Kadayawan 2010 Fiesta at The Apo View

The Apo View, one of the Philippines' oldest hotels, will participate in the Kadayawan Festival with a weeklong celebration inside the hotel premises.

The Kadayawan Fiesta at the Apo View opened last Monday, August 16, with a press conference attended by media personalities from the Davao region.  The Apo View's Kadayawan celebration will be from August 16-22 and here are the event highlights:

• August 16 to 22- Floral and Fruit Exhibit, Main Lobby
• August 16 to 22- Kadayawan Bazaaar, Main Lobby
• August 16 to 22- Kadayawan Food Festival, Entree and Cafe Josefina
• August 16 to 22- Parades of Mannequins in Ethnic Inspired Creations, Entree Hallway
• August 16 to 22- Weaving of Dagmay Fabric by a true member of the Mandaya tribe, Main Lobby
• August 16 to 22- Tropical Fruit Festival, Main Patio
• August 18 to 21- An Hour of Cultural Presentation (Lunch and Dinner), Entree Hallway
• August 18 to 21- Fire Dancing Presentation (Dinner, 7:00 pm), Garden Patio

Also showcased during the Kadayawan Fiesta at The Apo View is the Visual Arts Exhibit of Ronald Tamfalan, of Sarangani Province's T'boli tribe.  Tamfalan's efforts in the creative arts has been recognized and showcased in exhibits all over the country. 

Visual Artist Ronald Tamfalan works on a T'nalak painting

Also present during the Open Salvo of Kadayawan Fiesta at The Apo View are Olan Emboscado, Ms. Lisa Galdo (Front Desk Manager), Pablito Villanda (F & B Manager), Ms. Fely Gil (Housekeeping Manager) and Mr. Wolfgang Pfuner, Resident Manager.

Red Trellis Seafood Garden's Anniversary Seafood Buffet

To highlight their first year of being in the restaurant business, Red Trellis Seafood Restaurant will be having their Grand Seafood All-You-Can-Eat on August 21, 2010.  For only P350 per person, patrons can enjoy the best of Red Trellis' offerings during the restaurant's anniversary buffet.

I must say the residents of General Santos City are really lucky because they don't have to travel far in order to feast on Red Trellis' best-selling dishes.  I dined at the restaurant once and oh boy, I must say their Crabs in Coconut Milk is heavenly.  And to borrow what one of my companions said during that unforgettable dinner, "Sauce pa lang, ulam na!"  And I most definitely agree  because  I haven't tasted anything like it before.  Dining at Red Trellis is sheer pleasure!

As a way of thanking their very loyal clients, Red Trellis Seafood Garden  will be raffling off 10 gift certificates worth P1,000.00 each. The raffle will be during the anniversary buffet on August 21, 2010 at 7pm.

For inquiries and reservations, visit Red Trellis Seafood Garden at Tiongson Ext. Corner Calina Street, Lagao, General Santos City.  Or you may contact them through 083-302-CRAB (2722) or visit their page on Facebook.

Credit:  Images used in this post by Red  Trellis

Icons On Screen: GenSan's Newest Sports-Themed Resto

I spent the weekend at General Santos City and for dinner last Sunday, Avel Manansala of Gensantos.com brought Lyle, Marzz, and I to Icons On Screen, located within Mr. Bigshot total entertainment complex. I have never been to Mr. Bigshot or Icons On Screen so I had no idea that dinner that night would be fun, delicious, and adventurous.

As soon as we arrived at Mr. Bigshot, we were immediately ushered to an airconditioned, more private section of the establishment. Icons On Screen, as the restaurant is called, is a sports-themed family restaurant that showcases a sports library and various sports memorabilia.

As I entered Icons On Screen, I immediately noticed the decor. I am not a sports enthusiast but I really liked the sporty feel of the place. The owner, Mr. Bebot Haw, chooses the decorative pieces himself making sure that everything used in the restaurant adheres to the overall sports theme and that not a single piece is out of place.

