IT WAS a food photography assignment for a grilled resto named Kusina sa Subli.
The resto is off-the-beaten path as it is located inside the residential neighborhood of Lanzona Subdivision in contrast to food establishments situated inside malls or along major city roads.
"It was once an eatery but the business didn’t click, we put up a mini-convenience store, I don’t want to waste the vacant space so I planned to put up a carinderia but my business partner said that if we were to build an eatery might as well make it beautiful a place you are proud to show it to friends," said Jessica Jane Ongkingco, proprietor of the place.
Jessica Jane or JJ to friends is the daughter of Chona Ongkinco president of the film group Sine Madayaw whom we have been working for the passage of the Davao City Film Development Council ordinance authored by Councilors Leo Avila and Mabel Acosta.
JJ said Kusina sa Subli opened last October 29 and has seen a steady stream of visitors eager to try their famous grilled tuna panga and tuna belly.
They make sure that the food is affordable and delicious enough for people to be enticed to return, navigating the streets towards Lanzona.
The location is itself a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The place is only open during dinnertime. JJ said they make sure that the ingredients are fresh particularly the well-ordered tuna. Hopefully they will try to open for lunch as several of the regular clients are asking if the place can open for their lunch-outs.
The concept of the place is a grill kitchen, JJ said, where people can have their fill of familiar grilled specialties and dishes. Aside from the tuna there is the grilled squid, grilled liempo and the usual comfort meals such as the adobong baboy and pork sinigang.
The centerpiece of the Kusina is the family room, complete with a sophisticated videoke system, a billiard hall and a comfortable lounge. The place can be rented for the night and has been a popular venue for parties and exclusive barkada night-outs.
After the shoot, I was able to try several of their dishes and come to like the tuna belly, the sizzling bulalo and the paella, it was a place worth returning to, never mind if its outside the beaten path.
Kusina sa Subli is located along Subli Street, Lanzona Subdivision.