MOOD OR FOOD? A QUICK MUNCH AT EL POLLO LOCO (MEGAMALL)

Most of reviews I took the liberty of commenting how good the food was on a certain resto. I opt to disappoint you this time. 

You know, since I started working in Manila in 2008, I always have had a chance to drop by this food zone but it's just now I dared and took a peep and taste of their meal.

Just had a quick grab of munchies at El Pollo Loco (Megamall Branch) last July 29th. Awkwardly, I ordered the LOVERS MEAL (pegged at Php510.00). This meal bundled a combination of 4 pc. Mexican-grilled chicken, Two (2) Spanish Rice (as side dish; weird for a Pinoy to have rice as side dish), Ube Halaya and Fruit Coktail as desserts, four hot rolled tortillas, two salsa (tomato plus chili) and two regular drinks.

To be honest, I stared at the served food for like one long minute having this mind-boggling judgement that it was really not that sulit for Php510. I could have brought myself to an eating place I know that wouldn't drive me to an adventure of taste.

And this time I proved that first impression can't even last. From the moment my taste buds met the salsa with the chili kick in it, it was like...WOW. And then I begun to enjoy it up to the last chicken bite. 

Dessert? Hmmm...there's always a room for improvement. Drinking their tea? Hmmm...glass size check please.

But what would invite me to go back isn't really the food but the service. I love their customer service! They tend to have the best bunch of peeps to serve you with utmost personal touch. I must even commend the one who assisted the family with a lola who's physically challenged. Not only that he took the order. He also was the one to bring the order list to the counter. And then the cashier approached them to let the old lady sign the credit card merchant slip.

Eating a Piece of Liberty: MOMENTS at the LIBERTY STEAKHOSE

At the heart of UP Town Center is the haven for steak-savvy peeps.

Liberty New York Steakhouse staged Gladys Reyes’ MOMENTS and post birthday mini-celebration with some of her invited press friends (including my “nobody” self) last June 24.

 The Place

The theme is a replication of a typical US setting steakhouse with an ambiance of both comfort and tranquility which would best fit those who are looking for that silent sanctuary in the midst of the urban living.

Vivid are the colors and ceiling hangings that craft utmost creativity of the mind/s behind the place’s interior. It’s white background defines all the wall and ceiling design that would bring you somewhere else. It’s “exclusivity” is the perfect place for some dating purposes, for corporate meetings, for birthday celebrations (well, with exclusive friends invited) and for a soul-searching and some personal food craving satisfaction trips.

Unparalleled frames on the walls give justice to the typical life’s facts. Connected are the photos, the abstracts and the words of wisdom that are carefully put in place to weave interrelation and to ignite someone’s imagination while waiting for the food to be served. I tried it myself. Reading those quotations and watching those photos and posters really is an effective way to kill boredom afar from simply playing something from my smartphone.

The Food

Reasonable as it is, the food prices won’t scratch your budget that much. Appetizers range from the fries down to nachos down to the calamari’s. It isn’t all for the meat-lovers since the greeners have their choice to munching Falafel Salad, Hail Caesar and the Crispy Chicken Salad. It also offers the world-class taste of soups like the Matzo Ball Soup and the Manhattan Clam Chowder.

Who could ever resist the house’s specialty and all time best dishes including the Fire Pit BBQ Belly, Greek Style Lamb Kebobs, Tribeca Sausage Platter, The Avenger Platter and the Hell Kitchen’s Shrimp Diablo. Sandwiches also are on parade with chicken, beef and pork meat options.

My personal favourite would be that of the hearty steak choices ranging from the classic to the country fried down to the contemporary K Pop.  One element of surprise is that it goes better when partnered with the house-offered extra sauces at Php65 per variant. You can choose from Beef & Mushroom, Beef Au Jus, Marsala Demi Glaze, White Sausage Gravy, Liberty Steak House Sauce, Green Gaucho and the Red Chango.

The MOMENT(S)

It was lucky of me to join the highlights of the event at Liberty Steakhouse that day which was Gladys Reyes- Sommereux’ post-birthday bash and press conference for the 25^th season of MOMENTS (Net 25).

To boast, she gave a chance for me to write for the next 13 episodes of the program particularly the ABBOTT Similac Gain-sponsored Segment . It was no question as to why several blessings are being endowed to this one heck of a mother-slash-kontra bida and versatile actress-slash-friend—that she knows how to value the people around her.

