Very Rude Attendant of Bob's Cafe - Teleperformance!!!

On October 28, 2009, I arrived at the office around 840pm (my shift is at 10pm) and went straight to Bob's Cafe on 2nd floor. I wanted to buy seven (7) of my trainees chocolate cakes. I asked this rude attendant wearing orange shirt that day (i think) how many slices can the left-over chocolate cake accommodate? She was frowning, not looking you straight in the eye, and says in a very sacrastic/lazy tone "ANOM!" Then, I said "Ay, kulang na. Tag pila ni ya day ang inyo muffins?" She responded rudely, "FORTY!" Then, turns around and went straight to the bread spread behind her. I wanted to get seven (7) muffins instead but because of her unwillingness to assist, I did not bother to do so. I turned my back and went straight to our Training office in the Operations Floor.

This was the second time I experienced her rudeness. The first time was before I went on leave the previous week which I let it pass. While in our office, I was contemplating on her BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE and I asked around. To my surprise A LOT of our employees have experienced the same. Estella Nacionales, our QA Analyst experienced her rudeness. Shella Pabon, Cathy Yulo-Arbolario, Sherwin Seriritan (the list can go on and on). None of them though raised this concern yet.

Not contented with the information I got, I accessed Facebook on my iPhone and became a fan of "CAFE BOBS" and placed a comment on their WALL informing them if it's possible to replace this rude attendant. The pregnant lady and the gentleman before her were very nice and accommodating, typical of Bob's employees, NOT HER!

Astralis

Upon arrival from our Bangkok Trip, we were again picked up at the airport by cousin dearest. We landed at 615pm. However, since cousin dearest's car is color-coded that day, she can't leave until 730pm which is just about right considering that we still need to pass through immigration and wait for our luggages.

We were picked up at the international airport around 830pm. Cousin dearest was insisting that we try out "Brazil Brazil" in Rockwell for dinner so we headed to that direction. I called up "Your Highness" thinking that he might want to join us for dinner. However, he was engrossed with a basketball game on TV and ended up sleeping instead.

Upon arrival at rockwell, Brazil Brazil was already closed. Cousin dearest opted to have dinner at Astralis instead, located right beside Brazil Brazil. IT WAS SHEER PERFECTION!!!

We ordered the following dishes:

I order Lobster Bisque with lemon foam for my soup - TO DIE FOR!!!


We had baked oysters as our appetizer:


Our Main Courses:

As for me, I ordered Roasted US Tenderloin - Gratinated with quezo de cabra & tamarind pan au jus


Donny had Pork Scallopini with pears, figs & gorgonzolla served with rice:


Cousin dearest had Chicken stuff with gorgonzolla, mozzarella, stilton, with mashed potato and grilled zuchinni


Stan Anson arrived 30 minutes late and ordered something quick. He had the Tagliatelle & beef strips with fresh tomato wedges & black olives:


Cousin dearest not contented with all this wonderful dishes ordered Sato-san's Japanese mentaiko spaghetti with spicy cod roe, nori on cream sauce to share:


Carlo R. pretending not to be hungry and sucked on a slice of lemon:




and ended up finishing the entire plate of Sato-San's Pasta:



And here's the happy and very satisfied customers:


Astralis is located at Lopez Drive, Power Plant Mall
Along Rockwell Strip, Besides Via Mare
Telephone Number: +632 703-2688

Pre-Bangkok Dinner at D' Queven Restaurant

Upon arrival in Manila on October 22, 2009 at 530pm, Donny, Jaf and I were picked up by cousin dearest (Rina) at the airport. Then we headed straight to her Restaurant in Makati. Traffic in Manila is sickening and I just want to die in the middle of it. Cousin dearest have her own HUMAN GPRS (that's B1, one of her workers). He's our navigator. Good thing cousin dearest called her resto and ordered ahead of time. Imagine! we arrived at the restaurant around 8:30pm!!! That was three F***kin hours in traffic!!!

The restuarant is located on the 2nd floor. There's a stairway on the left side of the building leading you to the main entrance of the restaurant. It was packed with people when we arrived. A table for four was reserved for us. It pays when you know the owner, even better if the owner is your cousin. hahahaha! Speaking of power! hahaha.

Cousin dearest ordered a lot of food!!! Either they arrive at our table by twos or in groups of four. Just imagine! First to arrive were our chicken bar-b-q and garlic rice:


There's sizzling bangus:



Pork Sisig w/ egg on top: of course, I forgot to take a photo of the dish prior, the egg was mixed with the sisig when I remembered taking a photo. Sad....



Pork tempura (which i forgot to take a photo of)

Pasta with white sauce: My apologies for the blurry photo. That's what happens when you're hungry and still need to take a photo... Bad Me! I'll do better next time:


My ULTIMATE FAVORITE at this restaurant is their CHILI FRIED CHICKEN:


Donny, looking very much contented with the food he's eating:


and Jaf (grey shirt), of course with his care giver, Donny:



D' Queven Grill is located at #5 MileLong Compound, Amorsollo corner Dela Rosa Streets, MakatiCity (right in front of Makati Medical Plaza). I'll get the telephone number of her restaurant incase any of you might be interested to make reservations!

Fine Dining At Home! WooHooo!!!

Brother Chef prepared dinner! WoooHooo! Everyone got excited... And Anxious try it out.... And salivating....

