Cafe Mediterranean: Flavors of the Sun

Cafe Mediterranean, or Cafe Med as it is casually referred to by some foodies, has been around the scene for some time. The original location of this restaurant was in Chimes and I honestly do not know if that branch is still open because I haven't been there in a long while. Nonetheless, the opening of a new branch at Abreeza made them more accessible to those who would like to enjoy authentic Mediterranean dishes that I still consider to be rare in Davao. But if you are a big fan of this cuisine, like I am, this will hopefully make do while we wait for an authentic Greek or Mediterranean restaurant to do business in the city. Hello Cyma, I'm talking to you!

Cafe Mediterranean was known for their Buy 1, Take 1 Pizza Promo available from 2-5PM on weekdays (there was a point when this was the craze in Davao and almost every pizza shop had this offer!). Although I never got the chance to take advantage of that promo offer, I remembered ordering mostly their pizzas during my few trips to their Chimes branch.

The ambiance of Cafe Mediterranean in Abreeza is nearly an exact replica of their original branch. It does help to reinforce the experience of being in a Mediterranean restaurant wherein you are enjoying some pasta, cheese, and wine. But ambiance is just one step into the experience - food is what it will all come down to.

It starts with Mediterranean Pasta (P 265) that has all the goodness you would expect from a pasta that bears that name. The penne pasta comes with sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, grilled eggplants and zucchini, and anchovies. The flavor of this pasta is rather subtle, but you cannot help but notice the lovely aroma coming from the olives, olive oil, and grilled vegetables. Simply enticing!

Another dish that we've tried is the Cafe Mediterranean Kofta (P 140), simply out of curiosity because it was listed as one of their must-try dishes. There are two options for the pita bread used for preparing this dish - regular or whole wheat pita. We opted for the latter, which I believe is a bit more expensive. The meat is a combination of ground beef and lamb that is savored with various herbs and grilled on skewers. We were slightly disappointed with the choice to go with the whole wheat pita bread because the aroma is slightly too overwhelming that it clashed with the aroma of the meat. There was simply too much going on. We both agreed there and then that the pasta dish was our favorite.

Have you tried dining at Cafe Mediterranean?

Cafe Med: Flavors of the Sun is located at G/F of Abreeza Ayala Mall (the side fronting the fountain).

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Dinner at Annipie Malvar

Annipie is a homegrown restaurant that has expanded to more than just a place where people go to for their famous cinnamon rolls. There are a few items on the menu for those wanting to have their lunch or dinner, too. However, the promise of delicious desserts (with their famous cinnamon rolls, revel bars, cheese bars, butterscotch, and other pastries beckoning at you from a nearby glass shelf) is what makes every dine something to look forward to.

The Oriental Cream Dory (P 95) is a light dish that is perfect for fish lovers. The aroma coming from the ginger and onion helped to liven up the flavor of the fish. I can definitely taste the oriental flavors coming through and it was a delight to the taste buds.

This Bolognese Spaghetti (P 69) is just good. I expected nothing better, though. Or, it could be simply a matter of preference because Annipie's version is Filipino-style wherein the marinara sauce is slightly sweet whereas I prefer the Italian version that comes with a slightly tangy and savory sauce.

Oh, this Pistachio Sans Rival (P 85) came as a huge surprise for me. I was never a fan of pistachio before but now, I might reconsider. In fact, I prefer this one over the original buttery sans rival wherein I find the scent and flavor of the butter too overwhelming.



This cappuccino cinnamon roll (P 35) is notably one of the best desserts I have had in a long while. It is sweet, but not too sweet. Love the drizzle of cinnamon syrup to top it off, too. The aroma makes it all the more enticing.

Also Read: Annipie's Delicious Cinnamon Rolls

What is your favorite item at Annipie?

