DFAT at Marco Polo’s Polo Bistro

The only DFAT (Davao Food Appreciation Tour organized by Ate Ria) event I joined probably concluded as one of the best meals I have ever had my entire life. And I am über thankful I was able to eat there before I had my tongue pierced.

It was the second time I have ever had that kind of setting. I mean the five-course-meal thing. The first one was about five years ago (my 3rd year Prom), and back then, I was wearing this awfully gay prom dress (by the way, we had our Prom then at Marco Polo, too). It was my first meal at Polo Bistro, but seeing as my last two meals at Marco Polo was a witness to an Andie wearing her school uniform, I didn’t bother dressing up. Wrong move. The place was really cool and all, and sometimes you really have to dress the part to feel the part. Since I wore my usual jeans and shirt attire, I felt like a pauper amidst all the princes and princesses that joined the DFAT. I looked more yagit than Kuya Winston.And they call him Batang Yagit. Where’s the justice in that?!?

The first thing I noticed about the place was the amazing view. We were accommodated with this long-table setup, which offered two types of view: for people seated on one side of the table, the pool, and for the others, some sort of building with symmetrical lights. I was seeing the latter. The most amazing thing about our view was that since it was summer, lightnings were becoming more frequent, and you could actually see the lightning spread itself across the sky like tree roots. All in a split second. Wish I had a camera, strike one.

The chef guy was also pretty cool. He was kind of showing off his cooking prowess the way they do on the telly, and had I been a wee bit closer to the chef, I would have cheered him on. Anyway, I was located the farthest from the chef, so I didn’t bother. I would have bothered a little bit more than I did, though, had I known he would serve us some really amazing food. You should have seen the food! Wish I had a camera, strike two.

To start off, we had Seared Tuna with Cucumber and Crabstick Relish. I know now why they call appetizers appetizers. Because once you have some, you can’t help but want more. I kind of miss the pepper around the Tuna (I can’t eat anything spicy for the next two months because of this metal thing in the middle of my mouth), and I really do wish I could just go back there and eat some appetizers all night long. Haha. Adik.

The soup, French Onion Soup with 3 Cheeses: Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Ementhal, was heaven for cheese lovers. That includes me. But it was also quite filling, so I didn’t quite finish it off for fear that I would have little space left for the Main Course.

Prior to the Main Course, we had a Mixed Fruits and Greens Salad. It was really good, except that since the Main Course was also being served then, I quite overlooked it (I ate about a quarter of my salad). The Main Course, Prawn Thermidore, was worth the rashes on my back and the merciless asthma attack I got the next day. It was a feast for all of my senses. The creaminess of the sauce and the tenderness of the shrimps were really nerve wracking in a good way. I love, I love, I love!!!

As for dessert, we had Coconut and Mango Crème Brûlée. Heaven!!! I love mangoes and custard, so need I say more? Yes I do!!! I L O V E I T!!!

If you have plans of eating a really good meal, and have some moolah to spare, please go to Polo Bistro. It is one of the best restaurants in Davao, and as a Davaoeña, I could not ask for more. Oh wait, maybe I could. For some cash so that I could revisit Polo Bistro and indulge, one more time? Anybody willing to spare me some change?

Man, am I hungry…

chronicles of the pierced tongue: part 1

Around 12.5 hours ago, I did something I have been wanting to do for the past two years: get my tongue pierced. My first tongue pierce, and hopefully, my last (that is if insanity does not strike again).

My mom and I are currently not talking to each other, but I doubt if anyone of us is angry. It’s just that we had a fight last Sunday. Anyway, I doubt if I’ll be talking to her anytime soon. If she finds out prematurely (that means, ever) that I had my tongue pierced, I’m dead meat.

Anyway, I bought the stud (with a Yin-Yang design) yesterday at GMall (for 650 pesos). Piercing is free, except that I had to go to this secluded place in Illustre called Rhostie’s Tattoo (a tatoo and piercing parlor). The place was really small, and I mean, really small. Plus it was located somewhere I would never had known for the life of me had I not decided to get my tongue pierced. Anyway, I started relaxing when I knew that the place has been operating for around ten years. Just so everyone knows, the pierce was over in a flash. The preparation(sterilization and stuff) took much longer than the act of piercing itself.

