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It is always very pleasing when you discover a restaurant that gives you that warm, homey feeling as soon as you walk in. That’s how it is at Grub Resto•Café. There is in this place a delightful mix of cozy ambiance and good, hearty food.

Grub Resto•Café used to be located in another part of town, but has now transferred to Gov. Duterte St., across the street from Shakeys, in downtown Davao City. This area has always been known as a food district, and is showing no signs of slowing down.

You will surely love their large portions and the tastiness of their dishes. The Dino Chops (₱185 for the regular; ₱110 – Junior; ₱300 – Senior, which is served with two slabs) that I had was humongous! But more than that, it was prepared lovingly with finely-chopped parsley and golden garlic. It comes with brown rice, but I think you can order a side of mashed potatoes instead. Oh and the apple sauce thats served with this is a total taste match (but there’s no stopping you from asking for the good ol’ Filipino-style dip of soy sauce, calamansi and siling labuyo).

The appetizers that we had were winners — Cheese Loaf (₱140) and Buff Wings (₱128). The Cheese Loaf is a basket of sliced french bread, sprinkled with herbs, with two types of cheese melted over, slice of ham, and a dash of Tabasco.

The buffalo wings were promised to be very hot spicy, but, for me, it was just normal fare (well, I do eat chili for breakfast, so…). Still, it was finger-lickin’ good!

Weekends, they have special items not on the menu, and currently it’s Seafood Chowder, which has baby clam, fish, abalone. I still have to try it, but knowing that they prepare it from scratch, I will certainly be back very soon! Their coffee brews are also on my to-do list.

Proprietors Elisa and Dotty have created a comfortable setting for intimate gastronomic gatherings, one that will not fail to please both eyes and palates. The service is personalized, especially when the two ladies are in attendance. Do give Grub Resto•Café a try soon! They’re open everyday except Sunday, from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM.

I am all for Japanese cuisine, but I also love spicy food. I speak Nihongo and I have immersed myself in the Japanese culture since I was a kid, but when it comes to food, I sometimes cross the Sea of Japan to Korea. See, aside from wasabi there’s not much else that’s spicy in the usual Japanese fare…

But when it comes to Korean cuisine, hot spices reign supreme!

It had been a long time since the last time I had kimchi, so it was a very welcome treat when I had dinner for the first time at Sigol Bap Sang with some bloggers.

At Sigol Bap Sang, they serve Banchan, or a set of appetizers to get your taste buds going. It’s free, and you can even ask for refills. I especially liked the fermented beans and the potato strips. Surprisingly, I also quite enjoyed the shallots; I am not a fan of onion at all, but that night, I ate so much of the stuff! And their kimchi — it made me ecstatic! I’m not an expert on Korean cuisine, but I can daresay that Sigol Bap Sang’s food is authentic (because Koreans run the place) and worthy of any food critic’s praise.

There’s a new item on my favorites list now, and it’s a spicy red noodle soup with beef and various vegetables, called Yukejang (₱250). Its distinctively Korean taste really livened up the entire dining experience at Sigol Bap Sang. I loved the way the ingredients were fresh and cooked to perfection (no soggy veggies and what not). I just wish they made it even more spicy… One serving is good for 3 to 4 people.

The rice dish that we had, Bibimbap (₱200), was something new for me too. One of the restaurant owners came by after it was served and did the honors for us. He expertly folded the eggs and vegetables into the rice and mixed in the red bean paste that gave it that zing. He also poured in a little sesame oil, which, Brendel told us, Koreans use a lot in their cooking. One order of this savory dish serves 2 to 3.

One of the dishes we ordered that I didn’t really enjoy (but which Brendel really liked) was the Dok Bokki (₱600). It’s a dish of rice cakes and vegetables. I don’t know, but the taste somehow reminded me of instant noodles… Maybe if it were spicy, then I might’ve gotten to like it. It’s a huge serving, hence the price.

The only recognizable dish for me — aside from kimchi — was the Bulgogi (₱300), which Sigol Bap Sang really knows how to prepare. The beef was tender and tangy, just a tad sweet but really tasty. It wasn’t spicy, though. The owner said they have another beef dish that’s really spicy, and that’s what I’m going to have the next time I dine at Sigol Bap Sang.

