Update -- Restaurant Reviews

[derivative_guru]

This is an update that I have been meaning to post for restaurant reviews to follow-up our previous thread on the topic.

First, we have some new restaurants in town:

Sultan's Palace Turkish/Mediterranean: This is a new place downtown next to the new Hotel Nicanor. I had the 'Meze' sampler platter as I wasn't sure what to order. It consists of small portions of 12 different items...more than big enough for two. I feel bad because I can't remember the names of the dishes I like best, but grape leaf wrap dish was a standout. I also look forward to trying their shawarma and doner kabobs in the future. The coffee is strong, authentic Turkish-style and very good! I believe a sign promises 24 hour service, but seems like I have seen it closed, so I am not sure. However, the idea of being able to pick up that coffee in the middle of the night appeals to someone like me who keeps US market hours!

Blue Monkey Grill: I give this the award for'Best New Place'. The menu is limited, but good. Their grilled chicken is the best I have had in Dumaguete. Also, the kinilaw is fresh and has just the right amount of kick. The Blue Monkey Iced Tea, is a large serving of blended Iced Tea and along with everything else on the menu, very reasonably priced. They top off the good food with the lovely boulevard views, breezes and occasional live music. It is rare to see a new place start off so strong!

Kaway 'Jesus Fish' Place: This is between Boston Cafe/Food Net and Cafe Antonio...can't remember the full name. When we visited most of the items on the menu were not available. The signature grilled chicken was available...it was ok, but the prices are higher, the food quality lower and ambiance lesser than Blue Monkey.

New place opposite the North Bus Terminal near Silliman campus: Sorry again that I can't remember the exact name. This is another grill place but offers more seafood than Kaway or Blue Monkey. The food here was ok, but it is hard to justify going here with Blue Monkey or Hayahay/Laba-As just a stone's throw away.

Enting's: Hibbard Ave, north of Silliman. This place looks nice from the outside but the food is just not good...pass on this one.

Updates on Existing Restaurants:

Casablanca: Inspired by Rhoody's 'food porn' posting of the 'Fat Austrian' sandwich, I paid Casablanca a visit the other night. Unfortunately, the 'Fat Austrian' sandwich is a lunch special, so I wasn't able to try it. But, I did enjoy the Pork Stroganoff and my partner had excellent spare ribs (even better than Don Atilano's) with very good sauerkraut. The coffee at the end of the meal is always excellent here as well.

Boston Cafe: This place really is an undiscovered gem for most people in Dumaguete. The prices are extremely reasonable and the food, while not gourmet, is darn good. Stand out dishes are the Garlic Fish Fillet, their salads and they have a new Lumberjack Lasagna on the menu...good luck finding lasagna for P85 ANYWHERE that is this good! Also, the caprihinas, while made with local rum instead Cachaca, are quite refreshing at only P51!

As a side note, if you are visiting Cebu City and you enjoy Thai food, there is a new gem!: Mae Krua Thai Restaurant on F. Ramos Street, near the Diplomat Hotel. This was modeled after my old favorite restaurant in Cebu, Hai Phong, which was located in Crossroads, Banilad. The same owners (who also own Krua Thai) are behind this place and it too features inventive Thai cuisine, prepared by Thai chefs and very reasonable prices. Don't I wish we had a Thai restaurant like this in Dumaguete!

That wish for a Thai resto in DGT reminds my of another dream of mine...a great Mexican place...any update on the planned Mexican restaurant on the beach in Dauin by one of our DI members? I can't wait to try it!

Also, does anyone know what is going on with Jade Curry? I keep passing by to eat, but it always seems closed. I hope we haven't lost them...excellent curries there!

Any suggestions for other restaurants or dishes that I haven't tried are always welcome!

[garbonzo]

Thanks DG...great post! Will look at it again next time I'm heading there. Great info. Saves a lot of aggro searching out the really good eateries. I had lunch along the blvd last year in Dumaguete...to be honest I can't remember the name of the place but they had a reasonable size outside portion and it was, more or less, white coloured...LOL...I had a couple before I got there and didn't bother with a name - the wife wanted one more picture session along the flotsam and jetsam. Food was very ordinary and it was full of foreigners looking like they wished they were somewhere else....