Three in a day

For six hours, with the traffic cooperating, we managed to visit three food outlets in one day early last week and thus was able to do market research at Rustans Supermarket, DEC, and Unimart.

We had not seen Samson of Rustans Supermarket in years, but he is now back on the job that has gained him (and the store) a lot of appreciative customers. He walked us through, and we were re-acquainted with some “oldtimers” like Claire and the department store’s ever-accommodating Miss Vargas.

We were handed a flyer from Ayala Land about re-routing traffic within the commercial area, due to “re-development of Ayala Center.” We wonder what this would turn out to be.

As with all supermarkets, there are lots of food stalls by the entrance, making one feel hungry even at odd hours. There is Kiesa’s bibingka and puto bumbong for P65 and P50 each, Indian Kashmir, and Mrs. Fields which, aside from cookies, also offers sandwiches and shakes. There’s newcomer Oliver’s Super Sandwiches where you can get a platter of assorted sandwiches good for six, with side dishes and drinks, for P695. We refreshed ourselves with a cup of White Hat Italian frozen yogurt with cheesecake, chocolate bits and cherry toppings.

The international section on the right end of the store is no longer there. Instead, there is a French corner near the dairy section, carrying lots of imports, among them the products of Belle France, including paella royale (P338 for 900 gms), mixed veggies (we were happy to find the small French beans), veggies for couscous (P149), moussaka (P254), and lasagna (P254 for a kilo), which might be cheaper than home-cooking it. They carry a selection of imported dairy products, offering competition to local brands. Liegeois coffee vanilla ice cream is at P235 for a box of 4, pistachio chocolate cones are P225 for a box of 6, Golden Creme’s cookies and cream is P379.75 for half a gallon. We also found Magnolia mochi (ice cream balls) at P9.59 each. Seafood is at a high price these days. Lapu-lapu sells for P560 a kilo, pampano at P345 and jumbo prawns (nearly half a foot long) at P820 a kilo, around 7 to 8 pieces. They have the usual meat selection with the specials – ostrich for P663.75 a kilo, free-range chicken at P325.25 and turkey leg. Farm Fresh brand meat is also available. 25 kilograms of Sinandomeng rice is tagged at P1,045.25. By mid-day, one would have hunger pangs, and Rustan’s Le Gourmet serves pasta for P235, Caesar’s salad for P195, paella at P285 and moussaka for P265. They also have Filipino dishes – beef steak Tagalog at P139. The plus factor in any Rustan’s outlet, including Shopwise, is the efficient staff.

We moved on to Greenhills and dropped by DEC, now located on Wilson street, after it closed the store in the shopping center. Judging from the box upon box of tikoy at the store when we visited, we reckon there would be many homes enjoying this Chinese New Year staple. They come in different flavors, including ube and pandan. DEC is known for its barbecue, Chinese- style chicken, pancit, and lechon kawali, with prices starting at P199. We got hoisin sauce at P94, only to find the same bottle at P84 in Unimart, a few meters away.

There are always lots of chocolates in Unimart, Greenhills. One new line, Solen and Octavia, from Turkey, has Ferrero-Rocher-like sweets for P246. Wishbones Spritzers are salad dressings starting at P172 a bottle. Overall, chicken has gone down from the P118 a kilo during the holidays. Chicken legs at Unimart cost P89.50 while drumsticks are at P95.50. Cornish chicken still commands a high price of P307.50 a kilo while the free-range bird is P240 a kilo. Go for Magnolia, instead. There are three meat sellers.We took note of one that tags ground beef at P195, pork chops at P225 and beef brisket for P285. To our joy, this outlet has the young garlic which we use for our cardillong isda. Rather expensive at a P360 a kilo, but one needs only a few stalks, maybe P70 worth.

Take note that in the course of shopping, you will not be able get everything you need from one store, and prices are not always the same at each outlet. Be sure to shop wisely.                           

* * *

E-mail comments and questions to: [email protected]