My friends Gil, Meg and Heidi and I gathered for an intimate dinner at a newly-opened Italian Restaurant, Don Beppe Ristorante Italiano, located in The Peak, Gaisano Mall. “The Peak” is Gaisano’s answer to Ayala’s Abreeza Mall and SM’s aggressive expansions in the north and south of the city. Don Beppe started out with its first restaurant in Bonifacio Street, but later decided to move Gaisano Mall to capture a larger clientele. Lo and behold, Don Beppe’s brand-new store opened only a few weeks ago.

“The Don”, as well like to call him, is a calm, witty Italian guy who charms guests with his easy candor and warmth. It’s no surprise that the place is packed every time I’m there and has gained a loyal following among many people that I know.

He made it a point for us to try the specialties of the house and a couple “hidden” menu items he’s yet to introduce.

The Superfriends

Visit Don Beppe early on weekends — beyond 630PM lines begin to form outside. I prefer late evenings on non-peak days. That’s when service and food are at their best.

Interesting tidbit: Did you know that Don Beppe is the father of Masterchef Finalist Giuseppe Morisco? Goes to show that the cooking gene runs within the family.

Don Beppe Ristorante Italiano
Cuisine: Italian
Notes: Restaurant is located on The Peak on the 5th level parking of Gaisano Mall; Take two more flights of stairs to the third floor
Address: The Peak, Gaisano Mall of Davao, J.P. Laurel Street, Davao City
For Reservations: 082.271.9261

Maki Rolls — one of my favorite things to eat — is a Japanese dish that looks extremely simple and delicate, yet takes a very discriminating palate to tell what’s good and what’s not. Sushi Dito (meaning “Sushi Here” in English) is a new Japanese food joint in Davao that specializes in Maki. I’ve tried only two out of over a dozen they have on their menu and I’m already a fan. The Black Dragon Maki was quite the belly filler. Each slice was over an inch thick and packs a generous Unagi (eel) topping. Just four of these babies will surely quell your hunger. If you go for the eight-piece whopper, well, suffice to say you’d be hard pressed to keep those chopsticks down.

I also had the Orange Dragon, a roll made of fresh salmon and cream cheese garnished with lemon. It lends a fresh, tart aftertaste compared to the plump sweetness you get from the Black Dragon. Both rolls are excellent, but I have to say the Orange Dragon is my ultimate favorite.

Aside from the Makis, Sushi Dito offers sashimi, appetizers such as Gyoza and rice bowls. I particularly liked the Chicken Teriyaki Don, which I’d dare say is better than Teriyaki Boy’s Chicken Ju. My companion had the Katsudon, which she says was also good.

Sushi Dito
Cuisine: Japanese
Entree Price Range: P75-P1000
Notes: Seating is very limited, parking could be difficult at peak hours, but don’t fret — they deliver!
Hours: 1030AM-2PM; 430PM-1030PM
Address: Quirinio Avenue, Davao City
For Reservations: 082.295.3333
Website: www.sushidito.com

As far as health buffs are concerned, entrepreneurs Bob and Noreen Wong would like to believe in the mantra “You are what you eat.” Already highly involved in the food business, the pair noticed the absence of restaurants in Davao City that serve healthy and nutritious menus. Bob, an avid runner, and Noreen, a badminton player, toyed with the idea of opening a salad bar. “There was no place in Davao where you could eat after a good workout without wasting your efforts” Noreen complained. And as fate would have it, a commercial space near their Italian resto became available. They snapped it up immediately and began their research.

A few months later, “Leafy Green Things” had their soft opening, catering to their current clients. The response was encouraging, prompting them to open to the public only yesterday. I loved the Rosie’s Salatta and Bacon-Grilled Chicken Wrap!

Rosie’s Salatta was inspired by a salad Noreen had in a Greek restaurant in Manila. Indeed, it’s my favorite too!

Watermelon Shake and Grapes Shake – You gotta love the grapes

Leafy Green Things
Cuisine: Salads
Entree Price Range: P95-P190
Hours: Open Mondays to Saturdays
Address: Door 3, Valencia Corporate Center, Arellano Street, Davao City
For Inquiries: 082.304.7346

Yellow Fin Seafood and Restaurant, ironically, is one of my favorite haunts not for its seafood, but for its fantastic greaseless chicken, a trend that seemingly exists only in Davao City. Only recently have I been able to taste their other specialties, which I was able to do during the recently-concluded Davao Food Appreciation Tour. Owned by the Angeles family, Yellow Fin goes way back in 1992 when it was still a small karinderya on Quimpo Boulevard. I don’t recall ever eating there, despite that the family of a high school classmate, JC, owned the place. Yellow Fin is now managed by JC’s shrewd younger siblings Marco and Sam, who both made it the success that it is today.

