Cash and Curry

Welcome to the future. Beep boop beep.

Over the years, I’ve nursed a secret love-hate relationship with Bollywood movies. Bombastic, over-the-top, and always packed with cheesy song and dance numbers, I lack the willpower to watch an entire film in one go, preferring instead to take things piecemeal. At Swagat, for instance, a low key Indian diner in Makati, the sari-clad staff will let you mull over roti and curry while watching an endless stream of Bollywood clips: From break dancing Sikhs to weepy princesses to mustachioed matinee idols. (You can also rent Bollywood DVDs and buy jewelry.) You’ll get the same treatment at Swagat’s younger, more upscale sibling, Namaste in Burgos Circle. The tandoori might come from an authentic clay oven, but the atmosphere is just as homey. Owner Komal Khanchandani hovers around like a doting Indian mother, gently prodding diners if they want seconds of crackling papadom.

Roghan Josh at Namaste

Currently, I’m still reeling from Enthiran, Bollywood’s biggest billeted film ever. Equal parts Transformers, The Matrix, and I Robot, it’s the Indian action genre at its most outrageous. Dr. Vaseegaran (played by Asia’s second highest paid actor after Jackie Chan), builds a super-smart robot that looks like him called ‘Chitibubu’ because, you know, it’s a kick ass name in Hindi. When not programming Chitibubu to do the Hammer dance or beat up his lab assistants, Dr. Vaseegaran still has time to flirt with Aishwarya Rai’s character. What a horndog.

Eventually Chitibubu goes rouge, rampaging across a three-hour film filled with exploding cars, smoldering looks, and musical numbers. Suspension of disbelief does not begin to describe Enthiran. Especially so when Chitibubu rides a policeman like a surfboard then multiplies into mean, leather-clad Oompa Loompas who merge into a giant cobra, and gun down dozens more of Indian officers. Throughout most of the climactic battle scene, you’re left shaking your head at how a loveable Indian robot could graduate from break dancing to large scale destruction.

It’s the perfect popcorn flick, but since it’s Bollywood, samosas might be a good substitute. The thing is Indian cuisine continues to fascinate and confuse me: I’ve gawked at aerodynamic wraps of dosa in Singapore’s budget terminal, double-dipped my bread in masala sauce at a Bangalore food court, and hoarded biscuits from the local Indian grocery just because the child on the packaging is adorable. 

Who can say no to those eyes? Those eyes!

In a way Indian food and film keep crossing paths: Couples ply each other with fruits as they playfully chase through forests, weddings are always a feast, and action stars tear through kebabs with relish.   

I have yet to finish Enthiran, but from where I left off, Aishwarya Rai survives, although most don’t including my fragile mind. Somewhere along the way, even before Chitibubu magnetically turns the policemen’s machine guns against them, I lost track of time. It may have been the desert courtship scene. Here, the lead actor who is well over 60, wears a thick toupee. Hiding his gut under layers of scarves and jackets, Dr. Vaseegaran sways his hips to the singsong tunes of Tamil music. There, frolicking amid the sand dunes with his leading lady, I realize I’ve gotten more than what I had bargained for. -- Gastro Boy

This is what all women fantasize about.

Craving for curry? Head to these outposts of Indian cuisine right in Makati and Manila:

Swagat Indian Cuisine

For close to 8 years a mainstay along Rada, you can chow down on your chapati next to Indian expats and AIM students. Swing by during Diwali season to see Swagat decked out with colorful lights. Beware though; you'll easily lose track of time with all the Bollywood DVDs they play.

119 FCC Building, Rada Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City

(632) 501-5079 / 752-5669

Everyday 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Namaste India

Fairly new, Swagat's upscale sibling has a built-in clay oven for an even more authentic feel without charging an arm and a leg. Look for favorites like the Roghan Josh, Chicken Rashmi, and Malai Kabab. There's burfi to be had too - a coconut-based sweet that's just like our bokayo.

Unit 1A, Burgos Circle
Forbestown, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

(632)  403-6088
Everyday 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Assad Mini Mart

I just love Assad. From wacky snacks to piping hot samosas over the counter, this is the place to go if you want to dabble in cooking Indian at home. Should the exotic offerings puzzle you, the staff's on hand to explain what goes with what else. There are two branches: UN Avenue in Manila and along Jupiter Street in Makati.

Eurocrest Building, Jupiter Street, Bel-Air Village, Makati City

1268-IJK Midtown Hotel Executive Homes
United Nation Avenue, Paco, Manila

(632) 5261349 / 5265034

Everyday 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

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Get your Group-on! ;)

A weekend with the girls.A special Mother’s Day treat (head’s up guys, it’s next weekend – May6). A romantic weekend for you and your special someone.  Priceless.  Well, not really, but I’ll bet we can do it for at least 50% off.  Not bad huh? J

So get your GroupOn, and get ready to splurge on the best deals in town!

