MANILA, Philippines ? No-nonsense food ? that means no frills, like traditional dishes with the slightest of twists. We traversed Alabang, Makati and Greenhills to sample basic grills and salads, each one served in a different way, each with its own pluses and minuses.
Burgoo (pronounced Ber-guu)?2/L, Promenade, Greenhills. You can avoid the long walk if you do not go through the main entrance but use the one on the left side. The type of food served is a mix of grills that in the past (specifically 17th-century Kentucky, USA) included squirrels and game.
Dining area?Nothing special in the décor and table arrangements.
Staff?Attentive and informative.
Service?Quick and efficient.
In the menu?Dishes come in two sizes. There?s a wide selection from pasta to chicken and chops and seafood. One can start with Sta. Fe Spring Rolls made of bean sprouts (toge), cilantro, chicken strips and Monterey Jack Cheese, laced with sesame oil and wrapped and fried crispy (P275 and P395). Or get the Seafood Caesar Salad, greens topped with fried calamari, grilled shrimps and crab meat garnished with Parmesan cheese with special dressing and garlic croutons (same price). Chicken Combo Fajitas are chicken strips with veggies and freshly made salsa. The cheddar cheese gives it a richer flavor. Guacamole is optional. For birthday celebrants, there is the Seafood Linguini, light and tasty. Another dish is the Burgoo Kebabs with bell peppers.
Average sharing-meal cost is about P500. Service charge and government taxes are charged. Seniors are discounted.
Rating **
Mickey?s Delicatessen Woodfire Grill?144 Jupiter cor. Orbit Streets, Bel-Air 2 Village, Makati; call 8969650. Dubbed ?the best of Bavaria for meat lovers,? this restaurant?s main attractions are its steaks and sausages.
Dining area?Very European, of heavy dark wood. Always crowded at noontime.
Staff?Efficient, neat.
Service?Quick and gracious.
In the menu?The sausages are homemade; the most popular are Nuremberger pork sausages, which can be taken from the deli and cooked quickly. Served with Sauerkraut, which is just right in its mild sourness. From the grills, any of the following would satiate special cravings: roasted steaks, Bavarian Meat Loaf, Stuffed Pork Belly, Crispy Pork Knuckles, pastas and pizzas. Beer and wines are served to complement the meal.
Tab is reasonable. Usual service and government charges are included in the bill.
Rating **
Sydner?s Aussie Café and Resto?BCGroup center, Filinvest Corporate City; call 6592658. This newly opened restaurant gives a so-called ?Taste of Australia.? Signage is not visible from the outside, but this is right beside South Supermarket, Muntinlupa (Alabang).
Dining Area?Neat in white.
Staff?The girls are charming, the males attentive.
Service?Average.
In the menu?Australian Lamb Racks (P695) are so thinly sliced one could not see anything Australian (big chunks) in it. The Bondi Fish and Chips (P235) was rather tough and dry. If you settle for the typical Chicken Pie (P195), you might have to look hard for the chicken, but it is tasty on the whole.
Other menu items: the very Australian Goondonya Chicken, the chef?s reportedly mouth-watering Ribs, Caesar Salad with Chicken, Roast Beef Sandwich, Aussie Burger and Seafood Lovers? Pizza. Executive Meals are at P299 per head. All three include Soup of the Day, a starter like Bruschetta, Gourmet Chicken Sandwich and Coffee with Cookie. There?s also one with a choice of Chicken, Grilled Pork or Fish.
Usual service charge and taxes are included. Seniors are given the legal discount.
Rating *
