We were having lunch at a restaurant (Recipes) last Mother's day when I dreamed up this scene.
I told the kids that I was looking forward to the day when,after a delicious meal at a restaurant and time came for paying the bill,TJ would insist that he would be the one to pay for it.
Tasha, not to be outdone would tell her brother,"No! This one's on me!"
The two would then play a mini "tug of war" over the bill,when James would butt in out of nowhere and bellow:" Hoy! Tama na nga kayong dalawa! Restaurant ko ito noh...mamaya dyan pagbayarin ko kayo talaga eh!"
I wonder when this will come true! :-)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
KITCHEN NIGHTMARES: RESCUING LA PARRA
Watched an episode of Kitchen Nightmares last night. Gordon Ramsay's mission was to help a small resto named La Parra to get out of "dire straits" and make a profit. He had a week to do it.
He first observed La Parra's operations for 3 days and was he shocked!
First, the resto had 72 items on its menu which all fell on chef Lance to do the cooking. To speed things up, lance cooked all orders in one griddle leading to a hideous mixing of flavors, and usually burnt-looking products.
Then, there was this barbecue grill that was supposed to serve kebabs prepared by Lance's assistant ( an old timer whose name I didn't get.) Problem was to keep up with demand, this guy usually cooked the kebabs too far in advance so these tended to be dry and tasteless when they reached the customer. To make things worse,any leftovers were still served the following day.
The biggest shocker for Gordon was to see dog poo at the dining area,which he noticed three times on separate occasions.
When time came for the Hell's Kitchen star to make his recommendations he strongly suggested that Chef Lance reduce his menu to a manageable number:15. This way he could cope with customer orders and not leave them waiting for so long.
He also made Lance and his partner Alex taste the kind of food they were serving by blindfolding them and letting them sample pureed menu items like prawns with chocolate and chicken banana. These were Lance's original creations which he thought were a hit with customers.
Gordon pointed out that his combinations hid the natural taste of the seafood and meat. He wanted Lance to simplify, so he recommended his own simple menu.
Chef Lance's pride obviously was getting in the way because he didn't seem to appreciate Gordon's suggestions. That is until he saw the number of returned plates from customers one evening that confirmed what Ramsay had been telling him all along.
When he finally gave in and complied with Gordon's plan and recommended changes, they had a successful night, where customers complimented them on their food, and remarked that they would return.
The episode ended with Ramsay coming back a month later to check on La Parra. He was pleased to see that Lance had kept to the plan by keeping to a simple, uncluttered menu and cooked the food from a pan, and not the griddle. There were obviously more returning customers, and based on ticket sales, La Parra was sure to recover!
He first observed La Parra's operations for 3 days and was he shocked!
First, the resto had 72 items on its menu which all fell on chef Lance to do the cooking. To speed things up, lance cooked all orders in one griddle leading to a hideous mixing of flavors, and usually burnt-looking products.
Then, there was this barbecue grill that was supposed to serve kebabs prepared by Lance's assistant ( an old timer whose name I didn't get.) Problem was to keep up with demand, this guy usually cooked the kebabs too far in advance so these tended to be dry and tasteless when they reached the customer. To make things worse,any leftovers were still served the following day.
The biggest shocker for Gordon was to see dog poo at the dining area,which he noticed three times on separate occasions.
When time came for the Hell's Kitchen star to make his recommendations he strongly suggested that Chef Lance reduce his menu to a manageable number:15. This way he could cope with customer orders and not leave them waiting for so long.
He also made Lance and his partner Alex taste the kind of food they were serving by blindfolding them and letting them sample pureed menu items like prawns with chocolate and chicken banana. These were Lance's original creations which he thought were a hit with customers.
Gordon pointed out that his combinations hid the natural taste of the seafood and meat. He wanted Lance to simplify, so he recommended his own simple menu.
Chef Lance's pride obviously was getting in the way because he didn't seem to appreciate Gordon's suggestions. That is until he saw the number of returned plates from customers one evening that confirmed what Ramsay had been telling him all along.
When he finally gave in and complied with Gordon's plan and recommended changes, they had a successful night, where customers complimented them on their food, and remarked that they would return.
The episode ended with Ramsay coming back a month later to check on La Parra. He was pleased to see that Lance had kept to the plan by keeping to a simple, uncluttered menu and cooked the food from a pan, and not the griddle. There were obviously more returning customers, and based on ticket sales, La Parra was sure to recover!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
POSTS FROM MY SON'S BLOG
My son TJ is a fantastic writer,specially if he gets into one of his angst-y moods. Here are examples of his writing which I think are gems and which I don't think I will be able to match...
A Good Dream
May 8, '08 9:48 AMfor everyone
Something from the top of my head
It had been a long day,tired and annoyed as my job was mundane and the pay is so - so, I tell myself "things could be worse I suppose", "documents are still important", and "things will get better eventually", I laugh at these sentiments as I take my daily walk from the office to the usual waiting area where I wait for my ride home.
