My family has taught me that life is all about giving and sharing.  And, I would attribute my happiness and success because of such lesson.  I'm so glad Stoned Steaks is also established based on that concept.


The owners Dick and Mars Balajadia said that they wanted to make a steak experience that's affordable, fun and good for sharing.


This is just an addition to the spouses' many business ventures such as: Savour Manila Food Park, Diore Salon, Mir Wellness Spa, Mines View Park Hotel, 55 Events Place and The 3rd Fitness Lab. 


Food

♥ Complimentary Bread Basket

You wouldn't mind the wait because they serve a really good Complimentary Bread Basket.

Starters

Soup of the Day (130 php)

For an affordable, I also recommend having its Soup of the Day for a more wholesome experience.

♥ Oyster Rockefeller (260 php)

Truffle Parmesan Fries (190 php)

Steak Angus

♥ Wagyu Ribeye Grade 4 (2,950 php)

   Sauces

♥ Bleu Cheese, ♥Mustard, Peppercorn, ♥ Mushroom, Red Wine, Chimichurri

You can choose two sauces per steak.   I love the bleu cheese and mushroom the most!
Pasta

Spaghetti Wagyu Meatballs (470 php)

Surf and Turf

♥ Stoners Fresh Catch (1,350 php)

Aside from its steaks, they offer fresh seafood too!

Sides

♥ Steak Fried Rice (130 php)

♥ Kimchi Fried Rice (110 php)

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Stoned Steaks will definitely satisfy your steak craving.  The food quality including preparation is worth every peso.  They also have promos like Steak All You Can and Half Off on Thursdays!

My parents loved telling us their dating tales.  One of their favorite steakhouses back then is Cowrie Grill.  So imagine how delighted my little sister and I when we saw it at Greenhills Promenade.

Cowrie Grill has a simplistic facade.

But, it has a glass that allows one to view what's its enchanting interiors.  It has a classy bar.

And, a wonderful dining area with well-cushioned lofts and chairs, crystal lighting and private booths.


Table is set up for a fancy fine dining experience.

Food

Soups and Salads
Who needs a serenade when you can have expert chefs doing their flambe by your tableside.

Watch how our lobster medallion is flambed...

Lobster Bisque (300 php)

before they were tossed in our soup bowls.

Lobster Bisque (300 php)

Although we found it a wee bit salty, we enjoyed this warm and soothing Lobster Bisque.

Next, is our Maitre D' Caesar Salad Prepared Tableside.



The chef was nice enough to explain each ingredient as he placed and mixed them into the big wooden salad bowl. 

Maitre D' Caesar Salad Prepared Tableside (300 php)

This is one glorious Maitre D' Caesar Salad.  It has generous servings of olive oil, greens, garlic bacon and cheese which I like.  Little sister is not as fond of caesar salad as I am so I'm glad she gladly left more for me.

Signature Dishes

Angus Beef Rib US English Cut 280 grams (1,500 php)

The Angus Beef Rib US English Cut 280 grams is served with baked potato, vegetables and sauces.  We really loved how tender this is.  My little sister is such a picky eater and she usually eats just a handful portion.  But, she loved this so much that she swept her plate clean.  I managed to finish this too though I can't deny how heavy it was on my tummy.  

As expected, you can request the doneness of your steak.

Cheese and Sweet Indulgence

Baked Alaska (420 php)

We both had high expectations for the gorgeous Baked Alaska.  


We also had this flambed by our tableside (haha I guess we find fire displays quite entertaining).

Baked Alaska (420 php)

The Baked Alaska (420 php) is strawberry and vanilla ice cream, sponge cake, browned meringue and flambe with brandy.  Although it appealed to our eyes, it failed to appeal to our taste buds.  The sponge cake was too rough and dry that it failed to harmonized with the strawberry and vanilla ice cream and soft meringue.

Drinks
There are also drink selections which you can enjoy with your meal.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We definitely enjoyed our steak at Cowrie Grill.  Now, we understand why our parents love it so much. 

My mom is a believer of the You Only Live Once.  So when we were young, we have a little tradition called "Steak Day Friday".  Once a month on a Friday, we would eat steak either at home or at some random steakhouse.  This practice grants my mom a break from the difficult cooking preparation which she does in other days. 

One of our favorite places for steaks was Outback at our neighboring mall Robinson's Place Manila.  I've been there so many times, I could still picture how it was back in the day.  That was around 1998 until it closed down in 2000.  The first floor had T.G.I.Fridays then there is an exclusive wooden staircase with Australian-related displays towards the second floor for Italianni's and Outback Steakhouse.  Our tradition kind of faded away with the closing of that Outback branch and I haven't made a come back at Outback until recently for their affordable Lunch Specials.

My visit at Outback Steakhouse in Glorietta 4 was still nostalgic despite the difference in interiors.  I recall it having a more cabin-like feel.  But this time, it had a more grander and cozy atmosphere.  They also have a "17 spices wall" with real spices that they use on their dishes and I think a real knife set displayed?

There's a big screen and a bar for drinkers. 

Food

Complimentary Honey Wheat Bushman Bread with Whipped Butter

As soon as I arrived, a Complimentary Honey Wheat Bushman Bread with Whipped Butter was laid on our table.  While waiting for my companions, I tried this delightful light chocolate, gluten-free loaf by spreading some whipped butter on it. 

