POOR SERVICE at True Value Hardware Store-Shangri-la Mall

Why is it that when celebrities go into a place, service people tend to lose sight of the essence of SERVICE?

I was at the True Value Hardware Store this afternoon located at the 6th floor of Shangri-la Mall to buy a "boquilla".  I don't usually buy hardware accessories in this place but since I don't want to go to SM Fairview anymore, this was the most accessible hardware on my way home.

There was only one cashier open and when I got it there was already a queue around three persons deep.  There was not much customers around so I reckoned that by the time I got my item there would be no more line when I pay.  NOT!  

I don't know what the problem of that customer but her troubles affected the next customers after her---me included.  Fortunately, I'm a patient man so I waited my turn.  The guy in front of me was not and left the store without buying anything.  So there I was from third to second in line.  This should be easy I told myself.  NOT!  

5:30pm:  Enter Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, together with their son Nate.  At least I'll have someone to ogle while I wait my turn.  15 minutes pass.  This lady only bought a couple of items but the credit card terminal was having trouble reading that small card she was using.  I'm a patient man, so I just continue to watch the Alcasids thinking of an intro to get a snapshot to give my aunt who is a die hard Regine fan.  Another 5 minute pass and Ogie lines up to pay for their purchase.  

I continue to think of my strategy to get a photo when another cashier readies to open another terminal.  Oh goody!  I was ready to transfer to that terminal when this cashier calls on Ogie.  What the...?!  He was in line only a few minutes and this cashier opens a terminal to service him first!  My goodness!  What were you thinking?!  Is this the kind of service quality that True Value imbibes in their staff?!  Favoring the famous over other customers like myself!  I almost blew my top.  Fortunately better judgement told me to just zip it.  I eventually finished my transaction and I got out of the store before I change my mind and make a scene.

Well, I'm not going back to this place!  I have nothing against the Alcasids but this store can service all the celebrities they want for all I care!  

Bonchon Chicken Manila: Hit or Bust?

Bonchon Chicken is a Korea-based company which started in 2002.  In 2006, after much domestic success, Jin Duk Seh, owner of Bonchon decided to export the concept to the United States. Needless to say,   the spicy-sweet and crispy chicken brought a different twist to the chicken loving customers and became an instant hit in the U.S.  This is in this same logic that Scottland Inc., the master franchise owner of Bonchon in the Philippines had in mind when they opened their first store at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in November 16, 2010.

When they opened in Shangri-la, SM Mega Mall, and Robinson's Galleria there was a lot of buzz as to how delicious their chicken was.  Naturally, being a chicken lover, I was intrigued.  Unfortunately, it took a while for me to get a chance to validate what the buzz was all about.  

Last May 2, me and my wife celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary at Robinson's Galleria.  I wanted to treat her to something new and like an act of God we were face to face with a Bonchon branch.  Like Pavlov's dog we salivated only to be turned off by the full capacity dining area.  We ended up eating lunch somewhere else.   

We had a late and heavy lunch so after movies we were still not in the mood for dinner.  But on our way back to Holiday Inn we once again passed the Bonchon outlet and it had no queue this time so we decided "why the hell not" and ordered.  Chicken was the obvious choice and got ourselves a 6 pc. Thigh and Leg Combo (half soy and half spicy-Php 185) and an order of Bulgogi Wrap (Php 125) which the cashier mistook for Bulgogi Rice.  

We order TO GO for what was meant to be our midnight snack but as soon as I placed it on the hotel room counter top went on unwrapping what I thought was a Bulgogi Wrap.  Well, there goes my diet as the one provided me was a serving of soy beef rice topping.  Me and my wife dove right away on the chicken and finally rid ourselves of the curiosity.  It was different alright---sweet, crispy, and spicy!  The sweetness and crispiness tasted like caramelized sugar in soy.  It was of delectable foreign taste to me but I doubt I'll be able to eat more than my usual capacity.  It was...what's the term...NAKAKAUMAY.  This maybe the reason why their chicken size seems...small.   

Bulgogi Rice

Compared to the chicken of other fastfood chains Bonchon's drumstick was smaller and found the thigh part disappointingly lacking in size.

Just this morning, we my wife and I again pursued our Bonchon exploration.  This time it was at SM Fairview and we ordered for the Bulgogi Wrap (and made sure that the cashier heard me right this time) and 6 pcs Chicken Wings (Php 185).  

The Bulgogi Wrap (Php 125), while filling, did not satisfy my taste buds.  It was supposed to be made up of sirloin beef, Korean coleslaw and kimchi; however, it seemed like it lacked in beef with the coleslaw dominating the taste coupled by the spiciness of the kimchi.

Bulgogi Wrap sliced in two

If I was disappointed with the size of the thigh part, seeing the wings served to us, I felt ripped off!  There seem to be a disconnect with how a PIECE of wing is defined.  If you have tried Yellow Cab's Spicy Chicken Wings, imagine that cut in two (but smaller).  If we're to follow Yellow Cab's definition of a PIECE of wing, what was called 6 pcs was actually only 3 pcs.  

Bonchon Chiken Wings

Yellow Cab's 4 pcs Spicy Chicken Wing order is more expensive at Php 225 but it's definitely bigger and has a higher value for money impression.

So, will I go back and eat at Bonchon after these experiences?  Well, I still need to check out their Chicken Sandwich (Php 125)so I guess the answer is YES.  Unless I'm WOWed by the taste of this sandwich I'd say that will be the last time I'd eat at Bonchon.

Pre-Valentines Celebration @ Richmonde Hotel

I don't like crowds---which is why I plan my Valentines celebration with my wife before the 14th.  Since I don't want to celebrate with a work day the following day, that left me with February 10 (Friday) and February 11 (Saturday).  Hmmm...Saturday is plantsa day---so Friday it is!

I began planning the morning of Friday on my bus ride to work.  Needless to say, it was a sleepless bus ride as I wracked my still lethargic brain for an epiphany of a plan.  Victoria Court came to mind but that would mean staying in at the hotel with not much to do.  When the bus arrived at my stop at SM Mega Mall there came my epiphany!  Standing tall from my vantage point at the Edsa footbridge was the Richmonde Hotel!  Dinner and a movie is but a walking distance between two malls (Shangri-la and SM Mega Mall) and a side trip to St. Francis Square for some "tiangge time" would be a welcome opportunity.  After a confirmation of a discount it was time to call the wife to make preparations for our 2012 Valentine's get away!

We were booked in the 15th floor and the view was amazing!  I got a Junior Suite and it was spacious enough to do a running swan dive on the bed!  It also had a 32 inch LCD TV.  Unfortunately, it had limited cable channels to scan through.

I wish my swan dive was as graceful as that of Lara Croft's.

I'm usually picky about the hotels I stay in.  I take my time to make sure that the bathroom had hot/cold water shower, an extra large bathtub (or a jacuzzi if budget permits) cable and buffet breakfast.  Unfortunately, time is something that I did not have when I planned for this tryst.  Aside from the bathtub too short to fit my 5"11 frame, the toilet did not have a bidet, and the breakfast buffet selection did not suit my fancy.  Oh well, you can't win them all I guess.  Nonetheless, I do believe I was able to make another wonderful Valentine's day celebration with my wife---and that's the bottomline!

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