Experiencing Vikings

If not for the exchange gifts, I won't be having these expensive slippers that I'm wearing today.  Every December, we always have a simple departmental party, and we usually have a wishlist for what we want to receive.  Coincidentally, my indoor slippers already gave up on me (he he he), and since we agreed that the gift should be ₱750 and above, so I took the chance and requested for a "Havaianas" (got the brand from others' requests).

Well, eating in Vikings (a buffet restaurant) was also part of our group's idea.  It wasn't a cheap place to dine, but we all agreed to it considering a lot of us haven't tried the place yet and it's sort of our treat to ourselves... and besides, our company had already given to us something which (let's just say) was enough to spend for the holidays.  So after work, we went to the place, which by the way is located at SM Lanang Premier, just a walking distance from our office.

So, how's the place and food?  For a start, this is so far the grandest buffet restaurant I had been... and for sure, the biggest of its kind in Davao.  The food...we enjoyed the varied cuisine that they offered, from pastas and pizzas to grilled dishes of all kinds.  Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Western, Filipino cooking, I think they all have it. They had native delicacies for dessert, as well as other pastries, candies, yoghurt, ice creams, a do-it-yourself "halo halo" and a lot more.  Cold and hot beverages were overflowing, but I think the best seller was their beer since it got the longest line of people.

As to their service, they have a lot of crews to attend to their customer's needs.  Foods were always replenished, finished plates were immediately removed in the table, and though one needs to get their own food (being a buffet), they serve orders that take a little while to cook.  Also, birthday celebrants were recognized and treated with a free meal (provided that the celebrant is accompanied by at least  1 full paying adult).  More, they had a group that serenades each celebrant, in a fun way.

And the thing we can't forgo to ask,  how much?  Below are the current prices and are, by the way, inclusive of government taxes and are subject to 5% service charge. 

Weekday Lunch:
Children below 3ft – free
Children between 3ft to 4ft – ₱188+ each
Children between 4ft to 4ft-6in – ₱388+ each
Adults – ₱688+ each
75 years old and above – 50% discount

Weekday Dinner:
Children below 3ft – free
Children between 3ft to 4ft – ₱288+ each
Children between 4ft to 4ft-6in – ₱588+ each
Adults – ₱888+ each
75 years old and above – 50% discount

Weekend and Holiday Lunch and Dinner:
Children below 3ft – free
Children between 3ft to 4ft – ₱288+ each
Children between 4ft to 4ft-6in – ₱588+ each
Adults – ₱888+ each
75 years old and above – 50% discount

We paid lesser though, since we availed of their group promo, for 10 full paying adults, we got to have 2 more adults eating for free.

Overall, although I can't deny that I enjoyed the place for the abundance of their food and good service, still the cost was too much for me.  It's a must-try though, and a good place to treat important friends and visitors.  But to eat there even in normal days, well, I can already buy a lot for my ₱700 (more for ₱900) of my family's needs.  That's just me, I can't say the same for all those "mucho dineros" he he he.  Yahweh bless.

Good Smelling Hog's Breath

Who would say that a hog's breath could smell so good?  I would.  In fact, I find it much appetizing.  Disagree?  But why?  Oh, you got it all wrong.  I am talking about Hog's Breath Café located in the Fountain Court of SM Lanang here in Davao.  Me and my friends decided to dine there just recently, since we all haven't tried the place yet.

So, how was the place inside?  If you may ask, it is quite spacious and pretty neat.  I may have said that since we were one of the few customers inside.  Don't get me wrong, their food taste really great, but the prices weren't that friendly.  They also have a bar which is obvious in their menu (though I'm not familiar with the liquors names).  Flat screen TV's with varied channels but I guess, it's muted or on low volume.  And various car plate numbers and vintage posters as wall decoration.

And the foods and their prices?  Well, there was really nothing spectacular about the food we ordered.  Let's just say that an hour more or less before we went to the place, we already had a heavy snack, but still we were able to finish all the plates we ordered.  And the bill?  Well, that's the reason why we didn't leave even a bone on the plate... just kidding.  For me, it's quite high, good thing it was a treat from one of my friends.  By the way, they also served us this nice tasting water having the hint of lemon, cucumber and mint... and the best part was its free.

Here's our order:

Smoked Pork BBQ Ribs (half rack) - ₱595

Golden Tempura Prawns - ₱295

Finger Food Combo - ₱695

My say.  The times I passed by the said café, I observed that there were not that much customers.  I don't suggest that they lower their prices but they must have value meals or affordable combos that the masses can bite.  Yahweh bless.