The food at Icons On Screen is provided by Six'Blings and we were served an assortment of exotic ostrich and croco dishes like Galante Ostrich Burger, Deep-Fried Shanghai Crazy Torta, Crocodile Sisig, Ostrich Tips, and Ostrich Steak. There was also an appetizer called SayangDilikaGuapo ( a salad made of shrimps, anchovies, guava, and pomelo in vinaigrette) and a couple of other dishes that were just as delicious.

So if you want to watch your favorite games in style while indulging in exotic ostrich and croco dishes, drop by Icons On Screen. Icons On Screen is located within Mr. Bigshot Indoor Badminton Courts, NCCC Compound, National Highway, General Santos City. For reservations and inquiries, you may call them at (083)553-8808/(0917)715-2528.

All photos courtesy of Lyle Santos.

Teary Eyes and Red Lips

Teary Eyes. Red Lips. Burnt Throat. A scalded tongue. Not to mention a nasal drip. All these you get when you insist on having Paldo Hwa Ramyun instant noodles even if you know it's hot and spicy for your Filipino tastebuds.

Don't get me wrong, I really like hot and spicy food. And I love Korean instant noodles but Paldo's Hwa Ramyun is really something. It was so hot that I drank 3 glasses of water before I consumed half of my bowl of ramen. I tried to finish everything but with much regret, I gave up because eventhough it was nothing short of delicious, my throat felt like I mistakenly used boiling water and red pepper as a remedy for sore throat. I knew that if I had more of the delicious broth and the chewy ramen, I'll definitely have a coughing fit at 4:00 am.

Still, Paldo Hwa Ramyun is one of the most flavorful Korean noodles I have tried. And if you like hot and spicy noodles, a pack of Paldo Hwa Ramyun costs less than PhP40 so try it and give your tastebuds a hot and spicy bath.

Good luck:)

Taj Minar Indian Restaurant and Bar

Dinner last night was at Taj Minar Indian Restaurant and Bar in the company of Lyle, Blogie, Andrew, Ria, Chiclet, and Mac. Our small group of bloggers met at this authentic Indian restaurant upon the invitation of the proprietor, Zafar Khan.

Frankly, I have never been to an Indian restaurant before so I didn't really know what to expect. My definition of Indian cuisine is really limited to yoghurt and stuffed pastries with tamarind-based filling but since I have been hearing good reviews about the resto, I wanted to sample Taj Minar' authentic Indian cooking.

To whet our appetite, we were served papadam or lentil wafers. The wafers are delicious especially with the zesty dip that came with it. We also tried vegetable samosas that went well with green and mango chutney. Imagine empanadas with vegetable filling and made even tastier by a spicy dip!

For the mains, we had three different types of curry: beef, chicken, and fish. I liked the chicken and fish curry but the highlight of my meal was the beef curry as the tender pieces of meat with its rich and spicy sauce definitely "hit the spot". It was perfect with Biryani rice and pratha bread.

For dessert, we had Carrot Halva. Carrot halva (or halwa) is more or less carrot pudding topped with an assortment of nuts. With just the right amount of sweetness, this confection perfectly ended my spicy Indian meal.

Overall, Taj Minar Indian Restaurant and Bar serves authentic Indian dishes at reasonable prices. They even have lunch and dinner specials and new additions to their growing list of menu items. For those who haven't tried Indian cuisine before, visit the restaurant and be pleasantly surprised at how flavorful authentic Indian dishes are.

Taj Minar Indian Restaurant and Bar is located at Damosa Gateway, Lanang, Davao City. Tel. No. (082) 305-5849.

Dinner at Karlyn's Food Station

Last Monday, I had dinner with Lyle, Blogie, and Ria at Karlyn's Food Station. Frankly, I wasn't too enthusiastic because I already promised myself not to put even a single morsel of beef in my mouth (due to health reasons). I have been to Karlyn's before so I knew that I was going to pig out on at least one of their meat-based menu offerings.

