By: Abigail Castro of Davaofoodguide.blogspot.com

Tsuru is an authentic Japanese restaurant located along J. Camus Street (if you don’t know where that is, it is right across People’s Park) and situated within the same building as Hanoi, another famous restaurant in Davao. According to the restaurant’s website, they take pride in using the freshest ingredients in preparing their dishes and anyone who’s dined here can attest to the quality of their food offerings.

Being a lover of Japanese food, I didn’t require any more convincing to dine here. And I am happy to report that the restaurant has not, in any bit, disappointed me. In fact, I am keen on declaring it as the city’s best Japanese restaurant – it’s just that I love so many of them that I can’t pick a favorite!

I ordered Salmon Belly Teriyaki (PhP 370) because I had to have salmon. This dish was seasoned with a sweet sauce, which leaves a desirable aftertaste to your palate. If you love fish or salmon, this dish is a must-try. Serving is good for 1-2 persons (but maybe one if you’re really crazy about salmon. Ha!)

Luckily for me, E also loves seafood as much as I do. As if the teriyaki dish isn’t enough to satisfy our seafood craving, we also opted for the Mixed Teppan (PhP 335). It is a combination of squid, shrimp, and lapu-lapu cooked on a hot steel plate, a form of cooking originated by Japanese cuisine.



Lastly, we ordered Asparagus Bacon Maki (PhP 170). If the pic of this dish doesn’t look appetizing for you, then I don’t know what is. Even steamed asparagus tastes heaven to me, what more when you wrap it with bacon? Pure Japanese cuisine heaven right there.

I enjoyed this lovely dinner with E so much that we can’t wait to be back. There’s a sushi bar that I want to try, too. How about you? Have you tried dining at Tsuru? How’s the experience? Be sure to sound off at the comments section below. 


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By: Abigail Castro of Davaofoodguide.blogspot.com

Burgers and fries is the ultimate comfort food combo. A delectable array of flavors coming from the savory pattysandwiched by a soft bun, then tossed in with some fresh vegetables, will surely be a winner in any foodie's book. Even for someone like me who isn't a big fan, you just can't turn down a good burger. And I know one when I taste one! 

Recently, I stumbled upon another gem in the long line of burger joints in Davao - Backyard Burger. I was all rave to E about it after we dined here and I knew it deserved a spot in my blog. In fact, I was left to wonder what took me so long to try it.

If you come in here expecting a grandiose facade, you might be slightly disappointed. Backyard Burgers has nothing of the extravagant ambiance that Hollywood Burgers has. But you cannot blame them - it is called Backyard Burger for a reason. Fine with me, though. The concept actually works - it's like having some barbecue and burgers with your friends at the yard. 

And now for the stuffs we came here for - the burgers...

The BB Yard Burger is the most basic burger that is available on their menu. It is priced at P90 and with that you can get 100% fresh pure beef patty (that is grilled to your preference), plain bun, tomato catsup, mayo, lettuce, onion, and a homemade steak sauce. 

Meanwhile, I went for one of their best-sellers: BB Japanese Oishii Burger (P150). It also comes with 100% fresh pure beef patty, cheddar cheese, Japanese nori, wasabi-Japanese mayo sauce, lettuce, cucumber, and onion. Thesefixings are sandwiched in a black sesame bun. 

The first bite was a pleasant surprise. The patty does taste like it is made with pure beef and that means noextenders. We chose to have our patties well done, which I love because there is a smoky flavor to it and yet still very juicy. The texture is amazing! Also, I love that they used curly lettuce because not only does it plate well, but also makes it easy to bite into. 

The spicy kick from the wasabi-mayo sauce on the Japanese Oishii Burger is really unique. Plus, the spicy hint introduces a nice layer of flavor into the burger, which you might think at first as something that would not work, but it does! It is actually excellent!

The only thing that I did not like about their burgers is the bun. I would prefer my bun to maintain its shape so that the fillings do not fall off with every bite. 

We closed off the meal with their S'Mores Cheesecake. Yes, S'mores Cheesecake. Two of my favorite things rolled into one. Each serving costs P70, which I got really excited about because it's really affordable. But you are served with this small cupcake that is one of the best things I've ever treated my taste buds to!

I would rank Backyard Burger as one of the best burger joints in the city for its delicious yet affordable burgers, ranking alongside my favorite Space Burger.  

Backyard Burger has two branches in Davao: Central Quirino and Quimpo Boulevard. 


