One star. That would be my final rating. Why? SLOWER than slow service, portions that would be a feast for an ipis (roach), and bland food.
We just left here from their 2nd Anniversary Pig Roast.
Thought I'd give them a second chance because hey they have survived 2 years. Maybe they have enough kaibigan here to keep this place in business. As I noticed today, I'm Filipino but definitely not part of the owners' barkada. Never will be, but that's alright with me.
First, we arrived just before 4 PM, the start of this sh--, er, celebratory service. We got the special menu (see picture). It seemed simple enough -- choose your plate and choose your sides.
My husband wanted to get a lechon plate with 3 sides (rice, corn and garlic mac). When he asked our server -- woman with glasses -- if he should order rice as a third side, she said "I don't know. This is a special menu and Brian didn't tell us." So, my husband marked each side separately (mixed plate showed it came with rice already) per the woman's suggestion.
We also ordered cocktails, which were printed on the other side of the menu.
Roughly 30 minutes after ordering (Brian came to our table once, about 20 minutes in) and said he'd "check on our order").
I just looked around at the other 3 tables and noticed how everyone was getting their food and eating. There was a call for a drink 2x for a "Honey." She was not downstairs, that's for sure, unless that was their name for me. Hah.
So, our sorry-ass pig roast plates come out. There was a teaspoon of rice and what looked like the leftover parts of the pig. There were so many fatty and chewy pieces that were not edible. Reminder: I'm Filipino. I freaking live for the taba! And where's the freaking crispy skin?
I have a theory on that. You ain't part of Brian's barkada -- guess what you're getting?
My husband's plate was like mine minus the green stuff. He got a bowl of rice and the corn. They forgot the Garlic mac. Brought that out later.
Drinks? Nowhere to be found.
We finished our scraps -- yes, that's basically what we had -- and went upstairs to pay. It was a f-ing madhouse. We could have walked out the door without paying because their system -- or lack thereof -- is sh--.
My husband finally got the woman at the register's attention. Mind you, the place felt like a freaking Nipa hut back in the province PLUS music blasting. So, the woman first thought we were trying to order.
When my husband mentioned that we never got our drinks, she informed him that the drink orders were never put in. So, guess I wasn't "Honey" after all.
Look, I'd 100% support small and Filipino business. But it just reminded me why I am not part of the barkada. On our way out, I noticed Brian was chatting with the table behind us. I mean, I should have known beforehand -- they didn't have to wait on Filipino time for their food.
My husband also asked me if I noticed the food of other customers versus us. Like I said, we got the pig scraps. Literally. Thirty dollars worth of pig scraps.
As in the corporate world, it's not what you know, it's who you know. Acquaint yourself with Brian and you're in. That's my tip. read more