Anyhoots, my friend Mei halted my potentially fatal hibernation and jolted me with a KKB (kanya-kanyang bayad) birthday celebration—just the two of us since our binge buddy Lala abandoned us for Manila (sniff). Off we went, initially for some Japanese buffet at Zakoya but later succumbed to colonial mentality—Spanish Cuisine!

Hola España

Before I go full ditz on the dining experience, let me just stress one major requirement for this eat-out to happen: can I swipe it? Yep, just like many twenty-something broke gurlaloos like me; the plastic becomes our best friend in times of crisis and emergencies. Hola Espaňa said yes, and so I gave Mei’s suggestion a rigorous nod.

Hola Espaňa is one of the many establishments sprouting in the Damosa Gateway area. Living north of Davao before, I remember this area as dark and dusty but now, few years after (and still in Davao) the place has transformed into an upbeat and well-lighted strip with lots of commercial squares, including bars, restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, hotels and even a call center and McDonalds! Too bad I live south of the city now. My friend Mei though is still up north and has seen the buzz pick up in Damosa ever since she came back from Manila.

 For Meat Lovers

A Rat’s Dream

You might be surprised to see a deli inside Hola Espaňa. The restaurant’s set-up is pretty much like Swiss Deli across the street (same owner, probably). A variety of cheese and meat products were showcased, which gave the place a more laid-back, informal atmosphere despite the leather (faux)-bound menu. I did not particular care about this showcase because all that seemed to be miles away when I saw the nook on the right side of the restaurant: WINES. Mei and I would be too happy for a pajama party in that small nook, wouldn’t we Mei? Enough of the pipe dreams, let’s dig in.

After taking the longest time to order (as usual) our food choices for that night were: potato Idaho and spinach soup, paella negra, pescao en tomate and Spanish Omellette. It was our first time at Hola Espaňa so we really did not know what we were getting into. The waiters were pretty friendly, offering suggestions, helpful on our vanity (taking our pictures) and quick to refill our water glasses as dinner is regularly four hours long for me and Mei.

The Deli

Must Order this Soup

I feel though that the waiters were too friendly at times, bordering to intruding on privacy by asking personal information about us (where did you go to school, how old are you and the like). I am not sure if being very “friendly” is standard practice in Spanish restaurants, I’m not as exposed as others might be, but the “feeling close” tendencies of the waiters turned me off.
I wanted to protest when a couple—Japanese and Filipina diners—sitting next to us asked for their pictures taken by a waiter. The camera was a Polaroid kind. The Japanese diner was very generous to take a picture of the waiters, giving them the copy afterwards BUT for me, one waiter went overboard when he asked the Japanese customer to take a picture of him and Japanese’s Filipina companion. Ayayay, how rude! I wanted to give the waiter a piece of my foot but our food weren’t served yet so I kept my cool.

Back to the food. I insisted to be Pinoy even in a Spanish restaurant and had all our food served at one time. Mei and I dug in quickly, my mouth watered instantly at the taste of the potato spinach soup. The temperature was warm enough to sooth an empty stomach and the texture smoothly glided inside my mouth and down my pipes. I told Mei that next time we visit, I’ll sneak in rice and just order that soup (hihihi).

Paella negra is rice in squid ink. Hola Espaňa’s version could use a little more broth as it became a tad too dry as we ate but the squid’s taste remained strong without being offensive to the mouth. Be warned when ordering because one order of this, we realized later, was good for three to four people but we almost finished all of it that night—I blame my friend Mei for eating so much (my Pinocchio nose is growing teehee).

The Paella Negra

Our main ulam is pescao en tomate which is a fish meal. Mei and I so love this one too! The fish was very tender to the bite and the tomato-based sauce was not too strong to overpower the fish. Yum! Caution again, this one is a bit pricey but it has four huge slices of fish, which means it can be shared among four pips.

Fish and Tomato

We ordered Spanish omellette because I was craving for some scrambled eggs that night. Silly me, I forgot to request that the pork (bacon) be removed (I don’t eat pork). Mei told me though that it was very, very good. I hate Mei sometimes (hihihi, peace).

Mei Gets All the Spanish Omelette

As I mentioned earlier, our dinner at Hola Espaňa ran for four hours. Dinner becomes this long for Mei and I when the place is conducive for some catch-up talk, when room temperature is not too cold because of the aircon, if the loo is clean (very cool and clean in Hola Espaňa) and when the food is good. At Hola Espaňa, it’s a check for all four items and so we sat, talked and ate for four hours with only two trips to the loo.

