Cheap Fingers

I have been busy with my sideline in Binondo starting last week. I have to go to that office everyday, after my day job and work for an hour a day, Monday to Friday. Yesterday, instead of heading to Binondo, I went to Robinson's Place instead for a very important purpose. It has been more than a week already since I first saw the promotional ad of TGIF on its website. The ad says TGIF's chicken fingers will be priced at Php99 only on May 27. I haven't tried their chicken fingers and after the whole burger scenario, I guess TGIF has redeemed itself from my first bad impression about them. So, as the ad starts to sink in to me, I thought, it would be such a waste if I will not grab that opportunity. Knowing for a fact that the offer of Php99 is such a steal, because TGIF chicken fingers is priced at Php290 per serving, I simply will not forgive myself if I let this opportunity pass by me. Also, I have done my assignment and researched on the internet and found out that TGIF do not lessen, may it be the quantity nor the quality of their promotionally-priced good, compared to the regularly-priced ones. Meaning, I will be a complete fool if I don't go and benefit myself from TGIF's irresistible offer.

I have second thoughts yesterday if I will go or not because of my sideline but craving for this offer is much stronger than the sideline so I went ahead to Robinson's Place and started to tame my grumbling stomach. When comfortably seated, I ordered their chicken fingers and fried mozzarella. While waiting for my orders, I sit and watch the place be jampacked with diners as though it was a weekend. And I thought the food here is on the expensive side! Almost every table was occupied yesterday. I am not sure if it is because of the chicken fingers, but I have a feeling it is not just that because each table is bursting with food and not only with chicken fingers.

First served was the Fried Mozzarella. On their menu, they are offering it in six pieces per order but I saw on their website before that they have it in four's so I tried my luck and asked if indeed they are offering it also in four pieces per order and they confirmed. The Fried Mozzarellas were sliced perfectly. They were neither too thin nor too thick. Each slice was lightly breaded and fried and served with Marinara sauce on the side. They were crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. It is quite bland for my taste if eaten alone. Maybe they should put a little more spices on the breading before they coat the mozzarella slices with it. When paired with the Marinara sauce, it tastes okay, but I cannot find anything special about this dish.

When my share of the chicken fingers has turned up on my table, I felt relieved. Relieved, maybe because even though I know that discounted good is just the same as the regularly priced one (and I even ask the attendant again, just to be sure), I half-hoped that it will be less or will be in smaller pieces. But no, it was just the same, just like how it was described on the internet and by the waitress. I know it is just the same because of what they look like on their menu. I know that pictures on menus are always exaggerated in a good way but they will not try to "degrade" their establishment by putting some gross looking food on their menus. So anyway, excitedly, I tried their fries first. I have already tried their fries the last time that I had my burger experience but I was eager to know if they will have the same quality since the last time I was there the place is very well far from being jampacked. Luckily, the fries still are of the same quality as before, and even the flavor, is still intact. They obviously season their fries well as they really are flavorful. After indulging on their fries, I then moved on to the subject matter of the night. The chicken fingers.

Using my knife and fork, I cut a strip of chicken finger and found out that it was not crispy. I was expecting it to be crispy but anyhow, it does not matter that much. What I cannot understand is that the chicken tastes bland as well. I don't know if the chef that night is just light-handed when it comes to seasoning the food but if not for the mustard-mayo sauce, I will be forced to sprinkle salt on it. Honestly, I was real tempted already to reach for the table salt but dipped the chicken instead to the sauce. The meat is tender but a little bit dry. It did not reach my expectation but I will not hold another "grudge" against TGIF this time. I am very much welcome for any redeeming act from them. What I really appreciate is that the promo price still applies even for take-outs, unlike in some other restaurants that promo price is applicable only for dining customers.

Anyway, I appreciate the fast service and especially for the very kind waitress that served me last night. I did not get the name of the waitress but next time, I will make sure that I will ask for her name. She was really good and friendly, and warm. She made my solo dining a pleasure.