Brother Chef prepared his own version of Chicken Kiev. Here's How it went:

He placed Herb Butter in the middle of the chicken breasts. As per advise by Brother Chef, use whatever herbs you have and best to use fresh. In this case it was only butter and basil:



Brother Chef rolling the chicken breasts:


dipped the rolled chicken breasts in flour, beaten eggs and bread crumbs. Then deep fried to golden brown perfection:


He also made his signature Bechamel Sauce and made it as base for his dish:


Cut the chicken diagonally:



And here's the Plated dish: Take note of the croutons at the top. Actually, those are not croutons but deep fried mozarella cheese. YUM!!! :)


I forgot to take photos of the salad and other courses as I was eager to try out the main course. And this, I tell you, is one dish you must try at home!

Super Mowdil has arrived!!!

Last Saturday we had dinner at Trattoria Uma. It was our welcome dinner party for Super Mowdil has landed on earth!!!

People present: Audie and myself, Rina - Super Mowdil female version, Super Mowdil and of course Donits.


Donits: Salivating for alochol, is it? :) Whatever makes donits happy, we support. hahaha.



Rina - busy with her cellphone (still working at this time of the day)


Super Mowdil: Take note of the lip projection!



Earlier that day we were contemplating whether to have dinner at Italia or Trattoria. He chose the latter since it was his first time there. I find it strange but I felt quite full that night so I just had my fave pizza frutti de mare. While Rina had their Bruschetta.

My fave pizza @ this Resto:


Bruschetta, Oh Em Gee!


And Mowdils, request:


Plus, wine of course:



After dinner, we had dessert at Felicia's: I was not totally solved by their bestseller chocolate cake. However, their Cream Puff and Triple Choco Mousse was just to die for!

Cream Puff, lovezit!!!


And their Triple Choco Mousse that Audie ordered:


And you thought our night ended here? OF COURSE NOT! After dessert we were off to ICE BAR. The Bar is located beside WESTOWN Hotel along Lacson Street - Going to Mandalagan. We partied the night away. Went home at 3am with smiles on our faces, why? Make a wild guess... :)

Mama Wild: I have a land in Tabucol

Almost a month ago, Mama Wild invited me to visit his farm. However, due to schedule conflicts a gazillion times over, it never materialized until now. Last week we planned to visit his farm today, Sunday (October 4, 2009). I sent him a message via FB around 2:30am this morning asking if we're pushing through with our scheduled trip. The original plan: he was going there ahead of us (Audie and I) at 7:00AM and we'll follow at 10:00am - just in time for lunch. Eventually, we ended up meeting eachother at a butcher shop along Circumferential Road at 9:00am. Josef went with us; had his driver and helper wait for the meat he ordered and thus began our road trip.

Tabucol is a family owned farm located in Baacong, Bago City. Access to the farm is easier and more convenient via Murcia in Sitio San Miguel. It is ten (10) minutes before Mambucal.

At the beginning I was very impressed with the cemented road paving its way to Tabucol...so i thought. Mama wild remarked, "It will end soon. Then, it's rough road going to the farm." The scenic view of the mountains and the clear blue sky was just mezmerizing and awesome. I didn't mind driving through the rough road.

Upon arrival at the farm, we were greeted by a very huge wooden gate with steel braces painted in grey. About 100 to 150 meters from the gate is where the main house is located.

Here's the staircase going to the Main House.


The main house has an area of only 60 square meters yet it looks very majestic. It houses two bedrooms, a dining cum living area, one bathroom and a Kitchen. And Oh! an out door jacuzzi!

Mama Wild's own Spirit House, very common in Thailand:


Closer look of the Spirit House:


The Main Door, take note of the color combination, Lovely isn't it?


You will find this Antique Wooden Trimming hang on the wall right above the main door:


This brass lamp hangs on the ceiling of the Lanai Area outside the main entrance of the house:



This was a gift given to him from the Mountain Province:


The living area: it's a six seater dining table made of hard wood (kamagong, nara and I forgot the other one - there goes my senior moments, sigh.):


You got to love this:


The very functional kitchen... Really shows that the owner not just knows but loves to cook:


A sculpture inside one of the bedrooms:


Another wall fixture that caught my eye:



Shell-shaped flower pot cum "water spout". Nice idea. Gives character to the out-door jacuzzi. Imagine water flowing from the shell to the jacuzzi - beatiful!


And Yes, Carlo IT IS WORKING!!! :)


We had a visitor!!! It's the Negros Tarictic Hornbill. Now, where in the world can you find an outdoor jacuzzi with this bird as your guest? Such a poser, this bird!


The pond situated about 10 meters away from the main house is home to almost 500 carps:


Lovely butterfly! One of the many species you'll find. Had to take this shot. My mom would always associate butterflys with goodluck:


About 25 meters to the left of the main house, is where the guest house is situated; currently a work in progess. Here you will see mama wild in "action" - giving instructions to the laborers:


This is the guest bedroom. Separated from the dining area by this antique wooden arch. Another beautiful piece:


The dining area of the guest house:


Right behind the guest house is a pavillion:


Take note of the 150 year-old door of the pavillion. These doors used to be the doors of thier stockroom (?) - Mama, please correct me if i'm wrong:



Here's Mama Wild, contemplating... imagine the background music is Debbie Boon's "You Light Up My Life". Perfect scene:


I am obssessed with this agave plant from Mexico:


And the orchids.....


How can I miss posting photos of our lunch? Here's to comfort food. Grilled pork chops - marinated using their home grown lemons which is triple the size of a baguio lemon.


Take note of the rice container. I love the silver bowl. Mama wild said he got this in Bangkok for only Php300!!! I want one!!!


And Kare-kare with guinamos! YUM!!! This was made by our cook at home:


At around 3:00pm, it was time to say goodbye to Tabucol. We really had a great time. Perfect place to de-stress and be one with nature - Such a lovely place. I can't wait for my next visit. I hope there will be a million visits more to come. Thank You, Mama, for a truly wonderful experience.... We felt totally rejuvinated....