Event | Take a Romantic Rendezvous and Celebrate Love in Dusit Davao

Still looking for a place to spend time with your loved ones this Valentine's Day? Enjoy a romantic staycation to an exquisite dinner date, experience a Dusit Valentine like no other!

Davao Lifestyle Writers and Influencers with the Dusit Team

The season of love is here, and dusitD2 Davao and Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort are more than ready to offer a Valentine’s Day to remember. Guests may enjoy room accommodations and dinner indulgences in the hotel, while those who prefer a Lubi getaway will have a cozy villa stay and romantic island date.

A Romantic Rendezvous awaits guests in dusitD2 Davao this February 14th. This Valentine room package is at Php 11,388 net per stay, inclusive of an overnight stay in the hotel, a dinner for two at Madayaw Café, treats for the occasion, and other discounts in the restaurants and Namm Spa. 

Chef Alex Destriza, MarCom Faith Dimaano, GM Christoph Kuch and Cluster DOSM Lannie Merilo during the Valentine Launch of Dusit

For dining, Madayaw Café makes sure that a generous and sumptuous array of dishes are on the menu to mark the celebration. Its three-day offer, dubbed as Celebrate Love, promises a date night one can do with family or a special someone. On February 12th and 13th, a pre-Valentine dinner buffet is dedicated for groups at Php 1,200 net per person. On Valentine’s Day, a table for two exclusive is available at Php 1,400 net per person, matched with soothing tunes and delightful giveaways. 

Chef Alex Destriza highlights restaurant favorites in his spread, like the Puff Pastry Baked Salmon Fillet, Roasted Suckling Pig, Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Seafood Display, and Fillet Beef Mignon. The buffet’s Asian side boasts a live Risotto station, caviar station, and a carving station among other sought-after dishes. 

Madayaw Café’s pastry team ensures to satisfy one’s sweet tooth with its desserts. These include a satisfying variety of Petit Fours, Tiramisu, Vanilla Strawberry Panna Cotta, My Valentine Cake, Fruit of Love Cake, and Pastel de Avellana. 

For island vacation lovers, guests may enjoy a dinner by the beach setup for Valentines Day in Lubi. Special setups are available upon request inside the villas as well.  

For room bookings, guests may email d2dvrsvn@dusit.com (dusitD2) and dtli.rsvn@dusit.com (Lubi). To book a table or inquire for reservations, guests may e-mail fb.reservations@dusitdavao.com or call (082) 27 7500.

Food | Premium Smoked Bangus Recipes for the Christmas Season

The Christmas season is just less than 3 weeks to go. I am among those excited individuals of what to prepare for the Christmas eve or any time this holiday season. Good thing that we have some Sarangani Bay products such as the premium smoked bangus and seabass to experiment on what recipes to prepare. So, for my part, here are some of the recipes I made with the Sarangani Bay Premium Smoked Bangus.

1) Smoked Bangus Christmas Clubhouse!

This is a very simple recipe that you will only need to have American bread, tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise and the star of the recipe - the Sarangani Bay Premium Smoked Bangus. You can also add some cheese if you like. Slice your tomatoes. Wash your lettuce. Prepare your smoked bangus into a square cut. Toast your bread on both sides. Then, pile up your clubhouse, in every layer, put in mayonnaise. The way you pile it up will depend how you want it to be. I had mine with lettuce on the first layer, then the smoked bangus and at the top layer is the tomatoes. After assembling the sandwich, slice it into half and serve! It is very easy, right? So, next dish!

2) Smoked Bangus Katsu

Inspired with a Japanese recipe - katsu. I used the Sarangani Bay Premium Smoked Bangus as my meat. Covered it first with flour, then egg scrambled egg, and the bread crumbs. After which, deep fry! Yes, having if deep fried will give a golden crispy appearance. Then, you can serve it with a catsup or chili garlic sauce (you might want to try my own JoyoftheWorld Premium Spices Chili Garlic Sauce... HAHAHAH). Oh year, I am pretty sure that this one will be one of the first plates that will be emptied. Next...

3) Smoked Bangus Pizza ala Pobre

I first named it as Bread Smoked Bangus Pizza, yet this recipe is a very budget friendly using bread as the pizza dough (oh well, isn't really a pizza dough). So, I renamed it to Smoked Bangus Pizza ala Pobre. The ingredients for this recipe will only include the following: the bread, tomato sauce, cheddar cheese, onions (should be white onions but I only have red ones), bell pepper and of course the shredded smoked bangus. Assemble your pizza and put it in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes at 180C. Tsaran... Your smoked bangus pizza ala pobre will really have your appetite on even you are full.