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Every Day Sale

I love the four letter magic word (“S-A-L-E”), just as much as the next girl, so yes, I have to admit I’ve had my share of Groupon clone purchases. We’ve all seen the major discounts that the Groupon clones post on FB – 50, 60, 70, and even 80% discounts on restaurants, spas, hotels, and even trips.  Before that, price slashes of that degree were unheard of - so it’s no surprise that deals from Ensogo.com, Cashcashpinoy.com, Localroam.ph, and DealGrocer.com (and many more..)would flood our Facebook pages.  With so many choices, how do we find the best deals?

Shop Smart

The smart shopper in me says to look around, so I’d jump from one site to another to compare deals, but after the initial excitement dies down, it just takes too much effort.  That was till I found Alldealsasia.com – they compile the deals from all (if not most) of the PGC (Philippine Groupon Clone) on one page.  All that’s left to do is scroll down and shop!

I got so excited I went through the deals and came up with some ideas for the weekend.

Make your own Sweet Deal

Our mom’s deserve only the best, so try to make this day special by coming up with a well thought itinerary.  Feel free to mix and match different deals to create a special package that only you would know she’d love. 

Mother’s Day Out (again, Mother’s Day is on May6)

Here’s what I came up with:  Start off with a relaxing three hour pampering package (a full body massage and body scrub combo at Simply1 Spa), then impress your mom with a luxurious dinner buffet at the Inter-Con’s Jeepney Bakery before taking her to the RCBC theater to catch Joel Trinidad in the Filipino version of the Broadway classic “Defending the Caveman”.

Total Original Value:  Php 3644

Actual Total:  Php 1807

The Breakdown:

	Original Price	Discounted Price	Link
3 Hour Pampering Package	Php1428	Php699	http://www.cashcashpinoy.com/deal/Manila-48/Relaxing_Full_Body_Massage___Body_Scrub_at_Simply1_Spa_-48-257.html
Dinner Buffet at Jeepney Bakery, Inter-Continental	Php1616	Php808	http://kuponan.ebaysocialapps.com/
Ticket to RCBC theater’s “Defending the Caveman”	Php600	Php300	http://www.ensogo.com.ph/manila/caveman-300-parent.html

Package Deals

There are some package deals available, usually created for special events or for travel packages.  Here are the ones that caught my eye:

Barkada Bonding:

Bond over a brunch buffet and watch the Paquiao-Mosley fight together at half the price!

http://www.ensogo.com.ph/manila/greenhills-elan-hotel-modern.html

Romantic Weekend for Two:

Book an overnight stay at One Tagaytay Place Hotel & Suites, inclusive of breakfast, a one hour massage at O’ Spa, set dinner and welcome drink/s.  It’s all been planned for you, all you’ve got to do is book it and go.

http://www.localroam.ph/team.php?id=41

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Shopping Tips:

1.      View deals by category (fun activities, food, spa, travel, biggest discounts,etc). 

Alldealsasia.com doesn’t just compile the deals for you, it also allows you to view them based on your interest.  Definitely a time saver!

2.      Read the fine print.

Deal specifics are usually listed down on the sites – day/time frame it is valid, branches it can be used at, inclusions, etc. – make sure you read it before sealing the deal.  Like any purchase - shop with caution.

3.      “Deal is on”.

Not all deals are automatically activated.  In case there is a minimum “sale” required before activating a deal, don’t set your heart on this sweet deal just yet.  You’ve got three options:  help promote the deal, wait it out, or look for the next best thing.

4.      PGC customer hotline.

Save the number on your cellphone in case you have issues with redeeming the coupon.  Some establishments may not have properly informed their staff of the promos, so it’s better to be safe than sorry (and most likely pissed off..).

5.      Exclusive deals.

Sites such as DealGrocer.com have deals that are exclusive for their members.  I’ve seen what they’ve come up with so far, and it’s worth it!  Among the PGC, Dealgrocer.com has established it’s reputation of featuring the best restaurants and exclusive getaways.

6.      Sidedeals.

Our eyes are usually drawn towards the main deals, which are right smack in the middle of the sites, but make sure you take the time to look around for the sidedeals.  A sidedeal is not necessarily less appealing.  The deals that are featured on the main deals section are scheduled, so after awhile they are bumped off to the sidedeals after a week or two

7.      Validity Alarm.

I’ve had so many coupons expire on me.  If you’re actually going to be paying for a coupon you’d better use it!  Program it as a reminder on your cellphone a week or two before it expires to remind you to go and use it.

8.      Mind over Heart.

You know those moments when you have private conversations with yourself in your head – “it’s such a great deal, but I’m not sure I’ll use it…. But it’s such a steal…”  - then just end up making the purchase just because it’s a “steal”?  I’ll bet that’s not what they meant by collective purchasing power. 

Happy shopping!!!  And happy Mother’s Day to my mom and to all the mom’s out there!

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