When I heard that Yellow Fin was hosting our dinner on our first night, I was excited! Our blogger friends from General Santos City and Manila as well some local bloggers joined us on that occasion.

Yellow Fin Seafood and Restaurant
Cuisine: Filipino
Hours: Open Mon-Sat, from 10AM to 10PM
Address: Sandawa Plaza, Quimpo Boulevard, Ecoland, Davao City
For Reservations: 082.297.8777 or 082.298.0299

Any true blue foodie would try anything he catches wind of. So after hearing good things about Ngoyong Haus, I ventured out to Barrio Obrero with my trusty secretary to look for it. After 30 minutes of searching, I finally reached my destination — a rather inconspicuous eatery composed of a straw hut dining area, a grill station and a small kitchen.

Ngoyong Haus has but a few items on their menu plastered on a wall. The ones we had to try was the Ngoyong, understandably, and the Balamban Liempo, which my cousin could not stop raving about.

The Ngoyong is quite similar to the traditional fried lumpia (egg roll), but its outer shell is noticeably thicker and crunchier. It has only ubod and a few spices and no meat, making it great for vegetarians. The minimum order for the Ngoyong is 10 pieces. It was quite a meal by itself, I tell you. Pair it with rice, it’s enough to feed 2-3 people.

The Balamban Liempo, on the other hand, is a cross between the Lechon Kawali (fried pork belly) and the traditional Lechon Baboy (grilled whole pig). It’s not fried, but grilled and mixed with loads of spices, salt and lemongrass. The moment it was placed on our table, the aroma vivified just how good it is. The outer skin is crispy and the meat was tender and juicy. The spices made it hard to resist getting another piece. Before we knew it, the plate was empty! Okay, I’m lying. We saw it coming.

The ten pieces of Ngoyong cost P60 while the Balamban Liempo set us back P140. Satisfying and very affordable. If you don’t like eating outdoors, order them for takeout. Highly recommended.

Ngoyong Haus
Cuisine: Filipino
Entree Price Range: P60-P140
Notes: Outdoor dining, no air conditioning. The Balamban Liempo is not served until 530PM.
Address: Vinsons Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City (in front of Gabbie’s)

As a frequent restaurant diner, I already have a built-in mental blackbook of my favorite haunts in the city. Although I don’t always get the opportunity to eat there, Tiny Kitchen is one of them. Tiny Kitchen is owned by Enteng and Donna Rodriguez, a charming, hands-on couple who never fails to make you feel welcome during every visit. Many of my Manila friends recall Tiny Kitchen as the place to buy gourmet tuyo (dried fish). A few of them even ask me to buy it for them when someone with a trip to the capital comes up. But if you ask me (or my friends), I’m not after the tuyo at all.

Tiny Kitchen also specializes in breads, pastries, pastas and home-cooked meals. Their Caldereta Espanol is my all-time favorite. It’s a wonderful stew of beef, carrots, olive and potatoes drenched in a thick, savory sauce. For only P170, it’s good enough for two people. Though I recommend that you enjoy it by yourself (lol). What I do is eat it with a serving of rice, then clean the bowl with their Foccacia Bread. Their Foccacia Bread is to die for!

My second and most recent favorite is the Maya-maya ala Pobre (P240). It’s baked Red Snapper with potatoes, olive oil and topped with garlic and onions. The snapper is always fresh and if you’re after a healthy meal to cap off the day, this is the one!

For the unadventurous, fret not! Tiny Kitchen also has their own version of fried chicken, the Chicken Frito. It’s nice and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. I love the gravy that comes with it too.

While at Tiny Kitchen, you must not miss their desserts! During our last visit, Enteng made us try their Dark Chocolate Cake. He gave us a rather large slice, but it disappeared in a few minutes! Other notable desserts are the Square Indulgence (P79) and the unique Mango Sans Rival (P70).