Ignoring my already nagging conscience, I ordered Beef Stroganoff and Burger Steak (actually Karlyn's version of Salisbury Steak). For Lyle, I ordered Steak ala Pobre, the house specialty.



The Burger Steak was flavorful and was served with gravy and vegetables. And although I don't think it measures up to Red Ribbon's Salisbury Steak, it is better than Jollibee's impoverished-looking version of the dish.



I also liked the Beef Stroganoff, which was a dish of tender pieces of beef in creamy sauce served over pasta. It was tasty. Each serving, however, is snack-sized rather than meal-sized. So make sure you order something else or you'll end up with a still growling belly.



And then there was the Steak Ala Pobre. It was delicously tender and reminded me of Port Cafe's Bulalo Steak ( at Gaisano Mall) . I really enjoyed Karlyn's bestseller that before I knew it, I was eating off Lyle's plate. Literally!

Visit Karlyn's Food Station at Dona Luisa Village, Davao City. It is just a stone's throw away from SM City Davao but if you have trouble locating the place, you can call them at 299-0087.

Khash Persian Kabab Resto Bar

Early this week, I was invited to join Blogie, Lyle, Chatee, Andrew, and Jim on a food trip at Khash Persian Kabab Resto Bar. And since I have acquired a liking for shawarma and kabab over the years, I readily said yes. So last night, Lyle and I met the group for dinner at Khash and here's my take on my dining experience:



The moment I arrived at Khash, I immediately noticed its spacious, brightly-lit interiors. Hanging from the walls are Persian paintings and tapestries; traditional Persian decor like Persian rugs, cushions, and shisha pipes give the place an authentic, Persian vibe.



The food at Khash was absolutely delicious. For starters, we were given soup, pita bread, torshi, and hummus. The soup (I don't know what it's called but it had rice in it) was appetizing and it went well with the pita bread and hummus. The hummus (Php85)-- an appetizer and dip made of mashed chickpeas and flavored with garlic, tahini sauce, and olive oil-- was just as good. Spread over pita bread, it reminded me of mashed potatoes sans the gravy. The torshi (PhP25), which is a traditional Persian appetizer of pickled vegetables, is surprisingly tangy, spicy, and yummy!



For the main course, I had Beryani rice (Php199) which I shared with Lyle and the rest of the group. Khash's Beryani rice is rightfully the highlight of my meal. Imagine a very large serving of sticky rice heavily flavored with aromatic spices and topped with tender pieces of meat! An absolute must-have!



I also ordered Abgosht (php90) and Lamb Beryan (Php100) . Both dishes are quite delicious especially when eaten with pita bread. For drinks, I had Doogh(Php50) which is a drink made of diluted yoghurt and because I had a very large meal, I had vanilla-flavored coffee after dinner (thanks, Chat!).



For those who want to sample the exotic taste of authentic Persian cuisine, Khash Persian Kabab Resto Bar serves delicious food at reasonable prices. And if you need any more convincing, check out the pictures below:

Khash Persian Kabab Resto Bar is located along Quimpo Boulevard, Davao City.

Picobello Ristorante Italiano

Last week, Davao City's food blogger extraordinaire, Blogie Robillo, gave me a gift certificate from Picobello Ristorante Italiano. The food enthusiast (read as: mahilig kumain) that I am, I was all smiles as I profusely thanked Blogie for his generosity and immediately thought of telling my constant companion, Lyle, of the good news. I have been to Picobello a couple of times before and although I am more used to pizza and pasta served at food chains like Greenwhich and Pizza Hut, I always welcome yet another chance to experience Picobello's authentic Italian cooking.

And so yesterday, November 6, was the day when Lyle and I decided to have dinner at Picobello. We met at SM City Davao to purchase supplies we needed at our respective households and at 6:00 p.m., we headed off to Gaisiano South Citimall where the restaurant is located.

