Mickey's Delicatessen at Jupiter Makati Closed Down

We've always loved eating at Mickey's Delicatessen.  They have the serve the best sausages.  So when we saw Mickey's Delicatessen being offered at Cashcashpinoy.com at 50% off, we immediately bought one. The expiration date was even until Aug 31, 2011.

I've always been cautious when availing coupon deals.  When I purchased the deal I thought it was one of the best ones I could have availed off.  It was a well-known establishment.  But when we went there last June, we were surprised that it was closed down already.  We asked its neighboring establishment and they told us they were all surprised too.  One day, all the employees just never showed.  It never opened again.  Funny, because last food expo at the World Trade Center, they were was of the food concessionaires and we even bought their sausages.  We didn't buy a lot because we were hoping to purchase via coupon.  We didn't expect that to be our last batch of sausages from Mickey's. =(

I was so disappointed that I emailed Cashcashpinoy.com about it.  I received a reply from Catherine of Cashcashpinoy.com stating that they too were not aware of it and offered a refund wherein the processing will be 30 to 45 days.  I agreed since the coupon was worthless to me already.  I admire Cashcashpinoy.com's honesty because they investigated on the matter and later on emailed me to confirm that Mickey's Delicatessen has closed down.  After giving them my refund details, the money was refunded to my account within the period promised.


      I learned two things about this:

1. A coupon purchase being an advance payment transaction is risky despite precautions
2. For my future transactions, it is better purchase from responsible Coupon Deal sites like Cashcashpinoy.com because imagine if my money was not refunded then my money would've gone down the drain 

What do you think?  

Mingoy's Restaurante Paella Valenciana

According to their facebook page this is the history of Mingoy's Restaurante:


"Domingo Jocson, popularly known as "Mingoy", first opened an ice cream parlor in 1971 at the Magallanes Commercial Center in Makati City. He later added select Spanish dishes to its menu. It was Mingoy’s discriminating taste that enhanced the flavour of Spanish dishes to lead “Mingoy’s” as one of Manila’s finest Spanish restaurants.

From 1998 until the loss of Mingoy Jocson in December 2003, Yvette Bachmann-Lacson apprenticed under Mingoy, who had a special taste for the palatable Iberian cuisine. Yvette asserts that Iberian food is usually unadorned yet flavorful and aromatic. Yvette also adds that the original cooks and waiters of “Mingoy's” since the early eighties still continue to serve and satisfy their customers.

Today, Patrons can still relish and savor the original recipes and comfortable service of “Mingoy's” at our new distinct style of restaurants at The Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City and at the Casa Susana Arcade, Ayala Alabang."


     When we saw the ad at Cash Cash Pinoy stating that "Mingoy’s the popular authentic spanish restaurant that served the best paella you’ve ever tasted is now back!", we decided to try it out.  After all the words "authentic" and "best" were irresistable.


We finally decided to claim our coupon.  We were told that to pick it up at their main office in Makati.  We were expecting a restaurant but to our surprise,it was an office building.  We had to text/call them were to meet.  We were asked to meet with a driver outside the building just to get our order. 


Our Paella Valenciana was placed in a big "bilao" (round woven tray) wrapped in foil.  It was already cold when we opened it.  At first glance, we were very disappointed to see that low class local rice was used.  It was not the round and sticky spanish rice.  

The toppings as shown in the image above were the only toppings.  It was all rice beneath it.  The mussels were "malansa" (fishy smelling).  The pork was more on pork skin than meat.  There was no chorizo.  Instead, there was a weird tasting hotdog.   At first, the rice tasted fine but if you eat a lot it "nakakasuya" (gets too tiring to eat). 


Even at its half price at 1,098, we felt that it failed to meet our expectations.   It was said to be good for 10 people but seeing the scarcity of the ingredients, I'd say not everyone can get to taste the chicken or the pork.  Have you tried Mingoy's?  Please share with us your experience.  

