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Dining with Style at Saging Repablik

Published on September 14, 2014October 6, 2014 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Last thursday, a few members of Davao Bloggers’ Society were invited for food and dessert tasting at Saging Repablik , one of Davao’s newest , and possibly the most talked about restaurant these days. Saging Repablik is located along Tiongko Ave. corner V Mapa St., a few blocks from Bangko Central. It would be impossible not to notice this two storey glass box building, fully lighted at night. The bold lighting , matte black signages and polished concrete finish gave its contemporary industrial look , which reminds me so much of some restaurants I’ve visited in Singapore.

Saging Repablik opened its doors sometime around late June of this year. Barely three months old, people are still buzzing over this modern style restaurant serving specialty Asian/Filipino dishes , with a twist of Banana. Saging Repablik is uniquely Davao Born. The restaurant’s concept was derived from Banana ( Saging in Filipino ), which Davao region is also famous for producing. Aside from serving local dishes, the restaurant also promotes local banana products such as flavored cavendish chips, as well as locally made chocolate products.

As a curious person, I admit that it wasn’t my first time to dine at Saging Repablik the time our Bloggers group was invited. Ive been to this place three times already for coffee and their Banana-Walnut Torte , which is probably one of the best Torte I had. It is made up of layers of caramelized Banana, Chocolate, Walnut and Something like Sansrival , perfectly coated with chilled cream. I would say this Dessert alone, already makes Saging Repablik worthy of a visit. =)

saging13 — Saging Repablik’s Banana-Choco-Walnut Torte . priced at P 150 per slice. Its a big slice at around 7 inches tall, I would say its good for two. (Photo credits to the owner)

20140911_180628_Fotor — Flavored Cavendish Banana Chip , P 75 per serve

20140911_195629_Fotor — Turon Dip with a Twist

20140911_181109 — Freshly Pomelo Juice P 85 . My Fave

Here are other Appetizers and Main Entries I personally Liked . All dishes, are of big servings, which can be shared. And it comes with Rice =)

20140911_183952_Fotor — Camaron Rebusado Con Banana ( Deep fried Shrimp and Banana Slices ) P 160

20140911_185913_Fotor — Beer Battered Fish and Banana Chips P 185

20140911_191253_Fotor — Humbanana Cue P 195 . comes in two hefty slices of Pata meat per order !

20140911_191300_Fotor — Beef Pochero con Saba P 225 .

20140911_191307_Fotor — Sisag ( Sisig at Saging ) P 165 . Yummy !!!

20140911_191316_Fotor — Pork spare ribs in Banana BBQ Sauce . P 220 , and comes in two hefty slices of Ribs per Serving. Super Heavy .

20140911_205203 — Here’s a look at the Modern Contemporary Interiors of Saging Repablik . Mezzanine Style Layout , with glassy interiors and walls generally finished in Matte Black, red bricks and polished concrete.

20140911_210322_Fotor — These Rustic Incandescent Drop lamps gave the places its contemporary industrial feel

20140911_205145 — A view of the main dining from above

20140911_204345_Fotor — Bold Text Cut out is always a fun and interactive idea for store branding .

20140911_203127 — And they have Saging Repablik Apparel as well . =)

20140911_204315 — Some thoughts to ponder on.

My Personal Rating of this place

Price Range : Mid priced. Main Dishes at 160 – 220 , and can practically be shared by a couple.

Main Dish Taste Rate : 7/10 . Main dishes were good. Personal Pick — Humbanana Cue and Sisag

Dessert and Beverage Taste Rate : 10/10 . Banana Walnut Torte and Large Mocha Caramel Coffee is a pair to die for.

Place : 10/10 (if i rate it solely for Davao Market) Place is super Stylish, you would wanna take some selfies in it.

Service : 8/10 ( Nice staff. Gatchi , the owner is nice =)

Serves 7AM Breakfast , Lunch and Dinner til 1 AM =)

Restaurant details:

Saging Repablik

Tionko Ave. Corner V. Mapa Street

Contact number: (082) 285 9648

Email address: sagingrepablik@gmail.com

Food Trip in Delhi ( And how much it costs! )

Published on June 7, 2014June 9, 2014 by iamjosemanuel3 Comments

Must Try Affordable Restaurants in Delhi

Food is fairly cheap in India, as compared to other Cities Ive visited , including Metro Manila. For the tight budgeted , food allowance of 400 INR/day ( 7-8 USD ) is enough , but will most likely limit you with basic and street food. Below are most of the affordable restaurants I’ve tried, with its corresponding price range, to give you an idea how much food costs in Delhi ,( and similarly with other cities in India I ve visited ).

Odiya Hotel near New Delhi Railway Station . Main Bazaar . Price range 80 – 150 INR ( 1-3 usd )

Odiya Hotel is in fact an eatery, and not a hotel. Theres a lot of this in India. and I wonder why they always use "hotel" instead of Restaurant. — Odiya Hotel is in fact an eatery, and not a hotel. Theres a lot like it in India. and I wonder why they always use “hotel” instead of Restaurant.

