Destined

There are just some ventures that are destined to be "winners"
It is about gut feel
It is about intuitive vibes
It is about hitting a chord
It is about reading the market
It is about colors that come together well ...
And in the case of Elbert's Cheesesteak Sandwiches - it is clearly about the taste

I was cavorting along the Rockwell Powerplant food court,
When I noticed a long line
People waiting patiently for their turn
Necks stretched in anticipation
Eyes rolling with excitement

Elbert Cuenca of the highly successful and award-winning Elbert's Steak Room has just opened his new "baby"
Immediately attention catching - with a pinkish neon sign, brushed stainless steel, black/white patterned tiles and tangerine walls,
This new food stall outlet was wafting the smell of brown-grilled premium beef into the air,
And attracting a growing crowd like a pied piper of sorts ...


















The "cheesesteak sandwich" is the quintessential food of the city of Philadelphia in the United States
One hasn't been to Philadelphia if he hasn't had a cheesesteak sandwich
To that extent, the sandwich is known as a "Philadelphia Cheesesteak", a "Philly cheesesteak" or just a "Philly" ...
Well the "Philly" has just invaded the Philly-pines

Elbert prepares thinly sliced (chopped) premium USDA beef
Browns them in a grilling/frying griddle
Spreads them generously on a long roll (hoagie).
Adds a touch of sauteed onions,
A cheese of choice
And voila - ♫ "bibidibobidiboo"♫ ♪ .... a mouthwatering meal is handed to you
Ready to be devoured in lip-smacking, juice-dripping fashion

There is no other way to say this
So let me go straight to the meat of it ...
Elbert's Cheesesteak serves a goooooooooooood "Philly"
Add some crispy french fries
An ice cold cola
With the charming Elbert himself manning the ramparts
And you have the makings of a great sandwich experience ...

Go
Get in line
It is well worth the wait ...








































Elberts Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Powerplant Food Court
Rockwell, Makati

That's Another Story

It was a muggy, humid night
It was also the birthday of my favorite twins …
Both regal as they graciously age
Both tempered by the fires of life
Both deserving of a nice quiet dinner
In a nice quiet place
Hosted by some nice quiet guys …

We were looking for “classy”
We wanted “intimate”
We were thinking “new”
We definitely had to have “delicious” …

Elberts Steak Room – is so new that it’s really not yet done.
Still a work in progress
Open to a limited extent - 3 tables of 4 seats each

The “room” is a brainchild of Elbert Cuenca – everyones’ friend
And everyones’ Mac geek
We had last seen his culinary flair and design preferences at Restaurant 12 – the shortlived showcase of gastronomic innovation and modern bar design at Greenbelt 2.
Now this …

Hidden on the third floor of a very ordinary looking building
Accessible through a darkish, narrow staircase
One is suddenly confronted by a beautiful red sliding door with a bookshelf view into what looks like a gentleman’s lounge.
The transition from an old, rather drab building facade to this overwhelmingly warm and comfortably upscale “room” is almost JamesBondish …
Experiencing the transition and seeing the wide-eyed awe on the faces of our guests was just the start of a wonderful evening.

Upon entering, one is greeted by a bar that sets the mood for just letting go of the day’s burdens and settling into a quiet dinner

Luxurious wood panels

Meticulously upholstered chairs

Romantically lit

Formally set tables

Crystal wine glasses ...

Not surprisingly – the menu is for the most part, simply steaks …

Each with a house salad, soup, a choice of sidings and a myriad of sauces

Fillet Mignon

grilled USDA select tenderloin, 250 gm.

1,600 pesos

New York Strip

grilled USDA prime striploin, 270 gm.

1,900 pesos

Rib-Eye

grilled USDA prime rib-eye, 330 gm.

2,200 pesos

These are gooooooood steaks.

A bit expensive - but if you are a steak person,

This is steak Valhalla

Take your time

Dine

Wine

Converse

This is steak dining at its best.

Mouthwatering

Delicious

Juicy

Elbert's Steak Room

A place like this is both "rare" and "well done" ...

It makes for a dining experience that you will not easily forget.

It's funny - some of my best memories have been in "rooms" (but then, that's another story)

See ya'

Elbert’s Steak Room

3/F Sagittarius Building III

111 H. V. de la Costa Street

Salcedo Village, Makati City

(63-2) 339-3363

** reservations recommended

www.steakroom.com