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Apr 21, 2013
Del Monte Roast Beef and Pineapple
GPS waypoint: N8 22.878 E124 50.136
Del Monte Pineapple
Being in Cagayan de Oro (near Bukidnon), I hear a lot of hype about Bukidnon's Del Monte pineapples. I was told by several people that the sweetest pineapples they've had was Del Monte, but you can't buy them outside the plantation - either you go to the clubhouse (golf course) or go to whatever country to where it's being exported. The good ones are earmarked for export, and the rejects are the ones that find its way in Cagayan de Oro's public markets. I heard that a certain Dr. Acosta 'designed' the pineapples to be sweet, without the bite and even have a tender core. I heard several varieties produced by Del Monte catering to different markets. There is the small petite pineapples for the Swiss market, a separate one for Korea, etc. I usually get my pineapples in Cogon Market for P20/kilo. They are the sweetest I've tasted. If the Del Monte variety is sweeter than that, I have to taste it for myself.
Del Monte Roast Beef
I was also told that Del Monte's roast beef is legendary - that it's the benchmark used by all roast beef restaurants...that it's often imitated but never duplicated. This was told to me by someone affiliated to a culinary group (who apparently made attempts at topping the Del Monte brand, it never quite made it).
Seen Better Days
Upon arrival at the Golf Course, I kind of expected a "Camp John Hay" - infrastructure reminiscent of colonial America where service is what you might get in an upscale suburban American diner (nothing over the top but cordial). From what I've seen, it looked more of a John Hay that has seen better times. Perhaps it had that grandeur a generation ago. But the whole dining area, although well kept, seem like a throw-back to a bygone era - the dated design, dated tables and chairs, etc. It was also very busy that I wasn't sure when a waiter would come to me. It took a while, but a waiter did take my order. Of course I ordered a freshly chopped pineapple and a roast beef sandwich
The Acid Test
Given the level of rhetorics, the expectation is naturally high. Now, it's time to put the hype on a litmus test - on my palate.
Pineapple Taste Test
It didn't even look bright yellow...but dull yellow. That's ok. I've tried dull yellow pineapples at Cogon Market and they were indeed sweet. On first bite, I was bracing myself for blow-your-doors-off sweetest! It was sour! It wasn't even sweet. I thought maybe it was my taste buds. I drank water, even gargled it. Took another bite. Sour! This thing is a dud! I tried eating some more hoping there is a piece that would be sweet...nothing. Worse, after a while, a strong bite covered my entire mouth. I couldn't touch it anymore. This one is a definite bust for me
Roast Beef
My expectation wasn't as high anymore. The bread looked appetizing...like it was pan fried with their special oil. The roast beef was tender. The taste was natural beef. I mean it didn't taste like seasoned viand. There was a littel mayo and a slight trimming of lettuce. But there was no sauce or gravy. The whole experience was promising but texture was dry. Without the gravy to complement the roast beef, it felt like eating hamburger without the catsup. Close to my last few bites, the waiter showed up. I asked him why the sandwich didn't come with gravy. What he said caused my jaw to drop. He said, "ooops, sorry, I forgot!" So, there was supposed to gravy to begin with!!!
Dropping the Ball?
Del Monte has too much riding on the reputation of their pineapples and roast beef to drop the ball on this one. I don't think their standard has dropped to give way to cost-cutting. I think they still uphold the quality of what they serve - at least on paper. But in actual practice, I suspect their quality control has dropped immeasurably for something like this to happen under their very noses. Perhaps they just accept what goes on in the assembly line without checking them often enough or thorough enough.
Faded Glory
Or, on a grimmer scenario, perhaps their roast beef used to be the best and their pineapples used to be the sweetest. Everything is just riding on the reputation of things past....much like their structure.
Durian Saves the Day
Oh well, you can't win 'em all. At least I enjoyed exploring Sumalsag Cave. Later, I'll just help myself to a whole durian fruit. That should more than make up for it.
--- TheLoneRider
ps - If you want me to objectively cover your resort for this website (beach resort, mountain resort, island resort, etc.), email me.
- go to Agora Market and board any bus going to Valencia and tell the bus conductor to drop you off San Miguel for the Del Monte Golf Course. P30, 50 minutes
- from San Miguel, hire a habal-habal (single motorcycle) to drop you off Del Monte Golf Course. P10/pax, 5 minutes
- from the main Highway, hail any bus or jeep going to Cagayan de Oro and ask to be dropped off at Barangay San Miguel. P15, 20 minutes
- from San Miguel, hire a habal-habal (single motorcycle) to drop you off Del Monte Golf Course. P10/pax, 5 minutes
- Goodbye Cagayan de Oro Jan 31 - May 5, 2013
- Summer Peace Festival 2013, Cagayan de Oro Apr 26-28, 2013
- Visiting Maria Christina Falls, Iligan Apr 24, 2013
- Del Monte Roast Beef and Pineapple Apr 21, 2013
- Exploring Sumalsag Cave Apr 21, 2013
- Abundance and Letting Go Apr 5, 2013
- Cagayan de Oro's Street Masseuse Mar 24, 2013
- Cagayan de Oro - the City of Golden Opportunities Mar 19, 2013
- River rafting along Cagayan de Oro River with Great White Rafting Mar 7, 2013
- Adrenaline Rush at Dahilayan Adventure Park Mar 2/3, 2013
- Abundance in Cagayan de Oro Feb 10, 2013
- Cagayan de Oro Mar 7-9, 2009
 (Apr 24, 2013) The 98-meter high waterfall in the Philippines is the 8th highest in the country and sits in the forested area of Iligan just a short jeep ride from the city proper. The area within the waterfall has been developed to include a canopy walk, ziplining, and soon, white water rafting. Iligan boasts of 23 waterfalls, thus the nickname, City of Majestic Waterfalls...more »»
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