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. 

Ever since I became a holder of the The Bistro Group Premiere Card, I try to frequent The Bistro Group restaurants to maximize its perks.  Watami has always been my favorite about their concepts.  I've been visited Watami several times within a span of a year since its opening.  When I heard that it introduced new lunch sets, I just couldn't pass up the chance to check it out too.

My last lunch at Watami was at its Glorietta 1 branch.  It's actually my second time to dine there.  It's not as spacious as the SM Mall of Asia branch which I've shared before, but the interiors are substantially the same.

Food

Salad

♥ Watami Salad (350 php)

I've said this before and I'll say it again.  The Watami Salad is one of the best salads I've tried and I've never pass up a chance to order this when dining at Watami.


Sashimi

♥ Salmon Sashimi (225 php)

♥ Scallop Sashimi (395 php)

Having tried all their Sashimi variants, I have now settled for my favorites which is the Salmon Sashimi and
Scallop Sashimi.  I'm really glad to share that they've consistently served them with the freshest quality.

Tempura 

Assorted Tempura (295 php)

The Assorted Tempura has a generous serving of four pieces Ebi Tempura and an assortment of vegetables.  The quality of the batter and the prawns are better than average.  

Skewers

♥ Pork & Enoki Mushroom Skewers (135 php)

I've also ordered again the Pork & Enoki Mushroom Skewers which is my top pick among the other Skewers selection.

Ramen

Tokyo-Style Ramen in Shoyu Flavored Soup (380 php)

During my previous visits, I've always passed out the chance to try their Ramen.  So this time I was determined to try one.  I initially wanted to try the Watami Ramen but unfortunately it was not available so I settled for the Tokyo-Style Ramen in Shoyu Flavored Soup.  It had a very light soy based soup which was pleasant to sip.  But, the texture of the noodle fall short of my expectation especially for its price which is the same with other famous ramen shops. 

Lunch Sets

♥ Chicken Cutlet with Scrambled Egg Sauce with Rice (375 php)

I was really impressed with the Chicken Cutlet with Scrambled Egg Sauce with Rice before so I ordered this as a Lunch Set.  I noticed that when you order this as Tokyo Don (topping with rice), it is priced at 295 php.  But, as Lunch Set, it comes with a salad and miso soup for an addition of 85 php.  I guess with the Lunch Set, you now have the option to decide the set up you want with this delicious dish.

♥ Roasted Mackarel with Rice (355 php)

I think the Roasted Mackarel with Rice is the best option among the Lunch Sets.  If you order this ala carte, it is at a bigger portion but priced at 425 php.  I assure you that the serving size of this lunch set is more than satisfying for a solo eater.  The Roasted Mackerel is cooked flavorful and juicy too!

♥ Black Pepper Beef with Rice in Stone Pot Set (275 php)

The Black Pepper Beef with Rice in Stone Pot is a must order at Watami!  Whoever I'm with, I always recommend them to try this.  Up to this day, it has never failed to impress everyone.  

Beef Sukiyki Rice in Stone Pot Set (395 php)

We were quite surprised with the Beef Sukiyki Rice in Stone Pot because it was dry unlike the one in the ala carte section.  It was not as generous too in terms of ingredients so it was a bit lacking in taste and overall impact so for this item, I'd rather order it ala carte style.



Dessert
Out of all my attempts to order the complete Maccha Collection, this is the only time the three items were all available so I ceased the chance to try and compare them with each other.

♥ Maccha Tiramisu (155 php)

I really loved their Maccha Tiramisu.  It's the best among the Maccha Collection if only they could consistently serve this in its chilled condition.  I'm quite disappointed that this is always either unavailable or if it was, it was served with a gooey consistently.  I also noticed that this last one had lesser maccha powder on top.  


Update (December 7, 2013): The Maccha Tiramisu is now consistently chilled based on my last two visits. =)

Maccha Ice Cream with Anmistu Dumplings (135 php)

The Maccha Ice Cream with Anmistu Dumpling is good because the Anmistu Dumplings were fun to eat with the red beans and the maccha ice cream.  But, I'd definitely choose the Maccha Tiramisu over this.

Maccha Parfait (195 php)

The Maccha Parfait is similar to the Maccha Ice Cream with Anmistu Dumplings with the addition of maccha syrup and corn flakes.  Eat this like the halo-halo and you'll love the play of textures complemented by the strong maccha taste.

Other Bistro Group Restaurant Reviews
Bulgogi Brothers
Italianni's Restaurant
Krazy Garlic
Ma Maison (closed)
Modern Shanghai
SikLab Filipino Favorites
Tonkatsu by Terazawa
Village Tavern
Watami 1

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Watami is still the best Bistro Group concept for me.  I really enjoy the quality for the price value.  However, I still believe that they need to work on improving their service.  No doubt I'm expecting that on my return.  And, I'm still craving for the Maccha Tiramisu as I'm writing this.  Hope they do something about that too.  I really like the Lunch Set idea.  Now, diners like me can choose the set up of their meals especially when they want to eat on solo serving and avail of some savings.