Kaizen Davao | Japanese street dining

Kaizen
/noun/
a Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement of working practices, personal efficiency/ change for the better

I rarely go to Japanese restaurants, not that I don't like their dishes but I just don't. It was an amazing experience though because I think their food is legit. Overall I love it, the only downside is that you have to be early if you don't want to queue. We arrived there at 7:30 p.m. and it took us almost an hour before we were accommodated.

Chopsticks and wet towel

Ramen

Sticky rice

VALUE: ★★★★☆
ATMOSPHERE:★★★☆☆
SERVICE:★★★★☆ ( They are really accommodating and friendly)
FOOD:★★★★☆ (I love their ramen!)

Kaizen Davao
Pryce Road corner F. Torres Street, JP Laurel Ave, Bajada, Davao City

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Laboratoire Cafe Davao / A review

My friends and I visited this new shop in town which is called Laboratoire Cafe. From the name itself, it is inspired by laboratory wares and laboratory feels. It makes me feel like I'm back to my laboratory again!

This is how the place looks like...

Even though the place is quite small, I still like the interior design. There is also a table of elements framed on the right side, which reminds of the days that I was struggling in memorizing it. Wooden was used for the interior which were painted white and brown. The colors are light and calm.

They also offer cakes, frappes and hot drinks.

Hot drink with syringe consists syrup

They even used test tube rack and tripod for the centerpiece.

Liquid nitrogen

The experience would not be completed without the liquid nitrogen! Thumbs up for this!

Will I return? Yes definitely!

Laboratoire Cafe 

Guzman Street, SPH Medical Arts Building

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Review: Red Corner, Ecoland Davao City

Red Corner, Tulip Drive

Along the street of Tulip Drive is where another branch of Red Corner situated. Curious as we are, my friend and I tried this store. I've been hearing few compliments about this store and it's time to finally prove it! We went there at 3pm and there were only two customers. The ambiance is good. They have a flat screen tv which plays Game of Trones when we got there.

"Pacman" for Php 165

I tried the "Pacman" burger. Of course it is named after Manny Pacquiao. It is topped with cheese sauce, caramelized onion, sauteed mushrooms and honey-cured bacon. In short, yummy saturated fats. But who cares? It's bacon and burger.

The burger is served in a wooden chopping board with paper. The only problem that I encountered is that sometimes the the burger sticks in the paper. They could just get rid of the paper though.

"Pacman"- closer look

This new branch is just a few steps away from the Buffet Palace located in Matina, It's a 5 minute walk from the main road. I'll definitely go back to this place and try their other burgers. 

Lamps are love

Thanks for reading! How about you? What's your favorite burger store?

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Aling Foping's Halo-halo

In relation to my post, Jelly Citea, this next food review is still found at the MTS (Matina Town Quare). As you see, I visit this place often. Well, this place used to be plain with just bench and play grounds around. First of all, I am not a drinker or a party person; I simply visit this place because it has lots of new restaurants and foods to be tried on. One day, my blogger friends, Jonas and Kevin wanted me to try Aling Foping's Halo-halo and so, this is the post is all about.

I regretted for not taking pictures of the place that time but it’s just a simple place. It is not air-conditioned so that you would enjoy the cool breeze of the air while eating your halo-halo. The halo-halo comes in a medium sized plastic container. Upon ordering, they will be giving a checklist and you must choose at the maximum of six items to be added on your halo-halo. Good thing I chose the best ingredients namely Langka, Leche Flan, Pinipig, Red Mongo, Saba and Ube.

The checklist

Personal Picks: Please refer to my chechlist

Budget: Php 85 to Php100
VALUE: ★★★★☆☆(The price, for me as a student, is a bit high.)
ATMOSPHERE:★★★★☆ (The place is good as you can breathe fresh air..)
SERVICE:★★★★☆ (Good.)
FOOD:★★★★☆ (Creamy halo-halo)

Me, Kevin and Jonas :)

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Jelly Citea

This food post has something to do with one of my favorite drinks, the milk tea. Well, if you are to visit Davao City, different milk tea restaurants are built across the city. Kangaroo Cafe, Alley Cat, Coffee Cat and Green Cafe, just to name some. Truly, this lovely city is prigressing very rapidly that in just a year, lots and lots of milk tea restaurants arose.

