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With enough outdoor light bulbs to cover the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, Philippine Islands Restaurant and Pub beckons passersby to its five-star Filipino floor show. But for all its pomp and circumstance, this Southeast Asian-style bar leaves its patrons wondering where the party went.
Even on weekends empty tables haunt the outside of the pub, which is tucked away in the corner of the World Trade Center’s South Tower. Things aren't much livelier inside either despite the dance room's plush red and black decor where pop art manifests itself in the traditional forms of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean posters.
Although business has been slow since its opening nearly a year ago, Philippine Islands has a few unique features up its sleeve. It boasts the city's first happy hour accompanied by a live band. The band, which includes a keyboard, guitar and two female singers, can belt out classic mushy favorites such as 'Killing Me Softly' with the best of 'em. While the ensemble's sound is typical of any one of Guangzhou's seeming myriad Filipino bands, the group's versatility is displayed in its ability to switch from soft to hard rock at the pluck of a plectrum.
The pub's layout also portrays a dichotomy in style. As soon as you enter the pub, you're faced with a choice as harrowing as Alice's red pill-blue pill dilemma. Turn left and you've entered Oz where the restaurant's jade green dining section awaits you. Swivel right and you've fallen down the rabbit hole of time where a disco ball and track lighting makes you feel like you're back in the karaoke scene of some 80s Hong Kong B movie.
The band's sound is usually mellow enough to be enjoyed no matter where you settle down but if you want to burn off some of the Filipino cuisine you just finished be prepared to lug your legs into the other room.
Southeast Asian specialty dishes include adobo (mixed pork and chicken) for RMB 28 or lechon, which is Philippine-style roasted baby pig, also for RMB 28. Soups run from RMB 12 to 15. The Philippine Island Chef Salad goes for RMB 18.
Besides the music, there is much to be mirthful about during the pub's happy hour which runs from 6-8pm: bottled beer runs at half price for RMB 15 or RMB 29 for jug beer. Other drinks include the house wine which is RMB 380 per bottle and whiskey which runs between RMB 28-48 per glass and RMB 380-1,280 per bottle.
An outdoor BBQ and Christmas party is in the works but no details were available at the time of going to press. Daily 11am-2am, show time 8 pm-2am, G/E World Trade Center South Tower, corner of Tao Jin Lu and Huan Shi Lu (8765 9966).
(Southcn.com December 19, 2002)
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