Universal Studios Singapore (USS)

“Universal Express Lane”

Reviewed July 30, 2013

This was my second time to visit USS, the first one in 2010 was not as enjoyed because there was a downpour. Anyway, there were more rides and attractions this time, definitely more visitors too.

This time, there was a drizzle still. it is July again, so this was sort of expected.

My friends got their annual passes while I have to be ok with my day pass. Day pass is at SGD 74. There was a little miscommunication with the PR discount that the guest officer gave us Universal Express stubs. This means that we can use the Express lane!

As you know, when the park is full, you have to line up and wait for more than 30 minutes to ride the popular rides and that is such a waste of time. With the Express stubs, we had a special lane and was prioritized all the time! Such a wonderful feeling!!!! (this is an additional SGD 30 if you purchase an all day express ticket)

If you can afford it, I really suggest you get this, especially during peak season. It is worth it. You will get to enjoy the park and most of the rides, instead of just queueing in line all day.

Transformers was really, really good. Other popular rides were the Mummy, Canopy, Jurassic Park and Battlestar Galactica which unfortunately was not operational at my time of visit. Of coruse there were kid-friendly rides and shows too, just like any theme park.

Food is always more expensive, but we had the pasta, pizza family meals which were good too.

Since this is located at Resorts World, there are a lot of other things you can do in the area. One day might not actually be enough.

Visited July 2013

 

Bad Chili's Experience - The Central @ Clarke Quay, SG

My actual review at Trip Advisor and Chili's management response

 

“don't go when it's an hour before closing time”

Reviewed August 3, 2013

I like the food and margaritas here, I frequent the branches in Manila, Ph. So when I decided to spend my birthday weekend at SG, my friends and I decided to just go to Chili;s too.

this was last July 28, when we finished the River Cruise, it was like 10pm already and we were hungry. We went to Chili's, the girl at the entrance did welcome and seated our group of 8 adults and 4 kids. We ordered and waited for our food.

Back ribs was good and we had mashed potato as sides. The kids opted their meals to have mashed potato too. Sadly, there was no gravy on it, so we asked. Guess what the servers said, "sorry, but since it is close to closing time, we already threw the gravy away, so none is available already." Whhhaaatttt? I understand keeping it fresh and new, but why throw it away when you still have guests?!

Since it was my birthday, my friends told the lady server (same one who greeted us at the reception), if they could have a cake or ice cream or whatever to celbrate my day. They agreed to it. When our dinner is close to over, my friends followed it up. Again, the servers said that they can no longer serve that because they were close to closing time. [--] ! What a way to spoli my already good, birthday weekend!

After a few minutes, I saw the lady server waving and saying goodbye to her colleagues. No wonder, she was all in a hurry to get rid of us.

Food was generally ok, even their promos are almost aligned to what we have here in Manila, But the service?!?!?!? So poor. Please do have some training here at the Manila branches and you will know what I am talking about.

• Visited July 2013
  • Value
  • Atmosphere
  • Service
  • Food

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

SuzanneWInk, Director of Operations at Chili's Central @ Clarke Quay, responded to this review

August 6, 2013

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and we apologise for what you experienced. I am very disappointed in what happened and we would like to make this up to you. If you could send your contact details to info@chilis.sg and I will get in touch with you.

Trip Advisor

Cookbook Kitchen, Eastwood

Cookbook Kitchen is kinda popular and made waves for being a must-try restaurant.  Their first branch is in Mandaluyong which started inconspicuously, then generated a following. 

For our team lunch, we decided to hook up at the Eastwood City branch.  For a party of 6, we ordered the CBK Italian toast and Garlic Shrimp for appetizers, then the Pesto Pasta, Vigan Pasta, Parmesan Crusted Fish and Pineapple Soy Spareribs as main courses and each had a glass of iced tea.  Our bill was P3,800, so that is roughly at P 630++ for each.  Did we get the value for the price we paid?

Vigan pasta and the parmesan crusted fish

For one, the budget of P 600/pax is not easily afforded by most of the people for an everyday lunch.  But if you have money to spare, then this is an ok place to go to.  Location is good, being in the vicinity of Eastwood Mall.  There are a lot of other things to do in Eastwood than just eating.

what i actually ate

I particularly liked the Vigan pasta for its uniqueness in taste, because you add vinegar to the pasta.  It doesn’t become strong to taste, but rather flavourful.  The others enjoyed the pesto pasta on the other hand.

pesto pasta with ciabatta

I am not sure if it’s just me being an almost-no-seafood eater, but the fish was rather icky to my taste buds.

Red iced tea too sweet, we had to dilute it with water or maybe you can ask for lot of ice! (you do not have to go bottomless)

We skipped dessert and headed off to the bowling lanes instead.

 

 

Dinosaurs Island, Clark Airfield, Pampanga

“want to see more!”

Reviewed January 20, 2013

Trip Advisor

 

They are adding new attractions in Clark Airfield, Pampanga and this is one of them. We may still be far from international theme parks, but this is good enough.

From the entrance, there are already 2 dinos which a kid can ride for P50. The sound is so realistic that my 3 yr old niece did not want to go inside the park. Bummer.

But staff were too nice and accommodated us even if we did not go inside the actual park, they allowed us to peek through the big gate (ala Jurassic Park) and from there we already saw 2 life sized dinos that moves and growls. There is a sensor that triggers them to move.

Staff told us that there are also mascots that walk around. Too bad, we didn't really see them.

The dinos outside can be touched, they are made of some kind of plastic, but soft to touch.

The restroom cubicle doors are dinosaur-themed as well.

Food stalls are available for snacks. A souvenir shop too.

Parking is not a problem, but maybe just to caution, it is best if you are not wearing flip flops or open shoes, because your feet will get too dusty on your way to the entrance.

 

Visited on January 2013.

Same review posted on Trip Advisor.

 

Pino Resto Bar

“more than kare kareng bagnet !”

Reviewed January 19, 2013

Trip Advisor

 

 

I have been to this resto several times, but this is the first time i am writing it up. Yes, please try the kare kareng bagnet when you come and visit this place, but I have to tell you it is more than that! Check out their menu. You can also go veggie kare-kare by the way.

Fyi, you can also check out the menu of Pipino, the veggie resto upstairs. No worries ordering from upstairs.

I love the tofu stacked in a criss cross tower with bagnet. My dad does enjoy the crispy hito. A friend always orders the bacon and cheese stuffed chicken breast.

I tried the sisig rice once, it has a twist by having diced mangoes, it is ok, but I did not become a fan.

The iced tea at its price, is really a winner. Go for pitchers, not by the glass.

Service is a-ok. The place though is not meant for big group socials, but it is a nice place for good food and good chat with a small group of friends.

Ample parking space. If it is full, you can always park along the street..

Most of the servers are good-looking. :)

The good and bad of my Tagaytay weekend

http://www.charmaineromero.blogspot.com/2012/01/good-and-bad-of-my-tagaytay-weekend.html