Davao

We went out last night with one of WR's friends who was visiting Davao for the first time, and who has fallen in love with the city. He was with a stunning young nursing student whom he had met courtesy of Filipina Heart, and we went to Henny's. There's nothing at all unusual about going to De Bonte Koe for us of course, but what surprised me was how early the Patio outside of the restaurant became chock full of young, good looking people out for a good time. By the time we left, at about 11, it was strictly standing room only both at the adjacent Someplace Else, the smaller restaurants alongside, and the Patio. There were literally hundreds of people, at least half of whom were women. This was clearly the place to be.

Coincidentally, Henny's was full, and the diners happened, for the most part, to be people I knew. It seems like most of the expats I know in Davao had spontaneously decided to eat there last night. So the atmosphere was festive, with lots of table hopping and laughter. Also, the food, as usual, was excellent, and WR's friend and his date enjoyed the experience. It has just the right admixture of fine dining and informality that makes going there an extremely pleasant experience. It's also the only place in town that has steak tartar made to my liking and last night was no exception.

Henny has long recognized the value of consistency, and it's obviously paying off for him. Claude has been extremely I'll, and his absence has had the predictable effect on the overall quality of dining there. Claude's daughter Celine seems to have decided that, having establishing Farfalla, her presence is no longer required, so she's often no there, with the predictable consequence that the quality has declined, and the range of entrees has shrunk. Similarly Annie, who created two decent restaurants-Spirale and Terra Buena-appears to have concluded that she's now "established," and therefore doesn't have to worry about actually managing her restaurants any more, again with the inevitable deterioration in food and service quality.

Filipino restauranteurs seem to feel that, once they've established reasonably good places, the battle is over. They don't appear to realize the necessity of consistent effort to maintain quality, and appear either not to notice, or perhaps not to care, the inexorable loss of patronage that follows such a decision.

We went to Chico's for some drinks and live music after our meal. Chico's for those who don't know Davao, is directly in front of Henny's and visible from Rizal St. It too was full of people, albeit with a slightly older crowd. Now Chico's is not a place to pick up women as it's populated largely by couples, or groups of couples. However, it's a good venue for those who succeed at the Patio or Someplace Else, and who want to lead their newly-found friends to a slightly more intimate locale. It has a dance floor and live music, which offers a way to break the ice with a woman you've just met, in a way that the adjacent venues do not.

We left Chico's after 1 AM, by WR's friend and his lovely woman decided to end the evening at Bar 183, which we passed on our way home. The crowd there was small, and I think that the growing popularity of the Patio and Someplace Else have siphoned off substantial business from the entire Rizal Promenade. While walking to the car, we met a beautiful woman whom we know, as she used to be a singer with one of the bands that appeared regularly at Chico's. She and her partner were headed to the Auto Shop for some "clubbing," as she put it. Given that by this time it was well after 1 o'clock. This may mean that the Auto Mall offers a late night/early morning alternative to going home alone. That is, it may serve as a last ditch locale for finding a friend for the evening in case you've struck out at other places. This is pure speculation on my part, since after 1, I turn into a pumpkin and have to go home.

GE

Guys,

As it is I plan to return to Davao, alone, just before Kidapawan commences. Wolfgang at ApoView has reserved me my usual room for a minimum of ten days. I am still considering first flying to CDO. But then I may have the long bus ride as my only option to get me here during the festival.

Personally, I hate these fiestas. This one begins Aug 18 and ends Aug 22. The city will be full of filipinos here to visit relatives. During this time everyone is to have their house in perfect order, food/drink on the table and an "open door" policy for visitors. I know the routine from having a place in Leyte on the ocean. Never visit during fiesta but get urgent calls from my daughter and her mother for funds so they can entertain in fashion.

Last time I was in Davao during this madness was 2004 when I was living with GE. I vaguely remember more than a few fistfights, having to retrieve GoodEnough's class ring from some hooker who stole it and dealing with crowds everywhere. Plenty of pussy but THERE IS ALWAYS PLENTY OF PUSSY IN DAVAO! No need for a festival for this.

So now I have my Hotel here. I can bring my new Mommy and our daughter but that leaves them having to return to Manila alone. Not a good idea at all considering she will be carrying a newborn girl and baby things. I am also considering going here and then flying to CDO during fiesta to avoid this nonsense. I can then return after the festival or go by bus but stopping along the way in General Santos and Butuan to sample the local pussy. Of course I will bring my own wines so I can at least drink in the fashion of a gentleman in these rural towns.

