Category Archives: Food

Bloggers’ Favorite Cocktails at Zanzibar Davao

While Davao City is one of the country’s major urban centers, its night scene is very much chill compared to Cebu and Manila. Yep, chill is how we would best describe the local nightlife. One of the best spots for chillaxing is Zanzibar Davao.

First, if you haven’t been to the place, you might not find it at all. The bar is situated inside Batu House Cafe. It used to have no outdoor signage of the bar at all. (Luckily, now they have a signage already.) So it’s sort of a secret bar. It used to be such a quiet place, known only to a few. But now, more Davaoeños have discovered our favorite spot. And we suspect, its popularity will just grow in the coming months.

Zanzibar Davao is a nice, cozy place where you can just sit back and enjoy a bottle of beer for less than a hundred while spending quality time with old and new friends. They pipe in music at just the right volume that you can actually converse with your friends.

Davao Bloggers at Zanzibar Davao

Davao Bloggers love the place for its easy, relaxed vibe and their wide range of delicious cocktail drinks. They have so many drinks that it can become confusing and overwhelming for those visiting for the first time. Great thing is nothing is over PhP300. And their 30+ cocktails are categorized into five: Bold and Boozy, Sour, Fruity, Fizzy, and Sweet Confectionery.

Fruity Cocktails at Zanzibar Davao

Since we love the place so much, we each have our own favorites. Here’s our guide to our Davao Bloggers’ Favorite Cocktails at Zanzibar.

Let’s start with our most ordered drink, the Strawberry Basil Fresca.

Strawberry Basil Fresca

Menu Description: Like summer in Baguio! Refreshing and Cool! Vodka, Strawberries, Basil, and Lemon.

Clea Banal and Julie Alontaga both love this drink since they both like strawberries. It’s strong but remains sweet and refreshing. It might seem like a light drink, like a fizzy strawberry drink. Do not get deceived. The alcohol will hit you even before you finish one glass.

On our first cocktails night at Zanzibar, the girls tried Gin Pom.

Menu Description: Made using Davao’s Sweet Pomelo!

Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, Gin Pomelo was the most popular cocktail of college students and yuppies. It was sweet and fruity and gin was hella cheap. You could say Zanzibar’s Gin Pom brings us this classic favorite, but this time made with fresh pomelo juice. And the rim of glass has pink sugar, making it an Instagrammable drink.

For those who want something more refreshing, our editor-in-chief Ria Jose recommends Kalamansi Krush.

Kalamansi Krush Cocktail by Zanzibar Davao

Menu Description: A cocktail that highlights our own local lime! Gin, Calamansi, Cointreau, and Honey.
Like the other fruity cocktails of Zanzibar, this is deceivingly sweet and light. But becareful. It packs a punch. So do not take this and other items in the Fruity Cocktails menu lightly. They will give you a buzz.

Sweet Confectionery

If you want something sweet but not fruity, order the White Russian.

White Russian. Photo by Claudine Chua.

Menu Description: Creamy Coffee Cocktail! A boozy dessert!
For coffee lovers who also love alcohol, this is what Claudine Chua and Jeffrey Mondia would like you to try. It is a combination of milk, Kahlua and well, vodka. It is the best of both worlds, or three rather, as what Claudine says.

Note that Kahlua is basically rum and coffee. So you get two doses of liquor in one drink. And they serve it in such a quaint way, too. The vodka-infused milk is served in a jar labeled with the instruction “Pour Me” and the Kahlua is served in an Old Fashioned glass with ice. And you get to pour the milk over the Kahlua so you get to see the layers of booze, milk, and coffee swirling and mixing together creating a decadent (and very alcoholic) drink. After drinking, it has the aftertaste of coffee instead of the rum or vodka.

Roxanne Lacap mixing the White Russian

This cocktail is not just for the girls because guys love it too. “I am not a big fan of cocktails but I like the White Russian for its coffee flavor and it is like I am making an affogato.” Jeffrey shares.

Sours at Zanzibar Davao

If sweet is not your thing, give your palate something tangy, citrus, tart… everything sour.

Julie suggests the Amaretto Sour.

Amaretto Sour

Menu Description: Disarrono liqueur, hand-squeezed lemon juice, egg whites, all shaken violently.
It is just the right amount of tangy and bitter with just a hint of sweet. Unlike the fruity and sweet cocktails, you can easily taste the alchohol content in this one.
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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

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We are only a few days away from Mother’s Day and you might be panicking because you do not have a gift for your mom yet. Worry no more. We have an awesome list of Mother’s Day gift ideas.

Flowers and Food for Mother’s Day

First, any mother would love to have a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas: Ria with Olivia and Fleur Flowers and Pastries by Yolks

Ria with Olivia and Fleur Flowers and Pastries by Yolks. (Not a mother. Just saying.)

