Best Deal at Gumbo

We were on our usual Sunday food trip with my family, this time, in Gateway Araneta. Obsessed for good deals and real steals, I usually browse Citibank's website for their latest promotions. This month it featured Gumbo, a New Orleans-inspired restaurant, with a number of branches here in the metro including Gateway.

Since it was our first time in the restaurant, my mother and I played it safe and chose the resto's specialty, their Seafood Jambalaya, grande size, good for 3-4 persons. Although, my mom thought it was more for 2-3 persons. The Jambalaya is Gumbo's version of paella, with fresh mussels, Pacific clams, shrips and calamari with Cajun spice long grain rice. Though the menu also included andouille sausage, we didn't notice it in the plate. 

Gumbo also featured their value-for-money steaks with prices starting at Php295. My brother ordered the Angus Burger Steak which lets you choose 2 side dishes. He chose Cajun Rice and French Fries. Their serving of the fries was a heaping; though, I can't say the same for their serving of the cajun rice. 

My father on the other hand who's really particular on his choice of food since he cannot eat anything fried, pork, beef, or creamy, ordered Chicken Creole, soup-based, grilled chicken breast cooked in tomato sauce, bay leaves, fresh lemon and creole seasoning. Although it wasn't on the menu's description, the creole had a small serving of rice in the middle. 

For our drinks, we ordered a pitcher of Peach Bellini, peach-flavored juice in crushed ice served with actual slices of peach. 

The Real Score 

In terms of the taste, I give Gumbo a 4 out of 5. The food had the right mix of spices; simply put, it was flavorful! Although, my brother thought that their Cajun rice was too salty and had a small serving. He was so disappointed that when I told him to rate it, he only gave 2 stars. Just a piece of advice to the readers, don't order it together with their steak. Maybe it was better off with other meals on their menu. Other than that, it was delicioso. 

The interior was really beautiful with its New Orleans feel. Their waitresses even had head dresses on like a Mardi Gras party was going on. One comment though on their tables, it was small for their large serving plates. We had to maximize the table to give space for all our orders. And to think, we still didn't order that much. 

In terms of service, it's a 5. Their staff is friendly and quick for your order or requests. 

Their prices are a bit expensive but since I was using a Citi Cashback card, the price slashed in half. And for  our delectable meal that Sunday, my bill didn't even reach a thousand. Thanks, Citi! I was even asked by the manager to give my mobile number just in case the promo got extended. 

You can check out Citibank's website for their latest dining deals. 

http://www.citibank.com.ph/portal/citiph_home.htm

I am really counting on the next one!

As for Gumbo's menu and prices, here's a link to their website:
www.gumbo.com.ph/

Bakit hindi ka crush ng crush mo? (A Movie Review)

Five girls just want to have fun and feel good on a regular Saturday night. What to do? Here's a top of the head answer: Watch Star Cinema's latest offering, "Bakit hindi ka crush ng crush mo?" So we headed on to Powerplant Mall at Rockwell, to watch the first movie team-up of Kim Chiu and Xian Lim.

The typical romcom with a typical happy ending. Here's the kind of movie that watching the trailer alone tells you the whole point of the story, how it begins and how its ends. But even if I knew that from the start, I just want to have a few laughs with my roomies.

And to be honest, there was that tiny part in me hoping to discover in the film the "real reason" rather than for the obvious answers there could possibly be to its movie title. 

As to the actors, I'd have to give it to Kim for her effortless delivery as the comical Sandy. She was so natural and the laughter she elicits from the audience would come so naturally as well. Xian as Alex Prieto, on the other hand, has the looks to make all the girls gush over his charm. It makes all the girls envy Sandy for having Alex to her rescue.

As to the plot, there was nothing really surprising at all. There were a few parts to the story where I felt that there wasn't enough resolution to the conflict. 