Dragon Slayer

Hey Guys,

Don't hang out much on this forum but me and the GF are traveling to davao, her home town. In Manila for the weekend but there on Monday, if anyone is up to a non-mongering drink please let me know.

Cheers

Lostwodpun,

GoodEnough was scheduled to return in the early morning by plane from Zamboanga City to Davao City. This was before the suicide bomber in ZC yesterday. When I spoke to him it was 8:30PM Thursday evening. He was unsure what to do and had to hang up as he was getting a security briefing at his Hotel.

He enjoys meeting guys from ISG and Henny's de Bonte Koe or Claude's Cafe de Ville, both in Habana Compound on Rizal St, are very good for a Friday or Saturday evening.

I believe this will have a dramatic impact on foreigners travelling to the Mindanao. I suspect that the Kidapawan Festival, opening Aug 18, will be adversely affected. Davao recently loosened security at its formerly very secure Airport. Hopefully, they will get it tightened up now.

The CDO Airport has no fucking security and would be a fine venue for suicide bombers. Just a short distance to Zamboanga City also. I will still go here as I do have some confidence in authorities to tighten things after the fact.

Dragon Slayer

[QUOTE=Lostwodpun]Hey Guys,

Don't hang out much on this forum but me and the GF are traveling to davao, her home town. In Manila for the weekend but there on Monday, if anyone is up to a non-mongering drink please let me know.

Cheers[/QUOTE]I would normally be available, but I found out today that I have to be in Manila on Sunday, so all of next week is pretty much shot to hell for me. However, if you need any help with places to stay or places to go, send me a PM and I'll be glad to respond.

GE

We ate last night, together with friends, at Farfalla. The good news is that Celina has returned and the food and service have returned to their previous standards. The additional good news is that she's found a new wine distributor, and is changing her wine list to include nothing but French wines. We had two bottles of a delicious Bordeaux which, at Php1950 a bottle, was fairly priced. It was so good that I asked her to save me a couple of bottles for pick up later in the week when I return to Davao.

I had some lovely spicy New Zealand mussels, a tenderloin with roquefort sauce, potatoes dauphinois, and a ratatouille, all of which were cooked to perfection. The total bill for the four of us, including two bottles of wine and tip was Php7,000, which I thought was quite reasonable.

The other piece of news is that her father's restaurant, Claude's Cafe de Ville, is moving to the other side of Rizal St. and down to corner of Rizal and San Pedro. Apparently, he's found an old Spanish-style house that he's remodeling completely to accommodate the restaurant, which will be on the second floor. The first floor will be devoted to "un cave" or wine cellar, stocked only with French wines provided by a new partner, who is also a Sommelier and wine distributor. The first floor may also feature a cigar bar.

Celina anticipates that the newly-renovated restaurant will be open by Christmas, so I suggested that she host a reveillon, which is sort of an all night French New Year's Eve party, featuring Champagne and food. She thought it was a fine idea, though I have no idea if it's going to happen. If it does, I'll be the first in line to but the prix fixe reservation.

The new Ayala Center is emerging slowly but steadily, and it's completion should be marked by the opening of the Davao branch of several of the restaurants that occupy similar centers in Makati and Cebu. Those restaurants, coupled with Claude's, Farfalla, Henny's De Bonte Koe and a few other slightly lesser lights, should make for a more diverse choice of upper scale dining establishments in Davao.

GE

Going to see the in-laws on Tuesday then might go out to pearl farm for the next weekend. Back to Manila on Sunday the 15th the fly to dubai late that night. Been taking a few notes on hang outs but seeing I closely watched this I'm my mongering will be zip till I get back to manila alone.

Thanks again

Me and the gf tried Chico's not bad but the smell inside was a little harsh. I think they had recently painted. We left around midnight, very few people but the food was good. No wg's from what I could tell.

[QUOTE=Lostwodpun]Me and the gf tried Chico's not bad but the smell inside was a little harsh. I think they had recently painted. We left around midnight, very few people but the food was good. No wg's from what I could tell.[/QUOTE]Chico's just reopened after a fresh renovation, which was undoubtedly why it still smells faintly of paint. I can't say that there are never working girls there, but I've never see any. Chico's is largely a place for couples and groups of friends. It also tends to attract an older crowd (at least I don't stand out quite so much there) and a less boisterous one than Someplace Else, which is directly around the corner, or the bars on Torres St.

