My NOBU Manila Experience

I had the chance to try the newest Japanese restaurant in the Philippines today.
Nobu Manila located at City of Dreams, Pasay City

My husband and I decided to celebrate my birthday at NOBU. I have researched about this place since it opened Dec. 2014 but not many reviews and articles are out there for this casual-dining resto.

As we walked in their receiving area we were greeted by three beautiful attendants who graciously introduced us to the restaurant.

I noticed that there were few people dining there. Mostly foreigners and businessmen. One thing is for sure though, we were all there for some serious eating.

I am not posting how the place looks like because I think anything will be underrated if you don't see it for yourself.  It has a huge waiting area, you can either sit by the lounge or the bar area while waiting for your company. I suggest you try to go around and check out their Al Fresco dinning near the pool side. Its zen-like facade makes you feel a certain excitement that something wonderful is about to happen.

My husband decided to have dinner outside and we were led to a private cabana, around which is a pool that adds to a serene ambiance. (I was told that the cabana has a minimum of Php20,000.00 consumable. Thank God its my birthday and they let us use it without spending so much.

As we browsed their beverage list and menu, I realized that their food is simple and reasonable. For those who appreciate authentic Japanese food you will understand that  it won't be cheap compared to commercial eat-all-you-can restaurants.

My husband decided to have two entree's, of course one order of rice would not suffice so he ordered two. The steamed Japanese rice and a bowl of beef fried rice to go with his King Crab in cream sauce and Spicy Shrimps.

Since it was my birthday, I decided to be adventurous and picked the Omakase NOBU SIGNATURE meal. Guys this is a must try for anyone who wants unpretentious food. Nobu signature is the creation of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. They wont tell you what's included, the element of surprise is mind-boggling. This 8-course meal will cost you Php 4,000.00 ++. Don't be intimidated by the cost. It's worth it!

Their service is fast and in a matter of minutes my hubby's order came and because it was so tempting to devour he asked if he can start with his meal and he did. Oh just to note, their entree can be shared by two people.

Let me share with you my 8-course meal. The pictures that I'll be posting has no filter.

My meal started with a sushi wrap, inside are vegetables. Indeed it was a good starter.

2nd course: Salmon Tartar...(the round red fruit on the side is eaten to cleanse your palate for the next course. They said its mountain cherry) Plus factor is the caviar on top.

3rd course: Hand rolled sushi. Absolutely heavenly

4th course: Sashimi (the sauce is unexplainable. It had a good balance with the raw fish) I was beginning to feel full by this time.  

5th course: Seared Tuna with vegetables served with their NOBU dressing.

6th course: Shrimps in cream sauce (This to me was just okay.)

7th course: Black Cod with Miso. My favorite and definitely a one of a kind experience. My husband noticed how happy I looked when I had my first bite. 

The presentation is impeccable. 

This dish is to die for!

8th course: (I didn't get the name co'z I was still in cloud nine) It's like a tiramisu with cream, and pecans. It was a perfect ending to my mystery meal.

The experience of having Omakase NOBU Signature dish was something that I didn't expect. The magic starts when you don't know what's coming and each course will make you wanting for more. BTW, this is a partnership between Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and renowed hollywood actor Robert de Niro.

MY TAKE: I'll give NOBU Manila  5 consumer diva stars. If you want to experience something new, this gastronomic feast is for you. Our bill was more than 10k but our satisfaction is worth a king's ransom. 

CD- Ratings
Consumer Diva

NOBU Manila
Aseana Boulevard corner Macapagal Avenue 
Brgy. Tambo, Paranaque City
+632 691 2882 ; +63 26912885

How to avoid air travel woes (Part 1)

Do you know that air passengers in the Philippines are now protected whenever they travel.  2014 has been a nightmare for a lot of airline passengers. From experiencing traffic to and from the airports, long queues in check-in counters, delayed flights, low standard airport lounge and boarding areas. It’s still a struggle traveling around the 7,107 Philippine Islands.

Y’all need to know your rights as a paying customer…knowing is one thing, being firm on getting your benefits is another. 

Hope my blog can help you get around things in your future airline travels.