The restaurant is located in a small arcade across the highway from the Grand Regal Hotel (you’ll see a Merco bakeshop and a Korean grocer in that arcade). It’s in Lanang, approaching the intersection of J.P. Laurel Ave. and R. Castillo St. The place is not very big, with about 9 booths and a long table on one side of the restaurant. Service is prompt and the waitstaff seem to be well-informed of their food offerings.

They’re open daily, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Their landline number is 300-8989.

At the recently-opened Robinson’s commercial complex in Bajada, a refreshingly new brand of specialty restaurant has opened its shop doors to Davao’s diners. While Thai cuisine has already been in Davao for many years now, Bangkok Wok presents it in style. Doing away with the traditional Thai images we’ve gotten used to, Bangkok Wok is done up in post-modern, comfortable elegance.

I like the modern ambience of the place — a fusion of earthy comfort and cool, avant-garde design. Their logo, though, was a bit queer because of the Sanskrit typeface…

The price is not inexpensive, but, for the most part, their food is worth the money. Their chicharon hors d’oeuvre, however, was a bit much. At ₱120+, the Nam Prig Ong was interesting but something we could’ve done without. On the other hand, the second appetizer we had, Pho Pia (₱95+) or fried spring rolls, was very nice. It has glass noodles, pork and mushrooms, and served with a sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce.

Always a fan of curry, I’m happy to say that their spicy beef curry dish, Kaeng Nua (₱210+), was really delicious. And very spicy! Of course you can ask for a less spicy preparation, but personally, I love my Thai food biting hot. The beef was very tender and generously served in bit-sized pieces, immersed in a rich, spicy curry sauce. It was spectacular!

The family-style rice we ordered, Kao Ob Subparob (₱140+), in spite of its difficult-to-pronounce name, was good for all four of us and it was quite tasty. I don’t normally like food with pineapple (even pizza), but thankfully, they didn’t put too much of the stuff. The rice was well-cooked and evened out the spiciness of the other dishes.

Many of the items on the menu are good for two, even three people. They have what you might expect to see in Thai restaurants, like Tom Yum Goong (₱195+) and Pad Thai (₱155+), and a few on the menu that I’ve never tried before. I’m definitely going back to try those other dishes soon! And, I won’t hesitate to recommend Bangkok Wok to my blog’s readers.

The service seems to be top-notch. The place was full when I was there with Jaime, Chattee, Angel and Jude, but we were served promptly and expertly. Although they’re still very new, the waiters who attended us knew what to recommend and how to describe the food. For me, that makes a big difference when choosing where to eat.

Bangkok Wok is located at the ground floor of Robinson’s Cybergate, J.P. Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City. Their landline number isn’t connected yet, but as soon as it is, I will post it here. Fax: 234-7008. Email: bangkokwok[at]rocketmail[dot]com.

Antonio’s Bar & Grill has two restaurants in Davao City: the first one in SM City, the other and better-looking one in the new Metro Lifestyle commercial building on the corner of Jacinto Ext. and F. Torres St. The newer place is much more inviting and furnished like a stylish bistro. The comfortable tables and booths, as well as the engaging décor, seem to inspire patrons to relish Antonio’s Filipino delicacies, and come back for more.

Last night I went to eat at Antonio’s for the first time, and a couple of food-tripping friends joined me. We had a lovely meal and enjoyed the ambience (it’s always nice to have a good number of other diners around, don’t you think?) and the excellent service. The waitstaff who attended to our needs were very helpful, polite, and always wore a smile.

For starters, we had the Shrimp Tempura. They’re not a Japanese restaurant, so I tried not to expect too much. It was good, though, not bad at all. The shrimps were big and the batter was crispy enough and not soggy with oil. The el cheapo hot-sauce dip was a bit of a spoiler… but like I said, Antonio’s isn’t a Japanese restaurant. One order is good for two people.

