There’s a new gastronomic hotspot in Davao and this is the SK Complex Building, along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Bajada. Among the restaurants in the area, one that truly stands out is a new Italian-American spot offering fine dining service and a thoughtfully curated menu. La Fle e Ristorante & Lounge offers a sophisticated atmosphere, delivering an elevated fine dining experience.
In a matter of hours, the vibe changes from a fine dining atmosphere to a chill and cozy lounge when it hits 10PM. The lights are dimmed out a little and a DJ starts to play their music that you can bob your head along to. You can then put your hair down, drink something braver, and relax. It is a place you can truly ‘flee’ from all your problems and responsibilities, even just for an hour or two.
La Fle e Ristorante & Lounge opened its doors last March 2025. It is a newly opened restaurant, yet it delivers exemplary service and fast delivery time with very attentive waitstaff. Apart from the beautifully adorned red walls with vintage floral markings that set a tone of sophistication, there is their amazing menu crafted with scrumptious meals. The area is located on the 2nd Floor of SK Complex.
They offer Italian classics from pizzas to risottos and comfort meals from America. They also serve a wide selection of cocktails and wine for those wanting to celebrate. They have an area for those who want an intimate group gathering, a bar area where you can be alone and enjoy a glass or two in peace, and comfortable couches. The place, at an estimate, can seat up to 60-70 people.
They offer unique and intriguing dishes like their Ostrich fritters and Ostrich pizza, which is made out of actual ostrich meat. The vibe really gives out a fine dining atmosphere, and you get quality food and service. How does the food compare to other food places in SK Complex?
Menu
Food Review
La Fle e Ristorante & Lounge are one of those restaurants that you can get really intimidated by because of its vibe and atmosphere. Despite its intimidating vibes, they compensate with warm and pleasing wait staff. They are very accommodating and provide you good menu recommendations.
Here are the noted bestsellers from their recommendations:
Pizza – Ostrich & Artichoke (white-based), Philly Cheese Steak (red-based), Prosciuto & Mushroom (white-based), Caccio E Peppe (white-based), and A’ll Matriciana (Red-based)
Appetizer – Ostrich Fritter, Buffalo Calamari
Entree – Risotto in Spanner Crab Asparagus, Salmon Al Burro, Beef Shank Osso Bucco, Grilled Lamb Chops
Desserts – Tiramisu, Lemoncello Cake, Truffle Marble
Pasta – Bolognese in Truffle, Smoked Bacon & Mushroom Tagliatelli
From the top of my brain, that is what I have noted as the bestseller when I asked for each category. Some categories I have not asked because I wasn’t in the mood to eat them.
Ostrich Fritter – 9.5
We started our meal with an appetizer, their Ostrich Fritter. Yes, it is made out of actual ostrich meat. The dish is made out of four finger-sized nuggets of ostrich meat coated with a flavorful breading and deep-fried. It is then placed on top of a delicious sauce. The sauce is a good combination of tomato sauce and cheese with some rich herb that tastes so good. The nugget is super crunchy and well salted. However, it was super tough. When you slice it, the whole table moves! The flavor profile of the ostrich is similar to a ground beef and a cross between a chicken. (P395)
A’ll Matriciana – 9.5
A’ll Matriciana is a red-based or tomato-based pizza topped with delicious bacon, glazed onions, cheese, black olives, and chilies that leaves a tingling sensation on your tongue. It’s mildly spicy. The first bite was unexpectedly bursting with a savory flavor and fiery sensation. The bacon meat is generous, and the glazed onion provides sweetness for each bite. It is a thin-crust pizza with a firm bite that is perfectly baked. My issue is that the bacon used had a very strong gamey aftertaste that I cannot overlook. It was a little salty as well. This pizza can be shared by 2-4 people as it has 8 slices with an estimate of 8-10 inch for the whole pie. (P625)
Risotto in Spanner Crab Asparagus – 10