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FROM: DAVAOFOODGUIDE.BLOGSPOT.COM

WRITTEN BY: ABIGAIL CASTRO 

My first time dining at SumoSam was a pleasant and filling experience for me and my tummy. I was reluctant to dine here at first, despite the fact that I was initially curious given my love for Japanese food, due to some negative reviews I read from other bloggers – even including the new branch they’ve opened at Abreeza.

But I guess my love for Japanese food and curiosity got the best of me. And I wasn’t disappointed.

The highlight of this meal is SumoSam’s Seafood Kamameshi. I had to jump right in because I can’t wait to share to you how great this was. At more or less PhP 300 (sorry forgot to keep tab of the price again), this is the ultimate dish for seafood lovers. This is one of many SumoSam rice dishes that feature a generous mix of seafoods like squid, shrimp, and fish. The overall presentation of the dish makes it all the more enticing, too. I’ll let you be the judge.

E ordered this one. I forgot to take note of the name of the dish. Duh. But it wasn’t such a favorite of mine, a little bit on the greasy side and way too much batter that I couldn’t taste the meat.

As a redemption, we tried their sushi. And this one is a winner! It has Malagos cheese and comes with a real contrast in flavor. I suggest you order it when you get to visit SumoSam in Abreeza, especially if you love sushi.

To freshen up during the meal, we sampled their own version of pearl cooler. And this one was fantastic! The sago is smaller and a bit tougher, but still delicious!

Mine is the Chocolate and Cream Cheese flavor. :)


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                                 FROM: DAVAOFOODGUIDE.BLOGSPOT.COM
                                 WRITTEN BY: ABIGAIL CASTRO

For the longest time, there has been one dining spot that I've been meaning to try but haven't had the chance to - Cafe Andessa. Oddly enough, this is pretty close to where I live. So, while I was around the area, I took advantage of that chance especially with the positive reviews I have read. If you are planning to dine at Cafe Andessa, best to read my review first to give you an idea on what to expect.

It was a fantastic dinner at Café Andessa and here are our orders for the night:

Asian Glazed Spareribs

This dish is priced approximately priced at PhP 200, which is a steal with it’s savory, sweet taste. Each serving comes with a reasonable amount of spareribs cut into squares to make it easier to bite into. If you are a fan of ribs, be sure to ask for this when you dine at Café Andessa. You can thank me later!

Pan Seared Fish Fillet and Basil Sauce

Being a seafood fan, I was in a tossup between the Steamed Bangus and this Pan Seared Fish Fillet for my order. But I went ahead with the pan seared fish fillet and because it was cream dory, I knew that I was going to love it. The crisp batter that coated the fish was very well seasoned. It wasn’t too thick so as to overpower the taste of the dory, yet it was enough to give every bite a crunch. However, I noticed that after some time of eating the fish, it starts to get a bit oily. It did eventually become overwhelming and the greasy feeling left on your lips is not pleasant at all. Thankfully, the dish comes with a salad with basil sauce so you can also enjoy that to cut the greasy taste left on your mouth.

Choco Banana Fritters ala Mode

Hands down – my favorite dessert to date. I’ve been trying to recall when was the last time that I felt such level of elation from eating dessert. I haven’t felt this way about dessert since Café del Sol in Boracay wherein I sampled their Mango and Oreo Cheesecake, which were both out of this world! But this one is impressive because it is simply turon, but not your average turon. And I concede that banana and chocolate are a really deadly combo! The first taste of this dessert was like an explosion of chocolatey flavor in my mouth. I love how thick the chocolate syrup is and how it made the dessert even more rich than it already is! I would go back and eat at Café Andessa just for this dessert alone. It’s that delicious! And what’s even better than that? It’s roughly PhP 65! Steal indeed. 

Have you tried dining at Café Andessa? If not yet, make sure to give it a try. You are missing out on one of Davao’s best dining spots! 

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FROM: DAVAOFOODGUIDE.BLOGSPOT.COM

Before SM Lanang Premier opened its doors to the public, I was excited primarily for the new restaurants that willbe opening in Davao for the first time. As a foodie who is always out to explore new culinary adventures, I was more than happy to find out that Davao foodies will get to experience new dining options, alongside with old favorites opening a new branch. One of those restaurants that I am keeping a close eye on is Hog's Breath Cafe. I am especially thrilled with the idea that this will be the first branch in the Philippines! This Australian-bred brand is going to introduce world-class steaks to the city (and the country!) for our tummy's delight.