For those who are planning to get their tongue pierced, here are a few facts/points/tips you should know:

• If you have really decided on getting your tongue pierced, DO NOT WATCH VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE. It will just scare you off your wits. And I’m telling you, a tongue pierce isn’t that bad.
• A tongue pierce hurts much less than an ear pierce. I swear. The only thing with a tongue pierce is that you need to get used to that thing in the middle of your mouth. I’m still trying to get used to it.
• Ice cream, yogurt, really cold water, and cooled soup is the best for a tongue pierce. Yes, you cannot eat solid food for a few days. I bought heaps of yogurt for my tongue pierce, and it sucks after a while. So you might want to have a bit of soup once in a while, though you will regret it badly if you dared to drink your soup while it’s hot.
• OraCare is much better than Listerine. Trust me.

Right now, my tongue has swollen up a bit. They say it is going to be swollen for a couple of days, which is cool since it’s Holy Week, and I won’t be going out of the house anytime soon. I just feel a little dizzy, seeing as I haven’t had solid (fries, burgers, and anything DRY) food for the past 24 hours.

Today, I have had 2 cups of yogurt, and some soup with a bit of croûtons (which I call heaven!!!). You bet I’m hungry.

Oh, and for the record, I’m taking some antibiotics (500 mg Amoxicillin) once a day, for five days. And some Vitamin C to speed up healing.

I’m really hungry. And dizzy. I better get some sleep.

Pasta Galore at Cafe Vivere

It has been almost two weeks since the Davao Food Trip at Cafe Vivere, but I still have that distinct taste of tomatoes fresh in my memory. Anyway, let me start (as usual) with a brief introduction.

Tuesday is a day of usual boredom, so the chance to join for lunch at Cafe Vivere was a more-than-welcome treat to my would-have-been boring afternoon. Kuya Winston had to cancel because of his defense, so I was really surprised when I knew upon arriving at the venue that my slot has been given to someone else. Anyway, I was somehow ready to leave, but Miss Mauwi was extremely nice, and she made me stay. Amazing host.

Cafe Vivere is located near Mount Apo (not the mountain, but the street) Rotunda, and it is such a shame that I have no idea which streets are located where (despite the fact that I have lived my entire life here in Davao City), so I took a taxi. I was surprised when I realized that Cafe Vivere was a relatively simple place to go to. I’ll try to upload a map as soon as my scanner starts working (everything at home is functioning so well, which explains the 45-minute wrestling match I had with the printer 5 o’clock this morning).

Anyway, back to Cafe Vivere. The place has this homey feeling which I love. Unfortunately, since there were six of us, we had to leave the cushioned seats alone. The place was quaint, plus the way Miss Mauwi was treating us made me wish I had means of eating there everyday.

As for lunch, we were first served with some garlic bread accompanied by two type of sauces: one was made of smoked tomatoes that had an amazing strong taste–think rich tomatoes mixed with a bit of really good wine; and the other was pesto, which allowed for a mental note to order some pasta served with pesto the next time I should come back, to form. After which, we were served with six dishes, which we shared. I got the vegetarian pasta. I am no vegetarian, but if being a vegetarian meant having to eat food as delicious as the one I had at Cafe Vivere, then count me in!

There were still a bunch of other food at Cafe Vivere, but sadly, the photos I took didn’t have a really good quality (it did not do the food justice). Yay! That means a reason to come back! Anyway, Miss Mauwi told us that she makes the food, herself, and has been starting to train one of her employees to cook. Amazing… She’s just so… good at what she does.*Sigh* Miss Mauwi and her cooking surely elevate the reputation of Davao Food.

For dessert, we had some chocolate cake and walnut ice cream cake (not the exact names, but these are pretty much their description). I especially love the walnut cake. It is one of the best treats I have ever had for my sweet tooth. Yum.

I am in deep trouble for submitting this entry rally late. But I’ll make up for it after Easter. I’ll bring Miss Anjie and Miss Lope (Pisay staff turned friends) to Cafe Vivere and make sure they eat their butts off. Haha! I wish their diets good luck!

^-^