Dine al fresco at Shangri-La Plaza
SHANGRI-LA Plaza has now set up more open-air dining areas, allowing mall guests to enjoy dining out as safely as possible. The identified al fresco dining areas are the Shang’s Streetscape, the Level 5 East Wing balcony, and the Sky Garden at the Level 6 Main Wing. The Streetscape has a dedicated Shang Concierge where mall guests can place their food orders from any of their favorite restaurants within the mall. The Level 5 East Wing balcony and the Sky Garden areas allow mall visitors to enjoy meals ordered from nearby restaurants, including Buffalo’s Wings n’ Things, Pho Hoa, Tender Bobs, Zao Vietnamese Bistro, Southern Grind, Kettle and more. These outdoor dining spots observe safety protocols mandated by IATF and the local government. Mall guests in these areas will have to follow social distancing measures including sitting one seat apart from each other. They must keep wearing their masks except when eating. Aside from the Streetscape, the Level 5 East Wing balcony, the Sky Garden, another dining area will open soon the Parking Link. The dining areas are open daily from 11 a.m to 8 p.m. For inquiries, call 8-370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial.
Jollibee comes out with new Crispy Fries Bucket
Jollibee is introducing the new Jolly Crispy Fries Bucket which the entire family can share. It is a bigger version of Jolly Crispy Fries that is good for sharing for up to four people. It is available for P129 via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and foodpanda. It is also available in Drive-Through and Take Out.
Binalot pivots to residential ‘Cloud Franchises’
FILIPINO fast food chain Binalot was not spared of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing its sales decrease to less than half as people stayed home. Most of its current sales are from delivery. So Binalot has decided to pivot to a new business model with the Binalot home kitchen-based franchise or Binalot Cloud Kitchen for short. One no longer needs to find a space in a commercial area to open a Binalot franchise — it can be opened at home as long as there is a kitchen and a dedicated refrigerator and freezer for the Binalot stocks. Binalot will train the franchisee and staff on operations, food handling, marketing, human resources and will even set up their delivery system. For inquiries, e-mail ilovebinalot@gmail.com or visit www.binalot.com.
Que Rica offers Bicol’s sinantolan
One of Que Rica’s products is Sinantolan which is unique to Bicol cuisine. Made from minced santol (cotton fruit) simmered in coconut milk with salted baby shrimps and aromatics, sinantolan is traditionally eaten as a viand on the side of grilled or fried fish. Its light pink color (which comes from the salted baby shrimps) gives it that nice contrast with fish or meat. While a tasty dish on its own, people have discovered other ways to eat it: as a dip, slathered on crackers or dolloped on top of a crunchy crostini; with a bowl of crisp greens, a refreshing take on salad dressings; and mixed into rice. Que Rica’s Sinantolan is crafted in small batches and bottled by a community of women in the town of Gainza, Camariñes Sur. Aside from the Sinantolan, Que Rica also bottles vegetarian Laing and Taba ng Talangka. The bottled goods are perfect for gifting. Since 2015, Rica Dakudao Buenaflor, founder of Que Rica has been on a mission to champion Bicolano cuisine and catapult it into the world stage with products like Laing Longganisa and Pili Nuts (in truffle pecorino, with Himalayan salt, and PiliCoffee cluster bombs). Que Rica’s are available online and in selected specialty stores.
Global home appliance brands now on BeautyMNL
ONLINE shop BeautyMNL has expanded beyond beauty products to encompass kitchen items, carrying top global brands like Tefal Cookware, Cuisinart, Beka, Conair, Oneida, Reisenthel and Aladdin. It is now offering promos on some of these brands from April 18 to 25. The Tefal Day By Day Wokpan 32cm (made with an exclusive Titanium non-stick coating and the new Thermo-signal technology indicating the ideal temperature to start cooking) is available for 20% off; the Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer (5.5 qt. polished stainless steel mixing bowl, chef’s whisk, dough hook, flat mixing paddle, and splash guard with pour spout) is at 30% off; the Beka cookware Venetia Range (forged aluminum pans featuring a Diamond-reinforced non-stick coating and a heat-resistant handle with a wood-like finish) is at 25% off; more Beka Cookware is on sale at a 40% discount; Oneida flatware sets on sale with discounts of up to 55%; Aladdin water bottles on sale for up to 60% off; Reisenthel lifestyle bags, including its Carry Cruiser shopping trolley, are on sale for a special 60% discount; Conair items, including its Dual Power Garment Steamer, are available for 30% off. All the brands are exclusively distributed by Rustan Marketing Corp. and are now available on BeautyMNL.
Robinsons Place Tacloban now open
A BIGGER, brighter, safer and eco-friendlier Robinsons Place Tacloban now welcomes shoppers back. Located in the city’s Marasbaras district, Robinsons Place Tacloban is a foodie haven. Some restaurants and food outlets to look forward to include: Canto Fresco, Bagnet and Beyond, Charito’s Delights, Tita Dina’s Seafood and Tia Tita’s, Annyeong Samgyupsal, Max’s, Kuya J, Cabalen, Hap Chan, Shakey’s, Jollibee, Greenwich, KFC, Yellow Cab, Pancake House, Figaro, Pepper Lunch, Goldilocks, Icebergs, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Macao Imperial, Bo’s Coffee, Chow King, Rai Rai Ken, Dunkin Donuts and many more. Some retail therapy outlets that will open soon: Uniqlo, Guess, Adidas, Toby’s, Levi’s, Restoerun, Bench, Penshoppe, Plains and Prints, Bayo, Regatta, Oxygen, Alberto The Travel Club, Unica Hija, Vise Versa, Converse, The Athlete’s Foot, Outland, Gibi, Sandugo, Watch Central, RRJ, Macbeth, and Blued, among others. In keeping with the popularity of bicycles, Robinsons Place Tacloban’s new bicycle parking and bike repair station is now available to the public. With strict and health sanitation protocols in place in all of its malls, mall goers are to adhere to these rules: no face mask/face shield, no entry; temperature check upon entry, scanning of personal QR Code, observing social distancing, stepping on foot bath and proper hand sanitation. On top of that, the number of customers allowed inside stores, restrooms, elevators and restaurants will be limited to regulate foot traffic.
Maricar’s Chocolate Cakes available through Lalamove
MARICAR’S Chocolate Cakes has been serving cakes in gold tin cans since 2015; its moist chocolate cakes have been popular since its launch. Over the years, it developed two more cake variants — coffee and ube-cheese, served in smaller jars. Like many other food producers, the company has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While customers preferred visiting its physical stores and booths at bazaars before the pandemic, this is no longer possible. So Maricar’s Chocolate Cakes has been working with its business partners to continuously remain operational, one of which is Lalamove. Maricar Reyes said “Lalamove was our courier of choice since 2018, not just for our cakes, but for pick-up and delivery of other items needed for business…. They are also the courier we suggest to our customers for their cake pickups. I find their app simple and easy to use. Delivery fees are distance-based so the prices are more stable, compared to other couriers. The frequent discount vouchers are a happy bonus, too!” Eventually, every business will have to make the transition to the digital space to keep up with these trying times. Maricar’s Chocolate Cakes will continue to make people feel special with the help of Lalamove.