Get your mom the most beautiful bouquet of flowers from Olivia en Fleur. Take your pick from local and imported flowers and let the talented florists of Oliva en Fleur arrange it beautifully match your mama’s beauty.

To make your floral arrangement even better, pair it with pastries and maybe a bottle of Rose Wine from Yolks Flower Cafe + Cupcakery.

The Olivia en Fleur Shop is conveniently located inside Yolks along Circumferential Road, Marfori Heights, Davao City.

Olivia en Fleur Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OliviaenFleur
Instagram: @olivia_en_fleur

Yolks Flower Cafe + Cupcakery Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/YolksPh
Instagram: @YolksPh

And here’s something trendy and sumptuous that your mother will surely enjoy. My Home Kitchen has an array of dessert boxes and grazing boxes that you can choose from.

Grazing Box by My Home Kitchen Davao

We recommend the Wine and Cheese Grazing box. It comes with grapes, crackers, spreads, and other gourmet items that your mom can devour. Tell your mom she does not have to share it with anybody because she deserves to be a little bit selfish sometimes.

My Home Kitchen also makes gorgeous Surprise Cakes, Letter Cakes, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, and other sweet options if your mom likes sweet more than savory.

Surprise Cake by My Home Kitchen Davao

We’re sure that whatever your mother’s cravings are, My Home Kitchen Davao can satisfy it. So gift your mom with some indulgence from My Home Kitchen Davao.

My Home Kitchen Davao Website: https://myhomekitchen.com.ph/
Facebook Page: link
Instagram: @MyHomeKitchen_Dvo
Photos provided by My Home Kitchen Davao.

More Sweets

And for chocoholics, you can never go wrong with Malagos Chocolates.

Malagos Chocolates

Davao chocolates are definitely to die for and Malagos Chocolates has raised the bar, locally and internationally. So if your mother is a chocoholic who loves dark chocolates, buy her a bar or two of Davao’s most popular chocolates.

You can buy a bar of Malagos chocolates at the Malagos Farmhouse located in Bolcan Street, Agdao, Davao City or in select groceries and specialty shops.

Malagos Chocolate Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/malagos.chocolate
Instagram: @MalagosChocolate

And here’s another sweet treat for moms with a sweet tooth.

Almond Mango Float by Sweeties

Who would have thought that almonds and mangoes would go great together? These two, when mixed, make a dessert that gives out a unique yet delicious taste.

Give your mom a sweet gift: Almond Mango Float by Sweeties. This dessert is topped with both mango bits and loads of almonds on the sides (even mixed with the cream). The Almond Mango float dessert is made to order (minimum of 2) which makes it a unique present that is made from the heart.

Contact Number: +639338563780 (Kimberly Ramos)
Sweeties Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/sweetiesdessert
Recommended by Athina Angliongto.

Accessories

Another great Mother’s Day gift is a piece (or pieces) of personalized accessories.

Hello Amber Brass Skinny Cuff

Hello Amber sells cuffs and other accessories that may be customized. You may have it inscribed with the name of your mom, a thank you message, an inspirational quote, or a motto. They also do custom pendants.

To know more about Hello Amber Cuffs, check out this post on Diyosa Life at this link.

You can buy Hello Amber Cuffs at the Creative Agenda Design Lab along Circumferential Road, Marfori Heights, Davao City. Other items by local designers and artists are also sold at Creative Agenda. Drop by to see if something there will suit your mom’s style.

Hello Amber Shop: https://www.facebook.com/helloamber.ph/
Facebok Page: http://www.facebook.com/helloamber.ph
Instagram: @helloamber.ph

If your mom is a certified beach lover, gift her with these limited edition, handmade earrings.

Diyosa Life Mermaid Tail Earrings

When she wears these Mermaid Tail Earrings, your mom is sure to feel closer to the sea. Diyosa Life earrings are available in various colors but in limited quantities. So make sure to buy a pair for your beach loving mother now.

Diyosa Life Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DiyosaLifeShop
Instagram: @DiyosaLifeShop

Uniquely Davao

We recommend gifting a La Chula for moms who love adding a pop of color in their outfits.

Three generations of Dela Sernas with their La Chula Bags.

Aren’t they delicious? These La Chula Bags are colorful and come in various styles. There is sure to be one (or more) that will match your mother’s style.
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Bemwa Farm | Cool Summer Destination in Davao City

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Davao City is one of the largest cities in the world in terms of area. With more than 2,400 kilometers square of area, we have almost all kinds of tropical terrain. We definitely have it all from islands to islands, as one of our tourism catchphrases say. Going south, an hour and a half drive away from the busy downtown area of Davao City sits a fascinating beauty of nature perfect for a cold summer getaway. Known as Bemwa Farm, this emerging ecotourism spot in Barangay Datu Salumay, Marilog District has captured the attention of locals and tourists alike.