Appetizers

♥ Kookaburra Wings Mild Full (469 php)

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of buffalo wings and I like them spicy!  You can choose the Kookaburra Wings to be mild, medium or spicy.  It is servd with celery and bleu cheese dip. Our first one was mild.  Well, it had a pepperish crunchy coating and succulent meat.  It was good but too lame for me.  Good thing, my companions mistakenly ordered spicy for the next round.  This time the Kookaburra Wings were covered in fiery red hot sauce.  Mmm the red sizzling hotness with the juicy meat was just my kind of teaser even without the bleu cheese dip or the celery to cool my tongue down.



November Special

Nachos with Spinach Artichoke Dip

 I've always loved anything with Spinach Artichoke Dip but it's rarely offered at restaurants.  I couldn't stop munching on the Nachos with Spinach Artichoke Dip  all meal long.  Their Spinach Artichoke Dip is dominantly of parmesan and some Monterey Jack cheese which made it a bit saltier than the others I've tried.


Weekday Lunch Specials (Add a cup of Soup of the Day and a glass of Iced Tea/Soda for 95 php)
Outback Steakhouse back then was so special to me because I know it was luxuriously priced.  We used to spend at least a thousand per person and that was way back when.  Now that I'm all grown up and having to pay for my own meal, I've always thought that Outback Steakhouse is an intimidating place for my wallet.  Thus, my delayed revisit.  What made me come back was my discovery that Outback Steakhouse had a lot of affordable options such as their Weekday Lunch Specials.  The price range was very flexible that its easy on the budget even for office workers and students.  

♥ Teriyaki Beef Medallions (499 php)

I'll start with my favorite among the Lunch Specials, the Teriyaki Beef Medallions.  This fire-grilled medium-cooked steak chunk skewers with onions and red and green peppers marinated with subtly sweet teriyaki sauce was fantastic!  It is laid on a bed of seasoned rice with your choice of side dish (Steamed Vegetables in this case)

Chicken Fried Chicken (199 php)

The Chicken Fried Chicken are crispy golden fried chicken tenders topped with classic white gravy and served with mashed potato.  This is a quite a bargain deal for such a satisfactory dish!  

Grilled Fish Marsala (199 php)

The Grilled Fish Marsala is a grilled and seasoned fresh fish of the day (Dowry in this case) topped with spinach and button mushroom marsala sauce with your choice of side dish (Steamed Vegetables and Mashed Potatoes in this case).  The dowry was grilled just right delivering softness that almost melts on your mouth. 

Classic Florentine Pasta (299 php)

I always have a respect for classics.  I found the cheesy Classic Florentine Pasta with the right blend of tangy marinara sauce, spinach strips and garlic crumbs quite enjoyable.

Steak Tips with Garlic and Peppers (399 php)

The Steak Tips with Garlic and Peppers is bite-sized steak in red wine sauce with garlic and peppers.  It is served with Aussie fries and steamed vegetables.  I'd suggest this for those who prefer their steaks to be cooked medium well and well-seasoned. 


Outback Favorites

♥ Baby Back Ribs Half (649 php)

The Baby Back Ribs is a saucy wet-rubbed barbecue ribs served with Aussie fries.  It was exploding in flavor in every bite.  It was lean, mean and tender but not the fall of the bone type. 


Signature Steaks

♥ Victoria's Filet with Grilled Shrimp (949 php + 279 php)

Of course, I'm not leaving Outback "Steakhouse" without having my steak!  The Victoria's Filet is their best-selling 6 oz thick cut fillet.  This is one gratifying piece of heaven I assure you. 

♥ Victoria's Filet with Grilled Shrimp (949 php + 279 php)

When I was young, I didn't know how to enjoy a good steak and had them cooked medium well.  Now, I like them cooked medium or on good days such as this, medium rare.  It's such a beautiful seeing the warm red center with juiciness spewing out in every slice. 

Irresistible Dessert

Chocolate Thunder from Down Under (315 php)

The Chocolate Thunder from Down Under is a fresh-baked pecan brownie topped with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and over-flowing with warm, rich and sweet chocolate sauce then finished with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.  This is heavenly but overwhelming for just one person.  I personally prefer the ♥ Dessert Sampler Trio which has all their regular dessert offering: Chocolate Thunder from Down Under, Cheesecake and Banana Nut Cake in sample sizes.  Even in my puny and frail built back then, I could finish that all by myself.

♥ Cinnamon Oblivion

The Cinnamon Oblivion is a big scoop of vanilla ice cream sprinkled all over by candied pecan bits topped with whipped cream and cherry and laid on a pool of caramel syrup with cinnamon crouton and apple cubes.  It is Outback's extravagant version of a classic Apple Crumble Ala Mode.  And, I promise you that this is one genuinely blissful sweet treat!



Drinks

Spirit Free Cocktails

Coco-Berry Smoothie (165 php)

For refreshments, I had a frosty and creamy glass of their Coco-Berry Smoothie which is a blend of coconut and strawberries.   

Tip: I wouldn't recommend the Libis Branch.  My experience there was not okay.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm so glad to finally come back to Outback Steakhouse.  It has consistently proven that it's not a world-renowned restaurant chain for nothing.  The food quality, ambiance and service is superb.  Now that they offer a more flexible price range, it is a now recommendable suggestion even for casual dining.