On the said event, she thanked and paid high respect to her more than two-decade manager Lolit Solis, who has been the foundation of where she is on her success to date.

MOMENTS, according to Gladys, would be a monumental program aiming for better conversations about parenthood and familial living on television.  Having the central focus of the program on strong family ties and sharing of better parenthood, MOMENTS has been recognized by the ANAK TV and the Department of Education Lingkod TV Awards. It has also been hailed as the Most Child Friendly TV Show during the 1^st MTRCB Awards and the Star Awards Best Celebrity Talk Show of 2011.

MOMENTS, as the actress/host mouthed, always has a reason to bring her to her kiddos and her husband closer as certain segments feature them such as the KIDDIE MOMENTS which is currently hosted by her three kids namely Christophe, Aquisha and Grant.

The program which started way back November 2007 gave her the chance to prove her prowess on hosting more than the usual acting that she has been into since childhood days.

“MOMents talaga yung nagbigay sa akin ng break sa hosting kaya super thankful ako sa program na ito. At sobrang bilis ng panahon hindi ko namalayan na nasa 25^th season na pala kami. Wow!”

As to her wish for the program, she responded “Naku, marami pa akong i-guest sa show kagaya nina Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Mommy Dionisia at yung anak ni Senator Angara.”

As to what makes season 25 more exciting for the viewers, “Mas magiging active tayo sa iba’t-ibang platform pa like the social media. Interactive conversations with the people in the online world eh mas palalawakin pa natin.”

When asked as to how she’s going to rate herself as a host (well, that’s my question thrown on her), “Naku, I always see hosting as a never-ending process to learn. Mahirap mag-rate sa sarili. I always prefer feedback from the audience kesa isipin ko na magaling ako.” That only proved how humble she is given the fact that the numbers would speak for itself—given that MOMENTS is on its 25^th season is already a proof how big her success is on hosting. Wink!

Galdys is always grateful to her sponsors whose support are much felt to run the program—GIBI SHOES, THE GENERICS PHARMACY, TRUST FAMILY PLANNING, MARIWASA TILES, ABBOTT LABORATORIES and many more (pardon if I forgot to name some. As quoted by Glady’s sister and my dear friend, Janice Reyes-Villa”Ikaw lang ang uma-attend ng press conference at meetings na walang dalang ball pen at papel. Next time, magdala ka ha).  

Snapshots

Gladys Reyes-Sommereux sharing her MOMENTS' 25th season goals to the people of the press.

More than a sister. Janice Reyes-Villa did the introduction of her sister Gladys to the people of the press.

Perfectly Perfect. A rare opportunity is to have lots of glam peeps around you. Lucky Me!

My future manager. Charot.

Asking Questions.The press peeps are very much excited to ask queries about Gladys' show and of course love life.

With the "man behind the scene". Direk Dandy Cabusora remains to be the key man behind every episode of MOMents.

Too young and good. MOMents' editors and writer on a candid shot.

My sisters from another mother. A quick chit-chat before saying goodbye to this momentous event.

DONUT Read This!

Kid At Heart

I could reminisce those afternoon moments as a kid-- that feeling of slight pumping sensation in my chest whenever my mother would go home carrying a box full of munchkins and donuts of delightful flavors. Everything would start with a deep breathing (wishing that my favorite strawberry-filled donut is inside the box) followed by giving out a big smile juxtaposed with the activation of my salivary glands. Nope, that's exaggeration but to confess is sometimes true. Wink.

I grew up in the 90's (of course the era of fast food and instant things) and donuts is a usual thing to bring home as pasalubong. Admittedly, I am a big fan of it. Who wouldn't love the sweets anyways? Bad side I grew up in the 90's is the fact that we only have a few filling options available. A bit late but thanks to innovation  to alleviate donut's old school image in me.

Sharing the JCO Way

A million thanks for bringing this donut wonder in the Philippines JCO! Though to be bluntly honest, i didn't like it at first. Why? Haha! It's the Illuminati-like or some sort of its connection to the logo, the 666 blah's and probably the name JCO(Judas' Co.?)