When Roxie Macasaet, the marketing manager for Hog's Breath Davao, invited me to the pre-opening taste testing event, I immediately said "yes"! The idea of tasting Aussie's prime steak is already pleasing enough, but the opportunity to sample it before the rest of Davao is an even better prospect!

Upon entering, we were greeted by their friendly wait staff. Once we were settled on our seat, the ambiance quickly drew my attention because it felt so cozy and warm. I like the small details of license plates plastered across different parts of the walls to liven it up a bit!

For appetizer, we got to pick two off of the menu - the Tomato Bruschetta (which was one of their bestsellers, I was informed by our attending wait staff) and the Buffalo Wings. The Tomato Bruschetta was first served on our table and I was quick to dig in. I love the aroma of the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, red onions and basil, but I did notice that the bread wasn't as crunchy as I had expected it to be. We figured it could have been the moisture from the tomato that was causing the bread to lose its crunch, though you cannot fault that given that the tomato was fresh and its flavor truly served as the highlight of this dish. 


Next up is the Buffalo Wings. Boy, I am pleased with the sizes of their serving! This appetizer features 6 pieces of wings that are well seasoned and comes with a very delicious dip! Out of curiosity, and because we dug it so much, we even asked one of the waiters about what ingredients were used on the dip. It turned out to be blue cheese, as I have guessed, and I love the slightly tangy taste of the dip against the honey sweet buffalo wings!

I opted for the Salmon Nicoise Salad because I knew that the rib was too big for my appetite as a main course. Anyway, it turned out to be a fantastic choice for a seafood and veggie lover like me. The salmon was as tasty as can be, although I do have to point out the fact that the natural taste of salmon really shone through in this dish. The dressing on the salad was also very savory but not too overpowering. According to the chef, the classic Caesar's salad dressing is tossed in with tomato salsa and some parmesan cheese. 

Of course, the most awaited part of the meal was the Prime Rib Steak. For this pre-tasting event, only the 200g serving size is available, although they do have two other larger serving sizes to choose from once the restaurant officially opens. E opted to have it cooked medium rare, which the waitress recommended is the best way to have it served. The main reason why steaks from Hog's Breath Cafe are notable worldwide is the fact that the steak is cooked slowly for up to 18 hours, thus allowing the meat to become naturally tender without losing its moisture. We also learned that all steak meats are imported from Australia and are of the grain-fed variety, which is less fatty as compared to the ones that are grass-fed. Every bite of the steak is packed with flavor and any steak lover out there would find themselves in pure culinary heaven with this one!

To end the meal, we had two delectable desserts in Mississippi Mud Cake and the Banana Split. Let me start with theMississippi Mud Cake because it is one of two desserts that recently blew me away. The cake in itself is packed with lots of flavor. As a chocolate lover, this dessert is right up my alley. According to their website, they have guarded this recipe for over 20 years - so there is really a secret to why this cake is simply out-of-this-world! The cream and vanilla ice cream on the side is only the icing on the cake, so to speak! The Banana Split, on the other hand, is just like any you would expect.

Not forgetting to mention, their drinks were also world-class. I really enjoyed the refreshing flavor of the Mango and Apple Juice, which is served with heavy cream on top. And the Lime Mojito that E picked had a slight kick to it, which is surprising given that it is alcohol-free. Also, try the Strawberry Cocktail - not your traditional margarita as it comes with a sweet and less potent taste! 

I definitely recommend Hog's Breath Cafe to those who are in search for the best steak in Davao, or simply who want to experience world-class dining. My search might have come to an end for the best steak in town. Visit them at SM Lanang Premier wherein you can find them at the fountain side of the SM Supermarket exit.They officially open on December 13, 2012 (Thursday) but a "Secret Party" will be held on December 12, 2012. Make sure to check that out as you can get a discount when you dine!


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Ranch and Reef: Food Overload

By: Abigail Castro of davaofoodguide.blogspot.com

It was a rainy Monday, October 31 (late post, I know), when E and I ventured on a food trip. Despite the rain, we mustered the courage to get out and try this restaurant located at DavCon compound in Torres Street - Ranch & Reef. For months, I've heard about this place but never really got the chance to try it. So, here I am all excited about all the raving I've read about this place in the blogosphere. At the same time, a voice in the back of my head was hoping that those weren't all hype.

Lo and behold, Ranch & Reef was all those blogs claimed it to be. A food haven that will surely whet your appetite. The buffet table had pasta, roasted beef, chicken, and steamed fresh vegetables. There is also a sushi bar, which I can tell delighted E because he is a BIG fan of anything sushi! In fact, I saw him carrying a plate full of california maki and he could not contain that grin!

