Everything But The Kitchens

Green Laundry

2009-10-01T10:25:00.003+08:00

Green Laundry in Henry Javier St., Oranbo, Pasig City is hands down the worst laundry service there is.

1) The first time I had my clothes laundered, my socks were rolled into a ball. I hate that. Some people prefer it, but I don't. I made a request for my socks to be folded. It's a pretty easy request which I feel is reasonable. They granted it the second time but not any time after that. Regardless of how many requests and reminders I make.

2) To save time, I try to have my clothes picked up and delivered. They take so much time in picking up my clothes or dropping them off. They're just across the street! Yes I'm lazy but I'm paying for the service. They came up with an offer to have discounted rates if people dropped off their own clothes. I pay the full amount just for the convenience of having someone go to my door. There are times when they'd tell me they can't pick it up yet because it's lunch time. They take 2 hour lunch breaks!

3) One of the employees have the worst attitude. It's like she's doing me a favor when I'm availing of their service. I failed to get her name though.

4) This actually pushed me over the edge. It's the tipping point. I recently had my clothes done and when it came back, I put it aside. I often just leave the clean clothes in the bag until I actually need them. Lo and behold, some of the clothes in the bag were still wet. I didn't notice it until much later when half of the contents were already soaked and smelled like an old refrigerator. If I hadn't noticed it, it probably would've grown molds. I mean, why would they send me clothes that aren't dry! I don't have a place to hang them in and that's why I used their service.

Because of this experience, I'm switching laundry services. Even one that won't pick up or deliver clothes. I'd gladly bring it to a farther place by myself than give them my business.

Realm of Empires

2009-06-19T16:07:00.004+08:00

I received an invite around a week ago from a Facebook contact inviting me to play Realm of Empires. I didn't know what it was at first but I didn't have anything to do so I joined. I figured my friend may benefit if I joined his 'clan' even if I wasn't active.

I signed up and went through the tutorial. Slowly, it got me interested. It's a real time game. Since I'm online all the time, this is perfect. And it gave an option to fight other players, even better.

So I'm part of a clan. I'm building my village. I'm scouting my neighbors and growing enough strength to fight them. It has become part of my daily routine. And I'm trying to make friends with my clanmates.

I found out that it has been running for quite some time but unlike other games where a newbie wouldn't stand a chance, this one has several realms. If you're new and wouldn't want to go against old and strong players, just play on the newer realm.

I'm actually playing while I'm writing. I'm just waiting for my Treasury to finish upgrading. And it just did. Time to play again. So if you need more information, try to check on their link, http://www.realmofempires.com

Charlie's Grind and Grill

2009-06-01T15:29:00.003+08:00

Charlie's have just surpassed Hotshots and Wham in my list of best burgers ever. Located at East Kapitolyo Drive in Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Charlie's Grind and Grill exceeded my expectations as far as their menu options and most especially how their burgers actually tasted. I sampled their specialty, Black Angus Burger and it was awesome. I've nothing but raves for this establishment and I will go there again.

Never Surrender

2009-05-25T09:01:00.002+08:00

At first I thought having UFC fighters in a movie would definitely make this action movie worth watching. I couldn't be more wrong. Hector Echavarria will definitely not get any Hollywood projects in the future. He's a bad director, a worse writer and an even worse actor. The only thing I like about the movie was the actresses bodies. And contrary to what I thought, it can't make up for how bad a movie is. The acting is bad and is caused by terrible casting. The plot is as simple as a porno. The movie is actually a full-length soft porn.

I give this movie negative 5 stars.

Pacquiao vs Hatton

2009-05-05T12:18:00.003+08:00

A Filipino beating up a white man. Priceless.

In Burges

2009-04-20T00:38:00.003+08:00

In Burges is a 2008 film starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. It's about 2 hitmen who were sent by their employer to Burges, Belgium. Complications start when 1 of them is tasked to take out the other.

In Burges must be hands-down the most boring movie I've seen ever. The only redeeming factor in the whole movie and the only reason why I finished it was the inclusion of Clemence Poesy in the cast as Colin Farrell's love interest. Not that she's an exceptional actress, she just looks really hot.

Cho Nam Panciteria

2009-04-14T13:52:00.002+08:00

Cho Nam has been in Quiapo for more than 5 decades and for good reason. They have good rice toppings and is reasonably priced. The food is not that great for you to travel all the way to Quiapo just to eat there but it's a good choice if you're already in the area. It's a welcome change to all the fastfood places around the metro.

