Who would have thought that some of Metro Manila’s best and most diverse steakhouses can be found down south? It’s good news for steak fans out there, who might be tired of the typical cuts and chops usually seen in just about the common steakhouses around the metro. Here's a list of the best steakhouses in the south that would get your mouth watering in an instant.
1. Melo’s Restaurant
Where to find it: It has two branches in the South, one at Precinct 41, Westgate Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa, and another along Burgos Circle in Bonifacio Global City
It’s east meets west in Melo’s Restaurant with its steaks that definitely go beyond boundaries. The family-owned steakhouse offers Japanese Wagyu, American Kobe, and Australian steaks. Its best offerings are the Grade 7 and 8 Ribeye. Once your order is done, you will get to see how the servers slice the beef to your liking.
You can also try their Grade 12 Wagyu Tenderloin and Lobster Tail, dressed with truffle oil and red wine sauce. To widen up your palette, you may pick another Grade 12 Wagyu, this time with foie gras, strawberry zinfandel, and mustard aioli sauce.
2. Bugsy’s Bar and Bistro
Where to find it: There is a branch at Unit 1, Paseo Parkview Tower, San Agustin St. corner Sedeño St., Salcedo Village, Makati and another branch at Forbeswood Building., Forbeswood Road. Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Named after a Jewish American mobster Bugsy Siegel, Bugsy’s Bar and Bistro delights its people with its aggressive menu. According to Lamudi, this has to be one of the best places for foodies in Salcedo Village. The real deal is with its signature and best-selling Bugsy Siegel, the one-inch thick USDA-certified Angus that weighs 400 grams. It is grilled according to your taste and is served with mashed potatoes and green beans. The steak is given an additional kick with its red wine sauce.
What’s good about this place is the diversity in its menu. So if you’re not really in the mood for a pound of beef, then you may opt to try its chicken, fish, and pork dishes. Or perhaps, you can try its pizzas, burgers, and pasta. You may also see in the menu a range of drinks to complement your meal. Cocktails, martinis, beers? They have it all. Add to that a long list of scotches, liqueurs, tequilas, vodkas, and whiskeys.
3. Meat Depot
Where to find it: This steakhouse is located at 283 Aguirre St., BF Homes, Parañaque City
This is not for those who take comfort in the frills and sophistication of some restaurants. Meat Depot is that kind of steakhouse where you choose your meat, have it cooked, and have it served to you straight from the pan.
They have a selection of imported beef meats, from Wagyu strip loin to US Angus Tomahawk. At Meat Depot, you are free to ask the cook to grill your steak according to your preferred doneness. You also have the choice to dine in their rustic restaurant set up with wooden tables and chairs or go for a take out. If you decided to chomp on your steak in-house, you will be then offered with the classic red wine or white wine.
4. Wolfgang's Steakhouse
Where to find it: This one is in Pasay, on the second level of Newport Mall, Resorts World
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is the brainchild of Wolfgang Zwiener, who was once a head waiter of a steakhouse in Brooklyn New York. He went from server to owner of more than 10 steakhouses in the United State, Japan, Korea, and here in the Philippines.
This steakhouse imports all its meat from the United States. To make the steak something that can melt in your mouth, it is dry-aged for up to 28 days and cooked rare to medium. To prepare your taste buds for the juiciness of the meat, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse serves delightful appetizers such as Tuna Tartare, Shrimp Cocktails, and their signature Wolfgang salad.
The star of the meal comes in hot platters. The steakhouse has its own signature Old-Fashioned sauce to add a little bit to the already distinguishable flavor profiles.
5. Mamou
Where to find it: You can find this one at the Ground Floor of Serendra in Bonifacio Global City
Planning to have a steak out with your family? This is the perfect place to be. It is ideal for family celebrations, from birthdays to graduations. Its signature Angus Ribeye USDA Prime Grade Steak is to die for. Customers have a choice of two sides for this steak cut. It could be a combination of white or red steak rice, corn pudding, creamed spinach, or baked mashed potatoes.
If you want something to complement the steak, you can try their Lorenzo’s Truffle Cream Pasta dashed with Grana Padano Cheese. You can then end your meal with a serving of the classic New York Cheese Cake or a slice of Pecan Pie topped with whipped cream.
6. Borgo Cafe
Where to find it: This Italian Restaurant is inside Robinsons Place in Las Piñas
Borgo means village in Italian. So expect some homey feels with this restaurant. Although this is not really a steakhouse, it still deserves a spot on this list because of two things. For one, its best-selling Butcher Steak could be one of the cheapest out steaks out there. Served with a side of mashed potatoes and greens, the steak has the right tenderness and explodes with flavor. The steak sauce is a great addition, but the meat itself can leave you speechless.
Another reason why this Italian restaurant deserves more credit it gets is for its Savory Garlic Anchovy Steak laid on a Squid Ink risotto. Steak and anchovies are good old friends, and all the elements of this dish go so well to make your taste buds burst with such diverse flavors from the risotto and the chimichurri.
7. La Cabrera
Where to find it: Look for La Cabrera at the Glorietta Complex in Makati
Taste Argentina with La Cabrera’s charcoal-grilled steak. On its menu are premium steak dishes made from Prime Grade Hereford and Angus Cattle. It is suggested that you start your meal with La Cabrera’s Provoleta Con Jamon Crudo, which loosely translates to grilled Provolone cheese with parma ham, sundried tomatoes, and basil. This is to get your palette ready for heavier dishes like beef strip loin and short ribs combo.
La Cabrera has five Argentinian special cuts: the beef short ribs, skirt steak or entraña, flank steak, 15 days-wet aged grass fed rib eye, and cuadril or picaña steak. You can complement these meaty dishes with varieties of ensaladas available.
Your pig out buddy,
Madz