The Year In Reviews
The year is about to end, so I thought I’d catch up on the things I’ve been meaning to review.
The Terraces – Ayala Center Cebu
I don’t usually review malls, but I was so impressed by the Terraces that I just needed to mention it. It’s nice Ayala-class landscaping that I’ve never before seen in Cebu, adding that long-awaited art to consumerism that this little city has long needed. Before this came along the higher-priced dining places have been scattered around the city, in places easily confused with one another (The Gallery, The Crossroads, The Whatchamacallit), because “the mall” fell out of style after high school, but with this new infusion of design and dining places, Ayala has managed to re-market the mall to those who imagine themselves to be Cebu’s high class.
9/10 VERY GOOD
Bigby’s – The Terraces
The first time I tried Bigby’s, I loved it. I ordered the carbonara and raved about how it was one of the best I’ve tasted, and I made sure to eat there again.
Last week me and my zee tried Bigby’s again, my first meal after landing in Cebu, and again I ordered the carbonara. It sucked ass. Everything was burnt, from the meat to the garlic to whatever the fuck they put in it, and I couldn’t taste anything remotely like carbonara. Zee and I left our plates half eaten, and I must remember to never set foot in that pretentious piece of crap restaurant again.
3/10 VERY BAD
That place by Krua Thai – The Terraces
I forgot the name. Twas okay, not really spectacular, but they had curry, which I love to death. I found their calamare a bit oily and tasteless, but they crispy beef thingies were excellent. (I really need to write these reviews earlier so I remember the names of the things I ordered, or at least of the restaurant.)
6/10 FINE
Pizza Hut Bistro – The North Wing, SM City Cebu
Dammit, I really don’t remember the name of that thing I ordered, the pasta thing with cheese inside. Anyways, it sucked. Zee ordered the Chicken Cordon Bleu, and while we agreed that the chicken and the bacon and the rice were nicely done, we also agreed that the cheese used added nothing but a strange texture to the taste. It’s not the kind of restaurant I’d recommend.
5/10 AVERAGE
Jose Maria’s – The Gallery, Mabolo, Cebu
Mozzerella Pollo was okay, the lemonade was worthless, and while I didn’t really see much of a problem with it, my classmates seemed to hate the service. Taking that into consideration, plus the fact that The Gallery is a bit out of the way, I don’t think it’s worth visiting again.
5/10 AVERAGE
Chocolate Truffle Cake (?) – Starbucks, IT Park
Didn’t like the consistency. Tested less like a truffle and more like a thick chocolate jelly or sorts. I expect more for “truffles” than the smooth consistency; they need to melt in your mouth and dissolve into dark chocolatey goodness, and not have to need chewing. All in all, I didn’t like it much.
5/10 AVERAGE
Play 2 Learn – Ayala Center Cebu
The place to get smart toys and games in Cebu, which gives it instant plus points, but only because there’s no Landes and Hobbes here yet. Here you can be sure the Monopoly board (800php) hasn’t been changed to use Philippine landmarks, and you have the chance to buy some games not found in other stores in Cebu (like Taboo, 1400php).
I must mention, however, that this woman who seemed to own the place was a total bitch. I only asked them to hold Taboo for me for a few minutes while I got some cash from the ATM, and she asked me a bunch of questions insinuating that I had no real intention of buying it, as though I hadn’t just bought Monopoly from them a while ago, and like customers weren’t at all important to them because they were the only ones in town who sold Taboo. That’s no way to treat customers, what the fuck?!
4/10 BAD
Taboo – a game
Love it. As soon as I got my hands on it at Red and Tin’s wedding and found I had a knack for it, I knew I had to buy one for the sibs at home. It’s like charades, only using words and no gestures, where you try to get your teammates to guess a word (or phrase or name, etc) by saying anything you want (in English) without mentioning any of the taboo words on the card. The rules are easy to pick up, and it’s easily playable in small groups, big groups, or as a free-for-all in a taxi cab.
I’m not so sure about replayability though, and I hope there are expansion decks available out there.
9.5/10 MASTERPIECE
Monopoly – a boardgame
Haven’t played monopoly since I was a kid, so I decided to get one for Christmas (from Santa). Much of the game is controlled by the roll of the dice and the flip of cards, but I found that, on occassion, I had really exceptional luck. I could invoke the powers of the universe so that my token wouldn’t land where I had to pay rent, much to my brothers’ protests. On such occassions, I could even try to lose, but the universe just wouldn’t let me. ^^
And then there are occassions when I’d try my darndest to win, but my littlest sister would kick my ass. So yeah, randomness is fun.
I like that the new Monopoly included an optional speed die, as monopoly games tend to last longer. The speed die is hell, and my luck with it has always sucked, but that’s just another element of fun.
9/10 GREAT
Zack and Miri Make a Porno – Movie
Best friends since high school are strapped for cash and decide to make a porno for money. Crazy fun, okay story, not safe for work. But in a good way, not slutty or anything. The cameo by Clark Kent was hilarious. ^^
7/10 GOOD
Forrest Gump – Movie
Watched it again since I had nothing to do at home, and loved it. ^^ Just thought I’d mention it.
10/10 MASTERPIECE
