Food Trauma from Mexicali Restaurant and 500PesoDeals.Com

My mom is not much of a fan of Mexican food but she loved Mexicali.  So when we saw this deal from 500PesoDeals.Com wherein we would get an El Gordo Burrito (295 php) plus a 16 oz Iced Tea (45 php) for only 200 php, we bought five of it.  

Everyone was excited as we went to the Mexicali Restaurant at Robinson's Place Manila.  We had to choose that branch because it was very near our home.  So we gave our vouchers to the manager.  She then returned and told us that our voucher with a quantity of 5 is only valid for ONE El Gordo Burrito meal.  All of us were very disappointed.  Why else would we pay 1,000 php (200 php x 5) for  ONE El Gordo Burrito meal worth 340 php?!?  We told her it wouldn't be a deal if we would lose money but she was said " Yun nga po eh mas lugi pa nga po kayo" (That's right you lose more with the deal).  Since all the others were closing around that time, we dined there not using the vouchers but asked her to call her superiors.  When we finished eating, she still insisted on her beliefs based on her supposed training.  We spoke to her superior who said we were right but the manager still didn't want to concede.  We didn't . bother resolving it with her as we were all just tired.  We paid our bill and left.  


When we came home, I immediately emailed 500PesoDeals.Com but recieved no reply.  I sent 2 more emails but to no avail.  Frustrated, I posted on the 500PesoDeals.Com fanpage informing them I sent an email and that I am awaiting their reply thinking that they might not have checked their email.  The next day, they removed my post and I was blocked from the 500PesoDeals.Com fanpage.  Until now, I could view their fan page but could not comment there.  My family was telling me that perhaps 500PesoDeals.Com is intentionally ignoring my emails and posts and that it was a scam.  I was at disbelief because they partnered with Mexicali which is a reputable chain of restaurants so I emailed them again.


Due to our futile attempt with the emails, I posted on the Mexicali Restaurant Fanpage while tagging the 500PesoDeals.Com stating that as paying customers we deserved outmost respect.  Suddenly, 500PesoDeals.Com replied on my email and we had the following exchanges through email.

August 26, 2011 Email

August 31, 2011 Email

My reply and problem resolution

Everyone in the family was pissed and embarrassed over the matter so even though it was settled, we had to wait some time before claiming our coupon.  I was the only one who still wanted to go back.  When the day came when my family finally agreed to claim it with me, the manager was absent and the staff did not know about the voucher so they didn't want to honor it.  Again, we had to call their head office until they agreed.  The staffs looked unhappy.  Once the El Gourdo was served, we requested for the iced tea which they again didn't know about so so again with the tedious process.  There was an extra El Gourdo since we could no longer convince my little sister to eat with us so I brought it home.  I was the only one who wanted to eat it so I did.  

White Hair Surprise!

In the middle of my El Gourdo there was a really long white hair which I had to pull out from my half-eaten El Gourdo Burrito.  =(  I was so disgusted that I wanted to cry.  I'm writing this now as I looked at all the pictures I took with the intention that I could review Mexicali's food on my food blog www.tsinoyfoodies.com objectively.  But honestly, until now, I could still recall the incident.  I guess there are traumatic experiences, I could not let go yet.  

The Chicken Rice Shop at Robinsons Place

We noticed a newly opened restaurant called "The Chicken Rice Shop" at Robinsons Midtown so we decided to try it.  As we entered, the staffs greeted us.  It had a casual dining set up.

As we glanced at their menu, we noticed that they offered a mixture of Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine.  Because of their name, we presumed that chicken and chicken rice is their specialty.  We couldn't decide which type of chicken to order so we resorted to their set menu.  We choose the Family Delight (968 php).

The Family Delight includes:

1. Roasted Quarter Chicken (You get to choose whether Hainanese, Roasted or Braised) 
2. Half portion of Honey BBQ Chicken
3. 4 Chicken Rice (but they ran out of these and only I was able to have one)
4. 4 pcs. Nyonya Pai Tee
5. Ipoh Bean Sprouts
6. Towfoo with Oyster Sauce
7. 4 Soup
8. 4 Iced Tea

Roasted Quarter Chicken

The Roasted Quarter Chicken was tender.  The taste was mild.  The sauce supplements its flavor and add to its juiciness.

