Ka Andy did me some favors the last time I was here. Andy is a retired military officer and Edmund has several golf friends who were Andy’s schoolmates at the PMA. I was always telling Edmund how nice Andy was to me. that’s why Edmund also wanted to meet him.
I invited Ka Andy and his wife to dinner last Saturday. I didn’t know where to bring them. We’re not from here and the only restaurants Edmund and I frequented were those located along Spring Mountain Road. Ka Andy suggested a Chinese restaurant called Ping Pang Pong. I couldn’t understand what he was saying.
A—“Ano? Ping Kangkong?”
Andy—“Ping Pang Pong”.
A—“King Kang kong?”
Andy—-‘Ping Pang Pong”.
A—-“Kong King Kong?”
Andy—-“Parang ping pong”.
A—–“Ping Kam Pong?”
Andy—“Puro P, walang K”.
A—–“Ping Pang Pong?”
Andy—“Ayun”.
Ping Pang Pong pala is located inside the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino right beside Rio. Everyday we pass by this area and Edmund told me until now I still haven’t got a clue where we are. I have no sense of direction. True.
The blue and red stripes building is the Rio Hotel. I’ve stayed there in November 2016.
Lighted dragon at the lobby
It was our first time at this hotel and my impression from the outside is it’s old and no one comes here. I was wrong.
I did the ordering. I picked Seafood Tofu Soup.
Roast Duck
I skipped healthy eating.
I ordered Shrimp Fried Rice.
San Pan Prawns
My small bowl of soup.
I also ordered spicy fried calamari. It was delicious. It had lots of garlic and spring onions.
Roast Duck
E, Andy and wife, Len and Bong
plus me
We had so much fun talking about a wide variety of topics. Len and Andy’s wife found something in common— watching Channel 7’s game shows and teleserye. While his wife likes Showtime, Andy hates it and he thinks Vice Ganda is one of the reasons why many men are switching paths. This is understandable because Andy is an alpha male, a military guy at that.
He doesn’t like Vice Ganda’s fashion style. because he wants him to wear the traditional men’s clothes. My sister naman likes Vice Ganda. Andy owns a company in the valley. They are busy taking care of their grandchildren. Their diversion is playing Bingo. They play when it’s their birth months, March and April, and January, their wedding anniversary month. One time there was a birthday celebrant daw with a balloon pa who won $74,000. Andy once won $11,000 and in another time, his wife won $24,000. O, mag bingo na rin tayo. The last time I won something was at a village fund-raising Bingo when I was pregnant with Nyke. I won 2 dozens of eggs.
Andy was the one who told me before that World War III is coming because of North Korea, that’s why when he’s at the gym, lagi daw syang nagro-rosaryo.
Edmund asked for dessert. E—-“Tart, mag-order ka ng dessert”.
I couldn’t decide whether to get creme brulee or mango pudding so I ordered half and half.
The mango pudding was refreshing because it was served cold. It was also not diabetically sweet.
Their service is a little slow because of the volume of customers and not too many waiters. Overall, I liked their restaurant. I see myself coming back here in the future.
Most of the restaurant’s bill have gratuity computation at the bottom to guide and suggest big tips somewhere between 15% 18% 20% 22%. It keeps on going up. Dati rati tip was optional, then a 5% became the norm, then for the longest time it was at 10%. Sa Pilipinas naman doble-doble kasi tip is already included in the food bill, tapos customers still give tips thinking that it’s not yet included in their bill. Pero minsan naman hindi talaga nakasama.
Edmund is prone to mistakes when there’s no printed guide on the check. One time he gave a tip equivalent to 40% kasi his mental calculation was wrong. The waiters must have jumped up and down.
Ping Pang Pong
Ground floor, Gold Coast Hotel
Address: 4000 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
Hours: 10AM–3PM, 5PM–3AM
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Order: doordash.com
Phone: (702) 367-7111
