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To End the Year with Deal Grocer’s Hottest

December 27, 2012 by Janey

Didn’t I tell you? I did tell you that once you hit the Deal Grocer website, I’m beyond the point of return. How can I detour and look elsewhere when they have the best deals in town, unmatched, at a click of a button? From a great deal for a dinner date at a restaurant I haven’t tried and don’t want to risk paying full amount for or one that has become a favorite to a hot new restaurant to bring the gang to or simply a getaway of a lifetime at the country’s most sought-after resorts for the family, Deal Grocer’s premium handpicks give you a taste of what these top merchants can offer.

A week or so ago, I’ve been yapping about the deals I’ve been eye-loving and mostly these were quick getaways that are easy to drive to or classes / sessions on getting a newly acquired skill (Barista Classes? Open Water Diving? Sometimes, even make-up classes for personal use or building yourself up to become a part-time MUA) for me or a gift for loved ones.

Deal Grocer carries over 300 premium brands that are either something you’ve always wanted, OR ones you already love, for gifting for yourself or for your friends and family. Definitely there will be an item in their collection that will suit you or someone you know, in one way or another, feeding the adventurous spirit in us. With the fantastic assortment on Deal Grocer, you can find the best of the best and it will help you tick off something on your bucket list or must-try list.

Tis the Season to Deal Grocer

December 10, 2012 by Janey

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year

With the kids jingle-belling

And everyone telling you

Be of good cheer

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

It’s the hap-happiest season of all

With those holiday greetings

And great happy meetings

When friends come to call

It’s the hap-happiest season of all”

I’ve been humming and singing Andy Williams’ song, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” this week. If you can actually hear my voice, you’d think I just murdered one of my favorite Christmas songs. I shrug and be glad that I’m starting to feel the breath of Christmas. Honestly, there’s still fear that this Christmas will not have a happy tone like in the past 2 years (2010 was when my father passed and 2011 was when there was abandonment during a grieving year) but I feel more positive this year that things are turning around. I remember this season with gladness in the heart that God has His promise laid out for me and I soak in His love.

I will be cheerful this Christmas. How can I not be? There’s some sense of hope in the air. You look around and people have that cheerful vibe. Strangers are nicer to strangers. Surrounding me are happy, merry people. This season we recall how God so loved the world that He gave His only Son and we are grateful.

Just before December hit, I’ve had much quieter and slower moments greeting November, enjoying “Me Time” and prayer time as well. But towards the last part of November, things have started going pretty fast and I am swept in the rush finalizing deals needed to be done before the holidays and other projects in the pipeline. I’ve also been dragged to an activity here and there by friends, old and new –pushing me out of my shell. Now that first week of December is almost out, I’m getting jitters that I haven’t even started any Christmas shopping. If I were in my old fighting form, Christmas shopping would’ve been all checked out by October.

Traffic has been crazier than the usual. Malls are literally crawling with people and lines are long. This year, I barely get any shopping done (well, not in my recent trip in Hong Kong but that’s another story) and my recourse has been to go online. For easy shopping at discounted price, my destination is Deal Grocer. That’s the direction I’m going again to escape the stress and make it hassle free through December.

Addiction to Deal Grocer has spread among friends. They personally hand-pick the city’s best experiences and since these are first rate choices, it’s so hard to resist but it makes it all easy for me if I’m buying for gifting. I can actually do shopping at home or at a coffee shop and see a fab selection of gifts from over 300 premium brands – at a discount. Some discounts are hefty and substantial, others, reasonable. Go online at www.dealgrocer.com and if you’re a member like I am, you’d be exposed to EXCLUSIVE Deal Grocer Members-Only prices. Membership is absolutely FREE.

I’ve made two too many purchases in Deal Grocer, most times through friends (since I didn’t have a Visa Debit Card then) and I’ll just pay them when they had me the “gift.” I was able to try La Cocina de Tita Moning through Deal Grocer and date CW (that’s former Bubba) there. Many online purchases at DG followed. The recent purchases I made on my own were the deals for Korea Garden and Hydra Facial Jet of AIP. Both I was happy about.

