Mixed Bag Experience: Food Review

A wave of nostalgia washed over me when my niece surprised me with a feast from a leading food chain. It had been years since I last savored their rotisserie chicken in Dubai – the local branch sadly closed down. But even before that, fond memories of devouring their meals in the Philippines, alongside my mother, came flooding back. It was our favorite food chain back then. Am happy that they reopened in another location here in the City of Gold.

The meal included fluffy white rice, glistening rotisserie chicken,  comforting mounds of mashed potatoes, macaroni and corn soup whispering promises of warmth, muffins begging to be devoured, cheese macaroni, cubed carrots and corn, and fruit salad (fresh apples, pineapple and green grapes, halved). 

I passionately masticate my foods, ensuring proper digestion, wanting to enjoy the full range of flavors.

In the Philippines, their muffins were champions – moist, bursting with sweet corn that tasted fresh, like popping in your mouth. Here, however, the corn in the muffins had a strange, almost silicone-like texture that detracted from the overall enjoyment. 

Ah, rotisserie chicken. That golden-skinned, juicy bird holds a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of many.  I grabbed my favorite parts -- legs and wings.  It was a touch underwhelming. While expertly cooked, it lacked the robust, savory punch I typically crave. Perhaps a touch more seasoning would have taken it from "good" to "great." The gravy for the roasted chicken wasn’t quite what I was expecting. 

The mashed potatoes were decent, but I suspect they may have been casualties of an identity crisis involving the gravy. It wasn't quite what I expected.  It left me wanting a more defined flavor profile.

The chicken-macaroni soup and corn soup lived up to the category name, a heartwarming and comforting embrace in a bowl. 

The cheese macaroni, another contender for my taste buds' affection, sadly missed the mark. It yearned for the richness of a creamy, cheesy sauce to truly elevate it.

This experience sparked a fascinating question: is taste truly universal, or is it shaped by the tapestry of cultures and cuisines we encounter throughout our lives?  

A single dish can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, depending on where you're coming from and what your taste buds have learned to love. Maybe because of my two decades in Dubai I got accustomed to its culinary landscape and more savory notes. 

Overall, while some parts of the meal were enjoyable, my niece (who worked in big F&B companies for two decades) and I were not that very impressed. The experience was a mixed bag. While some elements shone, others fell flat. It certainly wasn't a bad meal, but it didn't quite deliver the nostalgic comfort food experience I was yearning for.

I hope all people in the food and beverage industry always remember what Auguste Escoffier said --

Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.

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Disclaimer:  This review is based on my personal experience. Taste preferences may vary depending on location. The intent of this review is to share my experience,  not to provide a definitive critique of the entire food chain. I love their foods.