AIR PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS

IN CASE OF CANCELLATION OF FLIGHT YOU ARE ENTITLED TO THE FOLLOWING:

Note: cancellation should be attributed to the carrier.

     A.   Be notified thru text or call by airline representatives.

     B.   Meals or vouchers of the same
     C.   Hotel accommodation near the airport
            ·         transportation from the airport to the hotel,
     D.   Reimbursement of the value of the fare,
            ·         taxes and surcharges included, of the sector cancelled, or both/all sectors,
     E.    Be endorsed to another air carrier without paying any fare difference, or, within   
            thirty (30) days, to a future trip within the period of validity of the ticket. However, for
            rebooking made in excess of the aforementioned thirty (30) days for a trip likewise   
            within the validity of the ticket, fees and/or fare difference shall apply.

Exemptions:

     A.  The carrier cancelled the flight 24 hours before the ETD (estimated time of departure)

     B.   The air carrier cancels the flight because of force majeure, safety and/or security
            reasons, as certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, you shall be
            reimbursed for the full value of the fare.

CUSTOMER SERVICE INFO

Philippine Airlines    -  (632) 777.5932

                                    www.philippineairlines.com

Cebu Pacific Air       - (632) 702.0888

                                    www.cebupacifcair.com

                             

Reference:

http://www.gov.ph/2012/12/10/dotc-dti-joint-administrative-order-no-1-s-2012/

Smart Communications gets TRO on refund

Smart obtains TROagainst NTC text refund order

SMART Communications, Inc. obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals, formally barring the National Telecommunications Commission from enforcing a refund order against the company in an industry-wide case of alleged overcharging for text messages amounting to over P7 billion.

Smart, a unit of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., was the last respondent in the overcharging case to receive its TRO. The Court of Appeals had earlier blocked the NTC from enforcing its refund order against the three biggest telecommunication companies.

In a five-page resolution granting the TRO, the appellate court's Sixth Division said: "For the purpose of preserving the status quo during the pendency of the instant petition to prevent any irreparable damage that petitioner stands to suffer and to prevent any decision that may be rendered herein from becoming moot, academic and ineffectual, we resolve to grant the temporary restraining order sought for by petitioner Smart.”

The NTC had ordered Smart, Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (Digitel), and Globe Telecom, Inc. to refund the excess charges in Nov. 20, 2012.

The appellate court said the TRO will take effect after Smart files a cash bond or surety bond amounting to P500,000. The TRO is effective 60 days from notice.

Digitel acquired relief also from the Sixth Division on Aug. 20. Globe secured its subsequent TRO on Sept. 2, from the appellate court's Sixteenth Division. The TRO in favor of Smart was promulgated on October 17.

Smart's petition was originally raffled to the court's Special Eighth Division, but was re-raffled to the Sixth Division, after the Court in late September ordered a consolidation.

The Smart TRO also covers the NTC's order to reduce interconnection charges by P0.20. The court ruled that charges for text messages from one provider to another will stay at P0.35, as against the 2012 directive of the NTC to reduce it to P0.15.

In releasing the directive, the NTC had contended that in 2010, there were more than 20 million messages sent to other networks daily, which meant that the three telcos would be obliged to refund to their customers an average of P4 million daily.

In its petition, Smart pointed to the "unconstitutionality and nullity" of the 2012 NTC order. It also said that the injury to it would be immeasurable due to the "abject disregard" by the NTC of Smart's right to due process. The order will also cause considerable losses, resulting in "grave, imminent, and irreparable damage to Smart.”

"Considering that this court has already issued TROs in favor of Digitel and Globe against the very same NTC decision being impugned by Smart, we find that Smart, which is similarly situated as the two other telecommunication companies, is also entitled to such injunctive writ," the court said.

The Court said it agreed with Smart that there are no means for the company to ascertain the existence of subscribers and the identities of the actual users of the mobile identification numbers as may be found in its system. The court also said most of Smart's subscribers are prepaid SIM card users. -- Reden D. Madrid

 

COCHINILLO ASADO aka Lechon de Leche anyone?

