I Love Don Beppe Ristorante!

I could name a few good Italian restaurants in the city. I am no connoisseur but my love for Italian cuisine has taken me to a few restaurants in the city offering this very same cuisine. When I am craving any Italian dish, I know exactly where to go. One of my recent favorites is Don Beppe Italian Ristorante. If you’re like me (who enjoys Italian dishes), chances are you’ve been here before. If not, then you don’t love Italian enough (ha!).

There’s so much to love about Don Beppe. But I would like to point out three reasons that bring it to the top of my favorite Italian restos here in Davao: Superb food, warm service, and affordability.

Superb Food

I don’t really have a very big appetite but if I had a choice, I would’ve ordered more just to sample Don Beppe’s dishes. But here are some food shots on our recent trip to Don Beppe at Gaisano Mall, The Peak. 

Complementary: Breadsticks and Tomato Ragu

Heavenly!

Roma Beef Pizza

Lasagna

Warm Service

I would like to emphasize the “warm” service over anything else because I really do feel like they have one of the most friendly staffs. As a bonus? Don Beppe himself will also serve a glass of champagne, which was absolutely delish!

and amazing ambiance!

Affordability

Many of those who haven’t tried dining at Don Beppe were probably intimidated by it. Sure, locals have this misconception that dining in European restaurants, especially authentic ones, can be an expensive fare. Wrong!

Food choices in Don Beppe range from PhP 150-PhP300, which is really quite affordable. And the best part? They offer good value. You get more than what you pay for. And I bet my money that the moment you’ve tasted Don Beppe’s offerings that you’d be willing to pay more than what’s actually on the menu (though I am not complaining). It is therefore a testament to the fact that you don’t have to break your bank in order to taste good and authentic Italian food! Thank you, Don Beppe. :)  

My Favorite Post-Workout Meal

Even though I love food and find it so difficult to diet, I try to at least watch what I eat nowadays to make it worth all the time I've put in the gym. This is why it has been a challenge to find the best place to eat after workout. I'm trying to make mental notes of what I can eat, and most especially what I cannot eat. 


Thankfully, we have Mandarin Tea Garden close to where the gym is. So, it is real convenient to get something healthy and lean to bite into after a tiring workout. Here is my favorite - Beef Wanton Noodle Soup. 

Mandarin Tea Garden's Beef Wanton Noodle Soup

This is a very delicious soup with lots of lean meat to keep me full but not too heavy on the tummy. I love the texture of the noodles, too - you can really tell that it is homemade and not the pre-packaged type. 

The next time you are on a diet, or simply want something healthier to eat, opt for this one. Plus,  it's affordable too!

Zabadani: Now At The Peak!

 
My mind still carries vivid thoughts of that tiny nook in Rizal St. that Zabadani used to call home. I didn't really hold high expectations from Zabadani then, especially since it emerged at a time wherein Davao went through what was basically a coffee shop craze (seriously, there were a chockload of coffee shops opening in nearly every part of the city). So... what could make Zabadani special? 

Zabadani at Gaisano Mall's The Peak

Boy was I in for some surprise. The layered coffee they served were generous in portions and very affordable! It was the only one in Davao. And so, I was really thankful to my friend for introducing me to Zabadani. Ever since then, I've been a loyal patron and still is today. 

When I learned that Zabadani Cafe is opening a branch at the Peak in Gaisano Mall, I couldn't help but gleam with pride and joy knowing that I got to see how it started and grown to what it is today. The dedication that Wadi puts into every dish he serves to his customers is probably one reason why people keep coming back here. And they will no doubt create a new breed of customers as those who get to sample Zabadani's cuisine for the first time will surely get themselves hooked. 

Zabadani Menu

If you haven't been to Zabadani Cafe at the Peak, be sure to visit them when you get the chance. They have an updated menu and you can also avail of new promos that Wadi, the owner, has in store for his patrons (esp. the loyal Zabbers!). 

Mooon Cafe: Mexican-Inspired Restaurant

Taco Boy, a small Mexican food stall at the mall, was my favorite few years back. Yes, I do have occasional cravings for Mexican food, especially tacos. I like ones with lots of salsa (esp ground beef), onions, and cheese. However, there was never really one true restaurant in Davao that you can call “Mexican” so I always trusted that food stall to satisfy my cravings for anything Mexican.

Until... Abreeza opened and Mooon Cafe opted to open a branch in this new mall. They do not solely serve Mexican foods, however, because the menu offers a wide selection of international cuisine. Last New Year's Eve, I had a chance to experience their cuisine and one that I would highly recommend!

For our order, we tried their best seller Mooon Steak. This is a sizzling pork steak that comes served with its own gravy sauce and mixed vegetables on the side. This is affordably priced at PhP 185, which is an excellent value for its price. Plus, the meat is well cooked and extremely tender to the bite.

We also had Chicken Mozarella Melt, which is breaded chicken that is deep fried. It also comes with a fresh tomato mixture, wherein the tartness coming from the tomato provides a good contrast with the saltiness of the breaded chicken and cheese. This one is available for PhP 175.

Finally, we had Hawaiian Pizza for PhP 150. This is a ten-inch pizza that comes with a soft crust and topped with ham, pineapple, and LOTS of cheese!

Want to try eating Mexican? You can never go wrong with Mooon Cafe. It is an affordable fare that does not compromise on quality food and service. Two thumbs up!