Claude’s Le Cafe De Ville

“You should never let your fears prevent you

from doing what you know is right.”

- Aung San Suu Kyi

I know two of the right things to do are eat and enjoy. I passed by this charming ancestral house (turned into a restaurant) at night and it looks so inviting as if inside time stands still. And since I can never resist its gravitational pull, I returned the next day.

The Oboza ancestral house, built in 1929 belonged to the first mayor of Davao City, Alfonso Oboza. It has been restored to its former glory with a little touch of modernity, and is now the home of Claude’s famous fine dining authentic French restaurant.

The Oboza couple

Warm bread with salsa and butter

Claude’s Caesar’s salad

Grilled blue marlin

Shrimp carbonara

Claude’s cheesecake

I love French food, the cozy interiors, the smell of the past, and of course the lone red rose in every table. I truly found an heirloom in the heart of Davao City.

Claude’s Le Cafe De Ville

#29 Rizal St., Paseo de Habana

Davao City

Tel. No.: (082) 222-4287

Ponce Suites and Kublai Café: Art Beyond Normalcy

Kublai Millan’s art of nonconformity amazes me. He defies standards. He is a man courageous enough to pursue his own passion, take risks and accomplish something great that future generations could still marvel at. His beautiful creations are all over Mindanao and one of those is Ponce Suites. The unconventional hotel has always been my home whenever I’m in Davao.

Through his mind-stirring artworks which could be found all over the place - from the entrance, facade, stairs, walls, café to the rooftop, one will discover Kublai’s journey from darkness to enlightenment. Stay overnight or dine at Kublai Kafé and you will have the chance to enter his world of insanity and beauty, float with the buoyancy of his soul, and play with his inner child.

with Kublai's mom

Durian ice cream

Vegie pasta

Meat lover pizza

Ponce Suites: The Unconvention Center

Roads 3 & 4, Dona Vicenta  Village

Bajada, Davao City

Hellenic Hotel Manos Greek Taverna

“I would like to be the air that inhabits you for a moment only.

I would like to be that unnoticed and that necessary.”

- Margaret Atwood

Beet root salad

Pasticcio

Gemista

Grilled souvlaki with potato fries

Baklava

Black tea

Hellenic Hotel Manos Greek Taverna

#52 Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City

Astoria Plaza, Ortigas

"Chances are we'll find two destinations."

- Five for Fighting

I stopped giving out second chances like free candy treats you get during Halloween. Chances aren’t cheap. They should be worth something special like delicious black tiger prawns or an overnight stay with good high school friends in a homey suite overlooking the city.

Hot chocolate

Assorted bread

Salmon carbonara

Black tiger prawns

Red pasta side dish 

Green tea cake

I enjoyed our four-movie marathon (although I already fell asleep halfway the second movie), sunset watching and pigging out!

Thanks Nes for this Halloween (trick and) treat!