Serious Eater

I would recommend Hola Espaňa for Dabawenyos who are by now, tired of eating chicken barbecues and all you can eat rice. Hola Espaňa is also good for families eating out on Sundays and special occasions as their servings are big and generous. For big families though, you might want to consider reserving tables ahead to make sure there are seats for everyone.

Need She Say More

While based on Davao standards, this eat-out was a bit expensive for two heads at Php1,200, I must stress that what we ordered was really good for four people and that means, 300 per head. Truly not bad at all for a resto that offers comfort for the mind and the stomach.

After swiping our dinner, Mei and I went home with happy memories.

Hmm, if only they’ll do something about the waiters.

Tongue Verdict:

Food

Service

Ambience

Price

If you’ve been to more than one table this month (for sure), you must be dog-tired with the following—spaghetti, caldereta, lechon, lumpia, cakes, fruit salad and more spaghetti-pasta variations. Food is food, something that we should all be grateful for. As any typical mother would chirp to her child on the dinner table, “Finish your food, think of all the children on the streets who do not have anything to eat!” The child would then force a mouthful of lechon with a promise of hypertension and obesity in the near future. Great work, mother! But I digress.

December is a month when everyone and everything suddenly becomes generous, especially when food is concerned. It’s like we have been starving ourselves all year long so we could sit and eat all we want when Christmas and New Year’s come. Food is very fancy in presentation and oozing with flavor this time of the year and what makes food more inviting is the company to share it with. As fun as this all sounds, it would also be correct to say that during the holidays, when you’ve been to one food spread then you’ve been to all tables in the neighborhood because the food served is the same many times over (I think I’ll go buy stocks on noodles and tomato sauce next December).

This was why it was such a relief to visit Pequeňo Grill after my nth spaghetti and lechon encounter this December. No complains but I just needed to give my senses a break with a whiff of regular but sumptuous Pinoy flavor.

Some Crumbs on Directions—Catalunan Pequeno is about 30 minutes South of downtown Davao by private vehicle or 45 minutes by public transport. If you plan to take the jeep, you can ride the Mintal route which passes by Roxas and Quirino Avenues. The jeep ride costs Php15 while cabs will go as much as Php80. Pequeňo Grill is on the highway with small Christmas lights and colorful banners that glow at night.

Pequeňo Grill is a new food destination in Davao City. It rests rather far from the downtown proper in its Catalunan Pequeňo location but with the heavy traffic, panic buying and long lines in downtown Davao this December, it is such a relief to be in a quiet place (a quick mad holiday respite) that serves Pinoy treat (a rest for my harassed taste buds) .

Pequeňo Grill has four private native huts that comfortably sit four people but if you’re Pinoy, that means six. Its spacious area has wooden tables and chairs to accommodate couples on a date or a big family of 12. A table set which caught my attention was one made of old car seats and bamboo—a whimsical indigenous and industrial fusion. When I visited, they were playing reggae and world music which makes you tap your feet while you dig in to your food.

This eating destination’s specialty is fresh hito (catfish)—fried or grilled—whichever you prefer. Too bad for me because I don’t eat hito. Like many restaurants that serve hito, the fishes are placed in an aquarium until someone orders one on his plate. I don’t like the thought that a few minutes ago, they were still alive. It’s crazy because I don’t have the same mercy for live lobsters and crabs.

I was perfectly filled and happy though with my favorites at Pequeňo Grill: talong (eggplant) salad, pomelo salad, tuna belly, seafood sinigang and just because I want to, fried chicken.

Tuna Belly

I especially love the eggplant salad at Pequeňo Grill because unlike the usual sour flavor, it also has a great sweet punch too it which makes the vinegar taste inoffensive. The pomelo salad is another favorite and here in Davao City, we get generous servings at a cheap price. These two salads are place in the appetizer section of the menu which means that it should be eaten before the actual main course (rice and ulam) but for many Filipinos, and for us here in Davao City the salads can and is already a part of the main course, perfect partners to rice. Although we did not order it that night but the kinilaw sa mangga made of tuna and green mangoes is also an excellent option.

