As regular readers know, my Mom has been visiting us from the States for the last month and a half. Today, she will be leaving Davao on her journey home. After staying over in Manila tonight, her flight will be leaving in the morning. Yesterday, Feyma and I took Mom out for a sort of “going away” lunch, and we had a really great time.
For the lunch, we decided to go to our favorite “fine dining” establishment here in Davao City, De Bonte Ko Restaurant. De Bonte Ko is a Dutch Restaurant, and it’s located in the La Habana Compound on Rizal Street. The food there is excellent, but the thing that I always brag about to friends is how great the service is at De Bonte Ko. The owner, Henny, is from the Netherlands, and a very nice guy.
As with all meals at De Bonte Ko, the lunch started off with a basket of French Bread with Garlic Butter, which is always served to us “on the house.” The bread is always excellent, very fresh! I also ordered an appetizer of Smoked Blue Marlin, which was very good as well! For our main courses, both Feyma and I ordered a Porterhouse steak. I ordered mine medium rare, Feyma ordered medium well. As always, each steak was cooked to perfection, we could not have asked for anything better! Mom ordered the Spare Ribs, which she also loved!
Now, earlier I mentioned how good the service is at De Bonte Ko, right. I have a little story that I always tell about their excellent service. About 3 to 4 years ago, I went to De Bonte Ko for the first time. I ordered a diet coke with my meal, and when they brought it to me, it consisted of a glass with ice and a straw, along with a can of cold diet coke. Well, I don’t use a straw, so I immediately took the straw out of the glass and set it on the table, then proceeded to drink my diet coke. No big deal! Well, the next time I went to De Bonte Ko was nearly one year later. I had only been there once in my life, and that was about a year earlier. Feyma and I ordered our meal, and each of us ordered a diet coke. When they brought our drinks, Feyma’s glass had a straw, and mine did not. Imagine, after one year, they still remembered that I do not use a straw! To me, that is amazing, and really shows the level of attention that you get at De Bonte Ko.
We have really enjoyed having my Mom stay for the past 6 to 7 weeks. The kids especially enjoyed seeing their grandma so much! It will be hard for the kids over the next few days as they readjust to not having “Granny” around anymore. But, she will return another time to see them again.
Whenever you visit Davao City, I give my highest recommendation to De Bonte Ko, if you are looking for a fine dining spot!
Hope that you could post some pictures of the food served to you there at De Bonte Ko so that other visitors might have a good idea of what they'll be expecting from a nice restaurant you have a good review of. But anyways, Bob, I'm already watery with the thought of the great food served to you guys there based on your review. 😉
Hi Jio – Sorry, I didn't take any photos at the restaurant yesterday! I should have done it, just didn't think about it! Sorry about that.
looking fwd to tryuing it this feb.
Hi Brian – Tell them that I sent you! They all know me there, and they will appreciate that!
Enjoy your meal!
Hi Bob fully agree my no1 spot in Davao for good food . never had abad meal yet. normally i have abeer or 2 at someplace else before dining there. they also can do agood plate of food.
sounds sarap bob maybe my fiance will take me there for my birthday in feb , if i drop her a few hints.
Hi Frank Fealey – Yep, I also classify De Bonte Ko as the best restaurant in Davao. I've been to Someplace Else (that's the name of an adjacent bar for readers who don't know) too, and it's a fun little place!
Hi Ken – I do recommend it highly! Your birthday is in Feb? So is mine! 😎
Should that not be "Bonte Koe". It's a black & white cow cultivated in the Netherlands.
Hello BOb – advance happy birthday!! shall we all meet at De BOnte Ko for your bday then? ") just kidding..
will try it BOb ! THanks for this info…
Hi Luc – The name of the restaurant is "De Bonte Ko" – that is what it says on the sign and also on the menu. I've been eating there for years, and that is the name it has always had.
Hi Marygrace – Been a while since I heard from you! It's a long ways until my birthday! But, thanks for your greeting!
Bob I agree a good place to eat. Do you still buy the lunches? Or is it my turn? Ron
Bob i have a list of places to visit next week when i arrive and i'll add that one too thanx !
Bob, I have read your other reviews about "De Bonte Ko". and my mouth is watering. It seems rather funny that I really enjoyed "Bonocs", I never got a lousy meal there either, but I am looking for some fine dining with the good old steak lunch or dinner. The service sounds great. I enjoy all the styles of the philippino food and looking forward to learning some of those hot spots. Keith
Hi Ron – These days, there are so many people who read my blogs and come to Davao to meet me that I could not afford to pay for all the visitors' lunch! So, next time it's gonna have to be your turn, my friend! 😆
Hi Tommy – You won't be sorry!
Hi Keith – I think you are probably talking about "Banok's" right? they mostly serve Lechon Manok and other native foods. You are correct, they are also excellent, and very inexpensive too! I love their Lechon Manok, and their Pork Liempo is great too! 😀
Bob,
As you know, I love De Bonde Ko, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner there and 2 days later Elena and I went for lunch.
Have you tried Henny's new resturant Torro yet?
About the photos Jio asked for, would you like me to add my photos of the resturant n my album, or you can if you like.
Hi Bruce – Personally, I don't care for El Torro.
I don't have any De Bonte Ko photos. Feel free to put your up if you like! 🙂
De Bonde Ko i can also recommend have had a few meals there and Henny is a good host also been diving with him. All round good guy.
Hi Gray – Yes, Henny is a great guy! I always enjoy seeing him at De Bonte Ko.
I am from Davao City, De Bone Te Koe is one of me and my buddies favorite place to have dinner after scuba diving weekend, good food out there. I love to have an apple pie after my meal and glass of wine. Henny was my dive master when I get my open water certificate. He is a good guy.
thanks for sharing, Faith! Indeed, Henny is really a great guy, I enjoy spending time with him!