Disappointing late dinner @ Iceberg's Greenhills

Last Oct 11th, I had a late dinner at Iceberg's Greenhills.
This was my second trip to the store. Unfortunately, chances of returning will be slim.

I arrived at 1020pm and there were 5 tables occupied. Ordered 2pc Southern Fried Chicken with
fries and 1 chocolate sundae (a cheat day). The server asked me if I want to have dessert first, since the chicken will take some time to cook. I said yes.
Yes, my request fell on deaf ears.

After a while, both orders came, and I had a bite of the chicken (drumstick first, then thigh).
It was bland, until I came to the bone part- it was full of blood.You know it was cooked on
high fire to speed up the process.

The thigh part was worse, it had burned parts and tasted like it.

Then the ice cream, the nuts were too few. I don't believe the 148php was worth the money.

I think the kitchen was none too happy to serve hot food late at night.
They could have told me and I'd be fine with it. Rather than serve substandard food.
Returning is not an option. It was utter disappointment.

The poor attitude of your staff shows in the food. Usually, I'm a good tipper,
but this time. I left the 2 pesos from the change.

The management should look into this matter.

What's your optical? I'm with Success Vision

Since 2nd year high school, I've been wearing specs and have gone through a lot of them. To dispose and still make them useful, I donated them.

Also, I've used contact lens at some point. Hence, I've been a client of numerous optical shops for several years: in the past, Ideal Vision Center SM Megamall for my glasses and EO Megamall for my contact lens (during my college years since my school is walking distance from SM Megamall).

From past to present: Success Vision Center in V-Mall, Greenhills for both glasses and contact lens, since it's a short drive away from home. From high school then working years.
For all three optical shops, I commend their budget-friendly prices, kind and knowledgeable staff. You know when you feel welcomed and even when you keep asking questions, hindi sila magsasawa sa iyo.

Past: Great deals on frames! Ideal Vision Center, SM Megamall

Past: Great deals on Contact lens! Executive Optical, SM Megamall

Past to present: Success Vision Center,
G/F V-Mall, Greenhills, .San Juan City. Great deals on both!

Recently, I've stopped wearing either or both for 2 years, due to the feeling that they weren't necessary. However last 29th Nov 2013, my adventurous spirit led me to P. Paterno, Quiapo in search of inexpensive eyewear, a Spyder replica frame with multi-coated lens + shipping, which I got this for almost 3k Php.

However, after 6 mos. of occasional use, I had a pimple behind my ear where the temples of the frame sit, and I wash the eyeglass as often as I could. Plus, I don't feel any difference viewing objects, the frequent headaches and eye fatigue (though less computer work and off to bed before 12mn), all led me back to Success Vision in Greenhills, after not showing up for 3 years.

The shop is owned by Dr. Ana Gonzales, a Chinese optometrist from  ICA & CEU, and 3 other assistants. One lady checked my record and said that my last check-up was in 2011 (I didn't tell her that I went to P. Paterno much to my dissatisfaction). Following that, she conducted a routine eye check-up and found out I retained the same grade of -.50 for both eyes (for 2010 and before that it was -1.00 for both). According to the assistant, I can just use my old one.

However, I told her I grew tired of wearing the same thing for some time now and would like to get new frames (pics to follow when I get them). A little back story below where my old Fury frames are:

Still very much in good condition, I gave to our helper, Gloria. Since has complained of blurred vision (she's 42 and has been with us for 7 years now). This will enable us to just pay for lens change @ 400 php for reading lens (+1.25 on both eyes). Hence, it saved me a great deal of money, rather than paying for new frames + lens. That's a tip for you guys! (I'll put up photos of our helper once we get her glasses).

With Success Vision, I'm very happy with the 2 frames (Ugo from Japan + lens = 3,500 and Fury from Italy at 5k w/ lens) and contact lens I bought from them previously. The frames have been sturdy and held up well all these years.

Initially it seems it's a big amount to shell out, but with only lens change (1k for multi-coated) on the next few years, it's been a worthy investment after all.
Although they are more expensive than Ideal and EO, which are optical chains, whereas Success Vision has 2 branches: Greenhills 721-1005 and Antipolo. I'm happy with their personalized service. Kilala nila ang mga customers nila.