READ MORE:

La Cocina De Tita Moning

If you have a passion for life and life’s good things, enjoy deals across categories, from dining to getaways to hotels to beauty and wellness to food gifts to baby items. They have tons of items to choose from.

When I saw Deal Grocer’s Christmas Collection, I am beyond the point of no return.

Say I spotted the deal for Beso Cucina Vinoteka, which is one of the hottest dining spots in BHS Central featuring Spanish favorites with a twist by Chef Carlo Miguel.

RELATED POST:

Beso Cucina Venotika

Exclusive offer for Deal Grocer members buys you a scrumptious 3-Course Lunch for 2 at only P695 (P1,397 originally) that highlights modern Spanish dishes:

Enjoy two classic tapas dishes: Grilled Sardines with Rock Salt, Lemon & Parsley and Spiced Pork Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, perfectly seasoned with paprika and coriander.

Ox Tail and White Bean Fabada on Fideo and Olive Oil

Crema Catalana, a popular Spanish dessert, flavored with a touch of orange zest

2 glasses of Beso’s refreshingly fruity iced tea!

When I hold wine and cheese nights at my place, I need to prep before and clean after. I’m eyeing the L’Incontro Ristorante Italiano Wine and Cheese for 2 P975 (P2000 originally). Read the deal details below and my mouth quivered in excitement:

GoodFellas Steaks and Burgers

October 3, 2011 by Janey

What I love about the advent of deal coupon sites is the fact that it gives an opportunity for me to try new restaurants at a fraction of the actual cost or retail price.

And I get to schedule it ahead of time and follow through instead of postponing it again and again to a later date. We all don’t want the coupons to expire collecting dust in our purses, laptop bags or drawers. That has probably happened to you and me so the earlier you claim the deal, the less likely coupons expire on you.

Such is the case with GoodFellas Steaks and Burgers. This restaurant has been under my radar for quite some time and we finally got the chance to try it last weekend. There was a deal a few months ago at one of the deal sites taking 40% off their regular Prime Rib, which we grabbed the chance. GoodFellas has an indoor and outdoor dining area and that specific Sunday, we decided to watch the rain while we ate our late lunch.

GoodFellas seemed very simple at one glance but it has that dapper feel from its wooden accents, dark upholstered furniture and Mafia-themed menu. The restaurant is teeming with people usually during Saturday nights and from the dishes we ordered, I’d probably hang out more here too.

On the Table

Wise Guy Burger PHP 295

200-grammer honey cured bacon cheeseburger

We bought only one coupon because we wanted to order other items on their menu. Since GoodFellas’ main thrust is steaks and burgers, Bubba decided to order burger. First choice was their Margherita Burger which is basil, roasted tomato and mozzarella cheese. Unfortunately they ran out of basil so the wait staff suggested their other bestseller which is the Wise Guy Burger.

You get the 200 grams weight you pay for as the thick charbroiled patty manifests that it’s a heavyweight. It IS meat alright –without evident taste of extenders. This bacon cheeseburger is dressed with lettuce, tomatoes and onions and all walled by the soft burger buns. Thick and juicy, GoodFellas does know how to make ‘em burgers.

Michael’s Prime PHP 995 (with deal coupon, it’s only PHP 445)

12-14 ounces US CAB (Certified Angus Beef) Prime Rib

Robot Restaurant and Lounge

April 19, 2011 by Janey

Thursday evening saw me, Richard, Fran and Paul at Robot Restaurant and Lounge for dinner trying out their 5-course degustation that Chef Bruce Ricketts arranged exclusively for Deal Dozen. With the coupon site craze rising, smart buyers continue to look for great deals that fit their lifestyle.

This 5-course degustation would normally rate at PHP 1,800 but if you head over to Deal Dozen website, this has been slashed off by approx. 35% that’s why the coupons are already halfway sold. The degustation at Robot Restaurant through Deal Dozen retails at PHP 1,150.