So, there you go, here are my premium smoked bangus simple recipes for the Christmas season. Celebrating Christmas should not be very expensive but can taste really good! I hope I can give you some idea of how to prepare your smoked bangus for the holidays! Cheers!

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Food | Celebrating Sunpride Food's 50th Year with Chef Tatung's Cooking Demo!

On screen, Chef Tatung

Sunpride Food is already on its 50th year! It is one of the brands in my childhood years that really made an impact on me specially that they have the famous tagline, "what can you say, holiday!" We usually look for the brand to munch on for a meal!

Today, Sunpride Food has brought Chef Tatung, an award-winning cook book author, to showcase how the versality and simplicity of their products can be incorporated to dishes that we want. Just be unique and creative! There are three dishes that Chef Tatung has shared and here it is!

First, the easy-to-do Premium Corned Beef Torilla Wrap!

This is very easy to do, just a few minutes! Crack an egg, scramble, season it. Put the Sunpride Premium Corned Beef put some cheese, top with a tortilla wrap and toast it. After which, flip, add your favorite sauce for your wrap then roll. Cut into half then serve! VERY EASY and RICH!

Next dish is a Sunpride Bacon Wrap!

You have the liberty on what to wrap with the bacon. Upon, getting from the pack, it is a very good layer of meat and fat, real bacon! Plus, the cut is perfect! My favorite will be an enoki wrapped with the bacon, but you can also wrap some shrimps or other meat. Then, do it on a concept of pan grilling... After which, glaze your dish! Oh so, yummy!!! Indeed, a perfect appetizer!

Third, the Special Alfredo Pasta with Sunpride meat products!

I would admit that making a pasta dish is not my forte as a cook. But I really enjoyed watching this cooking demo plus a tip of how to make your alfredo sauce thick without much putting of cream! Take note, use a cooking cream. Preparing the meat is fun to watch, Chef Tatung used Sunpride's longganisa, ham and bacon. That's so tastefully, meaty rich! He put in some butter and flour, then pour some chicken stock, that created a magic, the sauce became thick even without cream yet. Furthermore, the last addition to the sauce is the cooking cream and some cheese. Then, mix the pasta to the sauce. Indeed, that sauce is great to look at, it satisfied my eyes. Then to plate, top it with the meat and some parsley! Ohlala!

Alright, again, congratulations for Sunpride Foods for their 50th anniversary and there are more things to expect with Sunpride in the coming months! As the tagline says, "Cook with Pride!" Indeed, a very good ingredient for some simple dishes to prepare for our families or friends especially this coming Christmas holidays!

Thank you very much for this opportunity to watch the cooking demo online and indeed, a learning process for a home cook like me. Cheers to more year, Sunpride!

Thank you also for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Food | Enjoyed Festive Eats at Dusit this Kadayawan Season

Chef Destriza Presenting the Tribal Dishes

dusitD2’s Madayaw Café showcases the authentic cuisines of the tribes in Davao region in indulgent assisted buffet spreads this August.

Food is always a good idea. 

With all stringent measures in place and the conscious implementation of new normal guidelines, dusitD2’s Madayaw Café still aspires to make Kadayawan season a good experience by dedicating a menu to the local tribes of Davao region. “The festival should highlight the tribes and their culture, and that’s what we have strived to achieve and share to our guests. We might not be able to celebrate fully, so we try to give celebratory indulgence through our offers,” says Chef Alex Destriza.

Kagikit from the Maguindanao tribe

Linotlot nga Nonno from Jangan tribe

Linotlot na Baka (Palaka) from Ubo Manovo

This August, Madayaw Café has “Festive Eats” and “Kadayawan Brunch” on its line-up of restaurant offers. Festive Eats is an assisted dinner spread from August 12-14 and August 19-21, 2021. The two-week special menu is available from 5PM – 8PM at Php 994 net per person. 

Highlighting the dishes of the tribes, the menu has a good combination and variety for all guests. Palapa and Pairen a seda a barilis are some appetizers and salad from the Maranaw Tribe. From the Tausug tribe, Chef Alex and is culinary team has a Tiyula Itum or Black Beef Soup, and Pialam/Steamed Fish and Piassak/Cow Liver for the main dishes. Other featured dishes are Sinagupan or yellow rice is from the Kalangan tribe, Linotlot nga Nonno/Shrimp cooked in bamboo is from the Bagobo Tagabawa tribe, Linutlot nga baki/Farmed frogs cooked in bamboo from the Ovu Manuvo tribe, and Landang from the Maguindanao tribe.