Tiny Kitchen
Cuisine: Spanish/Filipino
Entree Price Range: P120-P390
Address: Mabini Street corner F. Torres Street, Davao City
For Reservations: 082.305.9232

The new creperie Crepelato opened its doors in the hopes of pleasing Davao city’s sweet tooths. My friends Jim and Anne were enjoying a Mango Float Crepe and Strawberry Crepe when they mentioned about the place in Plurk. Halfway through my Sunburst chicken meal, I thought what better way to cap a chicken dinner than with crepes! (ok that was a stretch)

Crepelato’s owner Victoria Evangelista gave us a thorough run-through of their menu. Their specialty is of course their crepes that come with different fruit fillings, topped with their very own homemade gelatos. They also offer cake gelatos — cakes with a scoop of gelato. And if you want pure gelato, you can order those by the scoop.

All Crepes and Cake Gelatos are priced at P65. Gelato scoops are P45 each. As part of an ongoing promotion, you get unlimited coffee and cookies for 30 minutes for only P100.

Crepelato
Cuisine: Italian/French Desserts
Entree Price Range: P45-P65
Notes: Free wifi for customers. Rice meals also offered. Parking could be difficult.
Address: Door 1 Jocar Complex, Mayon Street, Davao City (front of the old Sampaguita Inn)
For Reservations: 082.300.7423

I was thrilled to learn that the popular frozen yogurt chain has arrived in Davao City! I dropped by California Berry’s branch in Gaisano Mall earlier today to try their yogurt. They offered me a “promo” wherein I pay only P115 for a medium sized yogurt and get three toppings of my choice. Not bad. I went for the regular yogurt with mangoes, kiwi and almonds. The yogurt had that creamy, slightly sour delicious flavor that I crave. The fruits gave it a tinge of sweetness while the almonds added some crunch. The owner said that one serving is equal to only 38 calories! Whoa. Great news for health buffs such as me.

I’m excited because Gmall is five minutes away from my office. Gives me more reason to drop by the mall more often. If you’re in the area, check them out! California Berry is located in the second floor of Gaisano Mall of Davao, J.P. Laurel Street, Davao City. For more info, visit their website and become a fan of their Facebook page.

Among the many Davao restaurants that I love coming back to is Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs. That’s why I was glad to hear that Pablo’s offered to host our dinner on the first day of the Davao Food Appreciation Tour (DFAT), now on its third year. Paolo Sunglao, the resto’s manager, wanted us to have a taste of their newest menu items. In fact, he says that we were the first group of people to ever try them! Cool! Our meal had a food tasting setup. We were given one or two dishes of each entree and passed them around the table for others to try.

I would like to thank Paolo Sunglao and the management and staff of Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs for having us over. If you’re seeking a stylish dinner night out in Davao City, I highly recommend Pablo’s!

Pablo’s Steaks and Crabs
Cuisine: Steaks/Fine Dining
Entree Price Range: P250-P2000
Address: Metro Lifestyle Complex, Jacinto cor. F. Torres, Davao City
For Reservations: 082.222.0793

I was having a terrific lunch of Pesto Cream Spaghetti and Grilled Porkchops the other day when my cousin raved about her friend’s cupcakes. I asked her what was special about it. She said they were soft, creamy, rich and downright sinful. I said ok I’m sold, what do I order? She recommended the Red Velvet cupcakes by Johnny Cupcakes.

Johnny Cupcakes is owned by CCA-trained Davaoeno John Ramirez. For now, he takes orders from his home but will soon set up shop on Jacinto Extension where his new store is being built.

I was so excited when I received my box of cupcakes. As soon as I took a bite, I was in cupcake heaven (if there is one). The cupcakes were nice and moist and not too sweet. The frosting was really creamy too. I’ve tasted high-end cupcakes such as Sonja’s in Manila, but I found their cupcakes somewhat dry. Johnny’s, on the other hand, are super moist (yes I have to say it again), and I could tell he doesn’t scrimp on ingredients.

Because of that, his cupcakes are a little on the expensive side. He sells them by the box of 6 pieces at P500, about P80 per piece. But I assure you, it’s worth it! These are perfect as Christmas giveaways and holiday treats for your kids. Other flavors include Chocolate Torte, Vanilla Torte, Carrot Cake and Tiramisu.

Johnny Cupcakes
Price Range: P35/cupcake
Address: Door 2, Valencia Corporate Center, Arellano Street, Davao City
For Orders Call: 082.224.5060 or 0908.860.6925