SHANGRI-LA Corp. general manager Lala Fojas (left) during the draw of the “Sure Prize, Surprise!” promo grand winner. The winner took home a 42-inch plasma television.

By Romy Antonette Peña

THE upscale Shangri-La Plaza recently unveiled the new face of Garden Court, its floor of food establishments for casual diners.

Garden Court now hosts bigger dining establishments to accommodate more customers especially during lunch hour.

“We want to provide the shoppers with a more homogenous atmosphere. We wanted to give them a delightful and nourishing dining experience,” said Shangri-La Plaza Corp.’s general manager Lala Fojas during the relaunch.

A technology hub is also a few steps from Garden Court to satisfy the thirst of techies, and provides services like cell phone and laptop repair.

“We want to give them more choices in a more pleasant as well as safe setting,” Fojas added.

The event carried a Mardi Gras theme, with the Brass Munkeys providing entertainment. Diners lingered as the winners for the “Sure Prize, Surprise!” promotion were announced. The lucky grand-prize winner, Concepcion Jabon, got to bring home a brand new Samsung 42-inch plasma TV with matching home theater system. The other prices that were raffled off included Samsung mobile phones and Shang Cineplex gift certificates.

Fastfood favorites at Garden Court include Chowking, Greenwich, Jollibee, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald’s and Wendy’s. Those craving for Filipino food can head to Binalot, Cebu Fiesta, Goto King, Max’s Restaurant and Reyes BBQ, while those looking for Oriental flavors can opt for Hen Lin, Honey’s Kimchi, Kimono Ken or Kitaro. Sizzling or grilled foods can be found at Davao Tuna Grill, SGS House of Minis, Sizzling Seafoods and Steak Escape. 

If you’re looking for sweets to take home, you can choose from the kiosks of Bibingkinitan, Dunkin Donuts, Kookie Korner, Mini-Melts: The Ice Cream Dream and Red Ribbon. Wash them down with refreshing drinks from Coconut Republic or Fruit Magic.

With around 30 establishments to choose from, Garden Court diners definitely have a wider selection that covers all the gustatory bases, whether it is for a quick bite or a leisurely lunch.

Exclusive to BusinessMirror: Patrick Dempsey, A Made Man

TWO decades ago, Patrick Dempsey became an overnight movie star, thanks to teen classics such as Can’t Buy Me Love and Loverboy. Now the 42-year-old actor is enjoying a wildly successful comeback in Hollywood, thanks to his Golden Globe-nominated role as Dr. Derek Shepherd—better known as McDreamy—in the hit TV drama series Grey’s Anatomy.

Welcome to Adrian Grenier’s ‘Entourage’

MANHATTAN-BRED actor/filmmaker/musician Adrian Grenier was ‘slumming it’ down in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula trying to pick up some Spanish when he received the call from his manager Stephen Levinson about auditioning for the role of an almost-famous movie star for an HBO pilot.

Fermantations: Three Men and a Baby

PERHAPS the idea had been germinating since the standing-room-only nights began at the little tapas bar. A room was added, but despite the increase in floor area to make a full 100-square meters, the clientele still had to spill outdoors on busy nights.

Cooks: Ribs to Spare

PORK used to be a bad four-letter word. It still is?! I don’t think so. People who mouth the C word—Cholesterol—about pork half-know what they’re talking about. Pork is not all that bad; otherwise, do you think the Germans who love to eat pork will continue to make the best sausages out of pork meat?

High Time for High-Style ‘Carinderia’ Dining

RAINY days, Mondays and down days thankfully perk up at the whiff of the much-loved, fondly-remembered food of our growing-up years, visiting with grandparents or enjoying dinner and conversation with family and friends. At Petra & Pilar, relive those moments with great food you would want to go back to—again and again.

A Garden feast

THE upscale Shangri-La Plaza recently unveiled the new face of Garden Court, its floor of food establishments for casual diners. 

Stressed out? Sit on it!

WE used to manage stress by sleeping it off or taking a minibreak, say, a weekend off to Tagaytay. That may have been good enough to recharge ourselves physically and mentally back when life was a little slower and a lot kinder.

Volleying for the beach life

BORACAY is famous for many things: clear waters, miles-long shore and white sand that doesn’t seem to get hot no matter how high the temperature rises.

Learning Curve: Freelance or consultant—what are you?

LATELY, there’s a favorite phrase that I find myself telling friends, even colleagues: “Sorry if I haven’t been responding in real time.” Or, its variation: “Sorry, I’m not in real time.”

Beating the odds, including cancer

Part 3

WHEN fiftysomething Cheryl Ann Serrano, corporate communications manager of Sanofi-Aventis Philippines Inc., was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2004, she didn’t stop working.

Something Like Life: The cougar relationship

To most women over 40 who have a difficult time finding and maintaining relationships with men their age or older, Demi has come to symbolize the ideal woman.

OFW mother reunited with family after missing graduation, burial

WHERE was she, the mother, when her eldest son, a cum laude graduate of San Beda College, was interred after dying in a vehicular accident late last year? No living mother hereabouts would be absent at such a shattering family event.