Fiesta Sorpresa: Digos' Home of Filipino Cuisine

Travelling 54 kilometers from our jump off point in Matina Town Square, Davao City was all worth it when we reached our first destination for our second day DFAT adventure. The second day was intended to visit our neighboring city, Digos to know more about and taste the best Filipino restaurant they have.

Fiesta Sorpresa is one of Digos' pride when it comes to Filipino cuisine. They serve some of the best food that we, Filipinos, serve and enjoy especially during fiestas and big celebrations. You can always imagine yourself enjoying a feast with your family and friends, taking photos and enjoying their company while getting your tummies filled with favourite dishes in one sitting. Fiesta Surpresa do not just serve food but an opportunity to have great time.

When you reach their place, you will notice that they have highlighted some of Philippines’ famous fiestas (just imagine that Philippines has too many to mention that in a year, you fill up your calendar just with those!). In the corner near the counter, you will also see some of the local celebrities who enjoyed dining in Fiesta Sorpresa as well. Let’s not forget to mention the warm staff who will welcome you with the Filipino trademark hospitality.

 

Binagoongan--get it spicy, the way you like.

Greenwich ULTIMATE Treat with DFAT 2013 and Davao Bloggers

The last stop of our Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2013 brought us to Greenwich Pizza—the very same bloggers event that introduced me to the Davao Bloggers.

Just like before, we were welcomed by the warm staff of Greenwich Ilustre. While our first event introduced us to their chicken and pizza selection, this time we were able to taste the meatier and the more saucy lasagna as well as their pizzas!

Pearls and Petals

Its 1993, children of my age were running around. The environment was not new to me but the people I do not know much. At this age, I would never thought that these little kids–whose face are as rubbish as mine, whose minds are as clueless and innocent and whose hearts are free from all forms of prejudice, would be the same people who makes my heart warm.

They say that friendships that survive the thickness and thins of life are lasting friendships and indeed they are. Two decades later, my friends have all graduated college (thank goodness!) and now in our own pursuit of the dreams and the lives we wanted back when we were a little younger. Some now successful while others have started their families. Who would think, right?

December 2012: Five kids and counting?

This realization made me want to cherish time with them more–all the coffee time and short chitchats we can catch where our conversations would always boil down to either their kids or our highschool memories.

So while we cannot stop time from moving forward, allow me to preserve some of the little moments we shared. Here is small collection of my time shared with the Lavina’s and their cute princess, Sophia before they left for UK. 

Going Japanese with Tsuru

Today I will be sharing to you our experience dining in one of the first Japanese restaurant in Davao City–Tsuru. We visited their branch located in Abreeza Mall for our second stop during the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2013. We were instantly welcomed by the beautiful and cozy ambiance of the resto and the warm staff.

We were served with platters of maki’s and Japanese rolls where we were able to taste the new dishes that they are offering. We were also able to ask few questions from the store manager who was also very enthusiastic in giving information to us about Tsuru and the company’s experience in the past decade.

California Roll. Crab Overload.

Godzilla Roll. Ebi Tempura with lettuce topped with tuna, salmon, mango, avocado and topped with Tsuru's special sauce

Tsuru Roll. Salmon, kani, and cream cheese fried to a golden crisp then topped with tempura bits and teriyaki sauce

Volcano Roll. Salmon, spring onions, spicy oil and mayo fried to perfection with two types of sauces.

So the verdict?

Price. Affordable but not cheap. If you wanted to save and get the best deals, visit them during happy hours from 2-5pm (weekdays), 2-5pm and 9pm-12mn (weekends). All sushis and makis will be one a Buy 1, Take 1 sale while their sake jar will be offered at a 50% discount.

Place. I have been to two out of the three branch stores of Tsuru in Davao. The other branches may not look exactly alike (perhaps limit of space) but the feel is all the same. You can see decorations that adds to the aesthetic and a teppanyaki table can surely add to your Japanese cuisine experience when food will be cooked or grilled in your table!

Palate. Wow. My favorite among the new dishes we had would be the volcano roll. It is crunchy yet juicy in the inside where flavors explode to your mouth. If you check their menu, only Tsuru offers the complete dishes that you would want to see in other local Japanese restaurants.

More photos…

So? What do you think? If you wanted to know more, check their Facebook page here.

You can also drop by their branches located at J. Camus Street (main branch fronting People’s Park), Abreeza Mall and Damosa, Lanang. They operate from Monday to Sunday 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (lunch)  and 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM (dinner). Give them a ring for reservations or query through (+6382) 221-0901.

Mam Bebs Bakeshop and Your Home Kitchen

When you grow older away from home, you would always find that place where you wanted to eat a food that reminds you of home. For me, I found this comfy place in the middle of the city.

Signature Dish! Make sure you try this Palabok on your visit
Photo credits to Mam Bebs Bakeshop

 We kicked off our DFAT 2013 adventure with a hearty lunch in Mam Bebs for a quick orientation and to finally meet our fellow DFAT-ers! We ordered our preferred lunch and desert and went crazy taking photos!

Mam Beb’s Bakeshop is a small bakeshop in Claveria Street, adjacent to Ateneo’s gate. At first glance, you would think that its merely a store with breads and pastries but their menu also offers various dishes and rice meals that are not only affordable but are delicious! My blogger friends would usually drool with the thought of Palabok being served while we can all be easily bribed with the best apple pie in town also from Mam Beb’s!

Go gaga and try everything. It’s really affordable so it wont be too much to spend

My current fave, the Fish Fillet–crunchy in the outside, creamy inside.
Also try their refreshing Iced Tea. Its no ordinary Iced Tea that you taste in all the fastfood!

 Want to know more about Mam Beb’s Bakeshop, you can click and check their Facebook page or check-in in their Foursquare page and perhaps leave some tips and photos of you and your friends having a good time!

DFAT 2013 Adventures

About nine months ago when I decided to grab the opportunity that knocked in my window, I never thought that it would bring me to this point where I found friends and a new comfort zone where I can do things that I truly want.

DFAT doodle. Credits to Mark Cabrera, Rina Alcantara, Michael Balgos and fellow Davao Bloggers (Arjay Lagere for the upload)

I was sitting down in one cafe with some of the DFAT organizers when they decided to brainstorm about the participants for the event. Well, I was trying my best not to eavesdrop in their conversation until one of them tapped me (I was on a headphone that time) because they were reading my essay on my DFAT application.

I remember then some of the things that I wrote and how funny the length of my essay was (I was really buying to get into DFAT). And now that this first page will be part of the historical event of my life, I’d like to share the reason why I love DFAT.

• A family that eats together. My mom being a Kampampangan loves to eat and cook. My childhood has no better memories than my summer vacation in Kidapawan with my relatives eating breakfast twice in the morning and waking up to the smell of kitchen cooking in our ancestral house.
• Culture. I may have not traveled the whole world (yet) but my palate has been to many countries, thanks to the many opportunities that came by. There is nothing better than experiencing the culture of any place through food.
• New people. Food brings not only family together but people (even strangers) from all walks of life. Yes, it may sound cliche but my experience with my first DB event taught me that meeting new people can also happen in the middle of food tasting!!!

 So for the upcoming post, bear with me. I will be flooding you with the enticing memories of delicious food and warm accommodations from our DFAT partners. Don’t worry, I will be posting delicious food photos and convince you that those places are worth visiting and you will be left with no choice but to try it out as well!