Seafood Sinigang

The seafood sinigang was served in a clay pot which sealed in the flavors and kept the soup warm during the meal. I hate it when sinigang tastes more like tinola because it’s diluted; but not in Pequeňo Grill because the sinigang is sour enough to my tongue’s delight!

The tuna belly was also cooked just right. You would know if your fish is overcooked when it becomes tough to bite on instead of a soft, juicy dig. If it’s fresh and cooked just right, the tuna will melt with only the slightest pressure from your teeth instead of a hard, tough munch.

Another thing that I love in this place is the excellent quality of rice that they serve. Unlike many restaurants that cut cost by buying cheap and poor quality rice and mix it with an expensive one, Pequeňo Grill serves great rice that will naturally make you eat and enjoy the tasty food that you ordered. The rice may not be “bottomless” but at least I know I am eating high quality rice, cooked just right—no surprise undercooked crunch or annoying burnt smell.

Talong Salad

While the food arrives at about twenty minutes after you’ve ordered them, Pequeňo Grill could use a little improvement on their service. Sometimes, the waiters don’t pay much attention when the customers call them and there are times too when the food takes longer than twenty minutes to serve. They should also forewarn the customers of what they are “out of stock” of before they let them order. Better yet, how about a day-to-day menu instead? At night, the place’s signboard as well as its immediate façade could use more lighting so that customers would be sure not to miss the place.

Buttered Chicken

With Pequeňo Grill being in its early weeks, there is much room and time to improve on these small details. They already have the most important details set: great food that delights the Pinoy tongue and an equally arousing eating environment all at a reasonable price. It won’t be much of a surprise, therefore, when Pequeňo Grill becomes the next big thing in its Southern Davao territory.

Tongue Verdict:

Food

Service

Ambience

Price

I am very excited to be part of Tagadabaw.com as I was conceptualized, born and raised right here in the big D! Like many Dabawenyos, I stayed away for a little while, but soon got homesick and blinked my way back. And so here I am, firmly footed and ready to eat.

Say what?!?

But really, you are reading “Tip of the Tongue”, which is your food and dining guide in Davao. I do not claim to be a food expert but let’s just put it this way, I would never recommend something that I did not enjoy. Teacher’s word, cross my heart and (never a) Girl Scout’s honor! **winkwink**

Davao is an amazing food destination. When I tour my friends from out of town, I always hear, “So goooood!” accompanied with, “Ang dami naman!” (generous serving) and the usual, “My gosh, so cheap!” This is why I am excited to be writing about something that everyone needs and enjoys—food!

Just to quantify my food experience, I put up a symbol on food, service, ambience and price at the end of every article. Three (3) is great and one (1) means it could do a little more improvement.

Sooooo, grip those utensils hard and let the tongue do all the judging!

Banana Love

Round 1: Dinner

My friend Mei just arrived from her two-week Manila trip and I was dying to hear all the juicy details. It was a Friday night but we both were not really up for a loud party or booze session. We met up fresh (or wilted) from our respective jobs in uniform, no less! Not exactly party cool.

It’s not that there’s nowhere good to eat in Davao City, but we always, always have the hardest time deciding where to eat. The question, “Asa ta kaon?” (Where should we eat?)” pops up; half an hour after and we were still asking the same question. That Friday night was no different. I guess, having been Davao-born and bred, restaurants here feel like Mom’s adobo—it’s always there.

Finally, we decided to take on Rizal Street, which is one of the busiest eat-and-drink places in downtown Davao. On this street, there’s Rizal Promenade, Majid’s Kebab, Talaba Joe, Chicco’s, Claude’s and Whaw, just to name a few.

I remember passing by Rizal for the nth time and seeing another hole in the wall called, “Pinutos sa Rizal Fud Counter” (Binalot in Filipino, Wrapped in English). I told Mei about this and off we went. Hungry as we were, we decided to take the jeep. This is one of the reasons why I love Davao so much, the jeepney ride is never too stressful.

Some Crumbs on Directions—Mei and I met up at Gaisano Mall and we can reach Rizal in two jeepney routes: 1) Walk behind Gaisano Mall and take the jeepneys that say: Ilustre, Ponciano, Rizal. 2) Cross JP Laurel Highway, which is in front of Gaisano Mall and take the Ponciano, San Pedro jeepneys.

Pinutos is basically a makeshift food shack of bamboos and wooden tables—definitely not fine dining, folks! It proudly sits in front of Claude’s, a French fine dining restaurant. The laidback ambience makes it attractive to venture, although it could use a little more light.

