Davao Food Appreciation Tour (Davao F.A.T.) 2009
Over the weekend, Brendel and I joined bloggers from Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and General Santos City in a food appreciation tour around Davao City.
This year’s edition, ably organized and generously sponsored by Davao Deli and Davao Foodie, is the second iteration of one of the most anticipated blogging events in Davao City.
Davao F.A.T. 2009 kicked off with a blast at Tadakuma, a Japanese restaurant located at the Damosa Business Center in Lanang, Davao City.
I particularly enjoyed the Sukiyaki and the California Maki. The Sukiyaki was perfect as it was raining on the day we went to Tadakuma. I read Sukiyaki is usually served during the cold days of the year in Japan. We also indulged on Atuyaki (tofu-based dish), Yasai Itame (veggies), Gyoza (dumplings), Yakisoba (fried noodles), Chahan (fried rice), and Mixed Sashimi (raw fish and squid).




After the delectable lunch at Tadakuma, the group headed to the Museo Dabawenyo where our Manila guests got a glimpse of Davao City’s cultural heritage.
The following day, the GenSan folks joined the group at Outland Adventure in conquering the Xcelerator –longest and fastest ZipLine in Asia.
Hungry and all pumped-up, the bloggers separated into two groups. Blogie and the Manila folks went to Pepper & Peppers while Brendel, MiGs, and I joined Avel and his GenSan group at Ranchero Grill in Tionko St., Davao City. CDO blogger and wordpress theme designer, ChiQ Montes was also in tow.
Our group was treated to a royal feast at Ranchero Grill. I don’t usually eat pork but with Ranchero Grill’s succulent Baby Back Ribs, I ate like there was no tomorrow! We also feasted on Ranchero Grill’s Seafood Platter, Pochero, and the table-sized Angus Feast.




Later in the day, we went to the Davao Crocodile Park for some animal fun and then proceeded to Ram’s Lechon Manok and Seafood Restaurant for dinner. This alfresco restaurant is located along Quimpo Boulevard, Davao City. Restaurant owners, Mr. Ram and Mrs. Ruby Magtoto, were around to make sure we were comfortable and taken care of.
The food at Ram’s Lechon Manok and Seafood Restaurant is very good. Their sizzling squid in teriyaki sauce is heaven-sent and the white marlin sweet & sour fillet is so soft it feels like it’s going to melt in your mouth.




This weekend’s gastronomic adventure wasn’t only about food. It was also a great opportunity for bloggers to meet up, gain new friends, and who would have thought – get engaged!



about 12 months ago
great post Lyle ! nice to meet you and the other bloggers too ! I loved Tadakuma cause everything was delicious ! The broth from the sukiyaki so tasty that even if they only served the soup portion, I would’ve loved it anyways.
And of course thanks for being a part of witnessing my proposal
Cya online !
about 12 months ago
My warmest congratulations, jaydj! It was nice meeting you and Aileen.
about 12 months ago
Ambilis naman makapagpost.
Neeways, great photos. I see you’ve already applied the “vi-nig-nette” technique.
Can’t wait to see the rest of the photos.
about 12 months ago
@chattee
Hehehe! I’ve always wanted to try the “vi-nig-nette” technique.
about 12 months ago
Sarap!
Uy kuya.. yung weekly food trip natin ha!
about 12 months ago
Basta pagkain, koya MiGs…. Di namin tatanggihan yan!
about 12 months ago
It was nice to have met you guys!
about 12 months ago
Sheng, it was nice meeting you too.
about 12 months ago
wow!! sarap!!! galing ng food shots mo! nakakagutom!
about 12 months ago
Yeah, sarap! Sana i can take photos as good as yours, Leonard. Thanks for commenting here, idol!
about 12 months ago
haay.. wala pa akong post! hehe.. twas really fun being with you and brendel lyle.. sa uulitin
about 12 months ago
It was fun having you around too, ChiQ! See you at MBS3!
about 12 months ago
Wow authentic Jap food.. looks so much like the food they serve here. Maybe the only diff is that the Sukiyaki and Yakisoba here are usually cooked “on-table” by the customers.
I wonder how much the whole set costs in Tadakuma because ordering all the food posted above probably costs around 20K Yen (P10K) at a restaurant here (good for 4 persons).
about 12 months ago
Definitely not as expensive, Chi. Maybe it’s a lot more expensive there ‘coz you get to dine with real-life geishas. Hehehe!
about 12 months ago
Ay! Naunahan ako ni Sweetie dito! It was great seeing you again! Punta ka Manila for iBlog5!
about 12 months ago
Hi Aileen, thanks for dropping by! It was a great experience witnessing Ms. Google Philippines get engaged. My best wishes to you and Jay!
about 12 months ago
@ Lyle
Wuaahhh ahg luffeet ng food, sayang i was not able to join…
about 12 months ago
iceman9, yeah the food was great. well, there’s always a next time. see you around!
about 11 months ago
weheehehe… nice to meet you ya lyle… hehehe… tagal ko before nakacomment… hehehe… anyways, nice blog entry… Tempting and interesting… Gbu..
about 11 months ago
Thanks for this post, Lyle!
about 11 months ago
Thanks for all the great blogging events that you initiate, Blogie.
Davao and even Mindanao’s blogging landscape wouldn’t be as fun and vibrant without your efforts.
about 11 months ago
ya lyle, may photoshare ako, from picasa, ito ang link po… DFAT DAY 2 hehehe http://picasaweb.google.com/ceejaysalas/OutlandAdventuresXcelerator#
about 11 months ago
Nice photos, Christian! See you around.
about 11 months ago
hi, lyle! ‘Te jinks here. . .
Nice pics, pa grab ha. . . la pa ko post about Ram’s Resto kc. . .
Tnx. . . regards to Brendel
about 11 months ago
Sure, no problem. Thank you for sponsoring our stay last weekend.
about 10 months ago
Hi Lyle! It was my first time to join DFAT which I really enjoyed specially meeting cool bloggers from Davao, Cagayan and Manila. By the way I grab few pictures you took for my blog=) I hope ok lang?
Today I’m applying what I’ve learned from you and sir Blogie during WP seminar.. Thanks for sharing your fantastic ideas.. Sana meron ulit next time =)
about 10 months ago
Sure, no problem. I had a fantastic time at GenSan. Yeah, sana may next time pa. There’s so much more to learn about wordpress, SEO, and adsense.