Have you ever scrolled passed through a local pub on social media showing a big sign with the letters “HS” that appear like a dollar sign ($)? I have! And I was curious about it. It’s a local gastropub in the city of Davao, located at Sobrecarey Street in Obrero, and everyone within my social seems to know about it. It’s Hearsay, Davao.
A common ground for people looking to party it up on the weekends and enjoy a good cocktail on hand. You would mostly see this on social media with vibrant people, flashing lights, and a DJ blasting good dance music in the background.
It has a high ceiling and sophisticated contemporary design that looks like a very high-end and chic gastropub. It seems a little intimidating budget-wise, but it is one of the gastropubs in Metro Davao that has a decent menu price with really good food.
Though known as a good hangout spot and a party place on the weekends, this place is a culinary gem offering a good selection of food and drinks. If you are not in it for the party and drinks, then their dishes are a must try. Personally, I find that on non-peak days where things are chill and less crowded, it is one good spot to enjoy a good dish or two.
It is a nocturnal restaurant that only opens from 5:30PM to 1:00AM. They do offer dishes that enamored a lot of patrons like their seared salmon and asparagus, four cheese pizza, and their pumpkin soup. Apart from that, they also host great events like Halloween parties and themed activities occasionally with special guests like DJs and local artists.
Menu
Food Review
Hearsay has been a known place for those seeking an escape from work and to enjoy a night out on the weekends. Not entirely my cup of tea, but I am always down when it comes to new food experiences. My friend has recommended this place for their good food and decent price. Here I am, on my second visit, and bringing my notepad with me.
Cocktails:
Pink Bees – 8.5, Lavender Haze – 7
Yes, we did start the night drinking cocktails on an empty stomach. I know, I know, it’s not the best order of drinking, but when you are craving badly for a drink, who cares about order? We asked their bartender their best seller, and they dropped two of their top picks. We ordered Pink Bees, a beautiful pink drink adorned with a rose, and Lavender Haze, a striking purple concoction topped with a slice of lemon.
Aesthetically, their drinks are really pretty and colorful. Their drinks are on the sweeter side, which can easily deceive you into thinking they’re light but actually give you a little buzz. Both drinks are gin-based, with Pink Bees having a sweet lime and berry notes. While Lavender Haze has a stronger and more bitter turn with a grape-like flavor.
The drinks are delicious, though there’s a hint of artificial flavoring. That said, of the two, Pink Bees is the standout unless you’re not a fan of berry-flavored drinks. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a beautiful, sweet, and slightly tangy sip!
Side note: Do not try to taste the rose petal design on Pink Bees. It’s calamansi or lemon peels dried out and colored into pink. It is highly bitter.
Chicken Fried Steak – 8.8
Their Chicken Fried Steak at P360 is a hearty and satisfying dish. The dish offers a generous portion of filleted chicken breast, perfectly fried to a crisp, then drenched in a rich, peppery gravy. You can opt for rice or mashed potatoes to pair. The chicken is unbelievably crisp, yet not soggy from oiliness, even if it was sitting for some time before we took a bite. Taking a bite; the chicken is incredibly tender and juicy. A really good mouthfeel.
Their gravy has a strong and deep pepper flavor with good viscosity – not too thick, not too watery. Though the chicken’s batter is flavorful, it is a little too salty for my taste, and the gravy is similarly on the saltier side. This is where the mashed potatoes help the dish shine by balancing out the saltiness. While the mashed potatoes have a subtle flavor, when paired with the chicken and gravy, it creates a harmony of flavors.
Seared Salmon with Asparagus – 7.3
Though hailed as one of their best sellers, their Seared Salmon with Asparagus (P485) failed to meet expectations.
While the dish is visually impressive, there are some drawbacks that detract from the appeal. For those with dietary restrictions, it’s important to note that the asparagus is wrapped in pork bacon. This dish may not be suitable for Muslim patrons, and the waiter should remind or confirm this information to their diners. This seems to be a minute detail on the fine print, but still something the restaurant should confirm with their diners.
