Uber From Makati to Paranaque for P161.60!

...thanks to Uber Manila's now offering, the uberX!

Yesterday, I received an email from Uber, inviting me to use a new class of cars that they dubbed as uberX, at a discount. What is uberX? According to the email:

UberX is a low-cost Uber option that combines the same great Uberquality and reliability you know and love with lower prices than ever before. Vehicles on uberX are compact cars – think Accent and Vios – in a variety of colors.

I really don't mind getting in a compact car and paying a more affordable rate. Uber also mentioned that for this pilot-test, a 20% discount will be given to riders. So last night, when I needed to go home, I opened my app and chose to try it.

It was 12:12AM and I got one easily. The email did mention Accent and Vios but I got an Innova. What I've noticed in the interface is that uberX cars are white on the map. This is most likely to make sure that riders don't get confused on the type of class that they have chosen. Initially, I thought that maybe, uberX may have taxi marks on the car but I was pleasantly mistaken. It actually didn't feel different from the UberBlack cars. After getting off, I was greeted by a very affordable fare:

Logged in to Uber.com to view the breakdown. According to the site, I travaled 17.82 kilometers for 30 minutes and 28 seconds. This was the actual computation:

I still get the usual rounding down of cents and as promised, I get the discount. It was like getting the base fare for free. I gave Joselito a 5-star rating and as for Uber, it remains to be my preferred way to get around!

Want to try Uber? Sign up and get P300 credits for your first ride: https://www.uber.com/invite/uberFreeRideManila

Army Navy's Islander Cousin, Coco Hut Fried Chicken & Fish

My dad just got back from an out-of-town trip and wanted to eat out. It was already about 830PM then. Unsure of up to what time restaurants would be open, I suggested a 24-hour place based on recommendations from a good friend, Ruth.

Coco Hut Fried Chicken and Fish is a very familiar restaurant. Most of the food on the menu may have been something you've already tried or something that they've tried to make their own. Entering the restaurant would give you the same feel as Army Navy, which is its sister company. After getting out of the elevator in CommerCenter, you are presented with two very similar boards that show the menu of Army Navy on the left, and Coco Hut on the right. Even entering it felt so familiar except for some tweaks on the interiors. Things were more tropical and but the layout was practically the same.

For that night, I ordered the Kani Cake, Hut Chicken - Thigh, and a large Teamarind.

Accompanying the Kani, each piece of Kani Cake had Jalapeno, Cheddar, and Mozzarella. Sweet chili sauce was served on the side but it wasn't really necessary. This was alright for an appetizer. I only finished one though. 

The Teamarind, as expected, would remind you of Army Navy's Libertea but with sampaloc. It was too sour on the first sip but you'd get used to it. The best part of the experience was the Hut Chicken. It was a big, satisfying piece and the spiciness was just right. It still did remind me of Army Navy's chicken except for that good amount of hot zing  that doesn't stay too long.

I'd probably try the fish on my next visit but I definitely wouldn't pay P175 for Galunggong. 

Coco Hut is located at Bridgestone Building, Commerce Avenue corener Filinvest Avenue. It's right across Acacia Hotel. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 for now. Maybe that will go up if I get to visit it more often. Underground parking is available.

Beauty and the Beast - January 2015 - CCP

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