This Date-Friendly Pasay Resto Takes Surf and Turf and Your Usual Nightcap to New Heights

ROB's
2/F Newport Malls, Pasay City
Contact: 0945-726-9984
Facebook: facebook.com/robs.ribsoystersbourbon
Open on Sundays to Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. and on Fridays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

(SPOT.ph) When we think of surf and turf spots, most of us would picture shacks and bistros by the beach serving the freshest catch of the day and shellfish. But being in the Metro doesn't mean this culinary combination of land meets the sea is far from reach. More restaurants putting seafood and shellfish at the forefront are popping up. One such newbie to the Manila food scene is ROB's at Newport World Resorts Mall. We got to try this surf and turf Cajun meets Filipino restaurant, and here's why we think you should too.

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Here's why you should visit ROB's at Newport World Resorts Mall:

ROB's is the brainchild of famed Filipino Chef Robby Goco, best known for heading Cyma, Green Pastures, and SOUV! by Cyma. If you think ROB's is simply a play on the famous chef's name, then you are only partially correct. ROB's also stands for Ribs, Oysters, and Bourbon, the star ingredients here. 

Despite taking inspiration from popular beach bistros and mom-and-pop shops near the coast, ROB's at Newport Mall is far from traditional surf and turf shacks. Decked out in jewel tones, gold accents, and tons of mood lighting, this restaurant is as posh and luxe as its address. 

While the restaurant is modest in size, with its roughly forty-seater space, what it lacks in floor area, it makes up for in aesthetics. This place will not only feed you, but it'll also feed your phone. Ready your phone cameras. This spot is pretty Instagram-friendly. 

ROB's is an ideal date spot for couples and families alike. But don't think of this place only for lunch or dinner. The restaurant's centerpiece is its bourbon-stacked bar. Thinking of grabbing a drink after-office or late at night? ROB's is the place to be. Grab a cocktail or two here for a nightcap—they're open til 12 a.m. on most days.  

There are a number of signature bourbon cocktails at ROB's worth a try. The way these drinks are made, it's pretty easy to forget that they have alcohol, so try to take it slow with the drinks. Try the ROB's Highball (P458), a slightly sour, refreshing mix of Suntory Kakubin, passionfruit, and elderflower liqueur. TBH, this drink was made for Manila weather. It's one of those drinks you'll have by the pool on a hot summer day.

The must-try dishes at ROB's at Newport World Resorts Mall:

But having drinks is just part of the ROB's experience—you're really here for the food. The recipes at ROB's are close to Chef Robby's heart. Most of these are recipes he's been keeping in his back pocket for the past 25 years. You know they're bound to be good. 

Start your meal with the Crab and Shrimp Louise Salad (P398) for something light. This salad has crisp greens, a mayo-based Louise dressing, plus sweet and briny seafood chunks. Pro tip: don't ignore the lemon wedge on the side. While many would think it's just there for the aesthetics, try adding a squeeze or two of lemon juice to add a citrus and zesty bite that cuts through the Louise dressing's creamy base. 

Adding more seafood into the mix, several oyster options are available. ROB's has a raw bar that serves several different kinds of uncooked seafood, from Sashimi (P798) to Crab and Shrimp cocktails (P798) and various oyster varieties (starts at P468/3 pieces). If you want to have a little bit of everything, you could also opt for their Seafood Towers (starts at P1,795), which has everything from shrimps, lobsters, oysters, and other fresh catch. 

But if you're a bit wary about having raw seafood, you can still have grilled and broiled oysters. ROB's has a selection of different cooked oysters with prices starting at P275 for three pieces. If you should try any of the cooked oysters, go for the Diablo Oysters (P275/three pieces, P398/five pieces). Don't be intimidated by the heat. It's a little spicy, but it won't blow your head off—it's more of a slow creeping post-swallow heat that lingers rather than a sucker punch of spice. 

A slightly less spicy and smokier option could be the Chipotle Bourbon Oysters (P275 / 3 pieces, P398/ 5 pieces).

But listen, if you only have space to try a few of ROB's best dishes, we recommend going for Awwww Shucks (P675), the Shrimp, Crab, and Scallop Pan Roast (P498), and the Bourbon Baby Back Ribs (P655) These three dishes for us really capture the essence of the restaurant. 

Awwww Shucks is a sharing plate of roasted bone marrow, six garlic herb butter oysters, and sourdough toast. Think surf and turf but make it extra decadent—maybe even borderline sinful.

Who would've thought bone marrow and oysters go well together? To best enjoy this hauntingly good dish, all you have to do is scrape a bit of bone marrow onto your sourdough bread and treat it like the butter of the gods that it is. Then, take an oyster with a little bit of lemon juice, put them together, and have it all in one bite. 

Each bite will leave you with a zesty, buttery, and rich flavor that begs to redefine your standard for surf and turf. 

While the Awwww Shucks is devilishly yummy, we must admit it's not filling. It's more of a starter if you ask us. For something heavier but still, an elevated land meets the sea mix, we recommend a combo order of the Shrimp, Crab, and Scallop Pan Roast plus their Bourbon Baby Back Ribs. 

The Bourbon Baby Back Ribs is a half-rack of fork-tender, coffee-rubbed ribs doused in house-made barbeque sauce. What's great about this off-the-grill eat is that the coffee flavor shines through. It's cooked just right, leaving the pork with the earthy, fruity flavor of the coffee without being bitter. You can have it on its own or pair it with a potato salad for an added creamy, carbo-loaded layer. 

But if one main isn't enough, we recommend you pair this with the Shrimp, Crab, & Scallop Pan Roast. This tomato tarragon cream bisque is a seafood lover's paradise. The base is a smooth, creamy marinara with lots of seafood chunks strewn about. Pro tip: though the dish is served with a cup of rice in the middle, resist the urge to mix everything. This pan roast is best enjoyed with the rice on the side to really have that smooth and chunky texture of the bisque shine.

There are lots of other things to try at ROB's. We've only scratched the surface of all the great eats you can have here. The food is great not only because of the high quality ingredients that went into it but also because of the love and passion that went into cooking them. You could feel the care and respect for the natural flavors of the meat and seafood. Here at ROB's, the food and the ambiance go hand in hand, upping the ante to take your surf and turf craving to a whole new level.  

Check out this video of our dining experience at ROB's:

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