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.

bon appetit davao french restaurant interior
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.

bon appetit davao french restaurant table setting
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. 

bon appetit davao french restaurant complimentary olives
Oh the olives!
bon appetit davao french restaurant complimentary bread
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. 

bon appetit davao french restaurant penne roquefort et noix
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. 

bon appetit davao french restaurant linguini carbonara
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.  

bon appetit davao french restaurant fricassee de poulet
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. 

bon appetit davao french restaurant filet de saumon
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
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.

keepsakes cafe sta ana davao counter menu board
So many options to choose from
keepsakes cafe sta ana davao menu board
Candy-colored menu
Look at the various decors around:

keepsakes cafe sta ana davao garden setting
This garden setting is the best spot for me
keepsakes cafe sta ana davao interior decor
A big girl playing real doll-house must-be
keepsakes cafe sta ana davao lighting
Look up! The lights! 
keepsakes cafe sta ana davao crafts for sale
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. 

keepsakes cafe sta ana davao hungarian sausage
Hungry hungarian. It took them a while
For dessert, an Oreo Mud pie was a good dose of happiness. 

keepsakes cafe sta ana davao oreo mudpie
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
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


samal island travel guide isla reta talikud 7
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.



samal island travel guide isla reta talikud habal habal
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. 


samal island travel guide kaputian port
Kaputian Port is pretty in itself, right? 

samal island travel guide kaputian port dusk
Almost dusk at Kaputian Port
Whew! An unforgettable experience. 

IN ISLA RETA, TALIKUD ISLAND, SAMAL


samal island travel guide isla reta talikud sign
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. 


samal island travel guide isla reta talikud port
Docked at Isla Reta, Talikud Island
samal island travel guide isla reta talikud white sand
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:


samal island travel guide isla reta talikud 3
A bit of an adventure
samal island travel guide isla reta talikud 4
My color belong

samal island travel guide isla reta talikud beach front
Beach front
samal island travel guide isla reta talikud 6
What you see at the backdrop is actually Kaputian Port


samal island travel guide isla reta talikud 5
Time-freeze this moment <3
samal island travel guide isla reta talikud animals
Cool sheep

samal island travel guide isla reta talikud 2
Look at the colors :)
samal island travel guide isla reta talikud 1
Beautiful! 
samal island travel guide isla reta talikud dusk
Almost dusk 

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


samal island travel guide isla reta talikud food menu
No you won't get hungry
samal island travel guide isla reta talikud foods
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. :)



samal island travel guide isla reta talikud panorama 1
Look at it from every angle...


samal island travel guide isla reta talikud panorama
...it's stunning at every turn

 *some pictures credits to: @marydms

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. 


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


green coffee davao interior
Still full house at late night


green coffee davao counter menu
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.  


green coffee davao fine salt and cheese milk tea
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
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

lachis sans rival atbp davao decor
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:    
lachis sans rival atbp davao main menu
Main Menu
Tummy Warmers:
  • Elsie's Melt-in-your-Mouth Roast Pork at Php 140
lachis sans rival atbp davao elsies melt in your mouth roast pork
It does melt
  • Unforgettable Grilled Pork Ribs at Php 165
lachis sans rival atbp davao unforgettable grilled pork ribs
Don't underestimate this goodness
  • Three-Hour Beef Mechado at Php 188
lachis sans rival atbp davao three hour beef mechado
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. 
lachis sans rival  atbp davao sans rival slice
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.
lachis sans rival atbp davao durian cheesecake
Durian tho
  • Luscious Mud Pie- great choice, too! And seriously, it's luscious and chocolaty!
lachis sans rival atbp davao luscious mud pie
Don't get 'mud'
lachis sans rival atbp davao dessert menu
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