This time around, since I'm in a tight budget (no thanks to getting burned with Standard Optical). I've selected an Oakley-inspired Rivolutione maroon frames for 3k with lens (made in Korea, according to another assistant).

Side view

 

 

Front

Rating: 4/5 My only comment is to widen their selection of frames and budgets. It seems that they are on extreme ends. From the inexpensive ones (starting at 1800, made in Korea and China) to designer brands (Ray-Ban, Oakley at 10k above). I'm willing to give the Korean brand, Rivolutione a try and see how long it holds up.

What's your optical story?

Salamin Salamin sa Quiapo Bilhin! Part 1

Photo thanks to: Urban Roamer

Apat ba ang mata mo? Feeling mong pumorma? Kailangan mo ba ng bagong lente or salamin? Tara na sa Quiapo, kung saan matatagpuan ang Holy Grail of eyeglasses!
May mura pa ba sa Maynila? Eto rin ang tanong ko sa sarili ko. 
Does cheap in Manila mean no/low standard? Find out below!

I've been having frequent headaches lately and decided to get my eyes checked. Since, I'm looking for new glasses, (the last one being 2 years ago) I decided to go on the cheap.

Prior to my adventure, I did my research on "eyeglasses Quiapo" and found out that there are loads of optical shops, labs and supplies at P. Paterno Street, Quiapo, Manila.
To get there: Get off Carriedo LRT Station, turn left and walk towards Quiapo Church.
You will see a lot of street vendors with a tight alleyway to walk by. Take a look at your left and you will see some optical shops, this is your sign that you are close. Hence, I took a left at the next street (2nd or 3rd street) and asked one of the vendors where Paterno street is. From there I walked straight and turned right.
Tada! You will see a street full of Optical Shops, Labs and supplies. From the small shops to the big ones with A/C. Holy Grail ng salamin!

Some smaller shops (non A/C) will offer you 450php on frames + lens for starters. Of course it will get more expensive depending on the type of frame + lens you want. You can spend your time canvassing or searching the whole street, until you see the frame that you like.

In the malls, I've seen promos worth 795php from EO. They give you discounts for 2nd pair of frames, discounts or packages for clients to frequent clients. Sa dami ng optical shops ngayon, the competition is tight, kaya dapat lang na magbigay sila ng discount sa suki nila ang client. Depending on your location, and if the price difference isn't that big, I suggest you purchase from the mall instead.  Nakakatakot po kasi iyung area, and it was broad daylight, lunch time.

Along the way, while I was holding on to my backpack for dear life (it was in front of me). Suddenly someone held my right arm tight. To my surprise an old lady was looking at me (for alms). I got scared and removed her hand and walked quickly. I refuse to give money to beggars and would prefer to give them food instead, pasensya na lola, I didn't have food with me.

Hindi ko po sinandya ang magpunta sa Paterno. Coming from Gil Puyat LRT 1, I decided to pass by on my way home (LRT 2 Betty Go-Belmonte). From my research, a lot of shop names came about, and I selected Standard Optical based on one blogger's recommendation. Plus, the owner is Fil-Chinese, so I guessed that hooked me in.
It is a smaller sized shop compared to its neighbors: JSM Optical, Optique Prima, Optical Look, Acebedo Optical and Abesamis Optical. The owner & optometrist is Dr. Lisbeth Tan-Gaw.

Upon entering, I was entertained by one of the staff. Since, I've been checking out Spyder eyewear at George Optical VMall previously (my mom and sister goes there for their glasses. However my mom goes  for complete eye exam to Ophthalmologist Dr. Antonio Say- one of the finest this country has produced). I saw the price and my eyes gouged! 3,000 php for the frame alone. Hence, we may be look at, at least 4k-5k php to spend.