Every weekend or every time I have vacant time, in which I rarely have, my friends and I try to take advantages of these milk tea restaurants. We are so food adventurous that we look forward to try one food to another. Our feet brought us in MTS (Matina Town Square). Well, this place is very calm and relaxing when the sun is still up but become a party ground when the sets. Usually, this place starts to be noisy at 8pm. Different bands will start to play and people will begin to drink and party.

I haven't taken a picture of the place since it didn't come in my mind but maybe, I'll try it next time. Well, there are a lot of milk teas to choose from! But I tried Wintermelon Rock Salt and Cheese and Macau. Based on my dull memory, the large sized will cost you Php 90 while the small one is in Php 80 something. I ordered the Winterwatermelon Rock Salt and Cheese in sized small tumbler. It is chocolate flavored and my taste buds loved the taste since I am a chocolate lover. It has some sago and it and you won't really regret to try it if you have a sweet tooth.

Macau is a different story though. I ordered it in large size tumbler. At the first sip, all I can taste is a tea with a bitter taste as an after taste. At first, I didn't appreciate it. It is topped with some creamy cheese. Until when I am halfway, I thought of mixing the mixture and POOF! I never thought that it would be this good! It is not as sweet as the Wintermelon but it has an adorable taste since it has a cheese on its top. Well for me, it’s not main stream like the winterwatermelon and definitely worth a try!

Personal Picks: Wintermelon Rock Salt and Cheese and Macau (Haven't tried the other milk teas).

Budget: Php 50 (if you are to order the small size tumbler) to Php 150 per milk tea.

VALUE: ★★★★ ★(Affordable!)
ATMOSPHERE:★★★★☆ (The place is okay, not too spacious, they also have this post-note messages from the customers.)
SERVICE:★★★★☆ (Good.)
FOOD:★★★★★ (I recommend this!)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jellycitea

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Mix n' Magic

Hello readers! How are you? Well, Sorry for this late post. Anyway, Last month, which is August, we visited this store along the Tionko Avenue. It is called Mix N' Magic. I never heard of this store before but this originated in Gensan and fortunately, it has made it's way here in Davao. This post is mouth-watering so save your mouth juices and visit this store! 

The following pictures were taken during the product presentation of the said store. 

Durian Mousse

Cheese Cupcake

Cashew Raisin Tart

Carrot Cake

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Toryano's Chicken Haus

This post will just be quick but I'll be reviewing the Toryano's Chicken Haus that is located at The Peak, Gaisano. There are lots of Toryano's Chicken haus branch in the city but we are Gaisano at that moment so we tried it.

We ate there last June 7, 2014, after the Etsy Craft Party that was hosted at the Yellow Hauz, along with my friends. Well, it is basically a restaurant whose specialty is focused mainly on grilled menu such as pork and chicken. But other than that, they also offer other menu such as pancit and etc.

I'm ready to eat!

Toryano's Chicken haus

Well, this restaurant offer different kinds of combo meals. Every combo meal is equivalent to an unli rice (horaay!). Filipinos, like me, surely like unlirice menu. For this post, I'll be reviewing their cheapest combo meal and the price plays somewhere in Php60 - Php70. Their combo 1 meal is equivalent to two (2) pork barbecues, an atsal and an unlimited rice.

The pork barbeque tastes is good and tender. It is really tasty and worth your money. Well just to say, I would prefer eating here and spending extra 10-15 pesos rather than eating in fast food chains. In addition to that, this barbecue is just like the other barbeques that are being served in the other restaurants. Not really something special but surely something that is worth your budget.

Well, you might want to try their other combo since they also offer native chicken and pork chop meal.

Toryano's Combo Meal #1

Toryano's Combo Meal #1 (plus an unlimited rice)

I just realized something, maybe they can make their services faster. My friends and I waiter for several minutes and we have to follow up our orders. I'm also quite surprised because it's not a busy hour and there were only few customers.

