It’s Day Five and we’re back in Davao once again.
In my quest to explore new gustatory territories, I already had my radar on Bon Appetit La Boutique weeks before our trip. They serve authentic French cuisine in a public square located at Plaza del Carmen, Loyola Street.
I never had a legit French meal in my life so I figured it would be a good place to start.
Sophisticated, elegant and charming, the interior of Bon Appetit La Boutique is a beautiful reflection of France. It is a perfect setting for romantic dinner dates, anniversaries and other special occasions.
Displayed on their walls are artworks and some French products for sale.
Sketches
Foie Gras
Fat Duck Liver
Canned French Delicacies
Fragrance Pillows
Fragrant soaps in Pomme (apple), Lavande (lavender) and Cannelle Orange (cinnamon orange) scents.
You know they’re the real deal because the menu is written in French. It’s okay, I can’t read French too. Hehe 🙂
Okay, nuff jabbering. Food. Now.
Baguette et Tapenade
Homemade French Baguette with Tapenade
Made with ingredients imported from France, this baguette can’t get anymore authentic in taste.
I’m very picky and hard to please when it comes to bread. You can ask my boyfriend. So when I say that I actually enjoyed eating this means a whole lot.
The baguette didn’t have that awful starchy aftertaste that breads made in local bakeries here in the Philippines tend to have.
Upon closer inspection, you can tell that the baguette has a light and airy texture with a thin, crispy golden crust.
Tapenade was something I never heard of before. It is a gourmet condiment usually used as spread for bread and is made out of black olives blended with herbs and olive oil until it forms into a thick paste. Its robust and distinct taste adds a unique flavor to the baguette.
The baguette and tapenade were actually on the house. Yey for free bread basket!
Crêpe Sarrasin, Oeuf, Jambon et Gruyère
Buckwheat Crepe with Fried Egg, Ham & Gruyère Cheese
While normal people would have this for breakfast or brunch, we had it as an appetizer simply because we can (fit lotsa food in our bellies). 🙂
Folded inside the crepe is a sunny-side up egg with slices of ham and melted Gruyère cheese.
Gruyère cheese has a rich, creamy texture and tastes sweet and salty at the same time. There is really nothing like it.
This is something I can have everyday! Light, savory and decadent. That’s what it is. It’s one of those things you have to try!
And yes, the salad did go very well with it too.
More free hot bread. They won’t stop serving free bread until you get to the main course or until you say so.
Penne Sauce Roquefort et Noix
Penne Pasta with Roquefort Cheese & Walnut Sauce
Roquefort is a type of blue cheese characterized by its blue veins of (edible) mold. It has a strong characteristic odor and taste that may put a lot of people off. But if you happen to like blue cheese, you will surely enjoy this dish like we did!
Served al dente, the penne was pasta perfection.
Steak de Gindara Grillé Sauce Beurre Blanc
Grilled Butterfish with White Butter Sauce and Potato Gratin
Tender and moist, the grilled butterfish was a delight to eat. The beurre blanc sauce was rich and buttery and it helped elevate this seemingly simple dish.
And the potato gratin was AHMEYZING. I could eat a casserole of that all by myself. It’s rich, creamy and tender. It’s so good that I’d rather have it over pizza any day! And yes, I still can’t believe I actually said that.
Bon Appetit La Boutique is a restaurant one should not pass up. I will not hesitate to recommend this place. Warm service, outstanding meals and fantastic dining experience.
Open Mondays thru Saturdays, 11AM to 11PM. Prices usually range between 300 and 500 pesos.