Honey BBQ Chicken

The Honey BBQ Chicken was the best dish for the night.  It was fragrant and slightly sweet.  It was appetizing to eat together with the Chicken Rice.

Nyonya Pai Tee

The Nyonya Pai Tee is julienned carrots and turnips (I think) placed in crispy cups.  It has a chili dip along with it.  

Ipoh Bean Sprouts

Towfoo with Oyster Sauce

While eating, we were tempted by their Ais Belanda (98 php) so we ordered one.   It was delicious! I could never have imagined that guyabano and peanut would taste so well together.  I love it!  For a long time now, I always thought there was no other shaved ice dessert here in Manila at par with the shaved ice at Lugang Cafe. (see separate entry)  Well, this dessert is a good competitor!  The texture and the flavor is perfect.  I could even visit the store just to have one of these.  Try it out and let me know what you think.=)

Ais Belanda

Chicken Rice Shop

Padre Faura Wing, Robinson's Place 

Manila

Our Max's Chicken All You Can Experience

Last June, I told you about Max's Chicken-All-You-Can Promo. (see separate entry) Of course, we availed of it too.  Sorry for the late posting found the photos buried in my cellphone memory.

I ate 5 of these!

Since Max's is one of our favorite family restaurant, our family couldn't let this promo pass.  Look at all the chicken we ate!

Sarap to the bones!

While we were eating, we heard their official chicken clucking sound.  All the servers set the dishes and trays they were holding aside to dance.  Although everyone was busy eating, they were all happy and entertained by this performance.

Last but not the least, our favorite Max dessert, Ube Creme Decadence.  We always order this for each one of us when we visit Max's.  Its similar to Pana Cotta but it has Ube bits on the outside and an Ube filling in the inside.  

Ube Creme Decadence

Max's Resturant Robinsons Place
4th Level Robinson's Place Cor. Pedro Gil, 
Ermita, Manila

Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House at Robinson's Place

Whenever we feel that we are tired of eating the usual Chinese, Japanese, American or Filipino food, we usually find  places offering foreign dishes.  So we decided to eat Vietnamese food and headed over at Pho Hoa.  This is probably our 3rd or 4th time dining there.  "Pho" means noodle soup in Vietnamese.  


While waiting for our orders, basil leaves, lemon and bean sprouts were served.  These condiments are for the pho or noodle soup.

Basil Leaves, Bean Sprouts and Lemon

They also gave us "Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce" made in the USA.  This is given in case you want your pho to be spicy.

For starters, we ordered their Fresh Spring Roll (127 php).  We always order this whenever we visit.  It is vermicelli (glass noodle), carrots, onion leaves wrapped in lumpia wrapper.  It is served with a thick hoisin sauce topped with peanut bits.  It is delicious because it is light, refreshing and fun to eat.  You feel the noodles tickle your tongue as you eat it.

Fresh Spring Roll (127 php) *photo courtesy of Pho Hoa

We also ordered Breaded Tofu with Mushroom and Red Pepper Sauce (195 php).  This was served very hot that we needed to wait until it cooled down a bit.  I loved how it had a hard shell because it was breaded yet soft and melts in your mouth once the breading is off.  The sauce complements the breadings and tofu well too.  

I wanted to order a spicy noodle soup but they ran out of all their spicy variety so I opted their Pho Nam, Chin, Gan, Bo Vien (Flack, brisket, tendon and meatballs pho) (199.80 php)  It is a beef broth based noodle soup with flack, tendon,brisket, meatballs, onion rings topped with green onions and parsley.  I added a lot of Basil Leaves, beans sprout and one slice of lemon.  This made the soup more flavorful by being more fragant and a little bit sour.  But I felt like eating something spicy so I added some drops of "Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce".  I loved it!  I enjoyed the fragant hot and sour flavor that I finished my pho until the last drop. 

