In retrospect, however, maybe I should've ordered a Caesar Salad (P480) like my brother did, for the simple reason of seeing it being prepared. Yes, folks, tableside Caesar Salad, once a staple in many restaurants and usually done with vim and vigor by a dashing maitre d', is quite the rarity. Yet there it was being executed with grace by our waitress. A fresh salad, dressed properly in a flavorful garlic, anchovy and egg emulsion and with just enough richness to satisfy and not overpower everything, topped with shards of fresh Parmesan, crispy croutons, bacon, and freshly cracked pepper is and always will be a classic steak house staple.
Our mains came soon after polishing all that off. An Aussie Rib Eye (P1,900) arrived for my dining companion, nicely seared and flavorful and a great alternative that is half the price of their most premium meats. There was only one thing wrong with it–he and I both concur that any sauces you order should be put on the side so your first bite will always be about the beef. Unfortunately, his pepper sauce was doused liberally all over the top, thus making it a very big note in your taste buds. It wasn't bad–actually, he liked it–but what if he didn't like the sauce? He would've had to endure eating it, or worse, send it back to the kitchen–a waste of perfectly good meat. This may seem a bit like nitpicking, but at a high-end restaurant like this, I think it's a valid concern.
The same went for the Burger (P850) I ordered. It was huge (and crazy pricey!), had a decent bun, and cooked to my specifications (medium rare, though it was bordering on medium). I suppose to add their spin on it, it was topped with some tomatoes, greens, mayo, and a sweet red onion jam–a great little condiment (it's usually made of onions reduced in vinegar, a little wine, and sugar and is excellent with richly flavored items like foie gras, and yes, burgers) except you shouldn't be too liberal with it as again it's overall sweetness can overpower the beefy flavor of the sandwich. Ditto for the mayo, but it didn't affect things as much as the jam. Of course, this is a subjective opinion–some people may actually enjoy this!–but it lowered my satisfaction level a few notches. The burger itself was quite good, and if there is any food I'm picky about, it's burgers. I would love to try it simply adorned with a slice of gruyere, or even American cheese, or heck – even no cheese at all. That's reserved for next time!
Cru is a place that very much deserves to be explored further, despite these little glitches, in my humble opinion. Hopefully the visit will be sooner than later, and hopefully I can charm someone into buying me dinner.
RATING: 3 of of 5 SPOTS •••
Photographs by JJ Yulo. Main gallery image from Marriott Hotel Manila.
