After too much deliberation as to what time and what place, Patty finally suggested to make our first stop at Tadakuma - a quaint Japanese restaurant located in Jacinto Street, just across Davao Banko Sentral Complex. It was really ironic that we have allowed her to decide when she was only with us for three minutes tops. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.
Anyhow, I am glad to note that their service was personable and prompt enough; however I would say that the menu could have been improved by not just showing the photos of the food (because my friends and I ended up pointing at them and saying 'what's this?' and 'I want this and that.'). Further, if the prices were included in the first few pages of the menu, there shouldn't be a reason not to include the prices of the food in the last few pages of the menu. I found the inconsistency weird as I always thought that the Japanese were so specific about the details. As for the food, the portions were quite ample (despite the food server's claim that the serving per order is good for one person, I wonder Who or shall I say What was her basis for this...hmmm) and choc-full of flavor. So I guess the price was just right. We were finally kicked out at 10:00pm. We were disappointed to hear them close early as we were wrongly informed (by the same food server) that they usually close at 1:00am. And because we were tired, we decided to go to the spa.
Since I have not been in Davao for quite sometime and I completely relied on my friends to point me to the most interesting places, I initially just went with the flow. However, later in the night, we opted not to go to their usual massage parlor but to a new place which a friend manages. She has been blabbering about this spa for the nth time so when our cab passed by the area, I then suggested that we try it out. The place was called Japanese Zen Oriental Spa, just along Quirino Avenue. Before I proceed, I just want to inform everyone that this is not a sponsored post. Since this is my blog, I would say that our visit was quite right. However, I will not speak for my friends since they have their own opinion about the place. I believe there was something about being indecently exposed and the steam bed not hitting the right spot. To get it directly from the horse's mouth as they say, please take time to check their blogs instead. 
I chose the Japanese Hot Stone Therapy while my friends decided the spa's signature massage that is called Hoshino Therapy. Both types of massage were supposed to last for an hour and a half only but mine went beyond two hours to my delight. I have always been curious about trying a hot stone therapy but was too scared to do it and since I vowed to myself that 2011 is the year to make things happen, I thought to myself - to hell with this silly fear over a massage and be done with it. And it was worth it. I think that therapy was long overdue. I should have had that last September 2010. Anyway, the spa offers several services from body to foot, including nail and facial care. All for reasonable prices between PhP 250-480. Not bad, right?
Besides, these include Japanese food. Yes! There is complimentary food served and not just the usual hot or cold tea. There is a variety of recipes you can choose from, depending on which day of the week you decided to visit the place. 
I suggest that you visit the spa with an empty stomach because you will be served a full meal afterwards. Since my friends and I were full (we had dinner first before the massage which was a bad idea), we were not able to enjoy everything they offered. What can I say, I just love extra stuff!!! It is like the olive in your dry martini.
Another thing I loved about the place was, the locker and shower rooms. Small businesses like this do not usually have one and that was why I was really surprised to be shown the way. Again, we were the last to leave another establishment. This time though, we were not shooed away but the hostess, who also happened to be my friend, was gracious enough to accommodate us and made sure that our experience will be as note-worthy as possible.
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