Risotto in Spanner Crab Asparagus was one of the best dishes we’ve tried from our order. It’s actually a different type of risotto flavor I’ve tasted. Most risottos I’ve tasted in Davao has an overpowering cheese and cream flavor. There is an imbalance of the actual base. For example, if I order a mushroom risotto, there is not a hint of the mushroom essence. All you can taste is the cheese and cream. But, with their risotto, it was unique. It was earthy and green. It has a strong nutty and earthy flavor from the asparagus and the spanner crab is a perfect complement to the dish. Their risotto also had the best or perfect texture for the rice. It was not mushy, not creamy, not undercooked, it was the perfect bite and texture. It’s an uncommon flavor but if you are like me that is on the hunt for good risotto and want to add a new flavor profile in your dictionary, I would recommend their innovative take on risotto. (P550)
Classic Sangria – 7.5
We didn’t really enjoy their sangria, though that might come down to personal preference. It leaned more toward the strong and bitter side, whereas we prefer a better balance that includes some sweetness. The fruit was fresh—mainly apples and oranges—but it wasn’t cut evenly. I personally enjoy sangria with medium-sized fruit cubes that are easy to munch on. In this case, there were some large chunks of apple and oversized slices that felt a bit sloppy or hastily prepared.
Hazelnut Coffee – 10
I usually like to end my meal with a cup of coffee to pair with my dessert. I asked for their best recommendation for coffee and they offered me hazelnut coffee which did not disappoint. I usually avoid hazelnut drinks or food because I am not particularly a fan of the taste but their hazelnut coffee is delicious. It has a really suave taste and paired well with the truffle marble. It has a good balance of sweetness and deep rich espresso.
Truffle Marble – 10
Despite being our third choice, the Truffle Marble did not disappoint. We originally wanted to try their tiramisu, but unfortunately, it was no longer available. The same went for their Limoncello Cake, which, according to our server, is a lemon-flavored cheesecake.
The truffle marble turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It’s a layered cake featuring a soft chocolate cake as a base, topped with smooth layers of chocolate and vanilla mousse, and finished with delicate shavings of dark chocolate. The flavors were not contradicting each other, striking a nice balance without being sinfully sweet. You can’t help indulging in this sweet treat.
Restaurant Rating
Food:
This place is one of the best restaurants I’ve tried in the early months of 2025. Every food did not disappoint and despite it being on the expensive side, we did not leave disappointed and were highly delighted. From the service to the dishes we tried, it was almost perfect and just needed a few tweaks.
Value for money:
It is expensive as they are close to a fine dining restaurant. Yet, despite its price, the food is delicious, and they have a good serving size. They also really have quality service, which you cannot overlook.
Location:
Beautiful restaurant, spacious, and provides a good atmosphere for date nights. Vibe changes once it hits 10PM with their live performers, like DJ. It becomes cozy. Many parking spaces, though shared with other restaurants, yet have a dedicated area for parking. SK Complex is also accessible as it is in the heart of the city.
Service:
One of the restaurants that have superb service. From the usher who will seat you to your table to the attentive staff who will give you time to order, yet stationed to ensure you are comfortable and well taken care of your needs like napkins, cleaning out tissues and giving you water. They are also friendly to provide you suggestions and have pleasing personalities. Fast service time as well despite them just starting a month only and the place was packed when we ate there. However, it is more suited for adults, young adults, rather than families with little kids. It would be nice to have waiting seats outside, though. I would suggest getting a reservation ahead of time.
Variety:
Well-rounded menu and have offers for solo and sharing. Great selection of pizza, pasta, and main courses. Also have kid’s menu which is nice for those with family.
Recommendations
Recommended Food – A’ll Matriciana (Pizza), Ostrich Fritters (appetizer), Truffle Marble (Dessert)
Fun to try – Risotto in Spanner Crab Asparagus (main course), Hazelnut Coffee
Information
- Payment Method: Cash, Gcash, Credit Card
- Budget: P1,500-P2,000 for 2 pax
- Type: Italian-American
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572161521755
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