Seafood & Ribs Warehouse Restaurant

This is fairly new restaurant opened a few months ago. For those not in the know, this is located in the town of Palo (already), not Tacloban, though just near the boundary. This is very near, almost within the vicinity of the government center in Palo, Leyte (where most regional offices of government agencies are located) that many also think is in Tacloban!

Anyway, I came for lunch together with 3 of my colleagues after a morning consultation with some communities at some southern towns of the province. This was probably my 3rd or 4th time to eat here, but, this was the only time I was free to look around and take some photos, because, those other times, I was either a guest or with my "foreigner uncles" (bosses), so I had to 'behave' a la prim and proper! Nagpakaburubisita kunohay!

Parking is ample in front and at the side of this restaurant...

But it can be veeery full - especially on a payday Friday - lunch or dinner! But its okay to double or 'triple park' (is there such a thing?) since a guard will come asking each table when the car you blocked is about to leave! You can gain new friends this way, y'know!

Some folks told me they experienced having to wait for table availability here. Well, if that happens to you, either wait in your car or sit with the smokers (there are 2 tables) over at that left corner where you see that lady! There are no shady trees here (yet)!

This is the view when the guard swings that heavy door open for you (there's only one)...

This dining area bends left at that brightly lighted end. It's a glass-walled function area, but open to everybody when not booked ahead for a private function. The walls there have black-and-white framed pictures of Kuting Reef Resort - probably the same owner.

Tables (with attached benches) are uniformly the same size and make - wood with steel frame. Each one can comfortably sit 6 diners, three on each side, though I have seen some groups squeeze themselves in to four on each side.

See the alternating dark and bright strips on the right? Those are big and wide glass windows, with roll-up blinds to keep direct sunlight away and keep the dining area cool.

If you notice too, there are air-conditioners atop each of those wide windows. Despite that, this place is uncomfortably warm when not full with diners. Why? Because the crew will only open the one that is directly above your table. BUT, it does not do any good as cool air goes to the other side (left side in that picture) and spreads elsewhere, except to you who are under that air-conditioning unit. Not to mention you are beside a big glass window where the sun may be hotly shining upon! Those units are obviously ill-placed.

So, what if this place is full with diners? All air-conditioning units are switched on, and the entire place is too cold - meaning those units are actually more than enough. Case in point, if you happen to be seated at those tables on the left (by the wall with that big painting of the store's logo, first picture above). Chances are you will complain it is too cold, but diners across your table (to the right) will complain about the exact opposite.

This should be a nice study for engineering students on "how not to do it"!

Anyway, immediately to the left upon entering the door is this...

That is where you choose what you want and give to the crew (with instructions if any). They'll weigh each of those to know how much they cost. Then they'll send those to the kitchen for cooking. Oh, you pay later at your table after dining - because there might be other things like drinks, "extra rice", desserts, etc., that you'll 'probably' order from there.

In fact, if you're like me who has no idea on what those things are, they do have a menu!

I observed with amusement - that not many folks order the ribs. Why? Because they are not seen on that plethora of mala-palengke, a-la-dampa style of raw food displayed in front, for you to choose from! But if you read the menu at your table, the ribs are even highlighted! It's on the wall too! Well, one colleague explains "why read the wall when raw food is already laid in front, so choose and point"! Da! Mind you, their ribs are good!

Chances are you will get liempo and/or chicken and/or beef as they are displayed on trays. Then, when you are already seated at a table reading the menu for your drinks, you realize you did not order the ribs (which is supposed to be their bestseller). Then you all agree, "ah, we already chose a lot of meats, next time na lang iyang ribs na yan"! Sayang!

Business students, this is a lesson on "consumer psychology" and "retail mechanics"!

Ah I like this - while you choose all the raw food at that counter, to your right is this...

Its a corner where many of the region's delicacies are sold. Nice of them to have this little nook. Call it whatever, but as far as I'm concerned, this is a good way to help the livelihoods of many small-time entrepreneurs. Kudos to the owners for putting this up.

This is an honesty corner, btw! Yes, there is a big sign on the wall. You are to pick what you want (prices are written on the packaging or wrappers), place your payment and get change on a dish provided. But then again, the restaurant's cashier is just one step away!

All right, done with choosing you food, you choose your table that will surely have this...

Since when have salt-shaker, pepper-shaker, kitchen towel and colored pencils become a barkada? Well, in Region VIII, probably only here in this restaurant when it opened! The big paper towel is ready for you who will naturally have to use your bare hands with the crabs! Well, even the shrimps and opening a binagol, are best enjoyed without utensils!

And the colored pencils? Summon your artistic or literary skills and doodle or scribble them down on your placemat! Why? Because you need to while the time away as your food will take time. This is no fastfood. In fact, this is exactly the opposite - "slow food"!

On this visit, our food arrived at exactly 27 minutes after we sat on the table. Acceptable. Last time I was here, it took about an hour that a companion had to already leave for the airport to catch her flight WITHOUT being able to have lunch! Pili nya pa ang iba dun!

Lesson: don't come to this place if you do not have at least two hours to waste - 5mins for the choosing, 1hr of waiting, 30mins eating, 5mins lining up at the toilet and/or the wash area, and 20mins waiting for your bill or getting back your change, receipt & card!

This is what arrived after 27 minutes... our food!

Dishes are served in mini-woks (kawali, kalaha, karaha) except for soups as they come in palayok, and rice that are either in cups or platters. Verdict: masarap naman, but nothing surprising - since my companions were the ones who chose those raw from the counter :)

Lastly, this place does have its own kind of 'sense of humor'...

That door is designed like freight boxes, but its made of wood and too heavy to pull (from the outside) or push (from the inside) - as if to tell you that you are getting weak because of hunger, or you feel too weak because you are glutonously very full hahaha!

There's a guard to help you with that door, but he usually positions himself inside (kasi mainit sa labas hehe). He can't see the outside, but the moment that door moves (like if you are outside trying to lift it), he will swing that heavy panel open for you. Ganun!

That "warning" sign in the middle can be seen by the hand washing area. Yes, its true!

The poster at right is posted inside the male comfort room. It's also true! Kalbo, let's go!

So okay, will I be back to this place? Definitely for many times soon. I think!