I wander around the mall watching people and killing time knowing that I am an hour early, wondering which familar face I might bump into as I pass by the usual groups of co-workers, barkadas, families and couples while wondering about things to come and plans yet to be made.
I take the escalator en-route to the arcades, looking at posters of the upcoming movies, as I turn around I am greeted by sweet smile and a small wave as a familiar and pleasant face from a time when grades mattered and games were my forte. I awkwardly return the greeting with a small smile and wave of my own, as we cross paths going our own separate ways, her hand accidentally brushes into mine triggering a memory long forgotten...I smile as the memory of the soft feeling of her hand still fresh in my mind...
A sensation that I may never feel again in this lifetime...
A simple story
Mar 14, '07 11:24 AMfor everyone
Something that sort of popped in my head earlier today, comments are welcomeI laugh at my friends joke, my usual over the top laughter that fills the empty hallway. out of the corner of my eye I see two figures emerge from end of the hallway, I pay no attention to them as I listen to my friend's next witty and hilarious banter. I hear a pleasant sounding greeting of "uy" and my name being called as I turn around see a beautiful and familiar face. I suddenly feel the annoying stares of my two friends. I shoot a quick glance at them to discover raised eye brows and thin annoying grins, I punch my closest friend in the stomach to show my annoyance. The grins get bigger...I return my attention back to her as the distance between us grows shorter and shorter. "Musta na?" she asks, I give her a tired sounding "ok lang" with my still alive and still kicking remark. As we talk about trivial and non personal things, asking common questions and giving common one word answers, I feel a mixture of anger, sadness, and regret of things that I did not do to keep a semblance of the closeness that we once had. I feel the urge to ask a personal question, but like my feelings I keep it all inside and force my self to give a small ordinary smile in the face of her animated and beautiful warm aura. Another familiar face enters the conversation, he gives her a smile and she smiles back, I hear my friends saying cryptic phrases like "malapit lang pala ang china"..."di naman pala nabroad eh", We say our goodbyes as I see my teacher at the end of the hallway 30 min late for our class, as our small group disperses, I see her hand clasping his as they walk away...
A Good Dream
May 8, '08 9:48 AMfor everyone
Something from the top of my head
It had been a long day,tired and annoyed as my job was mundane and the pay is so - so, I tell myself "things could be worse I suppose", "documents are still important", and "things will get better eventually", I laugh at these sentiments as I take my daily walk from the office to the usual waiting area where I wait for my ride home.
I wander around the mall watching people and killing time knowing that I am an hour early, wondering which familar face I might bump into as I pass by the usual groups of co-workers, barkadas, families and couples while wondering about things to come and plans yet to be made.
I take the escalator en-route to the arcades, looking at posters of the upcoming movies, as I turn around I am greeted by sweet smile and a small wave as a familiar and pleasant face from a time when grades mattered and games were my forte. I awkwardly return the greeting with a small smile and wave of my own, as we cross paths going our own separate ways, her hand accidentally brushes into mine triggering a memory long forgotten...I smile as the memory of the soft feeling of her hand still fresh in my mind...
A sensation that I may never feel again in this lifetime...
A simple story
Mar 14, '07 11:24 AMfor everyone
Something that sort of popped in my head earlier today, comments are welcomeI laugh at my friends joke, my usual over the top laughter that fills the empty hallway. out of the corner of my eye I see two figures emerge from end of the hallway, I pay no attention to them as I listen to my friend's next witty and hilarious banter. I hear a pleasant sounding greeting of "uy" and my name being called as I turn around see a beautiful and familiar face. I suddenly feel the annoying stares of my two friends. I shoot a quick glance at them to discover raised eye brows and thin annoying grins, I punch my closest friend in the stomach to show my annoyance. The grins get bigger...I return my attention back to her as the distance between us grows shorter and shorter. "Musta na?" she asks, I give her a tired sounding "ok lang" with my still alive and still kicking remark. As we talk about trivial and non personal things, asking common questions and giving common one word answers, I feel a mixture of anger, sadness, and regret of things that I did not do to keep a semblance of the closeness that we once had. I feel the urge to ask a personal question, but like my feelings I keep it all inside and force my self to give a small ordinary smile in the face of her animated and beautiful warm aura. Another familiar face enters the conversation, he gives her a smile and she smiles back, I hear my friends saying cryptic phrases like "malapit lang pala ang china"..."di naman pala nabroad eh", We say our goodbyes as I see my teacher at the end of the hallway 30 min late for our class, as our small group disperses, I see her hand clasping his as they walk away...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
THREE YEARS OF BLOGGING!
I started this blog May of 2005. It's been 3 years and I'm still at it. In all I missed only about 4 months when I didn't post a blog...so all things considering I've done good.
I looked back at previous posts and realized I've used this blog to keep myself focused on goals and to remind myself to be thankful about life and the many blessings I have received!
Life is wonderful! I think I should go on Living! :-)
I looked back at previous posts and realized I've used this blog to keep myself focused on goals and to remind myself to be thankful about life and the many blessings I have received!
Life is wonderful! I think I should go on Living! :-)
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