Mingoy's Restaurante
842-1904-05;815-9187

Our Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber Experience

I mentioned a few weeks ago about the "Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber" to be performed at CCP. (see separate entry)  After seeing a lot of teasers, I decided I could not miss this!  Afterall, this only happens once in a lifetime right?  So we rushed of to the nearest Ticketworld outlet and bought our tickets.

Our Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber Tickets

Andrew Lloyd Webber Poster at Greenbelt 5

If you're worried that you didn't bring any binoculars not to worry because binoculars are being sold at Balcony 1 and 2 entrace for only 50 php.  Programs were also sold for 500 php.

Disposable Binoculars (50 php)

Disposable Binoculars (50 php)

Program booth (Programs at 500 php)

The show starts was signified by the National Anthem and continues until the 20 minute intermission.  As any broad way show, the female singers wore glittery dresses while the men were in shiny suits.   The first part was full of our favorite solemn songs.  The lively songs were placed during the second part.

Although the show was not the best Andrew Lloyd Webber performance I've watched but it was definitely worth it!  The impact of having a live performance is magnificent.  The best part was the "Phantom of the Opera" and "Music of the Night" combined in one act.  The song "Don't cry for me Argentina"  was well sang but I could sense the hint of Australian accent throughout the song.  The least I liked was the song "Heaven on their minds".

All of the casts had a good voice.  They all sang well.  Theirs acts and facial expression complemented their voice.  I loved the performance of Michael Cormick above all.  His voice is strong and manly.

Everything would have been perfect if there were no bisexuals at our back whispering and singing loudly.  I also was surprised that a lot of audiences only entered after the intermission.

Food Bar

Overall, the show was spectacular.  The song list was excellent.  I never appreciated "Cats" until this show.  It also made aware of Andrew Lloyd Webbers songs that I have never heard before.  Some from his old shows and some from his new ones like "Love Never Dies", a sequel to the Phantom of the Opera.

Souvenir Booth (Tshirts (800 php), Teddy Bear (800php) mug (300 php), 2 cds (700 php)

Papa John's Freedom Fest Promo: Buy a Medium Pizza Get a Large

If you love Papa John's as much as we do then don't miss this awesome promo to upgrade your pizza from Medium to Large for Freee.  Promo is valid from July 1 to July 4, 2011 only.  The best thing about this promo is that it is valid for both Dine-In and Delivery.

Delivery numbers:
Robinsons Galleria Veranda (631 8689; 739 0570),
 University Mall Taft Ave (536 5434; 536 4612)
Annapolis Greenhills (722 2612; 721 9676) 
SM Megamall Bldg A 3rd Level

Nuffnang Transformer's 3 Movie Event

We were fortunate to be one of 100 bloggers who were invited by Nuffnang and PLDT myDSL to watch Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon at Shang Cineplex 3.

Registration

The call time was at 6: 00 p.m.but we arrived the venue a little bit late because we had to purchase some food and drinks first.  When we arrived, the entire floor was crowded with bloggers, a lot of whom I've looked up to.  I went to the registration area where I was given a name tag and  a Free PLDT ID lace.  

Who's this? Wouldn't want to spoil;)

Bumble Bee

Optimus Prime

We looked around.  We were only expecting to watch a movie but it was like a cocktail party.  Blogges were eating, drinking and chatting with each other.   Iced Tea was being served together with mini carrot cakes.  Both the ice tea and carrot cakes tasted good!  The photo booth had a long line so we opt not to have one.  There were cool Transformers mascots roaming around the area.   My favorite characters Optimus  Prime and Bumble Bee was there.  Nice!

Get your Ice Tea here

Mini Carrot Cakes Anyone?

Blockbuster Line for the Photobooth

At around 7:00 p.m., we were allowed to entered the movie area.   It was our first time to watch a movie at the Shang Cineplex.  We looked around and saw the chairs all labelled either: "Reserved for Nuffnang" or "PLDT".  While people were searching for their seats, we were told to avoid the reserved seats for the VIPs so we complied.   Not a bother because the whole place was huge and there were only a few of us. 