Assorted Tribal desserts

Desserts are also something to look forward to in the spread. Wadjet Makadurian (durian rice cake from the Sama tribe), Palikambing (or Tibobol - fried banana ball from the Tausug tribe), Daral (crêpe-like delicacy filled with sweetened coconut meat from the Tausug tribe), and durian fritters can be indulged during the offer dates. 

For those who are fond of Sunday brunches, there is a Kadayawan Brunch available on August 15, 2021, from 10:30AM – 3PM. Tribal dishes and desserts are also in the menu, matched with other restaurant favorites. This is available at 994 per person. 

“With our team fully vaccinated and with all our safety guidelines in the property, we hope our guests feel safer and more confident as they dine and stay as well with us this August. I personally appreciate the effort of the team to show the cultures of the region, as I am learning so much from it too,” says Hotel Manager Christoph Kuch. 

For dining reservations and other inquiries, guests may e-mail fb.reservations@dusitdavao.com or call (082) 272 7500.

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This is one of my favorite seasons in Davao City, the Kadayawan season because there's abundant of fruits and cultural activities. Good also that DusitD2 Hotel Davao is offering Festive Eats at Dusit through Madayaw Cafe. Glad to have attended also the launch of this Kadayawan offering that I also have the opportunity to vlog about, CLICK HERE FOR THE VLOG.

Thank you very much for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Food | Enjoy Gourmet Bulad in Olive Oil by FarmHouse Cocina

Lapu-Lapu Bulad Flakes by FarmHouse Cocina

As a Filipino, bulad or dried fish is a very familiar dish. It may be among the Filipino food that can really make neighbors search for the source because of its obnoxious smell when being fried! I remember a channel member in my vlog JoyoftheWorld, she said that with air fryer, she is happy that she can cook dried fish! Yes, with the air fryer, the smell when frying bulad can be at least minimized to none.

Good thing, a good news!!! A friend from FarmHouse Cocina here in Davao City has a version of bulad in olive oil! A lapu-lapu bulad is used for the flakes soaked in olive oil. The bulad flakes has the smokiness that's essential for me especially talking about bulad. It has some spices, too, that's subtle and your palate can still enjoy eating the bulad. Plus, you will not need to fry it to enjoy! Simply, pour it on a bowl and serve. That's pretty easy, right? So, you have to prepare your rice because you can really enjoy its taste and quantity in every bottle.

Me and my parents really enjoyed the bulad of FarmHouse Cocina. It is a gourmet treat to every bulad lovers out there and I can say, everyone can enjoy this. Those curious can also enjoy this. It is also just right to those not much of spice lovers. Yes, another product from Davao City that I can say should be tried by our friends in here.

Thank you very much for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Food | Freshko's Nova Tierra, Lanang Branch Opened

Ribbon Cutting of Freshko Nova Tierra Opening

Talking about Freshko, what comes into my mind is the Avocado Float! Actually, it is a family favorite!!! My father and mother would always want an avocado shake or float that really answers the craving for an avocado thirst quencher plus healthy! However, existing branches were only at Toril and Acacia or during events where Freshko participated that was a bit far from the northern part of the city.

Freshko Nova Tierra, Lanang Branch

Good news! Freshko, a company of real fruit shakes, opened its 3rd branch in Davao City at Nova Tierra, Lanang - August 18, 2020. It is a celebration for the people of northern part of Davao City who craves for a Freshko! It is also very timely for the celebration of Kadayawan Festival as fruits are abundant during this season, plus they are making way for a Kadayawan promo. The opening, with observance of the minimum health standards, was also graced by Mr. Kylie Gaite, Ginoong Davao 2019.

Ginoong Davao 2019

Ms. Marylou Gerondio

Another good news! Freshko is now open for FRESHKO Franchise! According to Ms. Marylou Gerondio, Freshko Founder & President, they are making way for interested and aspiring entrepreneurs to be successful like how Freshko has become. They are ready to share their placed system with full support to have an easy business with remarkable earnings.

Indeed, it is another milestone for the company with partnerships to happen.

Me during the Opening

Freshko started 2003 with a very simple vision of providing for the family its everyday needs. With a meager amount of P200, it has grown to what it is now. It is another Davao brand that showcases the abundance of fruit harvest in the city, especially with avocado, mango and durian - all of which are tropical fruits. With this in mind, Freshko wants to position itself as among the "well-know fresh fruit refreshments provider in the country that are using locally-grown fruit products, furthermore, helping local farmers sustain a living. A brand name that screams great quality."

Durian Shake

Happy Parents with the Avocado Float (they just wanted their hands in hihihi)

I am among those who are happy that Freshko has come nearer to us in this side of the city. It is indeed a favorite and with great potential in the market amidst the current health challenges in the world. According to Ms. Marylou, Freshko Nova Tierra will be available with food delivery apps very soon! That will make Freshko available at the comforts of our home.

