(Manila Bulletin, Thank God for Fridays Section) September 21, 2001

Dining at Pier One, the newest trendsetting nightspot, gives you a feeling that any moment Ariel, the Little Mermaid will surface from your view. Why? Because Pier One docks the seashore feel right on land!

It all started with a simple idea. Longtime buddies Francis Juan, Henry Rodriguez and Lito Magtoto are guys who love to drink and go out at night. And because they have shrewdly seen today's party people longing for something different, Pier One was born! A resto cum bar and grill, the establishment is a ship-inspired concept.

"When we were still planning kung anong concept ang gagawin namin, we thought of something na makakatipid kami. Then, a brilliant idea came na gagamit na lang kami ng containers. Naisip namin, they are portable. Of course, we didn't know that time kung kakagatin ng tao ang Pier One. Mag- click man ito or hindi,we could always relocate our business," relates Francis, the brain behind Pier One's birth.

Unlike trendy bars and restos around, Pier One has everything in one roof. An establishment that's a first of its kind in the metropolis, the place offers you the best of everything. The hottest nightspot to conquer Libis, it recently opened another branch at The Fort where, too, Pier One gives you the most-casual, friendly atmosphere and menu laden with good stuff priced reasonably.

Their kitchen knows how to dish it out. Try to sample their famous Chicken Binakol cooked in fresh buko juice. Following that appetizing Visayan entry, you must also taste their Sinuglaw, a combination of inihaw na baboy and kilawing tanigue. For drinker's delight, we gave this appetizer a two thumbs-up! If you're looking for
seafood variation, Pier One's got the Sari-Saring Sinugba for you. Sold for Php230 per serving, that menu is a mix of inihaw na tahong, tanigue, pusit and blue marlin. Ending the resto's special entry, give your taste buds a sample of their version of Crispy Lechon Sisig, served in a sizzling plate.

Because the items on the menu we chose tasted superb and luscious, we asked Henry what is the formula under Pier One's top table. "It's a secret kung ano ang meron sa mga pagkain namin," he quips. Henry continued, "Basta at the end of the day we make sure may daily consumption report kami so that we'll know kung ano ang naging mabili that night at ano ang hindi. Quarterly, we introduced new menus, para hindi sila magsawa agad."

When we first "boarded" Pier One last year, we were quite amazed with how it was built. A mainstream made out of big containers, the place has three wide floors that can accommodate 400 guests especially during weekends. The posh and brimming bar of Pier One can be seen right on the first floor with green interiors, large glass windows, homey wooden chairs and basic wood surface. And of course, let's not forget the drinks. Pier One carries local beers (Php 30) as well as variety of imported beverages of different brands. With or without beer, the happy crowd (which ranges from class A, B, down to upper C) of Pier One can simply content themselves with the great food. The company which is a healthy mix of famous celebs (who knows you might bump into likes of Joyce Jimenez,Jeffrey Quizon, Troy Montero, and Ruffa Guttierez among others who visit Pier One?) and non-showbiz people who love to have a good time comprise the crowd.

If you want to view the entire Makati or Libis' vista, we suggest you assemble yourselves on Pier One's second and third floors where the floorboard is. Playing the most danceable and upbeat tunes, Pier One is a site where you can laugh aloud, jig with friends (maybe even gather and make new ones) after a hard week at work.

Here are some facts we gathered from two Pier One customers: one a regular patron and the other, a first- timer. Paul Lingao, a businessman at 23, swears that, "I've been part of the Pier One crowd since last year. I like its location because malapit lang 'to sa house namin. Instead of going to Makati or Timog, why not here na lang? Pareho din namang mga bars ang pinupuntahan ko. Also, they have good service, music and approachable owners."

First-timer Natasha Jalandoni, a Medical Technology intern, tells that, "Niyaya kasi ako ng mga friends ko dito. I find the music and place nice. Very comfortable ako dito and the owners are friendly. For sure babalik ako dito."

As a rejoinder, Francis ends everything with a smile, "We're happy not because of the income of Pier One, but because naging ganito ang kanyang outcome. We gained friends. We're all having fun. We just hope and pray that as time goes by, tangkilikin pa din kami ng mga tao."Recently, Pier One at The Fort opened its gate to about a thousand party goers belonging to both Gen-X and Y that stayed 'til break of dawn proving that Pier One is absolutely making noise nowadays.

"One forecast is to expand this business that's why the management has plans of putting up branches in Alabang, Cebu and Davao soon," informs Djhoana Madrigal, Pier One's PR & Events Manager.

While Pier One at The Fort gives you the hottest bands performing in the land today, Pier One Libis keeps your Wednesday nights relaxing with "Akoostic Lite Bumps."