Zabadani Cafe In Layers And More

This is not the first time that I blogged about Zabadani Cafe. It is one of my favorite places in the city and whenever something new comes out I would definitely be sharing it.

Aside from the relaxing ambiance, the place is also serving spectacularly delicious dishes.Their menu mostly offer Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of Pinoy taste. In addition to that, their drinks are also one of a kind. When we (Filipinos) eat out, most of the time we partner our main dish with a cold drink aside from water. Zabadani Cafe is just the right place to have it all together. They basically have the "drinks trio" (an invented term of mine). These are coffee, soda and tea.

Let's start with the coffee. In the city of Davao, coffee shops are all over the place but mind you, their coffee drinks taste all the same. They just differ in their container I guess *wink*. However, Zabdani Cafe's coffee drinks are all but unique to all of them as it comes in layers coined as Layered Coffee. It is actually the first product that they offer when they opened as an internet cafe/coffee shop sometime in 2008. This amazing way of serving coffee is the first of its kind. According to what has been written in edgedavao.net, Wadilkhaery W. Mutia, or simply Glen, the owner of the place believes that it is not available anywhere else in the country. "We're the only one producing layered coffee in this part of the globe, and we are glad that we have developed our own niche," he said.

Here is an example of the Layered Coffee (Layered Mochachino)

Now let's talk about the soda. Among the 'drinks trio', soda is the most popular one. Having this drink together with any meal will give us that strange yet satisfying feeling of being full. It is popularly known as cola in our country. In most cases it is being served in cans or in bottles. However, in the Zabadani Cafe, these soda drinks are placed inside a tall glass. Of course, the twist would always be there as the soda drink, just like the coffee, comes in layers. Layered Soda, as they what they call it. Just imagine your soda combined with your favorite "berry" flavors (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry and a whole lot more). You can have this very drink in Zabadani Cafe.

Here is an example: Layered Soda (Strawberry Apple)

And let's welcome the newest member of the Layered family, the Layered Bubble Milk Tea. It is yet another breakthrough of the cafe. According to its description in their Facebook Page, this Layered Bubble Milk Tea is an intense combination of premium black tea from Europe, creamy milk and gummy tapioca. Well of course next to water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, the very reason I believe why it should be included in the Layered family of Zabadani Cafe. 

Here it is: Layered Bubble Milk Tea

I've tasted their 'drinks trio' and all are equally yummy most especially the Layered Bubble Milk Tea. I believe I'm one of those who tasted it first as it happened to be my prize for winning the fill-in-the-blanks contest that they had for the Eid ul-Fitr, Shukran!. Zabadani Cafe is a Halal Food Establishment by the way... 

These delicious drinks only occupy a portion of their huge menu booklet indicating that the cafe has more to offer. Simply visit the place and you'll know what I'm talking about =). Zabadani Cafe is located in Ponciano Street, Davao City at the back of the University of Mindanao, Bolton Campus.

Note: All photos are courtesy of Zabadani Cafe's Facebook Page.

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-niceurdaneta-

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The Food Pyramid Getting A New Shape

When I entered elementary, my science teacher introduced to me the importance of proper diet and of course the Food Pyramid is part of it. The pyramid is a striped triangle which shows suggested percentages of the daily diet for different food groups. This diagram has been used by a lot of food producers to convince the public that they are selling what has been said to be healthy.

The picture above is the Food Pyramid. It was adopted by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) in 1992. Now that we are using it for almost two decades, USDA will now be presenting it in its new form or shape.

The diagram features four sections: Half of the circle would be filled with fruits and vegetables; another section would feature rice, cereal and other grains; and the rest would contain proteins. There is also a circle in the upper right corner which represents dairy. 

It is somewhat easier to understand it this way. It is not enough that your illustration is informative, it also comes with the notion that it can be easily understood.

Now I'm wondering the usual ad lines being changed as well. Instead of "according to the Food Pyramid", it will now become "According to the Food Platter".

-niceurdaneta-

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Touchdown Syria; The Zabadani Cafe Experience

Who would have thought that a local resto would be able to fulfill one of my ultimate dreams. Such dream is to be in two places in one time. Zabadani Cafe it is, the place wherein you could experience the lavish food of Syria without even leaving the country nor the city.

