Pleasurable Shopping

That is what one gets from the new, sprawling , well laid-out , neat and clean ShopWise Supercenter in Libis, which opened its wide doors amid fanfare, music, dance and a wide selection of merchandise two weeks ago. The staff are gracious, courteous and helpful, plus they are uniquely wearing roller shoes, allowing them to move faster around the selling area, certainly a better way to serve the customers. Service is a signature of all Tantoco chain stores, and this, every shopper gets at ShopWise.

The two-level structure will be a landmark in the area. There is ample parking space in front and at the back. A walkalator leads to the second floor which is the store proper and down to the street level where the Food Center is, leading to the parking lot behind.

Go through your shopping list and you’ll likely find everything in this supercenter, where aisles are conveniently wide. Plus there are lots to be discovered. The food (grocery) section is located at the back, after one negotiates the tempting dry goods that range from garments to kitchenware.

We particularly delighted in the way they arrange their seafood. In this store, they showed more creativity with a display of giant (meter-long) fishes–for posta (filleting), or whole. Some are gracefully curled up on a bed of ice in suspended swimming motion. Prices start from P75 a kilo.

A friend who was with us could not leave the bakery section without getting the stuffed rolls (corned beef, bocayo, chicken, tuna, etc.) at P14-plus each, while the sweetish pan de coco sells for P7 each. We got the new Gardenia pan de sal (like the putok variety, hence heavy) for P14.75 a pack. She also introduced us to the less expensive (but tasty) brands of corned beef (CDO, P17.75 per) and canned and bottled sardines (Master, Spanish style, P16.50 each and Betagro Bangus in corn oil at P65). They are healthy alternatives to processed meat and calorific tocinos and longanizas.

From the line-up of spreads we discovered the fat-free Dijonaise creamy spread from Best Foods, a versatile thing to have in the kitchen. This can be used instead of mayonnaise and can be added to dips and salad dressings. It comes in two sizes and quite a few flavors. The 12-ounce squeeze dispenser is tagged at P130.75.

There is an endless array of offerings, including Gourmet ready-to-go packs (salsas, cooked food like callos), fresh meat (T-bone at P215 a kilo, porterhouse also at P215, ground sirloin at P165 and the high-end Tender Plus lamb at P601 a pack), shrimps (suahe at P380 a kilo, really jumbo for P710). Among the vegetables and fruits are those from Dizons, a name that means a guarantee of good quality.

This is such a huge store that when you visit ShopWise you have to resolve to stay at least half a day (or even more) to really examine and enjoy everything they have. We are certain residents in the area are happy to welcome this new member of their community.

New as well are two specialty restaurants to which we have been introduced lately. One is the full-blown crepes outlet called Crepes de France Paris on the Cinema level of Rockwell Center, an establishment given the imprimatur by the original establishment in France, a chain that is spread all over the world and owned by a group of young entrepreneurs. Crepes are not easy to make, but they have the French machines to do two varities–buck wheat and plain. Their selection includes meal crepes (try the Motard, which is beef patty with egg and ementhal cheese) and desserts (go for the Banana Surprise). Their coffee is good as well.

Also in Rockwell, by the roadside, is Mati, a Greek restaurant. Service is still slow (birth pains?), but staff are gracious and food is tasty. If the names of the dishes do sound "greek" (as in strange) to you, don’t worry–you will still enjoy them, especially the Fried Cheese.

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Lydia D. Castillo’s e-mail address: [email protected]