It is quite easy to deduce why the place was named Pinutos as food are served wrapped in banana leaf. This serving technique is a great organic alternative to foil, paper or styro packs while preserving food temperature and at the same time, giving off the hearty banana smell as you open it.

The wooden table was small which was perfect for “talkers” (even with a full mouth) like Mei and I. The waiter was quick to bring us their no-fuss menu, the contents of which, we were very pleased to see! And why not when the menu screams: FULL MEAL UNDER 60 PESOS.

Mei and I were in the mood for fish that night and so we ordered the tuna belly meal that already includes soup, achara, rice, half an egg (boiled) and for only five pesos more, you can get a generous glass of iced tea. There were also boneless bangus, chicken and pork alternatives which have the same inclusions.

One thing great about small eating stops is the quick service—the waiter is never too far away just in case you need additional whatnots, water or condiments. Food came quick enough to shut us up. Servings at Pinutos was generous, extra whatever came cheap (I had an extra egg, additional tomatoes). The tuna belly was not paper-thin as one would expect from something priced that cheap, rice was measured but plenty. Although the “half an egg” part was a bit of a surprise, an additional whole egg cooked boiled, fried or scrambled) is not so expensive so I did not complain.

Fish, eggs and rice would have been another regular meal had it not been for the banana leaf that wrapped it. There is just something so rural about the whole concept which is why it works. It reminds me of a time when farmers sit under a shade of a tree, eating food on banana leaf with gusto—like there’s no meal more delicious than fish, rice and tomato.

After Pinutos, I wonder if I can wrap my kitchen accidents in banana leaves, too.
Pocket Damage for a full meal for two: Php130. Not bad at all.

Tongue Verdict:

Food

Service

Ambience

Price

Round 2: Coffee and Dessert

It was a night of juicy details so Mei and I did not end things with dinner. We decided to go to Kasagingan—a coffee shop in F. Torres Street. Kasagingan is a Bisaya word that roughly means an area where bananas are planted. Although the Kasagingan in F. Torres is no banana plantation, it boasts of cozy ambience, reasonably priced banana desserts and (drum roll please), free wifi! There’s also printing and photocopying service in the café for those who really are working on something important other than updating their profiles in Friendster, MySpace or Multiply.

Some Crumbs on Directions—There are three jeepney routed to reach F. Torres from Rizal: 1. Walk to San Pedro Street or Ponciano Reyes Street which is only a short block away and take the small easy jeeps that say: City High, Mt. Apo. 2. Walk to Davao Doctors’ Hospital (very near, we could all use the exercise) and ride a tricycle that says: Fair Lanes. 3. Walk to Claveria Street, ride jeepneys that say—Bajada—stop at Fair Lanes. Or you could ride a non-aircon taxi for about Php34

While there are many coffee places in Davao City, I would say that Kasagingan has the most character as it capitalized on an original theme. The outdoor area has a large dome-like banana tree structure (on Valentine’s Day, they even had “puso ng saging/banana heart” hanging around) and witty posters of bananas and monkeys.

Although coffee here is nothing extraordinary (but not bad at all as my coffee buddies would say), the array of small things to munch on makes up for it.

Regular, cooked-on-the-streets bananas are romanticized and glorified in Kasagingan. They have maruya supreme, tworon (toron), banana fantastic (pinaypay), as well as crema de carda (similar to a banana split), banana crumble and banana dream pie. They also have regular café desserts like cakes and pastries. For the banana desserts, price ranges from Php25 to 65.

I haven’t tried all the banana desserts but the Tworon is my favorite to date. I think it’s because of the melting strips of jackfruit inside the bananas and the chocolate syrup right on top!

That night, Mei had Oreo on Wheels while I had a sinful chocolate moist cake (killjoys). I did not enjoy my chocolate moist cake but what I do come to Kasagingan over and over for is the “Brownies na may K”. I really have no idea what’s in it, maybe there’s banana, sometimes I taste pineapple with the moist chocolate and cherries on top but whatever is in it, I must agree with the name, it really has that extra kick that adds to its bold, capital K. The brownies’ size is annoyingly small though, to make me buy more I guess. I think it’s expensive for Php24 but after two bites, the cost is not an issue. A must try, indeed!

Pocket Damage for a green tea and desserts for two: Php180.

Tongue Verdict:

Food
Service
Ambience
Price