Once everyone was seated comfortably (yet there were so many vacant seats still), the host introduced himself, gave a brief talk about PLDT and then awarded the three most creative blog entries for the PLDT myDSL’s Internet to Sawa TRANSFORMS the Internet Experience! contest.  There was a trivia portion where 5 prizes were at stake.  Too bad we didn't win any.=(

The movie soon begun, it was awesome!  Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon was a blast! (See separate entry)  It lasted around 2 and 35 minutes.  

Overall, the experience was really something.  The movie invite itself was awesome enough.  But they didn't stop there.  They even offered free-for-all photo booth, great-tasting drinks and food, one-on-one with cool Transformers mascots and lots of prizes.  What can you ask for right?  Everything was well-organized and laid out.  It was a great event.  Thank you Nuffnang and PLDT myDSL you guys sure know how to host.  Two thumbs up! =)

  
*Apologies for the crappy photo 

My Impression on the new Google Plus (+) [pics] FREE invites

Previously Google has released its Google Friend Connect, Google Reader, Google Cloud Connect, Google Buzz and Google Wave.  Now, it just launched something bigger, its social media network called Google +.  It is currently on field trial and by invites only.  It's available for both android and mobile too.

      So what to look forward in Google +?

• Design 
• Clean and neat but maybe too clean?
• The toolbar on top is pretty handy
• The search bar is pretty cool search through Google profiles, Web pages and Images
• User-Interface
• I find it difficult to adapt.  I even had to find out how to invite friends.
• Features:
• Stream -similar to Facebook status/comment
• Limited - According to the description: "If you initiated a post in the stream, clicking Limited at the top of that post will show you the profile pictures of everyone you shared with. Only the person who started the post can see this information. If you chose to share with your extended circles in addition to other people, clicking Limited will only show that you shared with your extended circles--specific people won't be identified."
• Edit Post - you can edit post and it will displayed  (edited x:xx PM)

•  Photos -sorted accordingly for easy viewing:
• Photos from your circles
• Photos from your phone
• Photos of you
• Your album - my blogger photos showed up here

•  Profile
• Posts
• About
• Google Maps integrated in places lived
• Photos
• Tagging
• See Photo details - flips your photo so you can see the photo details
• Video's
• +1 - Your +1's appear here. +1 the things around the web you like, agree with, or want to recommend to others (similar to Facebook's Like)

•  Circles - you can create groups called "Circles" and Drag-and-Drop your friends inside it.  Through this we can control and limit our privacy.

• Friends
• Family
• Acquaintances
• Following
• Sparks - be updated regarding contents of your interest (Like an automatic Google Reader filtered by interest)
• Hangouts - Virtual Voice and Video Chat Room (Requires Google Voice and Video Chat Plugin)

• You're webcam and mic will automatically be activated 
• You can select the friends to invite for your hang out
• Clicking the green "Hang Out" button transport you to the hang out page
• Once you go into Hangout:
• You're stream will show "your name is hanging out" below it is a button that says "Join this Hangout"
• You can chat with friends
• You can watch You Tube videos
• Notification - updates you on who invited you and who commented something related to your post or comment.  I find this too complicated and confusing.  It extends into mini windows on the upper right of the screen until you get lost where you are.  It would be better if it just directs you where the updates are instead of opening a new one through that small window.  
• Post Functions: 
• Mute this post -hide
• Report Abuse - same with Facebook's
• Block this person - same with Facebook's
• Chat - similar to Facebook's Chat
• Suggestions - same as Facebook's Suggestions

Overall, I'd say its pretty neat start.  But could use an improvement on the user-interface or they could provide more instructions, description and guides.  It's success also depends on the how well it will integrated with other mediums like Web Pages, Twitter and more because its greatest competitor Facebook has already surpassed that.   It would also be cool if it would have notifications from other Google apps like Google mail and Blogger.  I hope they will also offer apps like games,groups,docs,events, poll, discussion, notes and more?  It pretty bare right now so we'll just have to wait and see what they can offer next.

How about you?  What do you think?

UPDATE: Google + is now open for sign ups