Bon Appetit! La Boutique ranked first in Trip Advisor's The Best 10 Davao City Restaurant with a Certificate of Excellence to boot. After trying no. 4, Lachi's Sans Rival Atbp on the list and enjoyed, our expectations were soaring for this French-owned restaurant.

Bienvenue!

The small restaurant is emanating with class. Its violet logo exudes regal-pride and its interior dramatically lighted. Bon Appetit's vibe is different from Lachi's.

What's on the menu

While enjoying the ambiance, a complimentary black olives tapenade and caviar were served. The bread itself is already good. Not sweet and starchy. The caviar is divine, literally and figuratively. But it only just begun. 

Oh the olives!

Caviar feat bread

From the menu, picked two kinds of pasta. Penne Roquefort et Noix (Penne with Roquefort Cheese and Walnut Sauce) at Php 375 was divine! It went well with the al dente penne. So cheesey and creamy though I cannot much fathom where the walnut goes. Just the same, it was exploding with flavors. 

Enjoy every bite

We thought that the Linguine Carbonara (Pasta Carbonara) at Php 300 will taste the same since they look alike (only of course the pasta looks different) but Penne Roquefort et Noix was a whole lot better. Not to say that it wasn't good because it was. 

What can go wrong with carbonara?

Also tried blog suggestion of Fricassee de Poulet and Potato Gratin (Sliced Chicken Fillet cooked with Cream, Herbs, and Mushroom) at Php 275 and it was heavenly. The meat was cooked right and the flavors of cream and herbs were complementing each other.  

Rich. Creamy

Last had fish in the form of Filet de Saumon Grillé Sauce Gingembre (Pan-Seared Salmon Fillet with Ginger Sauce) at Php 475. This one is excellent, too! It has a tinge of zest that I love. Compared to potato gratin and marbled potato (because they will ask to choose), I enjoyed the marble more. 

Salmon is Saumon in French

It was a gastronomic (and a bit expensive) treat in Davao.  

Bon Appetit! La Boutique is located at:

Plaza Del Carmen, Loyola St.  

Barrio Obrero,Davao City, 

Mindanao 8000

best restaurant in Davao Bon appetit menu Bon Appetit! La Boutique Davao City Davao food trip food blog food review French Cuisine The Best 10 Davao City Restaurant Trip Advisor When in Davao

Monday, November 30, 2015

An artsy-crafty cafe with an inviting vibe caught our attention in Davao. It's so colorful and full of cute things. First attempt to dine in Keepsakes Cafe was a failure because we were full already. Second chance was critical because we had a few remaining hours in Davao. Forgetting about hotel breakfast, out we went for breakfast in this "can't-get-my-eyes-off-you" cafe.

So many options to choose from

Candy-colored menu

Look at the various decors around:

This garden setting is the best spot for me

A big girl playing real doll-house must-be

Look up! The lights! 

Crafts for sale

Mini love locks--- and oh, they sell locks in case you forgot

You know when all you need is something to write on?

It's a happy distraction while waiting for the food which was kinda slow considering that we ordered only Hungarian Sausage Good Morning Meal at Php 130. It's already served with rice and iced tea. 

Hungry hungarian. It took them a while

For dessert, an Oreo Mud pie was a good dose of happiness. 

Cup of sweets!

Overall, food taste isn't remarkable. BUT the presentation and the perky ambiance of the place make it too hard to resist. 

Keepsakes Cafe is located at:

Beechnut Square 

Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City, 

8000 Davao del Sur

artsy cafe crafts at Keepsakes Cafe Davao City Davao coffee shops Davao food trip food blog Keepsakes Cafe When in Davao

Sunday, November 29, 2015

A paradise just near the city....

Crystal clear waters with swimming fishes as company...

Water changing from green to blue to dark blue...

All against the creamy white sand....

It's a perfect recluse. Yet it's not so far that you will loose your wits in the process (well a bit, I did).

I'm taking about Samal Island, in particular, an island at the "back" of it called Talikud in Isla Reta. 

Even when you just stare away...

THE ROAD TO ISLA RETA

*note: this wasn't a planned trip. Just a spur of the moment... so welcome to our (mis)adventure. :)

The Island Garden City of Samal is practically around 30 minutes away from the city. Booked at The Pinnacle Hotel at the heart of Davao City, we just rode a cab to the port for around 20 minutes at Php 120. The port that we went to was private for Paradise Island Resort, it was just Php 15 per head, 1-way. 

When we arrived at Paradise Island Resort, we didn't like the beach so much. It was literally just across the port so it's also not as clean so we decided to look for another. Warning: don't follow this mishap. We didn't know that we weren't allowed to beach hop so we had to pay Php 200 as entrance fee per head (also because we have to exit in their vicinity, too). (Tip: go via the public port where barge ride is at Php 10 per head, ride will just be at 20 minutes because the barge is slower). 

Oooooooops, wrong move

At the exit (which was 10-minute walk from the entrance-- a large resort, in fairness), we found waiting habal-habal and rented it at Php 400, 2-way. At first we just wanted a better beach than Paradise Resort but the searches from Trip Advisor points us to Talikud Island. 

The habal-habal drivers said they can accompany us. We added Php 100 or Php 200 more I think because it was a bit far. And oh boy! Little did we know that we will travel half Samal Island (around 20-30 minutes) just to get to Kaputian Port. 

