Our office has long had an exchange deal (or ex-deal) relationship with Thunderbird Resorts in Binangonan, Rizal. Meaning, we use their facilities in exchange for airtime on our channel. So, whenever various shows have planning sessions or team building seminars, Thunderbird is a common venue. The show I currently am assigned to, Patrol ng Pilipino, recently had its brainstorming session there for two days.
I like the rooms in this place. They have an airy and very clean feel, and I particularly like the softness of their pillows. I also appreciate the fact that their curtains totally block the sunlight in the morning, making sure that I get a good night's sleep after a late session. (I am very light sensitive and tend to wake up with the slightest hint of light.)
We had our meals at Koi restaurant, which serves what they call "Asian fusion". The wait staff were very accommodating, and whenever I asked them to serve me fish in place of the usual beef, chicken or pork they served, they made sure their chef whipped something up for me quickly. There was a male server who was worthy of mention because he was very helpful, but unfortunately I cannot seem to recall his name.
During one meal, we all started with cream of asparagus soup. It was followed by some tomato salad which seemed to be a version of Caprese salad, although it used cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella.
Cream of asparagus soup
Tomato salad
For the main course, my colleagues were served a meat dish, so I asked for a seafood alternative. The server-whose-name-I-can't remember told me that they had some fried fish available, and gave me two choices. He said there was "hasa-hasa" and also "matang baka" (cow eye). I've had "hasa-hasa" before, though I don't really know what this translates to in English. It was the first time for me to hear the name "matang baka". He obligingly told me that they can serve me both. I liked the "matang baka" better; I just wish I knew what its name is in English.
Fried fish
The food in Koi was not particularly memorable. What did make the meal worth it for me is the courtesy of the staff, and how willing they were to accommodate their clients. In my experience, some service staff are not helpful when they know you have an ex-deal arrangement with their establishment. They see you as non-paying customers, when in fact, the company has paid for their facilities in airtime value.
On the other hand, some service staff are over-accommodating when they know you are part of a media company. They are probably well aware of the possibility that they could be given bad reviews. I guess I would prefer the second kind of attitude to the first. I don't know if the staff of Koi falls into that category, but I can't see how anyone can object to good service from waitstaff, whatever their motivations could be.
Koi Restaurant
Thunderbird Resorts - Rizal
Binangonan, Rizal
Philippines 1940
Tel. No.: (+632) 651.6888
Fax No.: (+632) 651.6893
I like the rooms in this place. They have an airy and very clean feel, and I particularly like the softness of their pillows. I also appreciate the fact that their curtains totally block the sunlight in the morning, making sure that I get a good night's sleep after a late session. (I am very light sensitive and tend to wake up with the slightest hint of light.)
We had our meals at Koi restaurant, which serves what they call "Asian fusion". The wait staff were very accommodating, and whenever I asked them to serve me fish in place of the usual beef, chicken or pork they served, they made sure their chef whipped something up for me quickly. There was a male server who was worthy of mention because he was very helpful, but unfortunately I cannot seem to recall his name.
During one meal, we all started with cream of asparagus soup. It was followed by some tomato salad which seemed to be a version of Caprese salad, although it used cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella.
Cream of asparagus soup
Tomato saladFor the main course, my colleagues were served a meat dish, so I asked for a seafood alternative. The server-whose-name-I-can't remember told me that they had some fried fish available, and gave me two choices. He said there was "hasa-hasa" and also "matang baka" (cow eye). I've had "hasa-hasa" before, though I don't really know what this translates to in English. It was the first time for me to hear the name "matang baka". He obligingly told me that they can serve me both. I liked the "matang baka" better; I just wish I knew what its name is in English.
Fried fishThe food in Koi was not particularly memorable. What did make the meal worth it for me is the courtesy of the staff, and how willing they were to accommodate their clients. In my experience, some service staff are not helpful when they know you have an ex-deal arrangement with their establishment. They see you as non-paying customers, when in fact, the company has paid for their facilities in airtime value.
On the other hand, some service staff are over-accommodating when they know you are part of a media company. They are probably well aware of the possibility that they could be given bad reviews. I guess I would prefer the second kind of attitude to the first. I don't know if the staff of Koi falls into that category, but I can't see how anyone can object to good service from waitstaff, whatever their motivations could be.
Koi Restaurant
Thunderbird Resorts - Rizal
Binangonan, Rizal
Philippines 1940
Tel. No.: (+632) 651.6888
Fax No.: (+632) 651.6893
Comments
I'm really glad to have chanced upon it, especially since I'm ovo-lacto vegetarian and reading about your restaurant recommendations thrills me!
Excited to read more posts from you :)