It is just one of the many inland resorts and tourist stops in Marilog District. The entire district #feels of being in Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines. It has enthralling green scenery, plants, and cool weather. It is, in some ways, better than Baguio in that it is less crowded and less urbanized.

Bemwa Farm is now one of the a must-visit spots in Marilog. It offers a nice spot to rest, take photos, and eat heartily. we suggest visiting it early in the morning when there are not too many guests yet. Plus, of course, enjoying the fog blanketing the farm is a cool experience. Literally and figuratively.

Most Filipinos only enjoy fresh strawberries when they are visiting Baguio. It comes as a nice surprise for everybody when they see that Bemwa has rows of strawberry fields. It is just one of the picturesque spots in the farm. Aside from the strawberries, they also have rows of sunflowers, fresh organic products, and other potted herbs that you can purchase at very reasonable prices.

Entrance Fee and Food at Bemwa Farm

For the price of only P50 per guest as entrance fee, you get to experience Bemwa Farm for unlimited time. Not only that. You can use your P50 value ticket in exchange for P50 worth of food from their café.

Bemwa Farm has their own café where you can savor their special Lugaw and Goto cooked using locally grown products at P50 per serving. Also on the menu is the Vegetable Salad made with their own garden-fresh produce for only P90. For something sweet, you may order their famous Strawberry Taho priced at P30 per serving. And to quench your thirst, they also have various Fresh Lemonades for only P25 per glass.

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Blue Post Boiling Crabs and Shrimps New Menu: Oysters, Hokkaido Scallops, Salmon, and More

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So how was your Valentine’s Day? The My Davao City Team was privileged to have spent it with extraordinarily good food at one of Davao’s landmark food establishments. On February 14, Blue Post Boiling Crabs and Shrimps new menu items were launched.

Boiling Crabs and Shrimps continue to be one of the must-try restaurants in Davao showcasing the best-tasting, freshest seafood dishes. With their continuing commitment to delivering new seafood dishes to tickle the palates of locals and tourists, Blue Post introduced new menu items that can be best described as intriguing.

Appetizers

Their new menu items include five appetizer dishes to tease the taste buds of their patrons and offer new seafood flavors to relish.

First is a dish familiar to a lot of Filipinos: Crispy Fried Crablets.

Blue Post Boiling Crabs and Shrimps New Menu 2018: Crispy Crablets

Crispy Crablets by Blue Post Boiling Crabs and Shrimps

This dish may sound and look simple. But to those who have tried it will attest that it offers a unique combination of flavors and textures. Dip it in one of Blue Post’s vinegar concoctions and it will surely get you excited and make you crave for more of their seafood delights.

Undeniably, the favorite of the My Davao City Team is the Garlic Fried Baby Octopus.

Blue Post Boiling Crabs and Shrimps New Menu 2018

Garlic Fried Baby Octopus by Blue Post Boiling Crabs and Shrimps

This dish is such a revelation. Most of us tried baby octopus for the first time and we didn’t really know what to expect. But we all agree that this is a must-try. After one piece, we just kept coming back to get another piece. And another. And another. We had to stop ourselves because we had more dishes to try.

Oysters

While Davao is easily a haven for seafood lovers, we are admittedly not abundant in oysters. Luckily, Blue Post Boiling Crabs and Shrimps has decided to bring in oysters and offer two oyster dishes in their menu.

Fresh Oysters by Blue Post Boiling Crabs and Shrimps

Nothing can beat Fresh Oysters. Oysters are branded as “prima classe” which means having the best fresh mollusk there is. Good quality fresh oysters are actually considered a luxury item by many and it’s not a surprise why.

Blue Post follows a strict quality assurance method to make sure they only serve fresh oysters. So you only get fresh and plump oysters. It is laid out with lemon wedges on a bed of crushed ice.
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Davao Chocolate Festival 2017 at SM City Davao

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In 2014, SM City Davao pioneered the celebration of the Chocolate Festival in cognizance of the booming cocoa and chocolate industry in Davao. Local chocolatiers, pastry makers, and other purveyors showcased dishes and drinks that feature local beans. This weekend, SM City Davao hosts the Davao Chocolate Festival 2017 once again from October 12 to 15.

Davao Chocolate Festival 2017 at SM City Davao

Purveyors and exhibitors from past Chocolate Festivals will be back, along with new food concepts and establishments.

Davao Chocolate Festival 2017 Exhibitors

The Chocolate Festival is a collaboration of SM City Davao and the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, Inc. (CIDAMI). It aims to bring together the Davao’s best cacao growers and chocolate processors. CIDAMI will be one of the event’s exhibitors.