But putting aside those crazy little mind boggling things, I am captivated by the creativity beyond every donut's name some of which are Berry Spears, Green Tease, Why Nut, Blueberry Moore, Snow White, Cheese Me Up Avocado Dicaprio and Mona Pissa.

It's More Than The Name

More than the playful donut names goes the taste. What i love about JCO is that it's not-too-sweet and at the same time the justice it adds up on its designated flavor. My personal fave would be that of BlueBerry Moore and Avocado Di Caprio.

The price is also reasonable as you'll really get that oozing mouth-watering experience which is more than what you paid for. it's a vice for me to buy four (4) dozens each time as I get more donuts to share at (I think) a lower cost.

The Down Side

Pardon me if i find MOA so far from my place in Makati hence the option left is to go to the Megamall Branch. And guess what? I hated JCO the time I am planning to buy 4 dozens (@Php550/2-dozen order) that would serve as my New Year (of 2014) pasalubong for my family and relatives.I don't know if we just have the same wavelength of thinking but the line goes as far as to the nth store near JCO. whew! That time thanked Krispy Kreme for giving me a chance to go home with something in my hands they would be excited about. 

SAVOR WITH THE VIKINGS (MEGAMALL BRANCH)

The Prep

To ensure that the enjoyment won't be spoiled by long hours of waiting, a reservation was done two weeks ahead. I am a nobody and to my surprise, Vikings would let you feel that VIP treatment you'll always want from the customer service side of things. We did the reservation through their Facebook page and voila! we got some sort of confirmation details, a code of reservation and certain follow-ups from them. From a stand point of a customer, an early 5-rating is well-deserved by Vikings. That's not even close to their table serving!

Warm Up

A warm smile (which I don't know if it's just because they have this new Megamall Branch or what) will be given to you as you slip into their world of food and flavors. That entrance door will bring you much closer to that perfect Filipino warmth and hospitality. An OFW kind of world-class servicing in the local setting. Cheesy. But swear you'll feel and experience it yourself if you'll visit.

Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Who wouldn't get excited upon seeing the parade of sushi colors, the mouth-watering array of desserts and some other sweets, the thirst-quenching jars of coolers and lemonades, the enticing glaze of roasted pig, Angus beef and that "Thanksgiving" turkey? I took my tour of food to eye those I would want to put in my tummy.

First Batch of Yum.

Some of the most familiar food I picked-- shanghai, siomai (japanese and pork), boneless lechon, gambas, tempura and Angus beef. These all I matched with the all-time love of all chao fan. Of all, that distinct-tasting Japanese siomai is the best. Also, top of my like would be the boneless lechon because of its mouth-melting texture and its being non-greasy it seems like you're not eating lechon at all!

Bread of breeds.
Those who are bread fanatics have a little space to enjoy here. From the simple pudding until the cakes of some names first time I encountered you'll find here. Surely, You wouldn't let this opportunity to indulge yourself much on the carbs of life to just pass by. This oozing basket of breads from different parts of the world would fill the your satiety.





Drink me, drink me not

 I so love the drinks--from iced tea to a range of soda you'll be able to experience. From the simplest distilled water (which is amazingly like it has the "spirit") up to that I-don't- love-so-much beer I let my taste buds experience. And the truth is-- I love them all but my tummy space won't allow them all at once. And so the sampling amount in my glass just to taste them all. I smiled when some people just did what I did.

A bonus would be my own version of root beer float. I tried it with the salted caramel and the avocado ice cream. One word: perfect!

Eating Ain't Over

Sweet tooth would be an advantage since it's raining desserts and sweets in Vikings--ranging from the simple sweet breads/pudding up to those with complex mixtures of creams, whips and fruits on top. If you were not able to taste these, you definitely missed half of your Vikings experience.

Since I love whips and milky textures on desserts i indulged myself on these pieces of sweets.

That Mix/Create-Your-Own Option

Define your freedom! What would be better than putting pasta toppings and mixing the pasta ingredients on your pace and choice! A wide variety you can handpick. Just Tell our friendly crews your table and it will be served hot!

Pause for a Pose

Bonus on the visit are the friendly peeps of Vikings. Of course, it's important you know those who prepare these sumptuous food we have on the table. A photo opp really is deeply appreciated to complete the "feel" of the food review. Kudos to your superb skills of flavorful food and world-class customer service!