The Yummy Trail

One of the best pleasures on can get from traveling to a new place is to try out the local cuisine.  The recent trip to Davao for the Style Origin series wasn't all about the show.  Half of the time was really hopping from one restaurant to another and checking out the best of what this province has to offer.  Driving through the city, one can't help but notice that there's just so many restaurants everywhere--from hole in the walls to the super restos.  The famous Torres Street shouldn't be missed--the area is filled with a variety of dining havens to satisfy any food craving. The author asked recommendations from close friends Pam Gonzales and Chef Tina Pamintuan where they serve the best food in town and the following are some of their recommendations:

The once hole in the wall Ahfat is now a colossal structure with four restaurants under its name known for their excellent Chinese seafood cuisine.

Kiss of the dragon.

From left to right:  Steamed Pampano(fish) in hoisin sauce, slipper lobster in garlic and shrimps in garlic and butter sauce.

Leche flan and mango float for dessert.

The legendary Harana on Torres street.

Lato(seaweed) salad.

The mouth watering barbeque spareribs is to die for.  Make sure to stay away from rice and just have the ribs.

Eat all you can crabs for such a reasonable price is a sensation.  Don't forget to bring your hand sanitizer.

The perfect afternoon delight place Swiss Deli is like Santis and Mikey's deli in Manila.

The wine cellar is always fully booked for intimate dining.

Cheers.

Can't seem to have enough of these sausage platters.

Cheese whiz.

Proscuitto and salami Milano anyone?

The best in Tuna is here.  The owners are exporters to Japan's Tsukiji Market.

Proof of the truth.

Sashimi that literally melts in your mouth.

Asparagus with garlic.

Shrimps ahoy.

The famous crispy "buntot ng tuna" is the best on the menu--you won't believe me but it unbelievably tastes like crispy pata.

Hot and Sour seafood soup is filled with the ocean's best.

Baked scallop in butter and garlic is orgasmic.

After three days of pigging out, the author completely forgot about watching his weight and realized that his clothes started to feel tight at the end of the trip.  A gastronomic adventure one shouldn't really miss out on doing while in Davao.  the food is reasonable and seafood is really good and fresh.  Definitely a place where you can go eating with no regrets.  And yes, the idea of getting food coma used to be a myth until this trip made it so possible.

Style Origin 10: Abreeza (Davao)

Davao is such a beautiful place.  The style team together with JCA productions were there for only three days and wished we could have stayed longer.  The last of the Style Origin series was held at the newly opened Ayala Mall called Abreeza.  True to the Ayala aesthetics, the mall is a design masterpiece fusing contemporary design with nature.  The spacious area is a balance of modernity and greenery which is truly work with nature.  SO many shops of all sorts in this four level multi complex mall with Robinson's Department store inside of it.  This set up is the ideal concept of shopping and space.

From a distance.

Stairway to shopping heaven.

On the right path.

SSI stores about to open soon.

Floor plan.

Just like the movies.

Mod lighting fixtures.

The activity center.

How can one resist the beauty of nature as it exists side by side with mod infrastructure.  The author couldn't help but take shots of the sight of  beautiful flora sprawling in the heart of stone.

Flower pot.

Abreeza's wonder woman Jenny Abiar.

We came to Davao in two group because half of the team was doing Style Origins Bonifacio High Street the day before.  Below are pics of the advance team:

JCA's Poly Laurito.

Junior Associate stylist Donna Gonzales Lim.

Senior Associate Stylist Reg Rodriguez.

The author.

Day 3 was when the entire team was finally complete and we heard that the Style Origin Bonifacio High Street was a complete success--we miss you Rudolph Leonor, Mikka Velasquez together with the author's fashion communcation students Teri Marcelo, Nicole Santos, Jeanne Khe and Pam Bassig.  Of course the band for this leg was Rico Blanco who did an awesome soundtrack again.  Personally, Abreeza had the biggest crowd to date since the mall that day was packed with people on all floors.  The Style Origin series by the Ayala Malls has been a great ride for JCA, tenants, suppliers, models, makeup artists, bands and not to forget the style team.  Good times, good memories and a lot of good food hahahahaha!  Touring the Ayala Mall around the country was definitely great time and fun altogether--the team wouldn't mind doing it all over again.  A superb summer celebration for both music and fashion!!!  Cheers to Style Origin.  

Hail to the Queen.  Director and birthday celebrant Jackie Aquino with BJ Santos.

Wake up.  Erin Zuluaga and Gary Dulatas.

Designer Pablo Cabahug with the Style Team and their Al Da Vinco bag finds.

Morning play.  Donna Gonzales Lim, Pablo Cabahug, Erin Zuluaga and Poly Laurito.

The author, deigner Pablo Cabahug, Poly Laurito with Abreeza's Jenny Abiar.

Style Narratives and heyrocketgirl with glowing mom to be Maj.

The guide.

Backstage alley.

Golden ABC (Regatta, Memo, Penshoppe, Forme and Oxygen)  is the earliest to arrive.

Final stages.

Boho chic as show opener from Promod.

All the single ladies.

Davao boys.

30 minutes before show time, check out the crowd.

 The author is still waiting for the pictures of the Bonifacio High Street show.  Will be posting it soon.