The Island Explorer

I am a fan of Banofie Pies, or Banana Cream Pies. Thus, I was excited when I was brought to Kasagingan in Davao City. Located along Torres St, Kasagingan turns out to be a favorite cafe as well, since there is free Wifi. I like their Banana Cream Pies. The sweetness is just right, and the cream was smooth. I didn't like the crust however, I felt it wasn't firm enough. I also had a Roast Beef Sandwich, which was really good. I wasn't expecting anything, so I guess I was happy with what they served. The beef was tender and the ciabatta bread was soft and tasty. So, when in Davao, try out Kasagingan, perhaps the only banana specialized cafe in the country.

Subic is like home to me. It's my weekend getaway, more than Tagaytay. With the NLEX and SCTEX (expressways) linked together now, it only takes an hour and a half drive to Subic from Balintawak in North EDSA. That's like going to Makati during morning rush hour. And with more options than Tagaytay (though less on food), like shopping, beaches, mountains and adventure parks, Subic will always be my number one choice for that quick travel fix. One of the coolest places in Subic is Vasco's. Dining by the sea with sails as ventilation (fans) makes you feel you're inside a galleon. That ambience is unmatched here, and gives Vasco's the charm it is known for. Their menu is comfort food, offering a wide array of international dishes. You can have Asian favorites from curries to Filipino staples, or savor steaks and continental cuisine. Their food is not the best though in Subic, so I must warn you. I am not promoting it as a food heaven, but more of a place where you can e

I live a very hectic life, when I'm not travelling. Sometimes, I even forget to eat! That's why quick meals are essential to my lifestyle. I don't prefer fast food, so I try to find meals that are worth my time. Good thing I passed by Friday's in Robinson's Galleria, and saw this ad. Friday's was offering a new promo, their Fifteen Minute Meals. If you don't get your dish in 15 minutes, then it's free. The promo is available from Mondays to Fridays, from 11AM to 2PM. For people like me, who's always on-the-go especially during lunch, it's a great proposition to dine casually without worrying about the time. We got the Hungarian Sausage and Chicken Penne Pasta. At P225, it's certainly worth it. The serving was big enough for two, but if you're hungry, you'll be able to finish one plate. The dish did come in less than 15 minutes, 11 minutes to be exact. They have cooked the dish upon ordering, since it didn't taste like a microwave

Though Kuta is where the action is, Seminyak is where the beautiful people hang out. Yes, the high society who stay in luxurious villas end up making Seminyak their home base. Thus, the neighborhood has a lot of pretty restaurants, bars and boutiques. But if you have to go to one restaurant in Seminyak, it must be institution that is KuDeTa. KuDeTa has been around for a long time, and it has been awarded several accolades for its food and dining experience. It is also a frequented spot for party goers in Bali. It's one place where celebrities lounge and pass the time with a drink of their favorite cocktail at hand. Well, KuDeTa is indeed exclusive, and thus, the prices are expensive. However, being food adventurer as well, I didn't care about the price anymore (the cheapest dish, a starter, is P500), and just hoped that the food would be at par with the dazzling ambience. We tried a watermelon smoothie with black pepper. Though the spice was unique to the taste, the watermelon

There was a quaint red sign near our office in Ortigas Center that got me curious. It read: Jacob's Real Turkish Doner. With kebab places growing ever so popular these days, I thought if it was just one of the dozens that have sprung out. But the one word got me curious: the word REAL. So, one evening, as I was going to 7-11, I decided to pass by this new place to finally satisfy my curiosity. As soon as I entered, I knew I was in for a treat. The decor was out of taste: bright red dining benches and red and white plastic covers on small tables. The walls were adorned with stretched and framed tarpauline images of Turkey, and when I look up its high ceiling, I see the Turkish flag. I approached the counter, and was surprised with what I saw on their menu. A chicken shawarma. Yes, only one item on the menu. I asked the attendant if they had something else. She just mentioned they had Baklava for the day. Beyond the short list of drinks (which includes Turkish yogurt drink and coffee

When I saw the ads of Yellow Cab in Galleria showing a new pizza offering that was rolled with alfalfa sprouts and arugula, I couldn't resist but try it. I found myself lining up to order the Dear Darla Pizza. Now, if you watched the kiddie movie, Little Rascals, you would understand why the pizza was called this way. Darla was a little girl being courted by a little boy named Alfalfa who wrote letters to Darla. And thus the poster. Now for the verdict. The alfalfa sprouts and arugula came in a separate box, and the pizza that arrived was thin crust as expected. I forgot the toppings, since I hurried to roll a slice. The pizza was a bit difficult to roll though, so you have to do it carefully. When I had my first bite, I knew I was in for a treat. The same Yellow Cab goodness now made more pleasurable with alfalfa sprouts and arugula. I was nodding my head in satisfaction. In fact, I finished an entire regular order. How I wished I got a bigger one! The melted cheese blended perfec

Ola Espana is one of the more popular restaurants in Cebu. Owned by Amparito Lhuillier, it's one of the several restaurants owned by the family from high society (another good resto they own is Pino). Ola Espana in Cebu is located at the Banilad Town Square. I was introduced to this place by one of my colleagues who was based in Cebu. We had a press launch for an event there, and my partners from Manila couldn't stop raving about the food there. I was able to try Ola Espana, not in Cebu but in Davao. Located in a compound of restaurants beside Microtel Inn (I forgot the local name of the place), Ola Espana was full on a Sunday lunch. We had to wait for a table for around 10 minutes, and it was even in the extension area of the restaurant. And it's not surprising to see why it was packed. The place looked so cozy, yet brimming with energy. There was a deli as well, selling a lot of imported products, from pastas, to sauces, to sausages, and cheeses. We ordered the Paella Val

Welcome to Pamana, a family's heritage of Filipino cuisine. Located beside the Boutique Bed and Breakfast in Tagaytay City, Pamana is a striking establishment that adds to the already long list of good restaurants in the city by the cliff. Pamana is charming, having a white facade, that is very inviting. As you enter, there is a small shop that sells local handicrafts and delicacies. The country Filipino home feel extends as you go up the staircase, where a collage of framed memories from the distant and no-so distant past of the Ongpauco family who are the owners of Barrio Fiesta and also The Boutique. You immediately get excited to see where you will be dining. The ambience of Pamana is top notch, as you would notice how much heart has been put in designing the place. There are more picture frames, and more walls that display the family that has preserved this culinary heritage. The place is modern, but has antique pieces to give that old feel. So, in terms of design, it strikes