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Food | The Red Tomato: Home of Sumptuous Italian Cuisine in Davao City

Sir Thomas and Me

A new player, first in the Philippines, in Davao City - The Red Tomato boasts fine, delectable taste of Italy! Maybe you are like me who thinks about pasta and something sour when we talk about Italian cuisine, but the Red Tomato is serving variety of Italian dishes to enjoy and very affordable. Believe me, it is so heaven!

Taking Photos of the Food

With the generosity of Mr. Thomas Moersheim, we got invited for a lunch set: antipasti (appetizer), primi (first course), secondi (second course) and dolci (desserts). Mr. Moersheim is a WSET Level 3 Certified Wine Connoisseur who also runs multiple businesses in the food and beverage industry - Rossini Ristorante Italiano and The Red Tomator - with his partner, Hayde Escay - an interior designer by passion. However, both of them are engineers.

By the way, The Red Tomato is located at The Shoppes, Woodlane, C. P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road), Maa, Davao City. A bit far from the city center, but still accessible and a very good place to dine. Come and visit them!

So, here’s some of the food they have on their menu.

For the appetizers: Hummus, Onion Fries, Ai Cinque Formaggi, Pizza Rotola and Pumpkin Soup.

The Hummus is a chickpea spread with pita bread. The hummus is tasty with the crunchy pita.

The Hummus

The Onion Fries

The Onion Fries are white onions with light batter served with honey mustard dip. It is not oily, light to your tummy and very tasty - healthy! I think this is one unique fries I have tasted and it is pretty good - I like the white onions because of its sweetness.

Ai Cinque Formaggi

The Ai Cinque Formaggi or the 5 Italian Cheese Pizza is a very thin crust, crunchy  with bubbles at the side (which makes it authentic), loaded with Italian cheeses is a very good appetizer. It is very flavorful - well-balanced - and even there are 5 cheeses (mozzarella, provolone, pecorino, fontina and gorgonzola) on top, it is not thick. Something to look forward here at the Red Tomato because it has blue cheese (gorgonzola) that will play in your taste buds.

The Pizza Rotola

The Pizza Rotola is another pizza appetizer that made me feel full. It is so good! It is several slices of rectangular pizza that will be put with toppings of garlic, white onion and green leafy vegetable that will be rolled and served. That is so much goodness!

The Pumpkin Soup

The Pumpkin Soup is a very simple dish to look at but the taste is superb! It has a secret ingredient that adds to the taste of the pumpkin that will really make you finish the whole soup and you’ll like to ask for more!

For the main course: Paella Roja, Risotto Funghi Porcini, Pasta Cartoccio, Lengua con Setas, Osso Buco and Beef Kebab! Yeah, that’s a lot!

The Paella Roja

The Paella Roja is a Spanish dish made to perfection with chicken, chorizo bilbao, shrimps and mussels. I am not a fan of paella because sometimes it is greasy but theirs is perfect and colorful!

The Risotto Funghi Porcini

The Risotto Funghi Porcini is simply the best! At a first glance, it looks pretty ordinary but when I tasted the Arborio rice with Porcini mushroom, oh my goodness, it is so heavenly! I even finished the plate served to us - it is pretty good!

The Pasta Cartoccio

The Pasta Cartoccio is a spaghetti with mixed seafood cooked in tomato cream sauce. This is Italian but the taste is pretty balanced, the sourness of the sauce is not overpowering and just enough creaminess.

The Lengua con Setas

The Lengua con Setas is an ox tongue with mushrooms and olives served with mixed veggies and mashed potatoes. Okay, that’s a tongue, I am imagining the tongue and I am not a fan, but I gotta taste it. Are you kidding me, is that really a tongue? It is very soft, corned and very tasty, then I liked it.

The Osso Buco

The Osso Buco is a braised beef shank in tomato sauce with mixed veggies. The beef is tender and the sauce is very tasty! A perfect combination plus a very appetizing dish.

The Beef Kebab

The Beef Kebab is a grilled ground beef with tomatoes, onions and bell pepper served with mayo garlic sauce and butter rice.

Then, the desserts: home-made cookies and buns, artisanal cakes and tiramisu.

Artisanal Cakes

Tiramisu

Cookies and Buns

Actually the sweet tooth in me is very happy with these goodies and I am having a feast in my mouth. The buns are soft and tasty, the cakes are not too sweet and I just see the tiramisu - hahahah I am not able to get a taste of it but it looks really good.