Ranchero Grill's New Home In Gensan

With Dadiangas as our second home, we have decided that my wife would spend her maternity leave there with her parents.  We had the time to spend three days with her before going back to Davao for work. While we were there, we couldn't resist visiting this  restaurant that's so near to our hearts, Ranchero Grill.  Aside from that the owner was a family friend of my wife's sister, we had our wedding reception in their branch in Davao City, making them a memorable part of our lives.  And with their newly opened branch in SM City, General Santos, we made  sure to pay them a visit.

Upon arrival, the kids immediately roamed and played around the place...  Very nice architecture, I must say.

And after all the exhausted energy, an enticing dinner was waiting for us... 

 
We had their native chicken tinola for our soup... we also tried their famous sisig which was personally recommended by my sis-in-law... and of course we wouldn't miss their specialty, their super mouthwatering  baby back ribs.  And for the verdict, well as usual, they never let our taste buds down. Two thumbs up!

Let me just straighten this up, this isn't a paid ad nor a press release, but nevertheless if ever you're in General Santos for business or pleasure, I highly recommend visiting the place... whether you're with your family and friends or treating someone important or dear to your heart.... here, you can never go wrong. 

Check them out also in Davao with some details found in this post: Friends Visiting In Davao.  Yahweh bless.

Double Celebration

Solemn house blessing held at the porch...

Yesterday, we celebrated two memorable events, the blessing of my in-laws’ house in Gensan and the birthday of my sister-in-law.  Headed by a pastor, we followed a step by step ceremony for the blessing of each part of the house.  It was a simple yet thorough house blessing; I could say that every part of the house was offered with a prayer, each area with a unique prayer for its use.  The ceremony ended with an open house, the guests freely roamed around the house. . I heard nothing but praises from all the guests as they check out every detail of the living room, kitchen, dining area, bedrooms and comfort rooms.  All these praises were later directed to the one who conceptualized the house, the birthday girl herself.  My sister-in-law is an interior designer and a well-known pocketbook writer.  She had designed some of the renowned establishments both in Davao and Gensan.  She is also behind the famous love stories and series in the Love Match publishing.

After the open house, we proceeded to Paseo del Sol for the reception.  The owners of the restaurant are a long time family friend of the celebrator.  Each time they have a celebration, our family was always invited.  They were giving this reception as a token and gift to my sister-in-law.  It was an enjoyable night... overflowing foods and drinks, games, slideshow of pics for the celebrator, dancing in the 80’s hits and latest music.

Wifey with Love Match's Kat Madrid and Eve Montelibano.

And in a rare occasion, we had the chance to take some pics with two of Love Match’s famous writers, Eve Montelibano and Kat Madrid.  We had been introduced to my sister-in-law’s friend, knowing their names but not their pen names, so as soon as my wife knew that it was the writer of one of her favorite book, she did not waste any opportunity.

Grabbing the chance...

Though we still wanted to enjoy the occasion, we went home early to give the kids a good rest and to prepare for our  travel back to Davao.  It was a good week of summer fun... It’s been years since the last time enjoyed this stuff, way back when I was still studying.  Maybe that’s the reason why I really had the time of my life 'coz you only cherish things when you seldom experience them... THANK YOU LORD FOR EVERYTHING, ALL PRAISES AND GLORY TO YOU ALWAYS... God bless.

A Bonsai Haven

Treasured smiles...

To celebrate my father-in-law’s birthday, we were treated in this wonderful place called Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant.   Located in a hilltop overlooking the Sarangani Bay in General Santos City, it had a nice view of Mount Matutum and Mount Parker.  But what captivated us most was their awesome landscape and wide arrays of plants especially their bonsai collection.  We took a lot of photos of the different locations in their garden, just to have a souvenir of every beautifully landscaped corner.

Some of the nicest garden spots in the place...

The food...

Then came the most awaited part, lunch was served...  What could be more perfect than eating a nice meal in a refreshing open air garden with a mesmerizing view of the sea... picture that out (LOL).  We tried their fried catfish platter (garnished with green mango with bagoong and salted egg with sliced tomatoes), bird’s nest soup, fried tuna belly and veggies (pinakbet and chopseuy).  It was truly a sumptuous meal....

...the company...

...and  the view.

After lunch, we spent some time just wandering around the place and looking at their majestic bonsai plants.  Some of these plants might be more than a decade old just basing on their trunks.  I was so amazed of how they resembled a fully grown tree.  Looking at these miniatures just made me think of those trees in our forest... those being cut abusively for commercial lumber.  I hope that the time won’t come when the only centennial trees left would be these bonsai trees.

Bonsai... bonsai... excellent bonsai trees...

Thank you God for the wonderful moment you’ve given us even just for a glimpse... We would truly treasure this experience with our friends and love ones... to God be the glory.

The fun of having the company of friends and relatives...

...with the beauty of serenity.