Zabadani Cafe is located along the most accessible street of Davao City wherein almost all public utility jeepneys pass by. Getting there isn't going to be a problem at all. It is located along Ponciano Street at the back of the University of Mindanao Bolton Campus.

One of my friends in college mentioned this cafe to me 3 years ago but his directions on how to get into the place wasn't that clear so I just ignored it. It's just recently that I happen to see the face of that college friend in one of the photos of the cafe's Facebook group page. 

Then came 2010 when one of my officemates brought us there. That was the moment that I first tasted my favorite Beef Squares. 

It is just one of the sumptuous meals that they are serving. Here is a snapshot of their menu that I got from their Facebook Group Page.

Here are some of the photos of their food shared by the increasing number of Zabbers (Zabadani Cafe eaters, fans, enthusiasts) in the city.

• Syrian Kebab (beef, fish, chicken)

   

• Falafel (beef, fish,chicken) 

                                                              

• Bruschetta

                                                                         

• Qatayef

                                                                 

• Hot Tea (Teekanne)

• Pita Shateerah

  

• Layered Mochachino                                                                   

                                                               

• Layered Soda (strawberry apple) 

                                                       

Add up the free wifi connection that they are offering as you indulge the above foods and the cozy ambiance that would really let you feel like you're eating in Syria.

                                 
The very cute Persian cat Ramadeey is also here!

What are you waiting for? Better visit Zabadani Cafe now!

-niceurdaneta-

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Sweets Overload At Cafe Demitasse

It's been a long day today but I enjoyed every moment of it. As usual, I woke up late this morning with no plans of going out. Just like any other normal day that I used to have, I started it with checking my phone for notifications and turning on my laptop to check my emails and social networking sites.

After exchanging tweets and sms, I just found myself getting ready to meet a high school friend and the rest of the gang to visit the newly opened Abreeza, Ayala Malls. In as much as we want to penetrate Starbucks Coffee and Max's, the number of people falling in line to get an order just didn't allow us. We ended up having our dinner in the food court instead.

While eating our dinner, one of my friends shared her cozy coffee experience at Cafe Demitasse. Everyone became curious and decided to go there.


The place is cozy indeed! The ambiance is very relaxing due to the well chosen colors of the furniture and other furnishings. The waiters are so sensitive with your needs that you don't have to tell them what to do. They deserve a raise for the excellent service.

Then we ordered our food using their all-text menu and just based it on how yummy it reads.

One by one our order came and upon seeing it, "WOW" has been the first word that came out from our mouths. As usual, I took pictures on the food but unfortunately I wasn't able to take note of their names because I was simply consumed by my excitement.

The frustration of not having the chance to taste something at Starbucks Coffee and Max's in Abreeza just vanished after the sweets overload that we had at Cafe Demitasse.

Cafe Demitasse
727 F. Torres Street, 8000 Davao City, Philippines
Contact No. 082-282-2828/09239273202
Email: cafe.demitasse@yahoo.com

-niceurdaneta-

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Tastes Like Heaven; Smells Like Hell

The fruit that marks Davao City. It is called Durian. August is the Kadayawan month wherein Davaoeños are giving thanks for the year's good harvest. It is also the time wherein Durian fruit would be flooding in the city. Some people just don't like it, maybe because of the smell but once you've tried it, you'll never stop eating it. Happy Kadayawan!

Durian has the scientific name of Durio zibethinus. It popularly grows in cities of southern part Mindanao, Philippines such as Davao City and Tagum City. The meat of the fruit is being enclosed with a thick and sharp peeling. Durian farm owners often tie the fruit to its branch as it reach harvest period for the safety of by passers and farm workers. When this fruit hits you, it's a sure thing that you be in a serious situation.

During the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City during the month of August, this fruit is really in abundance. It can be purchased for a slow as 20php/kilogram. People would love to it by the street during the festival. I comes in different varieties and among the popular ones are Native, Chanee, Cob, Aransilio and a lot more.

Hypertensive people are not advised to eat too much of this fruit because it could really increase blood pressure. Local beliefs are spreading recently that this fruit could increase platelet count. A solution for those suffering dengue. However, this belief has not been proven yet medical experts.

  

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