Fine Life On A Budget + + +

Have you ever been turned away by a restaurant for a valid reason? I have been. It happened one weekday morning when I planned to eat brunch just as the mall opened. I walked inside this one restaurant without anybody there noticing me. I sat as any customer would. After a minute of being ignored, I stood up to get a menu from a menu rack. Just as I was flipping through it, a waiter approached me and politely informed me that they could not serve me any food at that time as the cashier personnel was not in yet.

It was then when I dragged my weary soul inside the mall. I found myself inside Mondo Juice smoothie shop three minutes later. I'm a sucker for Big Chill, so I was a bit cynical if Mondo Juice's smoothies were any good. Point #1: their menu is so interesting. And I'm not referring only to the fancy names of drink concoctions. I mean the combo of various fruits are just quite remarkable that I had a hard time choosing a flavor to purchase. I decided that I would have to drop by several times to sample most of the flavors that interest me. Funny thing was, I ended up buying their simplest flavor -- the Perfect Peach -- which is a combo of peach, mango, signature nectar and other minor stuff that I can't remember anymore.

Now, I don't really watch my weight, but for those who do, Mondo Juice drinks come with fruit mix info stickers that are placed on the cups which is my point #2. The so-called Perfect Peach smoothie that I ordered tasted rich in fruit flavor and yet still thirst-quenching. The resulting concoction is not as unnecessarily ice-crunchy (for a lack of a better term) as other smoothies that I've tasted.

I will definitely return to Mondo Juice for the other fact that they serve a very delicious looking slice of chocolate moist cake that's only for Php100. Plus, I'd love to sit on one of those diner-style seats next time.

I always believe that a tasty drink must earn its merit on its own. It can't depend on the meal to get its reputation. Case in point: I ate a lousy tasting meal in this restaurant which I didn't bother blogging about because I don't want to spoil its name. However, the drink I ordered there was outstanding. This got me looking for more tasty drinks in the metro. The beverage doesn't necessarily have to be thirst-quenching. I am looking for that soothing taste that makes the drink remarkable.

Enter Guinumis (gee-NU-mis). I had this traditional Bicolano beverage at Classic Cuisine Restaurant. After a month-long search, I consider this my winning drink. Guinumis is a coconut milk-based drink with panocha syrup at the bottom, crush iced in the middle, sago and crispy pinipig on top. The treat glows in the middle simulating a lava lamp.

MALIBU DREAM by Coffe Bean Tea Leaf
I ordered this after a tiring morning at the office. I was on a hunt to satisfy a sugar craving. This set me back around P150, but it was worth the money. The combination of vanilla, strawberry, and banana got me on a sugar fix.

VANILLA MILKSHAKE by Eskimo Bob
I've tasted lots of milkshakes already. I personally dislike the type that's just ice cream one left alone to melt under the heat of the sun. Eskimo Bob's version is not that type. It's got rich vanilla flavor and the whip cream is as rich as the body. It's a bit pricey, though, at Php128.

STRAWBERRY VANILLA SHAKE By Eat & Go
My meal was a mess. This was the saving grace. The rich vanilla and strawberry syrup got me by. I totally forgot how much this cost me because I was stressing at my meal to a fault. Plus, when I was having the meal with my college friends, there was a singing performer right outside the restaurant. The female vocalist literally was ear-piercing.

CHINESE MILK TEA by Chef Choi
I ate at Chef Choi when it opened at Megamall because I always want to be the first one to sample new treats. I was disappointed. More than six months after, I returned to test them if things have changed. It has not unfortunately. I thought their new beverage -- the traditional Chinese milk tea -- could make me change my mind. Chowking's milk tea tastes better. The Php60 crushed my soul...

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