But I have some complaints about the place. I feel like the waiters do not really want to serve food and they have this constant smirk on their faces like a customer eating there is a distraction. And the place isn't very clean. The water served to me had 2 big mosquitos in them and the waiter didn't even bother looking at the glass when he served it.

Nonetheless, I'll probably eat there again if happen to be in Quiapo but I'm really not looking forward to it.

My Spa Home Massage Service

2009-02-14T00:49:00.003+08:00

I tried My Spa's ventosa service. It's the one where they place a cup which sucks the lamig from your body. It hurts like hell while the cups were there but after the whole session, I feel light. It's like I can move my whole body without hurting myself. It only costs P550 and it includes a whole body massage.

My Spa can be contacted through 9336772. They're based in the Marikina area but service anywhere in Metro Manila.

I highly recommend this cheaper alternative to going to the spa.

Berroni's

2009-01-30T20:11:00.003+08:00

Along Henry Javier st. in Pasig City stands a quaint Italian restaurant, Berroni's. They promote their pizza and pasta.

Sadly, I wasn't able to try them because, true-blooded Filipino that I am, I couldn't live without rice. I tried their beef salpicao. I imagine they have great Italian food because their salpicao could've been improved. (Note to self, if you're eating in an Italian restaurant, order Italian instead of Spanish.)

It's not a place for everyday eating. I can see Berroni's as a place for a small get-together or a date.

Purefoods Sisig

2009-01-28T16:59:00.002+08:00

Purefoods Sisig must be made for the bachelor in mind. All one needs to do is throw it in to a pan and add some chopped onions and voila! I can finish a whole can with 3 cups of rice and I'm full for hours.

Purefoods Sisig is not like the other processed sisig out in the market. It's not filled with liver which I hate. It has enough meat in it. I would definitely recommend this product for everyone.

License To Wed

2009-01-04T22:23:00.002+08:00

License To Wed starring Robin Williams, Mandy Moore and some guy, is one of the ugliest movies I've seen. You can't tell if it's a family movie or a date movie. I don't have anything positive to say about it. I advise everyone to get a copy of it and burn it.

Makati Medical Center

2008-12-11T20:18:00.002+08:00

When I started this blog, I didn't think I'd be reviewing a hospital. But my son was just born there last Dec 5, 2008 and I spent a lot of time there. I might as well write a review of the place.

Makati Medical was still under renovation when we were there but it already looked pretty nice. The lobby looked like a normal office building in Makati CBD. The rooms were, normal. They didn't look or feel like hotel rooms but they're clean and cozy. They also had hand sanitizers outside of the room which was cool.

I didn't get to taste the food and I can't talk about that.

The staff were great. They all look so clean and professional and it actually adds to their sex appeal. To be honest, I'm just talking about Nurse Rivas. I didn't get to talk to her because I was busy with the baby but she was pretty. (That didn't sound right.)

Anyway, my only rant I have would be the cost. It costs an arm and a leg to have a baby delivered and it's crazy.

If you have money to spare, I'd recommend going to Makati Medical Center. If not, there are some other hospitals who would suffice.

UFC 91 - Main Event - Couture vs Lesnar

2008-11-22T17:35:00.002+08:00

I seldom watch UFC. Mainly because we don't have cable. But I did get a copy of this latest UFC fight. I'll only review the main event because I'm only pretending like I know what I'm talking about and it'll better if I keep it short.

The fight was great. It was hyped as I expected it to be, with every one cheering Randy Couture and everyone booing Brock Lesnar. But no one can deny that Brock is really impressively gigantic. On the other hand, Randy Couture has the experience behind him, not to me the whole audience.

If you haven't watched it and you wouldn't want any spoilers, now's the time to stop reading.

I would've bet on Couture to win the fight. I would've lost the bet. Lesnar had these massive fists and I could imagine that it'd be like being hit with a battering ram. It's one of those devices the SWAT team uses to open doors. Couture got hit and he fell then Lesnar went ahead and finished the job with multiple punches. I wouldn't want to be in the receiving end of those big fists. It wasn't as exciting to watch though. It would've been more fun if Lesnar tapped out. Or even better, if Couture knocked him out. That would've been a career ender for Brock. I hope Brock faces a heavy hitter. I want to see him knocked out.

Hotshots Burger

2008-11-01T17:38:00.002+08:00

I had a Crispy Burger Melt and some Twister Fries delivered from Hotshots Burger. It was delicious! I've never been disappointed with a Hotshots Burger ever. Regardless of what branch I get it from. I've nothing but raves for them for the taste and delivery time (15 minutes). The only negative I have to say about the place is that they charge 10% delivery charge. I hate delivery charges. It's an unnecessary waste of money.