Meanwhile, I was like a child in a candy shop, wide-eyed in awe exploring the dessert section. They had mango float, blueberry cheesecake, all sorts of brownies and cupcakes, and a chocolate for dipping of fruits and marshmallow. My sweet tooth was quite thrilled with this lovely feast of desserts that I opted to fill my plate with desserts first.

I'd have to note that the wait staff is friendly and accommodating. And for those with a big appetite, you will be pleased to know that they are quick to refill any empty trays on the buffet table so nothing can stop you from enjoying this delicious buffet experience.

The dinner buffet is available at PhP 329 per person.
Lo and behold, Ranch & Reef was all those blogs claimed it to be. A food haven that will surely whet your appetite. The buffet table had pasta, roasted beef, chicken, and steamed fresh vegetables. There is also a sushi bar, which I can tell delighted E because he is a BIG fan of anything sushi! In fact, I saw him carrying a plate full of california maki and he could not contain that grin!
Meanwhile, I was like a child in a candy shop, wide-eyed in awe exploring the dessert section. They had mango float, blueberry cheesecake, all sorts of brownies and cupcakes, and a chocolate for dipping of fruits and marshmallow. My sweet tooth was quite thrilled with this lovely feast of desserts that I opted to fill my plate with desserts first.
I'd have to note that the wait staff is friendly and accommodating. And for those with a big appetite, you will be pleased to know that they are quick to refill any empty trays on the buffet table so nothing can stop you from enjoying this delicious buffet experience.

The dinner buffet is available at PhP 329 per person.

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Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken

By: Abigail Castro of davaofoodguide.blogspot.com

Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken was one of the few restaurants I was looking forward to try when SM Annex opened its doors to the public. Not that there is a scarcity of restaurants in Davao offering chicken on the menu, for the likes of Penong's is all the craze among the local taste buds, but because it was not afraid to be different. At the same time, it might have been what appealed to me - the promise of a unique chicken experience that no other restaurants in Davao City can offer.

As the first branch in Davao and only the third in the Philippines, Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken in SM Annex is trying to set itself apart from other chicken houses in Davao. There is a balance between a familiar ingredient and a foreign method of cooking that caters to the local palette. Also, the restaurant adheres to stringent quality control that ensures the quality of food being served to their patrons. 

Peri Peri uses local produce in preparing their dishes on the menu, yet the African-Portuguese style of cooking and use of charcoal grill helps to incorporate new layers of flavor that most Davaoenos probably haven't experienced about their chicken before. The chicken is marinated for at least 24 hours to allow the spices to seep into the meat so that you can enjoy the flavor down to the bones instead of just sitting on the skin. Also, you can credit that unique flavor to the Peri Peri spice discovered by Portuguese explorers in Africa, which provides a spicy hint to the flavor - sort of giving it a little "kick". 

Last week, I had the honor of sampling some of the bestsellers on their new menu. I am happy to report that Peri Peri has retained the same quality that has endeared me to it on my first visit. 

The Full Platter Lemon and Garlic Chicken Meal is a true-blue chicken buffet. Every serving comes with 8 pieces of Peri Peri chicken, which sits on a large serving of java rice. This is the ideal meal for the entire family, even for those with a big appetite. 

Another bestseller that we got to try is the Clubhouse Quesadilla. I have tried this dish before and pretty impressed with the size of the serving and the taste. You cannot expect anything less with a quesadilla that is made out of a fresh soft tortilla and filled with grilled chicken, ham, cheese, egg, onions and tomatoes. 

Also a noteworthy dish that I've sampled is the Cornflaked Chicken Tenders. This is a fantastic dish that provides a nice contrast of the crunchy exterior and tender interior. It also comes with honey mustard dip that is probably the best one I had!

For the side dishes, we munched on their Famous Coleslaw Salad (that comes with a sweet flavor but with the spicy hint that has become Peri Peri's signature) and Corn and Carrots. These side dishes offer the perfect complement to the strong and savory taste of the chicken. 

Did you know that Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken also serves pizza? It was m first time to sample their Burger Pizza and Shrimp Diablo Pizza. The latter (pictured here) is a spicy vegetarian pizza that is topped with large, juicy shrimps and a thick layer of fresh lettuce. 

Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken is a home grown brand but it has come a long way. It continues to delight Davaoenos' taste buds with their unique style of cooking. Hopefully, there'd be more branches of this restaurant in the city to make their offerings more accessible to the rest of Davao.  

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