“What is that elegant looking restaurant?”, the question that I asked myself during the first time I saw Cowrie Grill a few meters away. My neighbor Cowrie Grill is only 2-3 minutes away from my workplace. Depending on how long I walk, traffic will never get in the way if I decide to stop by.

Another blessing for me is to be invited a the media launch of this restaurant handled by the country’s prestigious hotel, Manila Hotel. Cowrie Grill should ring a bell to those who frequent Manila Hotel back in the 70s. It’s their signature restaurant so you better be familiar with it if you’ve dined at Manila Hotel.

Opened in 1977 at the Manila Hotel, Cowrie Grill is said to be the place where dishes are prepared in the highest of standards. Now that Cowrie Grill is opened in Greenhills, it is expected to bring the standards it used to have. Service is critical as it adds more value to the customers as they dine in. The food is expected to be exquisite and beyond normal steakhouse or hotel type of food.

In my experience, the venue already wowed me with its display lavished in the soft amber glow of thousands of cowrie shells around the place. For the service, I couldn’t comment on this too much. My opinion might be over biased since I attended a media launch. What I observed, servers were mostly busy than the usual customer traffic. I guess they were scared to dismay anyone at the press launch. Hehe!

How Caesar Salad should be is how Cowrie Grill’s Caesar salad is.

Servers from Cowrie Grill assures they serve and toss the greens at the side of your table. Always prepared fresh, not inside the kitchen but again, beside you.

You could never miss their very own butter with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes. A tradition of dining at Cowrie Grill is to start every meal with their homemade bread and this set of butter placed on chilled silver vessel.

The main point of dining at Manila Hotel’s Cowrie Grill is this!

Yes, the main event came in on a trolley, pushed by Cowrie Grill’s professional and friendly servers.

Their Roast US Angus Beef Prime Rib!!!

*drool*

Upon seeing the trolley pushed closer to me, I suddenly felt like grabbing my fork and knife instead of my camera first. I wanted to get a slice of my own Roast US Angus Beef Prime Rib.

A plate more than enough for me. An order includes veggies, potato gratin cheese and special sauces best for your Prime Rib.

(top-bottom) Chili Peppercorn sauce my favorite among the 3, Bearnaise sauce, and Mushroom gravy.

Too fascinating not to take my eyes off these ribs. Love attraction on food I must say!

Cheesy Potato Gratin, which I was inclined in finishing.

From their Prime Rib I tasted, now I know what they are talking about.

Cowrie Grill is also proud of their wine list.

The dessert I waited for! This luxurious dessert impressed me more than I imagined.

Prepared by my table-side, Baked Alaska put up a show for everyone to be amused. By how it looks, it may be simple. But by how it truly is, the preparation, the delectable taste and the presentation, I would say this is Cowrie Grill’s exquisite dessert.

Use your spoon to cut through the soft chiffon and you’ll be surprised by what’s inside. In the middle is a mixture of vanilla and strawberry ice cream. And on top, a scoop of hot flaming brandy, prepared by my table side.

Manila Hotel entrusts their Cowrie Grill to Chef Michael So Chan. He spearheads the day-to-day operations of the Cowrie Grill. Part of his role is to bring his signature flair and uncompromising standard of excellence to the iconic restaurant.

Interiors with cowrie shells radiates the sophisticated look of the restaurant from day to night.

Cowrie Grill’s very own bar satisfies every customer’s yearning for quench relieving beverages.

For now, I didn’t expect the restaurant to be that small for a Manila Hotel restaurant. The place is ideal for business meetings or gatherings. However, seats are quite limited with no available function room. The tables and chairs should be re-arranged for a more spacious look since the furniture are quite bulky, eats up the space. This might cause difficulties in bringing in trolleys for table side preparations.

The Cowrie Grill by Manila Hotel certainly satisfies the palate of the discriminating gourmet. From the cowrie ambiance to the impressing signature dishes, Cowrie Grill will draw more steak enthusiasts to their welcoming restaurant.

Cheers,

Food	9/10
Ambiance	9/10
Service	8/10
Cost	7/10
Overall	8.25/10