Maki-bonding @ Gerry's Grill

CEBU, Philippines - Fresh from the success of the monthly “Maki-bonding @ Gerry’s Grill” party recently to thank patrons for availing of the Circle of Friends Loyalty Card, Gerry’s Grill Ayala Terraces branch manager Cherry Cababan hosted dinner for this writer and lensman featuring the best of Filipino dishes prepared by Chef Danny Sogo-an.

While helping ourselves to the steaming hot Bulalo with a quarter of a cabbage head blanched in the soup to go with our Seafood Rice in appealing bright yellow, Cababan explained that with the use of Circle of Friends Loyalty Card, patrons get to choose a free dish with a minimum single receipt purchase worth P500 and to enjoy the benefits when they earn points.

For a measly P100, payment can be made through cash or credit card. “There is no minimum purchase required to get the card. Upon purchase and once cardholder’s information sheet has been filled up, the card will be activated. By then, cardholders can start enjoying the benefits of Gerry’s Circle of Friends card which is transferable,” Cababan said.

For a minimum single receipt purchase worth P500, the cardholder will be entitled to choose one free dish of the month. “They just have to make sure that card is presented before ordering as the establishment follows the “No Card, No Free Dish” policy,” Cababan further said.

This Loyalty Card is important to record the cardholder’s points and the tracking of the free dish. Cababan made it clear that it’s “one free dish per transaction per cardholder.”

Three percent of the total net purchase will be converted to points of the cardholder and that points can be accumulated from dine-in, take-out, functions and catering transactions, she further explained on the mechanics of the promo, adding that “the card is valid for one year from date of issuance with a renewal fee of P100.”

Cababan, however, noted that cardholders can redeem their rewards only when they reach 300 points. “It can be redeemed in the form of Gerry’s gift certificates or can be deducted from the bill,” she said.

“A maximum of 900 points can be redeemed per transaction per day. If a cardholder wants to redeem more than 900 points, they should advise the branch at least two working days before for points verification,” she advised.

Another is that for a P750 minimum purchase, a customer gets food items like Batchoy or Molo or they get premium items like sling bag or shoe bag,

When it comes to grilled food items, Gerry’s Grill continues to be sought after by diners because of its “preparations for grilled seafood, chicken, and meat products that observe the standards, even the portioning,” says Chef Danny.

Among the savory local dishes that continue to be bestsellers were brought to the table for the sampling like the specialty of the house – the grilled squid or the Inihaw na Pusit - and the sizzling Bangus a la Pobre.

Chef Danny mentioned of appetizers that clients might want to check on like Shrimp and Chips and the Chichabits or pork skin cracklings. For those who would want variations to rice presentation, the chef from Sta. Barbara (Iloilo) said that the Adobong Puso Rice is something to look forward to. “Babalutin yung kanin sa dahon ng saging na parang hugis puso tapos igugulong sa kawali with adobo sauce,” he explained.

Customers can top the burps with desserts to choose from like Turon Saba with Chocolate Syrup, Buko Pandan, Sansrival, Brownie a la Mode, Mais con Hielo, or the Pinoy all-time favorite Halo-Halo.

Interestingly, Gerry’s Grill is up with the Bilao Bundles (Palabok, Canton and Bihon) for occasions in small (good for eight persons), medium (10-12 pax) and large (15-18 pax) sizes available through delivery services or take-out.

With already 43 branches nationwide and two in California (San Francisco and Union City), Cababan added that the restaurant and bar continues to expand through its franchises with a new one soon in Boracay Island (Station 2) to open tentatively by November. ?