GE

I'm glad to hear you're eating and drinking well GE.

I hope Claude tries to keep the charm of the old Spanish home. There are a few in Cebu that are in advanced disrepair and it's a shame. December opening...hope I can make it. X

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]We ate last night, together with friends, at Farfalla. The good news is that Celina has returned and the food and service have returned to their previous standards. SNIP

The other piece of news is that her father's restaurant, Claude's Cafe de Ville, is moving to the other side of Rizal St. and down to corner of Rizal and San Pedro. Apparently, he's found an old Spanish-style house that he's remodeling completely to accommodate the restaurant, which will be on the second floor. The first floor will be devoted to "un cave" or wine cellar, stocked only with French wines provided by a new partner, who is also a Sommelier and wine distributor. The first floor may also feature a cigar bar.

Celina anticipates that the newly-renovated restaurant will be open by Christmas, so I suggested that she host a reveillon, which is sort of an all night French New Year's Eve party, featuring Champagne and food. She thought it was a fine idea, though I have no idea if it's going to happen. If it does, I'll be the first in line to but the prix fixe reservation.

The new Ayala Center is emerging slowly but steadily, and it's completion should be marked by the opening of the Davao branch of several of the restaurants that occupy similar centers in Makati and Cebu. Those restaurants, coupled with Claude's, Farfalla, Henny's De Bonte Koe and a few other slightly lesser lights, should make for a more diverse choice of upper scale dining establishments in Davao.

GE[/QUOTE]

Guys,

I will arrive here tonight. Not for Kidapawan but for Kidapussy. Been a quiet time here in Makati, just myself, my newborn daughter and her mother.

Dragon Slayer

Usually, when it's Kadayawan time, I avoid the downtown area like the plague, but last night I either developed amnesia or the urge for steak tartar outweighed my better judgment and so we hopped in the car and blithely drove off toward Henny's. All was fine until we hit the intersection in front of the Apo View, when all of the streets became a solid ribbon of motorized steel. The geniuses who control traffic here of course decided to exacerbate the problem by switching all of the traffic signals to blinking lights, to which no one paid any attention, and then further added to the mayhem by scheduling trash and garbage pick ups, so enormous garbage trucks, typically stopped for 5 minutes at a time, and added to the mayhem. It normally takes me 20 minutes to get to Henny's. Last night it took the better part of an hour and I had to park about a kilometer from the restaurant.

The good news, for those who aren't into traffic reports, is that every bar, street, club, restaurant and eatery was packed with hundreds, maybe thousands of people, all of them up for a party. The concrete terrace that runs from Someplace Else to slightly beyond Henny's (De Bonte Koe) was mobbed, as was Chico's the live music place in front. I have no idea what percentage of the thousands of young, sexily-dressed women thronging the Rizal St. area were cruising for something more than a drink, but even if 5% of them were so inclined, the pickings were huge and the range of choice very wide.

Many think, and I agree, that the annual festival is annoying. Traffic is impossible, hotel rooms are scarce, and even pedestrian traffic is congested. The upside though, at least as it appeared to me, is that there's a general air of festivity, of expectation and a certain recklessness that you just don't see at other times of the year. For those who can cope with the noise, congestion and general insanity, it might present a worthwhile experience.

GE

I said it before. Tons of young provincial curiosity just poor into Davao see during these festivals. And a good deal of them just ignored to arrange a place to sleep. Need I say more?

All of these festivals is just one festival for me. The Big Provincial Punani Festival.

Thanks for keeping this forum alive, guys.

B

[QUOTE=Barba]Davao see...[/QUOTE]Was Davao C as in Davao City before someone "helped" me.

Counting the weeks and even days now.

B

[QUOTE=Barba]I said it before. Tons of young provincial curiosity just poor into Davao see during these festivals. And a good deal of them just ignored to arrange a place to sleep. Need I say more?

All of these festivals is just one festival for me. The Big Provincial Punani Festival.

Thanks for keeping this forum alive, guys.

B[/QUOTE]Somehow I don't think banners reading: "Annual Davao Punani Festival (formerly known as Kadayawan)" would go over too well with the local authorities. However, I'm sure Barba--who has explored more of the nooks and crannies of Davao than anyone else I know--is correct. I just returned from three nights in CDO, and my visit happened to correspond to the local fiesta there, where I observed the same phenomena. The city was jumping and jammed with people. The hotels, or at least my hotel, was full, and the streets were crowded, even during the day.

GE