Sometimes a plate is not enough — you need a big bowl to satisfy a gastronomic hunger. Says the hungry you. Relate, right?
A definite gastro feast is one that’s masarap, malaki ang serving and of course, magaan sa bulsa. Something that is sensically easy to digest. More often, we get lured in on what’s new notwithstanding the taste. Other times, we get enticed with social media and overly hyped posts. Nonetheless, it’s still our palates that make the call.
In Davao, the presence of dining places are as present as the sun on a glorious, sunny day. With restaurants popping everywhere, one can never be hungry while scouring the streets of the city. In essence, one can verily add up on calories while scouring the streets of the city.
Cuenco’s Rice & Noodle Bar is one of those delicious places you’d love to end up at. A rice and noodle bar, it speaks of delish Pan Asian dishes that’s always a welcome treat to our palates. A casual dining concept likened to a spacious sala, the interiors are very relaxing and open hence a bigger space to let your eyes roam.
The word CUENCOS is Spanish for earthenware bowls. The idea behind Cuencos is to bring a certain kind of comfort in every dish they serve.The brilliant mind behind Cuenco’s is the chef Behind Tatler’s Best Restaurants Tiago Progressive Filipino Cuisine (2014) and Huckleberry Southern Kitchen and Bar (2015 & 2016), Chef Kenneth Villaluz who never fails to excite our palates.
Their selection includes well known traditional dishes cooked with fresh and local ingredients. The fusion of flavours plays an integral role in highlighting the ingredients used and the taste it aims to pose. Their menu is downright specific — with the details of the dishes — and foretells of what you might expect on every bowl you order.
Begin your gastronomic journey with a bowl of cold Soba Kani salad in Spicy miso dressing to awaken those palates. Let loose and make yourself at ease with a bowl of Salted Egg catfish, smoked fish rice and egg. Something to spice you up? Try their Tapsilog, Kimchi Rice and egg. For the meaty lovers, their bowl of Lechon kawali, garlic rice and cucumber achara will have you smiling in an instant (as a friend said!). If you still want more meat, then their bowl of Binagoongang baboy sa gata, grilled eggplant and egg will keep you company during your stay.
Noodles, anyone? Let their long strands be your guide. Choose from their Classic Palabok , Palabok Negra and Batil Patung to name a few.
Sweet cravings to end a meal? Order their Tanglad and Pandan Iced tea for that refreshingly familiar flavours of home. Also try their Fried Suman, Mango Slices and Latik and homemade Ice cream in Choknut, Mango and Corn. The choknut will have you reminiscing your childhood in a snap.
Follow me on Instagram @iamleebai and Facebook @RoyalChefEats for my latest food finds. Happy munching!
