Mandarin Tea Garden: Unpretentious Chinese Fastfood

I've been lucky to stay  at a place so accessible to food places. A street across the place I'm staying are two of the big"fast food" Chinese restaurants in Davao: Dimsum Diner and Mandarin Tea Garden. I prefer the latter for its home-made, no-nonsense approach to Chinese food. It felt like eating at one of Binondo's eateries. 

I've tried a few of their rice toppings and they don't taste like Chowking to me (don't get me wrong, I do love Chowking's halo-halo). I'd skip the Pork Asado and head off their Taosi Sparibs (seen below). Tender, tasty and flavorful- try it with the plain rice though. 

Fried Ravioli, while far from one of Friuli's special (and I do hate the banana ketsup/sweet&sour sauce); this one's filling and passable.

 Skip the pork asado, I find the meat a bit overcooked and the sauce unimpressive. You are better off with the other rice toppings on the menu :)

This one's a must-try. True to "fall of the bone" phrases, not at all gummy and hard to chew; just well-seasoned and steamed just enough to truly get the goof stuff there. Mind you, I've never been a fan of chicken feet (I find it hard to eat and the texture of the meat quite disgusting in most Chinese restos).

This one's a killer. I normally don't eat fruit salad, let alone adore watermelons. Oddly enough, it works (or heavy cream just goes perfectly with every dessert).

Get ready for Davao's sudden downpour though (and always bring a handy umbrella and never wear your favorite flats at night). Davao do have this sudden heavy rains that cause this part of the city to flood heavily. Don't ruin a good night's meal with getting your favorite outfit soaked.

Lachi's: Let me count the ways

I am not a dessert kind of girl. Personally, when I see cafe/pastry place I do not immediately associate them together. Yes, you are looking at a non-Banapple believer (but I do love their Banoffee, and thats just it). Before you start bashing, I do love Conti's. I just don't like how most dessert places in the Metro settle for serving mediocre food just to match their food line-up. Stick to what you do best, if its dessert serve the best, kick-ass cake/muffin/cupcakes that would ever come out of your kitchen. Leave the rest to the experts.

Larci's would have to be an exception. A bit pricey for most Davao cafes (meals usually are less than Php100), but you do get value out of your P150-200 meals.

 I ordered their unforgettable ribs and its tender, juicy and flavorful. 

Their breaded tofu is an alternative for people on a pseudo-diet. (Folks, its still breaded and for sure their teriyaki sauce must've sugar in it). Diet aside, this is a good meal to start off.

If it takes some difficult convincing on your part, you can have this spicy beef meal. (Ditch, the rice).

One trip ain't enough. If I can just sample all the cakes they have on their menu. Cheesecakes look good, chocolate cake selection are vast and promising plus, they have dulce de leche! Too bad, they don't have their brewed coffee that day.

If their sans rival is a sign of how awesome their desserts are, I'd definitely come back soon for more!

Yes, its Santa's list of goodies

REASONS NOT TO BE ON DIET

PUSH FOR MORE CARBS, Surprisingly, good meals.