Domino's Pizza

2008-10-14T13:24:00.004+08:00

I just had a medium Meatzza delivered from Domino's. It cost just about average at Php 309. It arrived just at the right time. It's delicious and meaty and oily as I expected it to be. I just have one complain. It's not sliced! Everyone expects pizza to be sliced. Doesn't it get checked before they send it out the door?!

Note to self, if I have another pizza delivered, I need to specify that it be sliced.

West Side Story

2008-10-12T20:46:00.000+08:00

Stages have just finished, ummm… staging West Side Story at the Meralco Theater. West Side Story was starred by Karylle and Christian Bautista. It’s second to the best play I’ve watched all year. Considering I’ve only watched only two. The other play which I like better is the Ateneo Children’s Theater’s version of High School Musical.

First thing I noticed about the play was the set. The set and props were great. I’ve nothing but compliments for the people in charge of putting it up.

Then the play started… I went in to the theater knowing absolutely nothing about West Side Story apart from it being “Romeo and Juliet-ish” and that it starred Karylle. First scene was a fight scene and the scene ended with me concentrating hard before I can recognize which actor was part of which gang. The play was more “dancey” than I expected. I’ve nothing to compare it to but there were too much twirling, swirling, kicking and tip-toe-ing for my taste. After the play, I felt I needed to watch some sports or an action movie just to keep my testosterone level normal. But I can’t say their dancing was bad. There were just too much dancing. And when the girls in skirts were twirling around or kicking high, I can’t help but try to see if I can see up their skirts. It’s boyish but who could resist.

The acting was all right, except for right before the denouement when the actor playing Chino suddenly shot Tony. The actor moved so suddenly and shot a loud prop gun that it surprised the audience that it made them laugh. It ruined the feeling of the scene.

The singing was, different. The songs and music have been taken from the original play but the singing could’ve been better. Karylle has a very powerful voice and I feel that no one can sing a duet with her. She drowns out her partners’ voices, be it Christian or the other actors.

The worst part for me was after the play when some people were talking on the stage. It was supposed to be the last showing for the whole series. German Moreno gave a short speech of some kind and he asked the audience to give a standing ovation. On my part, if people liked it enough, they’ll stand up and applaud for it. It can’t be a forced standing ovation. Some people stood for some actors during the curtain call and that really should be enough.

All in all, I don’t regret watching the play. I probably won’t watch it again, but I don’t regret it. I may reconsider watching it again if Karylle asked me to. Not that she would but she might.

Brother's Burger

2008-10-08T13:14:00.005+08:00

1:14pm - I haven't eaten lunch (or breakfast). I just finished a call to Brother's Burger in Meralco Ave and I had a Big Brother's Burger and Onion Rings delivered. Everything for P258.50. They said it's going to be 45-60 mins. They should've told me that before I ordered. Now all I need to do is wait.

1:42pm - It's here! They under promise and over deliver. That's good!

2:23pm - I just finished eating. Let me start the review with the Onion Rings. The quantity was all right. That's about the only good thing I can say about it. It was made of onions but it's like onions coated with fine gravel or very course sand. When I was halfway through the rings, I was already forcing myself to finish it.

Moving on to the burger. The 1/2 lb burger patty itself was all right. It tasted like a grilled... burger. Everything else was bad. I remembered tasting 1 slice of tomato. A small one. I think I remember a leaf of lettuce. It didn't taste it at all. It just got stuck between my teeth. The bread reminded me of eating a panini or unleavened bread. It's like the dough has not risen when the bun was taken out of the oven.

All in all, the experience didn't live up to my expectations but I don't want to bring them down too much. I did get to finish everything and I am full so that at least amounts to something.

Adobo Republic

2008-10-03T22:25:00.002+08:00

(Just to get this blog rolling...)

I had Adobo Republic deliver my lunch today. I ordered 2 pork adobos, 1 extra adobo rice, 1 adobong kangkong, 1 rootbeer. Everything amounted to exactly Php 300.

The wait time wasn't that long. It took 10-15 minutes for it to get here.

The food was, mediocre. Nothing special about it and it wasn't bad either.

If you're in the Pasig area, you can call 6373410 for deliveries.

Introduction

2008-10-03T03:14:00.001+08:00

My name is Ross. I've been blogging about poker for years and I've been thinking of making a new blog for a different niche. My friend Dairy has been wanting to start a blog for movie reviews but has been hesitant on how to start.

So, I've made this blog so I have a new venue for writing and he'd get to finally start what he's been putting off.