A Lovely Dining Experience
Last night myself and my other English friend were invited out to dinner to Claude’s Le Café de Ville restaurant in
Davao city.. Neither of us had been before, although we had previous invitations to go there but for one reason or another we had never got round to doing it. However nothing stood in our way this time and we turned up at the restaurant at approx 7pm. I am writing this because it was a very pleasant dining experience indeed. The restaurant itself is nice and small, giving it a cosy and very friendly ambience. Our friend who invited us to dinner there had been several times before and he was hoping that we would enjoy the atmosphere and quality of food and service. Indeed he was not wrong, there was no fault to be found at all. The menu had a wide choice from seafoods through to beef, chicken, pork, pastas, salads etc. Everything was very reasonably priced and was presented wonderfully. Service was absolutely excellent, very professional and efficient but friendly still and that was great to experience. The food was of excellent quality and our host, Claude , was an extremely hospitable, friendly person who made us feel immediately welcome and comfortable and gave us that personal touch. All these things added up together made for an excellent evening. I am very pleased that we finally ended up going there and we will be going back for certain in the future.
Back in the United Kingdom you can pay a small fortune for service and quality like that so of course it added to the pleasure of the evening that a huge dent was not made in the wallet. Are there any other establishments within Davao city that are similar to this? If there are, we would surely like to pay them a visit too. In general we don’t usually dine in such a comfortable, “upmarket” environment, because both myself and my English companion love to dine simply in the various eateries found around the city that locals will frequent, you know, basic table and chairs, rice meals and karaoke in the corner, because we refuse to become “exclusive” and only patronising the posh hotels and other “white haunts”. But I have to admit, Claude’s was really great and did not offset that feeling of snobbery. There were a whole mixture of different people dining in Claude’s which was good to see, giving it a relaxed atmosphere, but having said that, Claude and his staff maintained a very high standard of service. Great that something so nice can be accessible to a lot of people. However I am always aware of and will never take for granted that I am lucky enough to be able to walk into a place like that and pay for decent food. There are so many people who cant, who are struggling to find something to eat just to keep alive. I can indulge myself in fine dining when I want to and therefore I still sometimes feel guilty that I can do this while others are barely surviving. Whether I am right or wrong, I made sure that the young man out on the street with one arm missing who very energetically flagged me down a taxi afterwards received a good tip.
Yes its wonderful to experience fine dining and to enjoy ourselves in such top class establishments like Claude’s, but let us never forget where any one of us could be if we were not so lucky to be born into the circumstances that we were.
Hi John – I used to be a big fan of Claude’s, and I still really like Claude himself, he’s a wonderful man! Last two times I dined at Claude’s, the food was very substandard. Last time I went there, I didn’t even eat, because my steak was so tough that I could not cut into it with my steak knife! If Claude is around, this does not happen, but if he is absent for a night, I find that food quality and also service suffers. We plan to go give the place another try in 6 months or so and see if it has improved.
Another place that I recommend trying is De Bonte Ko, which I feel is better than Claude’s. De Bonte Ko is a Dutch place. The owner is named Henny, and he is also a very gracious host. I feel that De Bonte Ko has the best service that you’ll find in Davao. In fact, I will put the service at De Bonte Ko up against any restaurant in the world, and I feel that it will compare favorably.
Glad you had a nice time at Claude’s!
Hi John,
Glad to hear you enjoyed Claude’s. Just want to point out that you shouldn’t feel guilty about dining in an expensive restaurant like Claude’s. It probably cost you less or as much as what it would cost you to go to dinner in the UK. You are contributing to the economy and to mom & pop places like Claude’s who, in turn, provide jobs to the locals. That is a good thing.
Don’t feel that when you post something on this blog, we readers are waiting to pounce on any perceived inappropriate/unsuitable behavior. For heaven’s sake, that is your money and you are free to spend it the way you want to!
We cannot change the world overnight. There is so much poverty around you but do not let that spoil your enjoyment of the Philippines. We can all do what we can in our own little way to make things better for the lives that we touch and, I think, that is good enough. Enjoy your next dining adventure, John. Bon appetit! 
Hey Bob,
Why is John’s post in tiny letters? I felt like I was getting cross-eyed from reading it. Why is it always me, Bob? Are you picking on me?
Claude’s is a great experience. When I think of Davao my evenings in Claude’s always comes into my thoughts. It is somewhat unsual to find a restaurant this good priced that low. I would have to say that Claude makes it special. My next trip to Davao will be my next trip to Claudes. Ron
I love the article, John.
I agree with Tina. You should not hedge your enjoyment in fine dining with the thought that just a few yards away somebody is hungry and can’t find food for lack of money and you are aware of it…
Just enjoy it.
I wish next time you can describe the food like those fancy wine reviews e.g. ” a hint of cherry, pencil lead, a smell of earth and chocolate. pepper and mint. full of tannin and and a lime finish”…
Just kidding.
Bob, are all these restaurants reviews foldered?
Excellent site!!!
Hi Tina – For me, John’s post showed up in normal font like every other post on the site! After your note that it was small type, I went in and looked, seems like John must have used some other program to write the post, and it had tags in it to change the font to a different font than the site uses. I took all that out already now, maybe it looks better for you? Let me know.
Hi Bob,
Looks normal now, I’m happy! Thanks!