The Inihaw na Liempo was a pleasant surprise. I found it good that they serve the pork belly in thin strips, marinated well and grilled just right. There was a bit of toughness around the edges, but that’s sometimes to be expected in barbecue. The smoky flavor was really good, though, and it was all I could do to keep myself from stuffing my face! And, I appreciated very much the care they apparently take in preparing their dipping sauces. In many other restaurants that serve grilled food, they just give you out-of-the-bottle stuff for dipping. At Antonio’s, the inihaw orders come with a soy-sauce dip that’s mixed with some spices and other condiments (but I couldn’t quite identify them…). Lip-smacking good!

What my friends and I found suspicious right away, however, was the Inihaw na Bangus that we had. The way the milkfish was prepared and presented seemed really delectable, but the fish itself was, well, fishy. The meat didn’t look the way it should — grayish, crumbly — and after trying some of it, it made my tongue itch a little. The fish wasn’t very fresh. Too bad. On the flip side, the staff was really concerned about it and promised to look into the matter. Judging by the way they take care of their customers, I’m sure it won’t happen again.

What made our meal most satisfying was our order of Stir-Fried Vegetables. The broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, bell pepper and other green goodies were really fresh and succulent. It wasn’t too oily, and I loved the subtle flavoring (oyster sauce, pepper, and very light on the salt). It’s the dish that I would recommend to round off a table full of grilled and fried food!

The family-style garlic rice, I should also mention, was fabulous. For me, rice can make or break a meal. Sometimes, no matter how good the food is, but if the rice is bad, everything goes down a notch. At Antonio’s, the garlic rice is steamed to perfection, and lightly cooked again with golden garlic and sprinkled with a little celery. Yummy!

I’ve heard that Antonio’s is also known for their steaks and Crispy Tadyang. That I will have to see next time I dine there.

The Antonio’s Bar & Grill branch at the Metro Lifestyle compound has a conference room, which can also be used for small parties. For reservations, call 225-4394. Both branches are open all week for lunch and dinner.

This restaurant has been around for a long time now, and it’s one of those that I enjoy each time I visit. The food — Filipino cuisine — is simply delicious. Yellow Fin Seafood & Restaurant is on its way to becoming a culinary institution in Davao City.

Typical of early Davao dining places was the turo-turo, or buffet spread. But it’s not the type where you eat all you can — you choose what you want and you pay for what you eat. Yellow Fin still has that, as well as à la carte servings. Their huge selection of Filipino dishes, from superb soups to grilled goodies, is something to look forward to, and the place is perfect for big or small gatherings.

Fried Chicken Meal @ Yellow Fin

It is a seafood restaurant, but curiously enough, Yellow Fin is quite well-known for their fried chicken meal. They could actually give restaurants that specialize in fried chicken a run for their money! For less than ₱200 per plate, you get half a chicken, a side of salad, and perfectly cooked steaming rice. You’d appreciate it, too, that they serve huge portions.

Like all Davao seafood joints worth their salt, Yellow Fin has tuna and other types of fish on the menu (as well as on the turo-turo spread). And those dishes are always worth the trip to their place. But what really makes my mouth water just thinking about it is the Tinolang Imbao at Yellow Fin. When I was there with fellow foodie bloggers last weekend, I was so happy they didn’t care much for clam soup — more for me!

Imbao Soup @ Yellow Fin

You could tell that they pick only the choicest clams, fresh and lusciously delicious. For the thin soup, they put just the right amount of leeks and garlic and other spices to complement that tangy taste of the clam. My father also knows how to prepare clam, and I’ll let you in on a secret he shared with me, in case you find yourself in a wet market looking for imbao. Buy only female clams, and look for those that are fat and whose shells are not too smooth. Don’t ask me why, but it’s always worked for us.

Yellow Fin has grown from a small, open-air affair to what it is now. Today they even have function rooms, as well as an enclosed restaurant space for those who’d rather order off the menu. Marco, whose family owns Yellow Fin, is also experimenting with coffee. So they now also have a coffee shop in the al fresco dining area.

Ask Dabawenyos who know about good food, and they will always recommend Yellow Fin.

Yellow Fin Seafood & Restaurant
Sandawa Plaza, Quimpo Boulevard
Ecoland, Davao City
Tel. 297-8777, 298-0299
Operating Hours: from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, daily