Annipie - Your Cinnamon Destination

Contact Nos.: 295-3022 (Malvar Branch), 295-3799 (Ecoland Branch)

Annipie - Your Cinnamon Destination @ Facebook

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Experience the Best of Paris in Davao at The French Baker

The French Baker opens its newest concept store in SM Lanang Premier, which also marks the 51st branch for the franchise and their first in Mindanao. With the new concept store, The French Baker promises to offer nothing short of fancy as they give Davaoenos the opportunity to experience the "good life" through their authentic French pastries and menu items available in-store. Hence, you don't have to travel to Paris in order to experience the best of French cuisine first-hand as The French Baker brings it to Davao.

The French Baker CEO, and the French baker himself, Johnlu Koa, is proud of his latest innovation and cannot wait for Davao folks to experience the sum of inspirations he had gathered from his trips to Paris and Europe. According to Koa, he contemplated on introducing The French Baker brand to Davao several years ago when the first SM mall opened its doors in Davao. However, he wanted to polish his culinary craft first so that he can deliver unique baked pastries and treats that will overwhelm the competition. With the new SM supermall and a thriving tourist and economic industry in Davao, he felt that now is the most opportune moment to introduce the brand to Davao.

 

 

It starts with the location and interior design of The French Baker concept store. It is strategically located in front of the SM Lanang Fountain Court so that diners can marvel at the famous dancing fountain show while enjoying their French treats. Meanwhile, the interior design looks and feels like a true Parisian patisserie or bakery-cafe. Stepping into this store literally feels like being in Paris with its spacious and elegant interiors and an indoor al fresco area. The store is also divided into two main sections: the Patisserie and the Tea Salon or Salon de The.

You will have plenty of options to marvel your time with - be awed by the largest dancing fountain show in the country, stay connected with their WiFi, or you can get a sample of the Parisian taste that helped catapult The French Baker to the fore of the country's gastronomic landscape.


In order to drum up publicity for the opening of their new, larger concept store at SM Lanang Premier, The French Baker held a media day to officially introduce the new restaurant location. In the said event, media folks were also given the opportunity to sample the best treats from The French Baker to give everyone a glimpse of what is in store for them.

Here are a few of the treats we were able to sample at the said event:

Bread Basket with a tray of dips (chicken liver pate, chutney and relish)

Tuna Salad

Sweet Corn Chowder

Entrees (Squid Ink Pasta, Ravioli, Cochinillo, Salt Crusted Baked Bass, Fried Chicken, and Beef Burgundy)

The Patisserie section is what really caught my eye. The French Baker has truly expanded beyond what they had been known for - baking breads - and had excelled at cake and pastry making. I cannot decipher the right words to describe how heavenly each dessert tasted - guess you need to find out for yourself!

Also read: The French Baker Pastry Treats

Swan Puffs - Swan shaped puffs that are baked using a cream puff dough and filled with traditional pasty cream and finished off with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Charlotte - A sponge cake made from lady fingers in a mini cake shape then filled with cream, strawberry coulis, and a variety of fruits.

Chocolate Concorde - Chocolate meringue wafers that is filled with concorde cream out of chocolate ganache. 

French Macaroons - When talking about The French Baker, there is one thing you shouldn't miss out on - their famous French Macaroons.

More desserts and pastries are available at The French Baker's patisserie so be sure to indulge!

 

The French Baker is located at G/F Fountain Court area of SM Lanang Premier.

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Yakimix Now Open at Abreeza Mall

It's no secret that I am a big fan of Japanese cuisine. In fact, I've professed time and again that it is one of those cuisines that I can eat everyday and not get sick of it. I have tried nearly every Japanese restaurant in Davao, but here is another one to add to my growing list - Yakimix. 

Last October 6, Yakimix opened its doors to Davaoenos wherein Japanese food aficionados can relish notable Japanese dishes for a luxury buffet treat! Yes, a Japanese buffet! If that is not enough to excite your taste buds, wait until you hear about their opening promo!

When you dine at Yakimix from October 6 to 20, 2013, all customers can enjoy the 20% discount offer! This means that prices for lunch buffet are now at P390 instead of the original P488, and the promo rate for dinner buffet is at P470 from the original P588.

Yakimix is located at the second floor of Abreeza Mall. They can be reached via the following contact number for inquiries/reservations: (082) 285-3333. 

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