I've also searched the net and found same reviews. Well, there is still a big room for improvement.

(Left to Right) Kathrina, Me and Carl

(Left to Right) Kathrina, Me and Carl

I picked the top four important points in reviewing this restuarant and here it goes:

Budget: To avail the cheapest order, your budget must be Php 70 (Combo 1). Drinks are not included.

VALUE: ★★★★☆ ( Well, its affodable.)

ATMOSPHERE:★★★☆☆ (It's air conditioned)

SERVICE:★☆☆☆☆ (There's still a room for improvement in terms of service)

FOOD:★★★☆☆ (The food is okay.)

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Ice Giants at Quimpo Boulevard, Davao

Last September, 2013, my college friends and I went to the Ice Giants located somewhere in Quimpo Boulevard and just a few kilometers away from SM, Ecoland. This post does not have lots of pictures because I'm not a stable blogger those days and I don't capture pictures that much. These photos are just saved pictures from my device

If you feel stressed due to warm weather, then this post will fill up your needs! Welcome to Ice Giants. Ice Giants offers snacks and desserts.

TOP (Left to right) Chocolate Titans
BOTTOM (Left to right) a chocolate pizza

Chocolate Titans

This mouth-watering and chocolate filled bowl will sweep away your stress from school and work! Chocolate ice cream + marshmallows + chocolate stick-o + Chocolate candies = Chocolate Titans! I recommend this menu to everyone especially to those who has a sweet tooth! I forgot how much this costs but I think it ranges from Php300 - Php400. This is good for 5-6 persons.

The chocolate pizza made  with marsmallows, cream and some Kitkat chocolate wafers. I also love this, but I the pizza is too small for its price. Well, I'm not satisfied with this one but it's okay. The price ranges from Php300 to Php400.

The ambiance inside

The ceiling has some cuvy shape which is very attractive and also, some colorful circles.

Chocolate pizza.

Well, if you are to ask me about their service, I should say that I love it because they are very accommodating. Plus, they are also like cosplayers. I really love thair fancy uniform but I failed to capture it.

If you are also to ask me if ever I'll return to this place, definitely I will! This is one of my favorite food stalls here in Davao.

Buget: Php 300-500 to avail their Chocolate Titans good for 5-6 persons.

VALUE: ★★★☆☆

ATMOSPHERE:★★★★☆ 

SERVICE:★★★★★ 

FOOD:★★★☆ ☆ 

Ice Giants, Quimpo Boulevard unfortunately does not have a facebook page, but another branch from Davao which is in Damosa.

Address: Damosa Gateway Complex, Mamay Rd, Davao 8000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ice-Giants-Desserts-and-Snacks/262194505852
Phone:(082) 235 2168

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Bulgogi Brothers Davao

If you are a k-pop fan or love the Korean culture, this post of for you! Well, this is my first time to try authentic Korean dishes and I tried it with Bulgogi Brothers.

Last July 10, 2014, Bulgogi Brothers conducted a food media roll-out for the existing promo. Bloggers were invited to try their platters, Korean BBQ specials, and affordable lunch set meals.When I entered the restaurant, I was pleased when the staffs greeted me “annyeonghaseyo” which means “Hello” in English. We were seated on the corner of the said restaurant and everything is already set.

The free appetizers

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The Stairwell

Last July 5, 2014, I had discovered another restaurant in Davao City, along with the Davao Bloggers. It is located at Matina Town Square or commonly known as MTS. It is inline with the other restaurants but this restaurant has something uniqueness to share. The food that are being served in the Stairwell is inspired by the Filipino Cuisines. 

All about the name "The Stairwell" :

The first location of the restaurant is near the stairs so that's how it got its name. But it was transferred on the corner, and the kitchen is still near the stairs. It is literally near the stairs.

How it started? :

This was just a dream came true. One of the owners just graduated dentistry and just passed the board exams. Her clinic is also at the Matina Town Square (MTS) just a few meters away from The Stairwell. She says that with the help of the some close friends, The Stairwell was born.

Appetizers

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