Just a background, Alex, before meeting Sandy, got his heart broken after breaking off an engagement with his ex-girlfriend who didn't want the wedding at all. In a bar, Alex laments over his ex with the narrator and author himself, Ramon Bautista, giving him tips on how to move on. And in the next scene, he sees Sandy with another guy,who apparently looks like she has gotten her act together. The drunk Alex goes rage after Sandy. He blames her for his dreadful situation while Sandy managed to be strong and beautiful after he pulled off her makeover. Fast forward, he's wooing over Sandy again, confessing his love, and Sandy, over harana, had welcomed Alex back. I'd wonder if Alex had really gotten over his feelings with his ex. And I think a strong Sandy, who got her heart broken again and again, shouldn't really welcome a guy that easily. There wasn't any justice to that at all. 

P.S. One should watch the movie to see how it all stitches up. I'm only highlighting here the scenes which I think needed more explanation.

But even with these minor points, I have to say I enjoyed the movie. One shouldn't really over-think a Filipino romcom. And maybe, I did. So please, forgive me. Nonetheless, the KimXi team-up was very effective. It gave moviegoers the "kilig" their movie ticket's worth.

The movie isn't open-ended as Ramon Bautista answers the question with these top 10 reasons. Hindi ka niya crush dahil:

1. Panget ka.
2. Masama ugali mo.
3. May shota siya.
4. May shota ka.
5. Bakla/tomboy siya.
6. 'Di kayo match sa horoscope.
7. Okay ka naman pero siniraan ka ng mga friends niya.
8. High maintenance ka.
9. Trip mo yung mga ayaw niyang TV show.
10. Wala ka sa radar a.k.a. hindi ka niya napapansin.

You see, the answers to the question, are very straight forward, a knock in the head to all those hopeless romantic out there. Its really not that complicated. The answer to what can be a heart-breaking question is just so plain and simple. No further questions asked. 

Para sa iyo, bakit hindi ka nga ba crush ng crush mo? Just as what my friend would say, the answer would depend on the person you imagine to be your crush. For me, hindi niya ako crush kasi torpe siya. He doesn't have the guts to say it after all. Oh yes, assuming tong answer na to. And I know Ramon Bautista would tell me, wag umasa girl. Eh ano ngayon? I'm just happy to be in love with love :)

The Real Score
On whether this is a weekend-must-watch, I give it 4 out of 5 stars. 

Between the lines

My official writing stint started in college when I joined the university publication, The Weekly Sillimanian, as Business Manager. As part of the Editorial Board, we were entitled to a column wherein we could write our thoughts, complaints, rumblings, or just about anything worth telling to thousands of students who get to hold of the paper weekly.

To tell you the truth, I am not really the literary type. I am that person in high school who gets the lower scores in English when it comes to writing. Instead of completing a number of paragraphs for an essay, I would only manage to write two sentences or so. But lets just say I am one of the persevering type. I know I am not inborn with a number of talents but I try hard to learn them. I may not be the best at what I do but I manage to survive. At the least, I can always say to myself that I've been there and I've done that. 

A tasty slice of the classic apple pie

So again, what has this got anything to do with this blog? Slice of Pi. This is by the way my column name in college. Slice of Pi. Slice of my life. Pi is as you would know in math is 3.14159... and the numbers would go on. Limitless. Endless. Just as what life should be. Boundless. And similar to math, life is a bit complex. A problem solving exercise but is always fun and fulling at the end. Please do know that I love Math in school so much so as I ended up as an Accountant.

But no worries, you shouldn't expect any literary complexities here. A slice shouldn't be anything overwhelming. I'll deliver to you my take on the world plain and simple. This will be all about the good side of life. All the reasons why life is fun and worth living. All the places to see. All the good food to taste.

So, welcome to a slice of my life! This blog is purposely made to be an avenue for my love of food and travel, and all other adventures there is. A weekend guide you may say. A cheapskate's guide to what's in here in the metro. Cheapskate? Yes, I am admittedly one of the many who is obsess for discounts and savings. Girl, that has got to be the best deal in town :) So better watch out for that!

So from here on and to my future adventures, hope you'll have a great read!

Cheers,

Roanne