Pho Nam, Chin, Gan, Bo Vien (Flack, brisket, tendon and meatballs pho) (199.80 php)

My sister ordered Pho Do Vien (Seafood Noodle Soup) (195 php).  It had shrimps, fish fillet, fish balls, onion rings topped with green onions and parsley.   It had a clear, light yet sweetened tasted since it was seafood based.  

Pho Do Vien (Seafood Noodle Soup) (195 php)

Although the Sauteed Curry Noodles with Shrimps and Bean Sprouts (220 php) took some time to arrive.  It was worth the wait because it was the best dish for the night.  It was curry noodles with scrambled egg, shrimp, red and green bell peppers and bean sprouts.  

  

*My apologies I forgot what this was

Overall, the meal was satisfactory.  We didn't order any dessert because none of it fits to our liking.  All the dishes were delicious.  The price was reasonable.  The service is good.  The venue was clean.  We'll definitely come back again!

       

Kido Master Burger from Kido Manga Robinson's Place Ermita

Tonight, I didn't feel like going out to shop with my family and stayed at home instead.  They brought me home my dinner from Kido Manga.  Although we have always passed by the place, it was our first time to try it.

They bought me the Kido Master Burger (worth 99 php).  At first glance, it had lettuces, tomatoes, mustard-yellow sauce and the beef pattie.  As I took my first bite, I discovered that their patties were cooked charbroiled.  It was similar to Wham's burger except that their sauce tasted great.  As I ate more, I realized that my pattie was a bit burned.  It tasted more like coal than beef.  Too bad because their beef was pretty good.  If only it wasn't overcooked, it would have been a great burger with the soft and tasty buns, meaty pattie, awesome sauce and veggies. 

Overall, the meal was okay.  It was very affordable but I was a bit disappointed because it was burnt.  My family said their burgers were a bit burnt too.  But we all agreed the their sauces tasted great.  It deserves another chance so we will probably visit it again and try out their other dishes.

Kido Manga Restaurant
Level 4 Robinson's Place
Pedro Gil cor. Adriatico
Ermita, Manila
(02) 525-4847

Mall Wide Sales Up to 70% off this May 13-15, 2011

This May 13-15, 2011, a number of shopping malls will be having their mall wide sale.  All of them happening on the same dates with different perks to choose from.  Details follows:

Robinson's Mall Back to School Sale

Participating Malls: Robinsons Galleria / Forum Robinsons / Robinsons Nova Market / Robinsons Place Manila / Robinsons Metro East / Robinsons Starmills Pampanga / Robinsons Place Angeles / Robinsons Ilocos Norte / Robinsons Place Imus / Robinsons Place Dasmarinas / Robinsons Sta. Rosa Market / Robinsons Town Mall Los Banos / Robinsons Place Lipa / Robinsons Place Bacolod / Robinsons Place Dumaguete / Robinsons Place Iloilo / Robinsons Place Tacloban / Robinsons Place Gensan / Robinsons Supermarket Pulilan / Robinsons Cabanatuan

 Eastwood Citywide Sale (Eastwood Mall, Eastwood CityWalk and Eastwood Cyber & Fashion Mall)

 Glorietta Midnight Madness Sale

• Notable Perks:

1. FREE MOVIE TICKETS: Buy 3 Take 1 on last 2 screenings on May 13-15
2. FREE PARKING TICKETS (for 4 hours): minimum of 1,000 php receipt dated May 13-15

OUTSIDE METRO MANILA: (Angeles City, Pampanga)

MarQuee MarQdown Mallwide Sale

• Notable Perks:

1. REEL TREATS: Buy 3 Take 1 FREE
2. Live Performance by:

• URBANDUB - May 14, 6pm, Activity Center

• FRANCO - May 15, 6pm, Activity Center

Other Sale: (May 13-15)

Adidas Special Discount (24% off) - Selected stores of adidas, adidas Neo, Olympic World, Planet Sports, Proline, RUNNR, Sportshouse, Sports Central, The Athlete's Foot, Toby's, and Urban Athletics nationwide.