We made a quick trip to Big R, which is on Marcos Highway, beside Sta. Lucia East. Traffic was not that bad as we took the Ortigas extension road. The complex, called Robinsons Metro East, is a sprawling structure housing the anchor store and a variety of shops, although lots of spaces are still vacant. The supermarket, however, which they call a hypermart, is on the lower level and is well-stocked. They have a walkalator, which probably could have been dispensed with because there are only a few steps down to the supercenter.
Price-wise, we did not see much bargains. Hence the advantage of shopping here is surely more for those living in the vicinity. Staff are still undergoing "birth pains" but they show a willingness to help. For the convenience of shoppers, they have installed electronic bar code scanners in strategic places along the alleys, to make it easier for shoppers to know the prices of products. They have the longest operating hours–from 7 am to 10 pm.
Entrance to the supercenter is located on the right side of the store while the exit is on the other end. That means the buyer will have to pass through practically all the sections before checking out–a marketing strategy, no doubt.
New to us are Pao and Kit ready-to-cook food collection, which includes longaniza at P172.80 a pack, marinated meats and chicken for barbecue and lumpia mix. They have two display areas for fresh meat which sell at different prices. At a bargain counter, pork kasim costs as little as P99 a kilo. In the coolers on the other side, it is priced at P104.80 while sirloin is tagged at P184.80 a kilo and kenchi at P128.
In the fish section, we noted kandule at P65 a kilo and local salmon at P84.80. They have a scooping counter for shellfish including oysters. Of interest to kambing (goat) eaters is the section with heads (yes!) and packs for papaitan. They have limited processed meat. Vitarich (Cook’s brand) chicken is offered, including boxes of ready-to-cook fowl, like Herbed and Spiced whole at P127.55, Hot and Spicy at P66.80, Garlic-flavored at P69.80 and Homestyle at P66.80.
If you are now preparing for Christmas, Big R has Norbest young turkey at P139.80 a kilo and All-Natural duckling with giblets at P235.80 a kilo. These will keep in the freezer until the holidays. Fresh herbs are also carried– chives at the prohibitive cost of P450 a kilo and rosemary at P48 a pack of 50 gms.
There is a cooked food section where they sell Cebu lechon at P395 a kilo, Japanese fare and some Chinese dishes. There is a bakery that did not look very tempting and a stall of Ferino’s bibingka (P65), but this once-popular and delicious rice cake is no longer what it used to be.
Back to our part of the woods, the Good Grain German bread shop now has formidable competition. Baker Brothers recently opened on President’s Avenue and they offer an extensive selection of "oven-fresh baked goodness", to borrow their blurb. We were encouraged by a lady who patiently waited for the ensaymadas (small ones cost P25 each) to be ready. So we got some too and indeed they are good. There are paninis (P5) and foccacias, multigrain loaves (P55 per), pan de sal (which are full) at P2.75 each and tarts (blueberry and cheese and mixed fruits).
The store is well laid out, and pleasant. At a corner there is a tall rack with bottled tea, jars of lengua de gato (P110), Taby sardines (P49.50 each), Borges olive Oil and Bertoli balsamic vinegar (P128 a small bottle). You can enjoy a cup of brewed coffee while shopping, at P22 a cup.