000000

Steak is always a good idea, especially on a payday Friday, don’t you think so? If you’re looking for a new swanky place to enjoy steak on a date or as you celebrate a special occasion or just the arrival of yet another paycheck (#blessed), and you happen to work or live around Ortigas, you should check out Nostalgia Dining Lounge, Oakwood Premier – Joy Nostalg Centre’s refurbished in-house restaurant. (Click here to book your stay in the hotel.)

Enjoy Nostalgia’s Friday Night Classics as soft piano music plays in the background for that truly romantic or classy touch, however way you put it.

If you’ll remember, I featured some of the must-try dishes in Nostalgia earlier this year (click here to read my review). This time, I want to devote a whole new blog post to one of my favorite things to eat: STEAK, which is highlighted in their Friday Night Classics menu but is actually available daily. I’ll also include my recommendations for what to order with steak when you decide to enjoy it in Nostalgia—from starter to dessert.

STARTERS

Onion Gratine, P375++
This classic French Onion Soup is topped with super thick, gooey, melted Emmental Cheese! The moment it was placed with a flourish on the table, I caught a whiff of its lovely aroma. Ang sarap ng amoy! The soup itself is not too thick, very flavorful with a hint of sweetness, as it’s loaded with onions. But not to worry, even when you’re on a date, as the taste of onions is not overwhelming.

The star of the show for me is the chewy cheese, of course! This soup effectively warms the tummy and soothes the soul, especially on a cold, rainy night. The serving is just right and it’s filling (it’s all that cheese!), so you have to watch it—you wouldn’t want to lose your appetite for steak!

Gambas Al Ajilio, P395++
A generous portion of shrimps are cooked ’til delightfully soft then sauteed with garlic and served with flavorful sauce that has a little of both heat and acidity.

STEAK
Prepare to wait for your steak. It will be worth it, don’t worry—at least you work up an appetite that will allow you to consume the huge slab of meat. Each order comes with veggie sides, one side dish, and preferred sauce (choice of Bearnaise, Peppercorn, Bleu Cheese, Merlot Shallots, or Honey Mustard).

My recommendation: US Angus Rib Eye, P1,645++
Nostalgia serves 7oz of one of the most popular cuts of tender, juicy, and flavorful beef. I had my big and thick steak cooked medium, served with a nice char to it on the surface. It’s so easy to slice into! And my first bite was already flavorful, even without sauce.

Speaking of which, the head server recommended I have my rib eye with Peppercorn Sauce, which is spicy (packs medium heat or more) and has a bold flavor. You can really taste the peppercorn flavor in this gravy. I have to agree the sauce complemented the steak well, helping bring out the flavor of the meat and giving it a welcome slight heat without drowning the taste.

You can also try: US Angus Striploin, P1,560++
This succulent and tender 8oz beef is cut thicker yet narrower than rib eye. It’s also a popular steak.

SIDES
Every order of steak comes with one side dish. Choices are Creamed Spinach, Sauteed Mushrooms, Baked Potato, French Fries, Mashed Potato, and Grilled Asparagus.

Mashed Potatoes and Sauteed Mushrooms

My recommendation: Mashed Potato
The mashed potatoes are soft, creamy, and buttery. I had to add a pinch of salt, since l like my potatoes salty. Its texture is mostly smooth, yet there are parts with tiny chunks that keep things interesting.

Mashed Potatoes and Creamed Spinach

You can also try: Creamed Spinach and Sauteed Mushrooms
The spinach is light and definitely creamy, and the taste of spinach is the dominant flavor, whether this is a good or bad thing to you. The mushrooms are cooked well: juicy but not oily. Its light taste pairs well with the steak, as it highlights the flavor of the meat, making it tastier, even without sauce.

WINE

The head server recommends you pair their steak with Merlot, and I did appreciate how the robust flavor of the wine complemented the juicy steak. We had the Listel Capage Merlot (2012), which has plum and blueberry notes on the nose that leads into a soft, warm palate with delicate notes of cinnamon. It’s P2,200++ for a bottle and P440++ for a glass.

DESSERTS

My recommendation: Deconstructed Black Forest, P325++
Nostalgia’s version of this popular cake is definitely unlike any you’ve had before! It has all the elements you like about black forest—layered chocolate cake, pudding, cherries, whipped cream, and kirsch—and more! It’s eyes-rolling-in-pleasure good! I couldn’t figure out how to eat it at first, but I went ahead and dug into it with a fork after half-admiring, half-puzzling over it for a few seconds. They used rich dark chocolate that’s not too sweet to create a sort of crisp cup they filled with juicy cherries swimming in strong, sweet, syrupy liquor, then placed atop a bed of whipped cream and thin but delectable chocolate cake, then drizzled with confectioner’s sugar and dark chocolate shavings.

You can also try: New Zealand Ice Cream Selection, P180++
Get several scoops of New Zealand’s favorite brand of ice cream, served with condiments (nuts, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and wafer stick). Available flavors are Caramel Crunch, Affogato, Chocolate Ecstasy, Macadamia Supreme, Strawberry Surprise, Vanilla Classic, Rum Raisin, and Super-fruit Sherbet.

COCKTAILS
Of course I’ll find any excuse to enjoy cocktails, so I had one before my steak dinner and another one along with my dessert.

Pre-dinner: Daiquiri, P290++
This concoction made of white rum and lime juice is refreshing and strong.

Post-dinner: Cosmopolitan, P290++
This classic cocktail made of Skyy vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice is sweet, smooth, and, as expected, traydor—it tastes like juice, you never realize the strong alcohol having its effect on you ’til you stand up and sway a little.

The Nostalgia Dining Lounge is at the 6th floor of Oakwood Premier – Joy Nostalg Centre along ADB Ave. in Ortigas Center. For reservations and more information, please call 637.7888 ext. 8603. To book your stay in the hotel via Agoda, click here.

Photos by Trixie Reyna (except first photo, courtesy of Oakwood Premier)

000000