Express or platter?

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Express will be faster while platter will be heavier. If you were asked, which will you pick

With the many and overwhelming dishes on display, I looked up the monitor overhead and spotted the jumbo stuffed squid. I immediately placed my order but after few seconds, the lady crew was saying that they don't have the jumbo squid.

I looked at the menu again and asked without looking at the crew, "So what do you have? Just the grilled squid?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Okay, I'll have that then."

It did not take long when the crew asked me again.

"Platter, ma'am?"

I looked up to find the platter that she was referring to. I burst into laughter when I found it.

Four kinds of seafoods and good for two to four persons! That's the all-seafood platter.

"You're clever and crazy! How am I supposed to finish the platter?"

She laughed back at me.

Kidding aside, I would love to try all the seafoods on the platter. Maybe I will invite my friends next time and we will try it.

Aside from those on the monitor display, there is also this displayed mussels which I believe are for seafood stew.

I looked behind the counter and did not find any cooler, dispenser or refrigerator where they store their drinks so I asked.

"What drinks do you have?"

The lady crew pointed me to the other side. She also told me that I will pay there. That was only when I realized that they do not have a partition with the restaurant right next to it. Chin's.

"Ahhh, are these two stalls are just one?" I was asking as I cross the line to Chin's. I realized that my question did not sound right but I guess they understood.

"Yes, ma'am," the cashier at Chin's answered. It was to her whom I placed my order for pineapple juice. She was also the one who went to prepare and serve it to me.

I am sure the two business names Inihaw Express and Chin's were registered as separate entities. What I do not understand is how the income from Inihaw Express being entered into the cash registry of Chin's. Ahhh, why am I so curious of their business side? I'm just here to eat

I was a bit conscious while waiting for my order because the food court seem full in a Sunday afternoon. There were these two tables vacant near Inihaw and Chin's. I wanted to occupy one of them before they are taken but I needed to wait for my order because it is self-service. No one will serve it to my table.

When my order was finally handed to me, I was glad that the two tables were still vacant. I immediately occupied one of them and had myself settled.

The squid was bigger than I was expecting. It can actually pass for my expectation of the jumbo size. I just wished they had the stuffed version because that will surely be more flavorful. For this grilled one, a sauce is necessary.

I checked the sauce and noted the small, almost unnoticeable, slices of red chili. It is spicy.

I took my spoon, dipped its tip on the sauce and tested it on my tongue. It is manageable. I can do this!

It was mid-afternoon when I was taking my lunch. It was either I was so hungry or I started getting brave with hot dishes that I was able to take the spicy sauce. I was actually surprised and happy with myself that I did it!

Inihaw Express
Food Court
Lower Ground Floor
Festival Supermall
Filinvest City
Alabang
Muntilupa City
Metro Manila
Philippines