Some lunch - curried Fresh Water Fish and Pita Bread — Some lunch – curried Fish and Pita Bread

Street Side Food along Pajar Ganj, Delhi

For the Meat Lovers, I highly recommend trying Stewed Lamb at Bhape da Hotel, in Connaught Place , Delhi . Just google the walking direction from Rajiv Chowk Train Station . Not the cheapest option, with price ranging at 200 – 300 INR ( 4-5 usd) , but food is really good ! This restaurant is also recommended by migrationology.com as among his fave street food worthy of travel.

The Bhape da Hotel Restaurant , mentioned by Migrationology.com as on of his fave Indian Eatery. Stewed Lamb was super Delicious.

Just to give you an idea of the price range of food in India. This is not the cheapest Restaurant , but the place is OK.

SAM_4645 — the Stewed Lamb at Bhape da Hotel

Malhorka Restaurant along Main Bazaar . Its clean and fairly priced.

Curried Mutton. Delicious ! 180 INR ( around 3 USD )

SAM_4048 — Indian Palak Dish ( Spinach Sauce ) 150 INR ( 2.5 USD)

Comesum Fast Food for the tight budgeted.

Comesum Cafe - A famous affordable fastfood chain in India serving indian cuisines. — Comesum Cafe – A famous affordable fastfood chain in India serving indian cuisines.

SAM_4549 — Masala Dosa ( spiced mash potato wrap with Dip. only aroun 70 INR ( 1 USD )

A cheap Vegetarian Thali / Meal , with Lassi (Yogurt Drink ) This is around 60 INR (1 USD)

Street Food !

Chicken Afgan (smoked/BBQed on a traditional Clay pot. — Chicken Afgan (smoked/BBQ-ed on a traditional Clay pot.) A usual Find in Pajar Ganj

Mutton Shawarma ( just the filling ) no pita . 40 INR ( less than 1 USD ) . I mixed this with my Biryani Rice. =)

Street Side . Chicken Biryani with rice. around 70 INR ( 1.5 USD ) — Street Side . Chicken Biryani with rice. around 100 INR ( less than 2 USD ) with 2 pcs. mid sized chicken

Jamun Balls. deep fried sweet dough with caramel sauce. Yummy ! 15 INR for 2 piece !

Eat Korean Food like an Emperor

Published on December 18, 2013January 28, 2016 by iamjosemanuelLeave a comment

Probably the largest share of expense during my travel to Seoul went to satisfy my tastebuds and fill my tummy. Personally , I believe that it’s ok to spend a little extra on food; After all, its not like every month, you are in Seoul to enjoy real authentic Korean cooking.

Trip to Seoul , October 23 to November 3, 2012 .

Bibimbap fit for a king. probably the best meal i had during my the trip, prepared by our Korean Friend Jinny

cherry tomato , and some rice snacks with meat filling

Seafood Salad – Korean Style, with bits of Kimchi

Rice Roll with Tuna in Sesame Mayo Topping . Koreans put sesame in almost everything.

Haemul Sundubu Jjigae (Seafood Soft Tofu Stew)

Sang gyeopsal Meal. Lean Pork strips grilled on stone.

Ho Chi Minh City for a Day

Published on September 27, 2013May 5, 2014 by iamjosemanuel4 Comments

1. Vietnamese Pho for breakfast

I started my start my day in Vietnam with a bowl of Vietnamese Pho at Bun Bo Hue Restaurant, which was just beside the Backpackers’ place I Stayed in. They serve the best Pho in Bui Vien St., as per the blogs I read . 50,000 dong for a bowl. ( around $ 2.5 usd, 100 pesos ) I ate twice at this restaurant , was really good.

2. Down the memory Lane on foot – Vietnam War Museum , Notre Dame Cathedral , HMC Post Office , Opera House , Peoples’ Committee Hall

HMC Post office.; Built before the WW2, when Vietnam was still under French rule

HMC People's Committee Hall — HMC People’s Committee Hall

3. Vietnamese lunch Buffet

Read Blogs and found this awesome lunch buffet for just 8 USD ! Its on the 5th floor of Park inn Mall , very near the Peoples Committee Hall . Just ask the guard , you wont miss it.

4. Walk the streets

Ban Thanh Market may be the most noted place to buy souvenirs, but items here are quite pricey. I recommend shopping at Saigon Square which is just 3 blocks from Ben Thanh. around 10 mins walk . Small shops along the way are nice to check as well.

5. Highlands Coffee . Just to try, I showed them my highlands Philippines customer card hoping to get some perks. They said they cannot honor the card, but still , they were very kind to give me a promo coupon.. Got a Free drink !!!