Hi John
Good post John and enjoy your thoughts and looking at Tina’s comment too, but Tina i know what John means and i understand your follow on thought too, but like John, we are guests in your beautiful country, we know its not perfect, but we enjoy the hospitality and the multi culturalisim ……… and like john says we don’t want to be “rich” ex pat westerners, but sometimes we can be too sensetive, we need to enjoy, i have had some fantastic times there in davao (currently in uk) both at local fiestas, my goodness me no need to teach Pinoys how to enjoy themselves or at more expensive places, Chimas, Jacks ridge with my mum….wait its making me home sick now…Tina, John is just being well, a decent guy i guess
Hi Tina – Now, if we can just get John to write using the Wordpress interface, his posts will always look normal!!!
Hi Bob,
I have to admit that Claude was in attendance all the time and his personality and profesionalism added to the night.
Tina
On my screen evrything looks ok, not sure why you see it small Bob the technical man can tell me next tme I see him.
Rick
Truth is when I leave a nice restaurant and enter guys the street with begging and despair I feel very guilty about what Ivejust spent on a meal when it would have given survival to a family for a month maybe.
Despite that I really enjoyed the meal and am taking less fortunate people out this week for a group meal, but not at Claudes.
Hi Rick,
I understand where John is coming from because I feel the same way. Unfortunately, the poverty around us takes away from our enjoyment but, seeing all these suffering and doing something to help alleviate it brings out the best in us. I realize that John has been helping the less fortunate in the Philippines and I am grateful to him for that.
I just saw on TV the other night how an island in the Caribbean that promotes tourism big time, built a wall to separate/hide the slums from the tourists. I think this is shameful. Why do they have to hide the ugliness from their guests? I know Imelda Marcos tried to do this back in the 70’s. I think the tourists shouldn’t be misled into thinking that everything is well in the host country. At least, in the Philippines, the tourist/expat is given the chance to experience the authentic Philippines, warts and all.
Despite all the poverty, I agree with you Rick, it IS a beautiful country – truly blessed with rich natural resources and people who still manage to laugh and have a good time, despite the hardship of daily life!
Hi Tina – in regards to building a wall to hide poverty and squalor, it has indeed been done in the Philippines too, and twice that I know of. First, it was done when Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines. A wall was built along his pathway to hide the squatter areas. Also, a few years ago when President Bush visited the Philippines a wall was built as well.
John,
I agree with Bob about De Bonte Ko. Last July/Aug when I was there, Elena and I took Bob, Feyma, and his neice Glenda there after Bob took us up to Father Franco’s. It was so good, a few days later we went there again for lunch. We originally wanted to try Henny’s new resturant Torro’s, which is right accross the courtyard, but they are only open in the evenings. Maybe we all can go there once I move. Gee, I am going to become a dabawenyo (or will I always be a forigneer? )
What ever, it will be happening.
P.S. Bob, if you see this, Bloggie has written about his lunch at your house. Nice to see you returning the favor.
Hi Bruce – Yes, we had a sort of early Thanksgiving meal! Turkey, yams, stuff like that. It was really a nice meal with good friends. I did leave a comment on Blogie’s post too!
Hi Bruce, I hope you’ll become a davaoeño but in order to become a true davaoeño, you should eat and relish the native durian variety and if you really, really want to become filipino, you should be able to eat Balut (20 days old) without closing your eyes in broad daylight!
Rey
Speaking for myself Rey. no way could i try balut, ok, i would for a bet but not for experience, durian yes, chicken feet and balut, sorry, i will have to remain a foreigner, but a welcome one i have always felt
Rey,
I have tried Durian and did not care for it. I would like to try some of the other varieties though. Today on a morning tv show here, they were showing weird foods from around the world. Ducks feet from China, geoduck (pronounced “gooey duck”), and they had Durian. One of the personalities said “It smells like old athletic shoes” and after tasting said “it tastes like old athletic shoes too”
To me the initial taste was interesting, but the after taste lingered like a garlic cream”
Balut, I do not know, I have thought of trying, since Elena likes them, but then I think, why bother.
Hi Everyone!
I got good news for those who are still hesitant to try durian. Click on the link below for info on new ODORLESS DURIAN!!! Of course, for us purists, the stinkier, the better!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/08/world/asia/08durian.html?pagewanted=1&emc=eta1
Hi Tina – The experience simply would not be the same without the fragrance of the fruit! Note I said “fragrance” and not “odor”
Hi Bob,
There are 2 things mentioned in the article that I found amusing:
“Most Thais don’t like too strong a smell, except some old people,” Dr. Songpol said. I guess we’re “old”, Bob! Although we’re not Thai so we don’t count.
“The fruit is analyzed in the same way that wine is sniffed and discussed at a Parisian dinner party.” I guess we can have a durian party next time we visit so we can “analyze” each one, just like wine!
Hi Tina – Sounds like a plan to me! I will see you at the Durian Tasting Party!
John..how does it compare to the **** star resturant Jolibee’s?
I have found the texture of Jolibees to be ..well…..unique.Do you get those cute little plastic numbers for your table to? AAAHHH yes …..Jilibee is truely a dining delight ,a meal to be remembered …by default.
Hi Rick & Bruce,
Don’t worry with the Balut, actually I can’t stand it too! I only eat the white part and slurp the soup, the embryo I throw as far as I can where I won’t see it!
Hi Bob,
Can I join that? I know how to rate a Durian just by smelling the bottom part. Even ripe mangoes before I buy one, I choose by smelling the fragrance and not by looks.
happy birthday on the 16th!
dont ask me how i know!
Hi Rey – All durian lovers are welcome! Whoever is the latest to join will buy the durian, though!
As my birthday is fast approaching i PROMISE that Durian will NOT pass my lips, and I watched a friend in MANILA eat a Balut and that was so horrible to watch . especially when as he chewed I could hear the craking of bones….YUK
Oh my…. John! I was planning to get together and share a durian with you to celebrate!