roast beef – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Instant Roast Beef for family celebrations, thanks to Chef Resty!

To me, roast beef is in the same level as lechon . It simply adds something extra to the celebration or family meal. When I hotel or restaurant buffets, I would ignore some of the food items but definitely not roast beef.

There are times when I would crave for it or would like to serve it during a holiday meal but it’s a bit hard to DIY, or at least achieve the taste and texture that I’m looking for.

That’s why I’m ever so thankful that Chef Resty’s Roast Beef Carving Station reopened its stall in SM Hypermart Pasig. With this stall so conveniently located near my place, I can order some roast beef for take out to enjoy at home after a bout of grocery shopping.

What I like about Chef Resty’s roast beef is its right blend of texture and flavor, brought about by several factors: high-grade Angus beef brisket marinated in herbs and spices then slow roasted for hours to achieve a juicy and tender meat. Its rich buttery gravy was also made from its pan drippings, a perfect foil for the roast beef. I usually order a side of

For a family meal, I usually order 700 grams of roast beef (at Php130/100 grams), sides of herbed marble potato and corn and carrots (Php20/serving) and just have rice prepared at home.

This way, the family gets to enjoy a gourmet roast beef meal at less than Php1000.

Carnevores satisfied at Number 1 Barbecues, SM East Ortigas

Number 1 Barbecues is a recently-opened restaurant in SM City East Ortigas. Because of its Unli-Rice promo, it was always full of people for its first few months that my family was only able to eat there last December in time for my son’s birthday lunch.

Interestingly, Number 1 Barbecues offers a range of dishes from different cuisines including Filipino, American, Japanese and Mediterranean, so there would be something for everyone. Its’ relatively cheaper pricing and free unli-rice offer makes it a great venue for group and family meals.

We ordered the following:

Lechon Belly (Php109)

12-Hour US Smoked Beef (Php129 + Php50 for extra smoked beef) – served with mashed potato and coleslaw

12-Hour Smoked Pork Belly (Php119 +Php40 for extra pork belly) – served with mashed potato and coleslaw

5 pcs Shrimp Tempura (Php149)

Kani BBQ Bacon (Php99)

Chocolate Cake ala Mode (Php39)

Chocolate Mouse (Php39)

Creme Brulee (Php39 each)

The meats are tender and well-seasoned but the servings are quite small so it’s a good thing we ordered extra servings of the smoked beef and pork belly, satiating our group of carnevores. The desserts are adequate bookends to the meal.

Number 1 Barbecues is located at Ground Floor, SM City East Ortigas, along Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City.

Barkada Meet Up at Pancake House, Ayala Malls the 30th

I had another holiday lunch meet-up with close friends that I haven’t seen for so long at Pancake House. We agreed on this branch at Ayala Malls the 30th as one of my friends like practically all of Pancake House’s offerings while I, on the other hand, have yet to fully explore the dining options within the mall.

We ordered our hearty meals:

Pork Tocino (Php219). Served with garlic rice, fried egg and mango salsa.

Hot Roast Beef (Php310). Roast beef slices smothered in Pancake House’s buttery gravy, served on a thick slice of bread accompanied by mashed potatoes and corn and carrots.

Special Salisbury Steak (Php265). A thick patty of Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy and bacon bits, served with rice and vegetables.

Since our bill has reached beyond Php800, we were able to get 3 FREE mini pancakes upon presentation of my BDO Rewards Card.

I ordered a Belgian Hot Chocolate (Php130) to enjoy with my pancake.

The restaurant is quite spacious and can seat a large number of people. The wait staff are also helpful and accommodating: aside from facilitating our orders, the staff gamely took our pictures.

This Pancake House branch is located at Lower Ground Level, Ayala Malls The 30th, 30 Meralco Avenue, Pasig.

Elegant buffet spreads at Marriott Cafe

Thanks to a timely credit card promo, we found ourselves celebrating my mother-in-law’s birthday with a buffet lunch at the Marriott Café in Manila. Nestled on the ground level of the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City, this café takes dining to new heights, both literally and figuratively.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering Marriott Café is its elegance. The place is very well-appointed, with a modern yet inviting ambiance. The buffet spreads, featuring cuisines from various countries, were aesthetically presented, each dish a visual delight. The engaging open-theatre kitchens add an element of excitement, making dining here a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

The staff were courteous and attentive, ensuring that our dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. Their professionalism added to the overall charm of the café, making us feel pampered from the moment we arrived.

Being a card-carrying carnivore, my favorite station was the grill. I helped myself to the “Cuts of the Day,” which were juicy and well-marbled steaks, along with an assortment of smoked meats and sausages. Each bite was a testament to the skill and expertise of Executive Chef Meik Brammer, who has been leading the kitchen operations since 2010. His more than 27 years of culinary experience were evident in every mouthwatering dish.

One of the standout features of the buffet was the variety of stations. The Live Station offered a variety of a la minute dishes, with the Singapore Chili Crabs being a particular highlight. The Sashimi Station transported us to Japan, offering a fresh and delicious selection of Salmon Tuna, handcrafted Japanese Maki Rolls, Cucumber Rolls, and California Rolls, complete with wasabi, soy sauce, calamansi, and assorted pickles.

At the Live Pasta Station, Grandma’s Pomodoro was a daily delight. Choosing from a variety of sumptuous pasta dishes, it felt like comfort food elevated to gourmet levels. And then, of course, there was the dessert section. I gorged myself on their selection of tartlets, cakes, cookies, and pastries. The chocolate fountain was a hit with the kids and, admittedly, with me as well.

Dining at Marriott Café is an experience I wouldn’t mind repeating. The extensive buffet, the elegant setting, and the exceptional service all combine to create a memorable dining experience. Though I might wait for another promo to indulge again, the quality and variety offered at Marriott Café make it worth every peso.

Buffet prices are as follows:

Breakfast (6:30 am to 10:30 am, daily): Php1,450
Lunch (12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, Monday to Saturday): Php1,900
Brunch (11:30 am to 3:00 pm, Sunday): Php2,500
Dinner (6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday to Thursday, Sunday): Php2,100
Dinner (6:00 pm to 10:30 pm, Friday to Saturday): Php2,500

For inquiries, you can reach them at 02-9889999 or via email at marriottcafemanila@marriott.com. Dining at Marriott Café is truly an inspired experience in Manila, one that I highly recommend. Visit the Resorts World Manila website for more details.