Dinner at Max's Abreeza

"The house that fried chicken built" - That is the tagline for Max's brand. This has always intrigued me because it is rare for most restaurants to come up with such a huge promise and nail it. Some meet expectations, while others under-deliver. But if you've survived several decades in the business, I guess it only indicates one thing. 

Max's Fried Chicken is a restaurant chain that was first introduced in the Philippines in 1945, post World War II. The restaurant was named after Maximo Gimenez, a teacher who set up a cafe wherein he served chicken and steak. Eventually, the menu expanded to offer mainly Filipino style dishes and it was only a matter of time until Max's burst into the scene and became one of the most popular restaurants during that time. Max's started to open up franchising opportunities in 1998.

With over 127 branches in the Philippines, Max's in Abreeza is one of the most recent restaurants to be added into the brand's growing list. My recent dinner at Max's isn't my first time, but it is for a long time. I can remember during the 90's that there was a Max's branch in SM City Davao but it closed and then returned to Davao in Abreeza when the mall opened last year. Hence, this is another opportunity for the famous fried chicken restaurant to appeal to this generation's discerning taste for fried chicken, especially given that there are a wide array of options for restaurants specializing in this particular dish (in a wide range of prices, too). 

We started off our meal with this Cream of Mushroom Soup. This is one of my favorite soups of all time, including seafood chowder. Max's version is rich and creamy. If only the waiter could remember to serve it with its own dedicated spoon, this meal would have started off on a better note.

Basic Meal

The Basic Meal set is a yet satisfying combination of the famous Max's fried chicken (quarter size), steamed rice, and a caramel bar. This meal set also comes with free drinks. I opted for their Iced Tea. This fried chicken is arguably one of the best I've tasted - crispy on the outside, yet juicy and savory on the inside.

Chicken Barbecue Meal

If you have a bigger appetite, the Chicken Barbecue Meal is a good option at Max's. This meal set consists of two pieces of chicken (leg and thigh portions) that are flame grilled to get that tangy barbecue flavor. Max's chicken barbecue is notable, though, because it is soft on the inside despite having that char-grilled effect on the surface. This, too, comes with its own free drink.

Have you tried Max's in Abreeza? How did you enjoy it?

Max's is located at second floor of Abreeza Ayala Mall.

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Aling Foping's Chili Con Carne

Aling Foping's. When you hear the name, what do you recall? Halo-halo. True, Aling Foping's halo-halo is famous nationwide that people have come to associate it with their famed frozen treat. In fact, tourists from various parts of the country often drop by Aling Foping's to get a taste of the halo-halo that everyone's buzzing about. But did you know that Aling Foping's is also famous for another treat? It's their Chili Con Carne.

Chili Con Carne is a Mexican dish that literally translates to "chili with meat". Judging by the name, you can expect this dish to be slightly spicy since it is a stew made from chili peppers. It also contains ground beef, beans, and tomatoes as ingredients for that tomato-based stew. The dish is seasoned with various spices including garlic, onions, and cumin so you get a spicy kick to every spoonful.

Aling Foping's Chili Con Carne did not disappoint. It was everything it was hyped to be. There was a hint of spice but was not too overpowering that even those who aren't into spicy dishes can still enjoy it. At the same time, the mixture of beef and beans made every spoonful a parade of flavor and texture. My only qualm about Aling Foping's Chili Con Carne is that it might be a tad too expensive for its serving size. Each mini bowl serving will set you back at PhP 105.

Have you tried Aling Foping's Chili con Carne?

Aling Foping's is located at Matina Town Square, McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City.

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De Bonte Koe Restaurant: Taste of European Cuisine

Have you ever walked into a restaurant, tasted their food, and felt like you just stumbled into a gem? I've had several of these experiences but nothing quite like when I dined at De Bonte Koe for the first time. To be quite honest though, I had been eyeing this restaurant for a very long time but was unable to convince myself to dine. But now that I have tried this restaurant, I can boldly claim that it is going to end up in my Top 10 restaurants in Davao list, if I decide to come up with one soon.

The ambiance at De Bonte Koe is romantic, warm, and intimate. There are lots of figurines, wall paintings, and other quirky details that complete the overall vibe of this restaurant. When we settled into a table, the waitress also lit up one of the candles waiting on the table. Talk about a romantic dinner!

One of the things I like about fine dining restaurants are the complimentary treats they offer. In fact, E & I had been secretly assessing a restaurant's quality based on their complimentary. After all, this is a customer's first chance to taste the food they have on offer. This one is not exceptional but still good. I still think that Bon Appetit Le Bistro, Picobello, and Ronaldo's has some of the best complimentary treats from what I've tried so far!

Norwegian Salmon Steak (PhP 395) - This dish consist of a slow roasted salmon over an open flame to keep it tender. Love the fact that the fish isn't overly seasoned - just enough to complement the natural rich flavor of the salmon meat. This dish is served with veggies, mashed potato, and two choices of dip (garlic mayo and pesto). Just when I thought I've tasted the best salmon in my life, I think this one beats them all!

Chili Con Carne (PhP 265) - This is a spicy stew out of the oven that contains chili peppers, lean ground beef, tomatoes and red beans. This Mexican treat is also served with a choice of rice or French bread.

 

Fried Vanilla Ice Cream (PhP 140 for Special) - This dessert is made of a breaded (cookie crumbs) scoop of ice cream that is quickly deep-fried creating a warm, crispy shell around the still-cold ice cream. The dessert is then topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate syrup. When we saw this dessert on the menu, we knew we had to try it! First time to sample fried ice cream and this one is super delicious! Must try!

World class quality meal, top rate service and reasonable prices. All of these factors combine to make De Bonte Koe a dining gem in the city's culinary landscape. The owner is also very accommodating and hands-on with the service. In fact, he treated E to a shot of vodka before starting our meal. Quality food might make you appreciate a restaurant but it is the warm and friendly service that makes you want to come back! And I can guarantee that that won't be the last time we'd be dining at De Bonte Koe.

De Bonte Koe is located at Casa de Habana Compound, Rizal St., Davao City.

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Fish Filfil from Zabadani Cafe

Since my mom had one of her kidneys extracted, her doctors advised her to stay away from a red meat diet and stick to fish instead. Hence, it has been a challenge in the household to come up with different ways to prepare fish to ensure that my mom sticks with her doctor's diet recommendation yet still be able to enjoy her food. A new dish I've tried at Zabadani Cafe just gave me another great idea for preparing my fish that I can do at home. Fish Filfil is a savory dish that also makes for a great comfort food.

Fish Filfil is made with ground Spanish mackerel and seasoned with salt, lemon, fresh parsley, and Zabadani falafel mixture combining various herbs and spices. The ground, seasoned mackerel is then formed into balls and deep-fried until golden brown in color. Voila! You have a simple yet sophisticated dish that will quickly become anyone's favorite!

Don't tell me that doesn't look appetizing. Fish Filfil is available in two serving sizes: P 145 for sagheer or small, P 280 for kabeer or large serving.

Visit Zabadani Cafe at G/F of Gaisano Mall The Peak, JP Laurel Avenue, Davao City.

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