Every single town boasts of a single signature local dish. Some even have more.
In Davao City, a good call for unique dishes is at Habi at Kape. Thanks to the incredible passion of long-time culinary and culture connoisseur Mary Ann Montemayor for combining ingredients and creating dishes inspired by Mindanao culture.
I was able to try out some of these dishes during Habi at Kape-Rogen Inn’s first anniversary wherein guests were treated to a buffet of well-loved Davao food and some favorite Filipino signature dishes on June 7 and 8, 2023.
Some of the highlights include “sinuglaw” for appetizer which has a twist of Habi at Kape’s spiced “gata” (coconut milk) as a dressing; and “pako” (fern) salad with pomelo and Davao mango dressing.
For the main course, we had the “Dabaw binalot”, which is Habi’s fusion of Kapampangan’s bringhe and the Maguindanaoan’s pastil. The “binalot” incorporates all-time favorite chicken humba and is topped with salted egg and ginger-scallion palapa, which is a Maranao condimentEvery single town boasts of a single signature local dish. Some even have more.
In Davao City, a good call for unique dishes is at Habi at Kape. Thanks to the incredible passion of long-time culinary and culture connoisseur Mary Ann Montemayor for combining ingredients and creating dishes inspired by Mindanao culture.
I was able to try out some of these dishes during Habi at Kape-Rogen Inn’s first anniversary wherein guests were treated to a buffet of well-loved Davao food and some favorite Filipino signature dishes on June 7 and 8, 2023.
Some of the highlights include “sinuglaw” for appetizer which has a twist of Habi at Kape’s spiced “gata” (coconut milk) as a dressing; and “pako” (fern) salad with pomelo and Davao mango dressing.
For the main course, we had the “Dabaw binalot”, which is Habi’s fusion of Kapampangan’s bringhe and the Maguindanaoan’s pastil. The “binalot” incorporates all-time favorite chicken humba and is topped with salted egg and ginger-scallion palapa, which is a Maranao condiment.
Of course, a celebration will not be complete without the signature Davao pansit (noodle) called “hinaoob na oodong awon manok hasta butong,” “bungos na Bangus” or bangus belly stuffed with fruit bits and veggies; and “lumpiang hubad.”
Desserts are crowd favorites that have been featured in many food festivals and catering by Habi at Kape’s sister company, Villa Margarita. This is includes the award-winning kamote-durian roll, turon baduya, Habi maja blanca, and buko-pandan verrine.
Looking back, Montemayor started Habi at Kape while negotiating with the management of a newly-opened Abreeza Mall aiming to give a ‘home’ for the Davao Ecocrafts Association that will highlight local crafts of Davao at a friendly price.
The mall agreed under one condition that she will also put a café.
Nine years later, Montemayor opened two more branches within the city, including the branch at Rogen Inn, which was established amid the pandemic.
Habi at Kape – Rogen Inn branch has been able to highlight many Davao dishes with a fusion that has been only available in catering.
“Opening the café was as if rediscovering my first love but the cafe back then was not the same as the cafe we have now. We envisioned a cafe that doesn’t only serve coffee but tells a story about the Mindanao culture,” she said.
Focusing on the entrepreneurial virtue of “Kaayo,” which means “kindness,” “the extra mile” and “for good,” Habi at Kape continues to elevate the Davao experience through food and beverage and collaborations with local suppliers and farmers to showcase cuisines and create a fusion that tells the story of the complexity of Davao’s history and the various cultures that found their way to Davao.
Montemayor recently received the Habi Inspirational Tourism Entrepreneur Award during the Ministry of Tourism and Go Negosyo Tourism Summit in Cebu City, which recognizes outstanding establishments and their owners who excel in food tourism.
Habi at Kape at Rogen Inn is open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM and is available for exclusive functions and catering through Villa Margarita Catering Services.