Returning exhibitors include award-winning Malagos Chocolate, and local chocolatiers Chocolate Bean and Cacao De Davao. Comval Tropical Harvest, Rosario Delicacies, Puratos, Aromacology, Nutri Arch, Fedco, and Chocolate de San Isidro will be displaying and selling their best-selling treats.

Lara Mia leads the list of local dessert shops that will showcase their best chocolate pastries. Also joining are Confex & Co., Yolks, and Milky.

Finally, new food concepts will be at the event to offer their own chocolate delights: Cacao Culture, Chocoloco Inc, Auro Chocolate, Capt Du’s Cacao, A&V, Johanns, Brightside, and Sweets of Tirzah.

There will definitely no shortage of chocolate dishes, desserts, and drinks to satisfy all your chocolate cravings. Whether you like milk, dark, or white chocolate, you have to be at SM City Davao’s Chocolate Festival.

Chocolate Festival Highlights

The Davao Chocolate Festival will hold various events to further add excitement to the festivities.

Before the event formally opens, SM City Davao teased the crowd with a jar of Golden Chocolate Coins. The person who guesses the correct number wins a Golden Ticket. It can be used to redeem a package of chocolate goodies from the festival exhibitors. The winner also gets all the golden coins.

SM City Davao shoppers can also get their own Gold Ticket if they are one of the first 14 lucky shoppers to present a single-receipt purchase of at least P10,000 on October 14.

Chocolate lovers are invited to follow SM o Instagram @SMDavao and share their chocolate stories with their squad with the hashtag #ChocolateDateatSMDavao. The best posts get special prizes. Make sure to tag them and post by October 15.

The event will open on Thursday, October 12 at 10:30 am and will close when the mall closes. The country’s best tablea makers will demonstrate how to make your own chocolate concoctions. On October 13, learn about “The Sweet Journey” of chocolate’s bean to bar story. Finally, explore chocolate as a medium of art during the Chocolate Art expo on October 15.

So gather the gang and prepare to indulge in the best chocolate treats from Davao’s best cacao growers and chocolatiers only at the Davao Chocolate Festival 2017 at SM City Davao.

For more information about events at SM City Davao, visit the SM City Davao Page at http://www.smsupermalls.com/smcitydavao and their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/smcitydavao. Follow SM City Davao @SMCityDavao on Twitter and @SMDavao on Instagram.

Music and Coffee Festival at SM City Davao

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Want to chill this weekend? Enjoy rhythm and brews at the first ever Music and Coffee Festival at SM City Davao. Gather the gang for a bonding session while drinking the best brews from various coffee shops and vendors at The Annex from September 15 to 17, 2017.

Music and Coffee Festival at The Annex of SM City Davao

Pop Up Shops

At the center of the Coffee Festival are, of course, pop up shops of various cafes and vendors.

Bo’s Coffee Club at the Music and Coffee Festival

The most prominent coffee shop at the festival is Bo’s Coffee Club, a Cebu brand known all over the Philippines.

Local coffee vendors and food bazaar staples Johann’s Coffee, Gypsy Cafe, and Racoma Farms have booths offering coffee concoctions and cakes.

Gypsy Cafe at the Music and Coffee Festival

Whether you like your coffee strong or sweet, hot, iced, or ice blended, there is a coffee to give you your dose of caffeine.

Also offering cakes and other desserts are Desserts by Timzah and Lara Mia. Their sweet slices are sure to delight and satisfy your saccharine cravings.

Lara Mia Desserts at the Music and Coffee Festival

A new cafe on the local food bazaar scene A&V Cafe also has a booth at the festival. And Neon Pigeon, a brand of coffee-based energy drinks, has a booth, as well.

Doughnut shops with specialty coffee drinks have booths at the event. Dunkin’ Donuts and J.Co are both present at the festival.

Music and Coffee Festival Activities

SM City Davao invites all coffeeholics to share their Coffee Flatlay on Instagram and get the chance to win prizes. Just tag @smdavao and use the hashtag #CoffeeDateatSMDavao to join.

Coffee Flatlay at the Music and Coffee Festival

Fiction Folk will host the Music and Coffee Festival Trivia Night on September 16.

Music and Coffee Festival Trivia Night

Categories and questions will not be limited to coffee topics but knowledge of coffee trivia will give you an edge. Interested groups need not pre-register. Just show up, get a table, and join.

Throughout the festival, various musical acts will be performing on stage. Art using coffee will also be on display.

So fulfill your caffeine dreams at the first ever Music and Coffee Festival at The Annex of SM City Davao, only until September 17, 2017.

For inquiries about promos and events at SM City Davao, contact them at +6382-2976998 and like their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/smcitydavao. For updates, follow their social media accounts @SMCityDavao on Twitter and @SMDavao on Instagram.