On a positive note, the salmon showcases a striking color from its beautifully seared cooking. The exterior of the dish shows a delicate, crisp texture and color, yet the interior of the salmon boasts a soft and pinkish hue, indicating thoughtful preparation. As beautiful as it is, the mouthfeel is a bit dry, which is far from its presentation. It does have a good texture being not too soft nor too tough but the dryness is hard to overlook.
The asparagus was a great combination paired to the salmon. Asparagus is a salty vegetable, but it was prepared to temper the saltiness and make it subtle. Wrapped in bacon, it was a nice touch, complementing the fish.
What really dragged the dish down was the overwhelming saltiness. To counterbalance this, a generous squeeze of lime or lemon could help cut the saltiness. For those who prefer their dish unadulterated by any condiments or citrus, then this could ruin their experience. That said, the salmon offers a satisfying pescatarian flavor with just enough richness without it being fatty.
Popcorn Shrimp – 10
Popcorn Shrimp (P360) is the dish I’ll find myself ordering every single time I visit Hearsay unless I’m in the mood for something new. The first time I visited, I didn’t expect anything from it, but I was pleasantly surprised at how generous the serving was. The shrimp is large, yet the portion size is not stingy. It was well coated in light, crispy panko breading that had a satisfying mouthfeel, making it crunchy yet maintaining the soft, succulent texture of the shrimp. It was seasoned nicely with a very umami flavoring. Unlike the other dishes, it was perfectly salted and seasoned. The addition of shredded cheese adds a subtle type of saltiness without overpowering the dish and being intrusive.
The shrimp isn’t oily at all. Making it a satisfying yet light appetizer despite it being fried. The texture is wonderfully crisp and munchable, making it quite addictive. The dip, a simple mayo with some hint of citrus, provides a great complement, adding a refreshing contrast. It’s a simple dish, but the combination of flavors and textures is irresistible.
Restaurant Rating
Food:
It is on the expensive side, and the price is a big factor in whether the food is good or not, especially for diners who are not really a big fan of risking trying new things at a price. Personally, I do find that the food is worth it and good. It is a place where I can actually look forward to eating one or two dishes again and would look forward to trying a new one. If you are a person who enjoys good texture on food, they do have great offerings, especially on their fried dishes. They should, however, lay a little bit off from the salt as some food comes super salty. The overall experience was quite good, and compared to other restaurants with the same price range, they have one of the most generous servings.
Value for money:
The budget for a dish would range from P300 to P1,000, and these are for solo plates. However, the good thing about this is that some of their solo portions are quite big and generous. They also have a wide selection and variety of food and have some platters for sharing, like appetizers. With the price range, they are much generous to the serving compared to other restaurants and most of the food we’ve tried is actually satisfying. Though not perfect but enough to actually enjoy and make you want to come back.
Location:
The place is really aesthetically designed to show off a high-end bar, but on a weeknight, it is actually quite comfortable and highly conducive for date nights or intimate gatherings. It has a low light setting with a wide floor plan on both downstairs and their upstairs. It is quite cool and clean. Easy to navigate as well as it is within the heart of the city. They have appropriate parking, but is limited. Can accommodate 100 to 120 people, estimate. High ceiling and a great ambiance.
Service:
I’ve read on Google reviews that this restaurant has a nuance take on the service. The majority of it is that the food serving time is slow. We did not experience this and had a very comfortable dining experience. However, note that on both occasions we dined there, it was a slow night with only one to three tables occupied. Bad experiences may be noted during peak days like weekends for other diners. This is something to note, but our overall experience is great.
Variety:
They have a good selection of menu with a lot of appetizers that can be shared by a group of people. Most dishes are bistro type dishes you often see from other restaurants of the same level of calibre. They also have a good variety of drinks, providing a mix of their own.
Recommendations
Recommended Food – Shrimp Popcorn, Chicken Fried Steak, Pink Bees
Information
- Payment Method: Cash, Gcash
- Budget: P1,000-P1,500 for 2 pax
- Type: Bistro-style, Mixed, Gastropub
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Hearsaydvo
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