Photo Courtesy: Fran Haw

Robot Restaurant and Lounge is located along Makati Avenue, where the former Wasabi restaurant bar stood. I remember good ol’ times in Wasabi back in the day. This joint, however, has been transformed into a modern Japanese restaurant with a futuristic Philippe Starck-inspired interior design from the ceiling to the disco-rama washroom. It has one of the most impressive washrooms in the Metro.

Robot is actually short for Robotayaki which are known as restaurants who prepare meals where you can view actual food preparation. This is also evident in Robot restaurant, particularly if you and your friends sit on the tables adjacent to the kitchen “viewing” window.

Chef Bruce Ricketts has a bigger recognition than only being a nephew to Filipino actor Ronnie Ricketts. Chef Ricketts trained in French Laundry under the steward of celebrity chef Tom Keller but he now sits as the Executive Chef of Robot. You heard it right, French Laundry.

On the Table

Amuse Bouche

Salmon Tar Tar, Apples, Celery, Cucumber, Curry Aioli

This sushi-looking opener of the chef was a bright starter to unlock the bolts of our palates. The miniscule Salmon tar tar sits on top of an unpeeled cucumber crown with strands of alfalfa sprouts on the side. It had hints of the curry aioli that balanced against the minty taste of the cucumber.

1st Course

Crispy Duck Roulade. Mixed Greens. Apples. Truffle Emulsion

Chef Ricketts fondly catches on the play of the usual dishes like French Laundry’s duck roulade, rebuild it and give it his own creative spin. This duck roulade is crispy with a crunchy exterior that initially masks the tender meat inside. As I forked the remains on my plate, I caught a waft of the truffle and excitedly cut myself a portion of the mixed greens, julienned apple and another bit of the duck.

2nd Course

Shell Fish Risotto. Grilled Prawn. Edamame. Garlic Chips. Cilantro Aioli

The second course of Edamame-risotto aligue with a solitary butterflied shrimp on top took my journey to a higher level. The risotto was perfectly cooked, tender with a bite, and creamy, yet interestingly riling against the texture of the Japanese bean, edamame. Shrimp tasted good with the cilantro aioli. There were different components that could stand on its own and yet blended well together.

3rd Course

Pan Roasted Lapu-Lapu. Sauce Romesco. Potatoes Fondant. Olives. Crispy Calami. Nori Salt

I liked the clean taste of the lapu-lapu that tapered down the flavors of previous dishes. Mixed with a bit of romesco sauce gives the fish a game changer.

Intermezzo

Watermelon Gazpacho. Robot Salsa. Cilantro Foam

Deviating from the usual sorbet as palate cleanser, Chef Ricketts decided to do an intermezzo of watermelon gazpacho. Instead of making it only sweet, he opted to make the cleanser savory as well. When I took a small sip of the froth, I was taken aback by the strong and pungent garlic taste coupled with cilantro. When I chugged it down, I had a better appreciation of the “intermission” slash refresher, with the interplay of sweet and savory combined.

4th Course

Grilled Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin. Eggplant. Polenta Puree. Spring Onion. Asparagus. Fennel. Chimichurri. J1 Steak Sauce

This was my favorite among the other small dishes. I’m always a fan of Kurobota pork and this one was not an exemption with the tasty pork tenderloin beaming with flavor. It was wonderfully paired with polenta puree and asparagus. Again, different depths of flavor and texture that came altogether.

5th Course

Mango Cheesecake. Mango Balls. Green Tea Dacquoise Powder. Caramel. Orange Segments

I thoroughly enjoyed the 5-course dinner at Robot and Restaurant Lounge. I was uncertain at first about the size of the tasting dishes, since I initially felt it was tad smaller (pun intended) than other degustation I’ve tried before, but at the end of it, I left the restaurant feeling full and satisfied. The flavors weren’t overwhelming and the slow build-up and pacing were quite well-thought of.