As I had mentioned in my previous blogs, the company I am currently working at was still on the rocks due to low sales. Since we are in Retail with main products as apparel and footwear it's kind of hard to compete now with online shopping platforms. Still, I admired the owner as they never stop formulating different marketing strategies that might help boost the sales. Not only that, they venture in another line of business such as food restaurants and bars. This started last year at Carmona Cavite and this year it was finalized to add a branch at Greenhills San Juan Manila. Every department involved has been busy not until we launched the soft opening.
Surprisingly, our Boss invited us to dine in on the first day. When I say US , all working onsite at the main office. And yes, it was free! Order all you want, no limit!
The COO, whom we address as Boss, seemed in a good mood as he even assigned some of the company drivers to pick us. At five in the afternoon, we are on our way and see how bright and hot it was outside!
Restaurant Name, Location and ambience.
Their new restaurant that was named as Pizza Planet was located at L553 5/F Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan, Metro Manila. It was a newly built building just in front of Quantum.
It's only now that I realized I didn't have a nice photo from the outside.
This is the entrance and one of our workmates who was assigned as manager here was already assisting our fellow colleagues.
The Dining Area
If my memory is right, the dining capacity is 75 or more. At the center tables are arranged good for eight people. For your convenience, you may hang your bags under the table (there is a hook.) If you came in a large group, the tables and chairs could be moved; for a long table.
If you have kids or simply want to be more comfortable you can choose this one on the other side.
Or perhaps you wanted to sit here on the high chair facing outside. Perhaps waiting for someone still playing at the quantum.
Additional photos of the dining area. I think we are all waiting for the foods to be served here.
The Foods.
One of the staff presenting us the menu and briefing the rules as it is unli pizza, pasta and chicken wings. To order, per group will be given a QR code to scan. Then you will be directed into the menu list. Ordering will be done here too so no need to call a staff or enumerate what you like. There is also a transaction history to preview the orders. Lastly, this is where to settle the billing too.
Here is the menu. If you are not a huge eater or don't want to eat more as you are on a diet then you may choose ala-carte.
Pizza, pasta or chicken, there are several flavors to choose from so we ordered all! Boss says we can as long as we don't waste it.
The set of pasta we ordered, Asian, Bacon and Mushroom, Beefy Spaghetti and Chicken alfredo. Did I mention before that I am fond of eating pasta? So indeed I enjoy eating, especially beefy. Though some of my officemates didn't like it as they found it sour! Asian pasta is also good and comes with a few slices of garlic toasted bread.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take some pictures of the chickens and Pizza as I was busy eating and chit-chatting at the same time chit-chatting!
Also, since it's the first day of soft opening, the serving time which was supposed to be 15 minutes lasted more than thirty I guessed. Boss said that the kitchen staff was already cramming and even over cooked the chickens . The main purpose why we are invited to to test and criticize what more to be improved. At some point I intentionally showed an attitude to one of the servers to see how she would handle it. Turns out, she needs more training in order to be more confident in serving the customers.
And seeing this on the table next to us made me laugh. They really ordered a lot that had no space for the nachos. Speaking of nachos, this is one on the menu that I can vouch for.
My Review
Over all the ambiance is good yet the staff uniforms should be at least on the theme, planets. Also, female staff hair should be tied and make up is a must. The food is great, the service needs to be improved and I know they can in the next few days. If I were to assess, the kitchen staff isn't enough for the number of dining areas. Well the last time I heard from our HR, hiring is ongoing as there are a lot of customers everyday! Nice to hear as that means business is okay and some employees from other branches were transferred here. That means more job opportunities to all my fellow employees.
Before leaving, the Boss says, he will be sending the total bill and will be deducted on our salary. We just laughed and thanks him for the treat.
Lead image was edited using Canva
All photos are mine otherwise stated
Footer credit to Sensiblecast