MBAH 10B Food trip by Dr Apple

Submitted by: Bandong, Maria Conchitina T.

MBAH-10B

Date Submitted: March 23, 2013

FOOD TRIP

The class went to three restaurants in Powerplant Mall in Makati as part of our food trip in Entrepreneur class. These were Banana Leaf for lunch, Sugar house for dessert, and Draft for coffee and cocktails.

1. BANANA LEAF

It is an all Asian concept restaurant; the ambiance, food and even the food servers were wearing Asian outfits. We partook of thai soup, padthai, crispy tilapia, curry chicken, and sizzling beef. The food was delicious, the food servers were attentive.

The innovations I noted were the following:

-       banana leaves were used as plates which implies that you can eat with your bare hands and this reminded us that we are in the Philippines

-       ambiance encourages group or family dining. The atmosphere was informal which connotes eating time as a happy time

-       interiors (ceiling, chairs, tables, wall ornaments) were all Asian and made us feel we were in another Asian country

Basing on the number of people eating, the people in queue, and the number of 8 branches, I consider the restaurant as a success.

2. SUGAR HOUSE

It is a coffee and dessert place. It offered a variety/choices of different cakes, pastries, and even coffee. It also offers main entrees/hearty meals for lunch, merienda, and dinner. We had apple pie and chocolate cake which satisfied our sweet craving.

I did not notice any significant innovations except for sugar free cakes being offered although this is now available in most of the eating establishments. However, the offer catering services and food delivery service during business hours.

Based on its business concept which is to offer premium cakes, I feel that it was successful in that aspect. The number of current branches which is twelve in Metro Manila only is reflective of its success.

3. DRAFT

This is currently a new gastropub of European casual dining concept. It offers the best drink on tap and variety of scrumptious and highly palatable food.

The innovations that I noted were the following:

-       wide variety of draft beer from Europe

-       ambiance

-       presence of smoking area makes no horrific traces of cigarette smoke inside

-       the tables were massive which can accommodate large amount of food and drinks

I think that based on the number of people dining & drinking inside and outside even during lunch time, I consider it a success.