First, the travel for me was a bit scary because we just learned a few months that a foreigner was kidnapped. And, law of relativity computed, it was a long and hot travel.It was hard not to ask, "Are we there yet?". But the drivers were just so reassuring! They kept on telling us that they won't do anything bad because it's their tourism at stake. But on the other hand, it was thrilling! So thrilling I wish I had the courage to take a video or even photo of myself while riding.

Had to take photo of the habal-habal ride

Second, Kaputian Port is beautiful in itself already but it's now so developed and it is used as port. So we had to cross again Kaputian and right at the back of Samal from the port is Talikud Island. We rented a boat at Php 1,500. 

Kaputian Port is pretty in itself, right? 

Almost dusk at Kaputian Port

Whew! An unforgettable experience. 

IN ISLA RETA, TALIKUD ISLAND, SAMAL

Welcome! 

Was it worth the habal-habal ride just for a bit of paradise and recluse? The answer is a big YES. Just a few meters from Talikud Island, I can already sense that we are up to something nice. 

Docked at Isla Reta, Talikud Island

Happy to have set foot here

We landed at Isla Reta and the white sand was glistening as a welcome. Such a treat! And I guess I need not say more with these pictures:

A bit of an adventure

My color belong

Beach front

What you see at the backdrop is actually Kaputian Port

Time-freeze this moment <3

Cool sheep

Look at the colors :)

Beautiful! 

Almost dusk 

Food wasn't a problem in the island because they have a resto. 

No you won't get hungry

A feast near the sea

On the way back to the city, we made sure to ride a barge thru Samal Ferry Wharf that operates 24 hours. :)

It's good once in a while to be unprepared. It's just that it will cost more than usual. All things considered, it was well worth it. :)

Look at it from every angle...

...it's stunning at every turn

 *some pictures credits to: @marydms

beach resort Davao City DIY trip isla reta talikud island Island Garden City of Samal Kaputian Port samal island travel guide travel diary Trip Advisor When in Davao

Saturday, November 28, 2015

After a hearty dinner in Lachi's, decided to grab coffee at Green Coffee as it's located just across the famous restaurant. All green, thanks to its name, the facade and the interiors could tell that it can give a relaxing coffee experience at the heart of Davao. 

Appealing facade

Inside will give a chill moment. Enjoyed looking around the "green plants" decked along the walls. 

Still full house at late night

Green Counter and Menu

Since cake is not an option, decided to go for a good drink (just had water at Lachi's). Chose among their Fine Salt & Cheese Milk Tea. The fine salt balanced the sweetness which is a good break for me. I love that it came with muscovado sugar, too.  

The sugar! Says it all. 

When I go back to Davao again, I'll make sure that I'll try their cakes and pastries. 

Green Coffee has a branch in:

Ruby cor Turquoise St., 
Marfori Heights, 

Davao City

Davao City Davao coffee shops Davao food trip fine salt and cheese milk tea food blog Green Coffee Davao green place muscovado sugar When in Davao

Friday, November 27, 2015

When in Davao, the best way to search for the best in town is Trip Advisor. It was handy when we were looking for a great but cheap place to dine. As the #3 Best Restaurant in Davao City with a Certificate of Excellence, didn't think twice in trying Lachi's Sans Rival Atbp. 

Good thoughts for good food

The restaurant was cramped at around 6pm and we had to wait to be seated. While waiting, we chose our orders as apparently, the food will take time to be served. We asked recommendation from the waitress and here's her suggestion from the menu:    

Main Menu

Tummy Warmers:

• Elsie's Melt-in-your-Mouth Roast Pork at Php 140

It does melt

• Unforgettable Grilled Pork Ribs at Php 165

Don't underestimate this goodness

• Three-Hour Beef Mechado at Php 188

Worth the 3 hour

What I like best was the Unforgettable Grilled Pork Ribs. It doesn't look so appetizing but wait 'til you taste it! The side dish of cucumber was good, too! 

If I'm to rank my next choice that would be Three-Hour Beef Mechado. It was cooked for three hours that's why it's so tender. All the flavors just bursting!

Elsie's Melt-in-your-Mouth Roast Pork was a good choice, too. 

All three were prepared impeccably and I'd like to be back again when I visit Davao. 

For Desserts had these:

• Lachi's Classic Sans Rival- soooo heavenly! Layers of goodness! No wonder why it's famous. 

Now I know why you're famous

• Durian Cheesecake- it was just a bit off for us because of the smell. And if you're looking for a dessert bordering on exotic, this one is.

Durian tho

• Luscious Mud Pie- great choice, too! And seriously, it's luscious and chocolaty!

Don't get 'mud'

Dessert menu

The price wasn't so expensive, too. There were meals at less than Php 100 to Php 215 max. Truly, a must visit restaurant. 

Lachi's Sans Rival Atbp is located at:

Ruby Street, 

Davao City, 

Mindanao 8000

Durian Cheesecake Lachi's address Lachi's Classic Sans Rival Lachi's menu Luscious Mud Pie The Best 10 Davao City Restaurant Three-Hour Beef Mechado Unforgettable Grilled Pork Ribs

Thursday, November 26, 2015