palates lean more towards the carnivorous side will never go hungry as well since meat dishes are also available. But of course, one must also save room for desserts! 



For only Php 1500.00 per person, Cafe Marco's Seafood Dinner Buffet will not make you only "see" the food, but you have to "taste" the food and eat all you can in order to enjoy it. 


CAFE MARCO
Level 2, Marco Polo Davao
P.O. Box 81540 CM Recto Street, 

Davao City 8000, Philippines

Contact No: (63 82) 221 0888 local 7222
https://www.facebook.com/marcopolodavaohotel
Instagram: @marcopolodavao
Twitter: @marcopolodavao