The Red Tomato Staff

Sir Thomas - The Red Tomato Owner

That lunch treat is one of the most happiest feeling and sure there’s satiety. Try it for yourself, every is affordable! Aside from that, the ingredients they used are very fresh, and healthy. Again, thank you very much for the treat The Red Tomato! I am one very happy eater! :-)

#TheRedTomato
#ten7avenue

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Food | Luxurious Feels yet Affordable Treats at Davao Lounge

Me at Davao Lounge

Davao City is a Meetings, Incentives, Conventions or Events (MICE) destination in the Philippines. As more and more MICE activities are being done in the city, there are more venues needed to cater the growing demand. Just recently opened, last year December 2019, Davao Lounge Cafe Restaurant and Business Center is a very promising venue and a Halal-friendly establishment!

Some Davao Lounge Staff

Davao Lounge Outside

Davao Lounge is located at Duterte St., ATU Plaza, Davao City. The establishment is new and entering the vicinity is a bit intimidating. I, for example, thought that the establishment is a very pricey cafe restaurant because it has a very luxurious feel, it is well-lit, cool and with elegant furniture sets. But who would have thought that they have a very affordable menu? They even have MEALennial combo (value meal) as low as P165! You can also enjoy a solo or group (good for 3-4 persons) serving of food as low as P95 upto P750. In fact, they have a great halal-friendly menu.

By the way, they are OPEN 24/7; students and business people can eat and stay there plus enjoy FREE WIFI!

Anyways, I have been saying about their affordable menu, but what do they have? There’s a lot, but I will show you what we have tasted with some of my friends.

The Appetizer - Tuna Kinilaw

Tuna Kinilaw

A raw tuna fish with relish of lemon and spices that is not very sour - a perfect taste! It is also a Davao favorite!

The Soup - Bouillabaisse

Bouillabaisse

It is a classic stew of the freshest seafood! It is an overwhelming seafood soup, and a good choice! Just eat, don't spell. LOL 

The Pasta - Seafood Pasta

Seafood Pasta

This is a creamy seafood pasta presented like there's a flying fork. It is rich, creamy and perfect pasta noodles - al dente!

The Rice - Asian Rice Platter

Asian Rice Platter

Filipinos love rice and this rice is Chinese style with egg and veges that I think is good for 4 persons.

The Main Courses!

Ardiente Bulalo

Ardiente Bulalo

A different presentation of bulalo with a creamy gravy and yes, it’s ardiente! The meat is tender and the gravy is thick, a bit salty.

Beef Salpicao

Beef Salpicao

It is a cut beef tenderloin with roasted garlic and soy glaze. It is one of my favorites as it is tender and perfectly seasoned.

Orange-Pineapple with Honey Glaze

Orange-Pineapple with Honey Glaze

It is a citrus dish of chicken fillet with pineapple chunks glazed with honey with some spices and cute to its presentation in a pineapple!

Deep Fry St. Peter Fish

Deep Fry St. Peter Fish

It is a cut fish fried with delicious vinegar for dipping.

The Dessert - Brownie Sundae

Brownie Sundae

As a sweet tooth, my mouth is having a party with this! Yes, with a rich fudge, topped with a vanilla ice cream under a crystal-sugar dome and some fruits (apples and strawberry) flavorfully prepared at the sides. It is so heaven! Available this coming Valentine’s!!!

The Drinks - Green Apple Sensation and Ube Keso Smoothie

Green Apple Sensation and Ube Keso Smoothie

Green Apple Sensation is a refreshing drink of green apple with some slices of apples.

Ube Keso Smoothie, as recommended by one of the servers, is a good selection of a not so sweet smoothie with taro flavor and grates of cheese.

Indeed, that’s a sumptuous menu and you have more to choose in the menu.

After that meal, check out the function rooms of Davao Lounge!

Function Room

The function or meeting rooms can be occupied for 4 hours with consumable amount. There’s a meeting room that can accommodate 10 persons worth P5,000 with consumable amount of P4,000. There’s a meeting room that can accommodate 10-12 persons worth P6,500 and also a meeting room that can accommodate 12-15 persons worth P8,500 with respective consumable amount. Aside from that, they have a big well-decorated of elegant furniture function room that can accommodate 70 persons. They have affordable rates to choose from. It is indeed a function that you thought in a hotel but not necessarily in a hotel. It is very nice!

Meeting Room

You may contact Davao Lounge at these mobile numbers +639483294126 or +639776057980 or telephone numbers +6382-333-6717.

I wish more power for Davao Lounge Cafe Restaurant and Business Center with the very sophisticated interiors and delicious food serving!

Thank you, Davao Lounge - Atty Caballero, Chef JL and staff!

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.