Most Filipino celebrations will not be complete without our favorite Lechon. I recently had a chance to taste the famous Cochinillo of Alba Restaurant. One word to describe it, INTERESTING.



COCHINILLO or Lechon de Leche or to the western world Suckling Piglet that has been roasted to perfection. Deadly combination of crispy pork skin and tender juicy pork meat. It will ruin your fitness regimen for the day. Lechon de leche is not easily available as the regular Lechon in Manila. Finding one is already an accomplishment considering our rush order.

Let me start by giving them credit for the huge and functional packaging of their product. The heavy downpour that day did not ruin our purchase. We devoured the cochinillo for dinner and to my dismay, I can say I tasted better. The taste was weird, some meat was not seasoned properly it left as bad taste in the mouth. Eeeewww, makes me cringe just thinking about it.





The price is 5,000.00 pesos for our main entree for the night. I bought it for the sake of trying it. Alba Restaurant is a reputable establishment so I though it would be worth every cent. 



MY TAKE: I'll give the Cochinillo Asado of Alba's   1 consumer diva star. My money could get me a better tasting lechon. They may be serving one of the best paella in the country but their cochinillo needs a major overhaul. 

Please ammend the CONSUMER ACT of 1992

The only constant thing is life is change. Having known that for the longest time, I wonder why our consumer rights is still in  dormant stage.
The CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES, enacted into law in 1992 is becoming more and more obsolete.
Too much politicking among our legislators are taking its toll on important laws like this. No one is an advocate of consumer rights...openly advocating consumer rights vs abusive businesses and companies.
Consumers are becoming ignorant of their rights because every time they complain about a purchase nothing is being done. It's a long waiting game.
Online amendments should be included in our Consumer Rights. Online purchases are often used as platform in selling counterfeit items. This is probably the downside of our highly advanced technological world...our laws can't seem to keep up.
The Department of Trade and Industry created a so-called helpdesk for consumers who are brave enough to complain and get their money back. Visit their website at http://www.dtincr.ph/service_consumerassist_cwd.php.

DINNER AT LA COCINA DE TITA MONING

Dinner date it is! 

Coming to LA COCINA DE TITA MONING is a welcome change in your routine dining. 
I had the chance to meet with some friends and it ended really great.

Hidalgo Painting

Painting by Juan Luna

As soon as you enter their gate, the nostalgic feeling begins. Up the stairs are many historical items that will definitely tickle your interest.
The ambiance is something that one should take note of. Its like coming to your own home but everything seems old...ancient.

Gambas

Paella Valenciana

For dinner we had Gambas, Paella Valenciana, Eggplant salad, Baked Lapu-lapu in olive oil, Slow roasted pork with chicharon, brown rice, sauteed fresh ubod and their famous bread and butter pudding. You might say "that's a lot of food." What can I say? You are absolutely right. It made all of us feel full as we struggled to reach dessert. 

Consistent! A word fit for this quaint restaurant. I have been here maybe 3 times and believe me, the taste does not change. Kudos to the staff and chef of this long-standing food haven. 

Receipt

Price? Well our bill amounted to more than Php 8,000.00. A set dinner can cost you Php1,000.00 per person. You can also choose  from their Ala Cart menu which is only available when you get there.  




MY TAKE: I'll give La Cocina de Tita Moning  4 consumer diva stars. Was it worth every cent? For me it is, but for the other people in that table it was a shocking discovery. History, unique environment, superior food and great company is after all priceless. One important tip, make a reservation!

CD Rating
CD -Consumer Diva

La Cocina de Tita Moning, # 315 San Rafael St., San Miguel District, Manila

Tel no: (632) 734-2141 or 734-2146

Visit their website: http://www.lacocinadetitamoning.com/ 

I'm a working diva whose tired dealing with businesses selling sub-standard products and services.
If your product is worth my money then I'll proclaim you a winner if not then improvement should be expected.
Some bloggers are paid to endorse a product, but this DIVA won't mislead you in exchange for cash. I'll post my receipt if possible just to keep my blogging integrity intact.
I travel a lot so watch out for my no-holds-barred opinion about anything that will empower the consumer.
After all it is our money!