Hence, I requested for a Spyder eyewear and the staff gave me 5-6 frames to choose from. I ended up with a half frame and asked for a check-up. The assistant who doesn't seem like an optometrist did the computer refractometer on my eyes and checked my old glasses for grade (initially I just wanted to change the lenses, which costs 800 php). Then she proceeded to do the eye chart exam (this is done on a computer monitor). To my surprise, only astigmatism remains: -0.25 on both left and right eyes. So far tama un eye grade, pero wala bang eye measurement for the frame? I mean the millimeter ruler or that machine they put on your eyes.

Hygiene-wise, I didn't see the assistant wash her hands, or wipe the equipment before attending to me. To think that numerous faces are on the eye refractometer. Tapos, may isang saleslady pang kumakain sa harapan ko while I was having the eye chart exam. Eeek! Unprofessional. Siguro ganun nga pag mura, mamamatay ka din sa dumi. Plus, you cannot expect any type of courtesy and/or service. 

Hopefully, for those who go to P. Paterno, you didn't experience this, or maybe next time, I would go to the bigger optical shops around the area as I mentioned earlier. Or, I would just return to Success Vision altogether.

This is really a surprising development because back in high school and college, i was nearsighted with astigmatism and my eye grade would fluctuate. Sometimes, I would buy promo frames from Ideal Vision or contacts from EO or Success Vision plus a more expensive frame (the only thing I can remember is my last Fury frame) and have the lens changed instead. Aside from the lost screw several times (they would fix it at no charge), the Fury frame has been able to hold well, so sulit iyung 5k php for 2-3 years and counting.

So I was billed 2,800 (package for the Spyder frame and multi-coated lens) + 140 for shipping. I'm guessing the frame is 2k php and 800 php for the lens because I asked them how much to change the lens and the saleslady told me 800php.

I tried to haggle, but to no avail. She told me to wait for 1.5 hrs and since I didn't have the time, I just asked the lady if they do shipping, and she said yes LBC or JRS. This will be picked up by (late) afternoon.

Well, in this shop, all of their frames are replica. Bihira daw na may dumating na authentic. I don't know with the bigger optical shops around the area. Kung marunong kayong kumilatis, or if the price is too good to be true compared to the optical shops in malls, then it's a fake. Really, who will look at your frames and tell you, peke iyan.  Pag sunnies, you can easily detect it's fake, pero sa glasses it seems hard kasi palaging suot ng tao iyan.

Called them on the morning of Nov 28th to follow-up on my delivery and another saleslady told me hindi pa na pick-up ng JRS or LBC. Called them again in the afternoon and she said, eto po iyung tracking# from JRS. Kayo na lang po ang tumawag. So I called JRS office to track my package and the guy said, trying to sound funny, grabe naman po kayo mag-check. He's not being funny and I am pissed being passed around.

Then he asked me when the item was picked-up. I said I don't know, I was just given the tracking# only. This really got me pissed with Standard Optical's after-sales service. I paid in full + shipping charge. Yet, wala man lang kayong pakialam or concern sa clients ninyo, para magtext na "Ma'am/Sir na pick-up na po iyung order ninyo today or (date). Eto po iyung JRS/LBC tracking#".
I went there so that I can claim my glasses within the day or the next day.

Recommendation: go to your mall optometrist or hospital ophthalmologist to have your complete eye exam. Especially for those with high eye grade, sensitive eyes or a history of eye diseases and diabetes, a full eye exam must be done to know the state of health of your eyes.

Sa Paterno kayo pumili ng frame + lens kasi talagang makakamura kayo basta willing po kayong maghintay from 30 mins to 2 hours. Though for special cases, you will be asked to return.
I suggest for those with high grades, magpagawa na kayo ng 2 pairs (panglabas at pangbahay) at tumawad kayo. Or bring someone who needs a change of glasses too.

Warning: the area is quite scary so dress down and keep your things close to you. Kung may bag kayo, sa harap ninyo ilagay. Mas maganda po pag backpack at naka-lock. Avoid talking to strangers, at huwag magmukhang tanga, easy prey for bad elements.
Verdict: I'm still awaiting for my glasses to arrive. So I'm expecting that it'll be today, Nov 29. Or else I will give them a lecture on the phone and go there myself on the 30th.