Restaurant Review: CRU Steakhouse (Pasay City, Metro Manila)

CRU Steakhouse

The excellent CRU (from a French wine term meaning "growth place"), the award-winning steakhouse of Marriott Manila, is known for their specialty - US Prime Rib Eye. CRU Steakhouse reinvented the steakhouse experience by introducing dry ageing—a unique method that involves hanging the meat in a refrigerated cooler, keeping it at a specific temperature and humidity.  After 10 to 28 days, it comes out with a new array of flavor and depth.

Table for 8

Together with wine connoisseurs and members, we got to dine here during the 18th Grand Wine Experience Media Launch. 

The experience of sinking our teeth on their delicious quality steaks was made even better by their extensive list of superb wines, truly a good match.  The set menu featured a four-course lunch with appetizer, soup, main course and dessert.

Check out "Launch of Grand Wine Experience 2018"

Marriott Manila Executive Chef Meik Brammer (right) with his kitchen staff

The appetizer was Bonito Cured Atlantic Salmon with shrimp crackers, local anchovy dressing and compressed apples served with La Polane Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superior 2011, a red blend wine. The Mushroom Expresso, served in an expresso cup with truffle brioche toast and parmesan, tasted really great.  It was served with Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2012, a bold, full-bodied red wine.

Bar Area

The main course was the delectably juicy US Certified Angus Rib Eye, medium rare, with potato confit, Provencal vegetable ragout and shiraz wine sauce. The steak was hand-cut, hand-seasoned and carefully prepared and the finish product was perfect – perfectly marbled, tender, tasty, fatty and cooked evenly from the inside out.  The serving size was perfect and, to be honest, I was actually already full after just eating it.  Truly, one of the most enjoyable experiences for every meat lover. This main course was served with Pirramimma Ironstone Shiraz 2013, a rich and luscious table wine from Australia.  

Mushroom Expresso, served in an expresso cup with truffle brioche toast and parmesan

Dessert was the simply divine Citrus Egg Nest with olive oil, chocolate Madeleine sponge, light mandarin orange mousse, lemon cream, orange compote, vanilla panna cotta, served with Montes Late Harvest Botrytis Grapes Gewurztraminer 2014.

Bonito Cured Atlantic Salmon with shrimp crackers, local anchovy dressing and compressed apples
(photo: Bob Zozobrado)

This multi-awarded restaurant, with its modern décor, exuded a sophisticated dining experience and ambiance.  Perfect for a great date night, its sleek interior had of lots of dark wood and various shades of red velvet but the lighting was perfect.  The open fire from the central grill area added a lovely warmth to the place. The quality of the food was superb, consistent and top notch. The service was wonderful, the servers were polite and attentive without being suffocating and we never had to look far for the waiters. We felt very well looked after.

US Certified Angus Rib Eye Steak

This amazing lunch, prepared by affable Executive Chef Meik Brammer and his staff from the elegant open-themed kitchen, together with very attentive and friendly service, introduced us to a world of flavor and hefty satisfaction. We can see the chefs calmly and efficiently going about their business in the open kitchen, heightening our expectations of an excellent lunch.  Aside from the various US and Australian beef cuts, there is also seafood and a nice selection of starters and desserts on the menu.

Citrus Egg Nest with olive oil, chocolate Madeleine sponge, light mandarin orange mousse, 
lemon cream, orange compote, vanilla panna cotta

Recently, last February 4, 2018, CRU rolled out the Sunday Roast (Unlimited Steak), its best value-for-money dining offer yet. Steak lovers can now enjoy unlimited servings of U.S. Certified Angus Beef rib eye steak for only PhP1,300 net per person.  

Bar Chow - Inasal Marinated Boneless Chicken Wings and German Beef Slider

Stuffed Cocktails  - Tiramisu Martini, Salted Caramel and Irish Coffee Cocktail

Its menu includes a complimentary appetizer or starter (choice of Garden Salad or Creamy Mushroom Soup), two side dishes (sauteed organic root vegetables and herb roasted baby potatoes) and a dessert serving of Classic Apple Pie. This offer is available every Sunday for lunch only (11:30AM to 2:30PM). 

Dessert

Also just recently, during the 2018 World Luxury Restaurant Awards (a prestigious global culinary excellence competition hosted by Galgorm Resort & Spa in Northern Ireland on July 14, 2018), CRU Steakhouse won in three categories -  Country Winner for Fine Dining Cuisine Category,   Country Winner for Luxury Hotel Restaurant Luxury Steakhouse Category   and  Regional Winner for Luxury Steakhouse Category.

CRU Steakhouse: G/F, Manila Marriott Hotel, 2 Resorts Drive, Pasay City, Metro Manila 1309.  Tel: +63 2 988-9999 and +63 2 988-9990 loc. 8109.  Open Sundays – Thursdays,  6PM – 10:30PM and Fridays – Saturdays,   6PM – 11:30PM.  Dress code is strictly smart casual (no shorts for men, no flip-flops).