When we arrived at the restaurant, only two tables were occupied. Perfect, I thought. We were just in time to avoid the restaurant's peak hours as it is always packed between 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. owing to its very popular long-running buy-1-take-1 on pizza promo.

It didn't take long for us to be seated and be ably guided through the menu by a very courteous waiter, Ricky. And after asking about the restaurant's bestsellers, Lyle and I decided to order the soup of the day, Con Salsiccie pizza, Canneloni, Spaghetti Alla Marinara, and diet soda.

For starters, we were served whole grain bread (accompanied by a dip which is actually olive oil-and-balsamic vinegar dip according to Chatee and Picobello's Operations Manager, Marlon Navarro) and the soup of the day. The chicken soup was tasty and perfectly went well with the bread.

And then came the best part of our meal...

The pasta dish which I ordered, Canneloni (PhP185), came as a surprise. I was expecting medium-sized canneloni in classic tomato sauce so imagine my delight when I saw two large, perfectly-baked crepe-style pasta tubes laid over rich tomato sauce, filled with vegetables and ground meat, and topped with Parmesan cheese and Bechamel sauce. Absolutely yummy!

The Spaghetti Alla Marinara (PhP220), which I ordered for Lyle, was also delicious. It is a seafood-based pasta dish in tomato sauce and flavored by an assortment of herbs and spices. The serving is large enough for two so I ended up having half of it as Lyle was so busy loading up on pizza.

The pizza we ordered, Con Salsiccie (PhP270), is as expected, hand-tossed and baked to perfection in the restaurant's brick oven. Con Salsiccie is a sure winner among many of Picobello’s loyal patrons as it is topped with Mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and salami. I think this pretty much explains why Lyle only let me eat two slices of the pizza being the self-confessed pizza lover that he is.

Overall, dinner at Picobello Ristorante Italiano was a positive experience for us. And although main food selections generally fall within a Php180- PhP300 price range (we exceeded the GC's limit by a couple of hundred bucks..hehe), the combination of delicious food and good service is more than enough reason for me to dine there again.

Piccobelo Ristorante Italiano is conveniently located at the 5th Floor of Gaisano South Citimall, Duterte St., Davao City.

Davao City's Canteen: The Hauz of Paksiw na Buntot ng Tuna

Just when I was hell-bent on shedding excess poundage before the Christmas season officially starts, I made the "mistake" of having dinner with Lyle and Blogie at Canteen, Hauz of Paksiw na Buntot ng Tuna, which is located at Pryce Business Park, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City.

For dinner, I had tenderloin tips, paksiw na buntot ng tuna, sari-sari, and 2 cups of rice. It wasn't my intention to eat that much as I remember telling myself to eat healthily as soon as I woke up this morning. But the paksiw na buntot ng tuna tasted so good- stimulating my already big appetite- causing this morning's promise to be forgotten throughout dinner.

And so, this is where this entry ends as I have decided to make it really short. Not because I am tired or there is nothing much to blog about. But because I really should stop thinking about Canteen's paksiw na buntot ng tuna now lest I stimulate my appetite again and end up raiding the refrigerator.

For pics of some of Canteen, Hauz of Paksiw na Buntot na Tuna's food offerings, check out the slideshow below.

Images courtesy of Blogie Robillo.

Lunch at Sud-an Grill and Restaurant

Before I went home to Davao City last October 27, I had lunch with Lyle, Avel, Blogie, Chattee, Migs, Patrick, and Richard at Sud-an Grill and Restaurant which is located along Santiago Boulevard, General Santos City.

Sud-an Grill and Restaurant, which is owned and managed by Mrs. Petit Veneracion , specializes in Filipino cuisine. My group was served a hearty lunch of mostly seafood-based dishes. We had Tuna Belly, Sugpo in Aligue, Baby Squid with Garlic, and Crispy Tuna Tail, to name a few.

To see pics of Sud-an Grill and Restaurant and their mouthwatering offerings, check out the slideshow below.