Everything At Steak (Family Steakhouse)

Do you believe that there are things in life that are worth the wait? I do. Holy Week has already passed and so are the meat abstinence days for some who are just like me, a born carnivore. As I have mentioned in my previous post, one of the things that I am sure of is that I couldn't give up on meat. So, you can very well guessed that the first thing that comes into mind after a week of no-meat-at-all, would be a feast of meat.

Here in San Juan City where I am currently residing, there is a little Family Steakhouse called Everything At Steak. It offers choices of steaks at a very affordable price. For 200php, one can already have a set of meal that is sure to satisfy a big appetite.

Everything At Steak Family Steakhouse's best sellers are T-Bone Steak and Rib-Eye. Ones visit to this resto wouldn't be complete without these two dish gracing the table by its enormous presence.

T-Bone Steak with Barbecue Sauce and Potato Salad

Cajun Marinade Rib-eye with Gravy and Chorizo Carbonara

Aside from the best sellers, among many other choices in their menu, it was their Barbecued Spareribs and their Grilled Boneless Chicken that captures our heart and tummys.

Barbecued Spareribs and Macaroni and Cheese

Grilled Boneless Chicken and Meatball Pasta

The meats are unnervingly succulent and tasty, and every bite screams flavorful concoction of herb and spices. Also, everything is so juicy and tender it melts in your mouth.

Another thing worth raving about are the side dish. Some of the choices are Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Potato Salad, Baked Potato with Bacon Bits, Chorizo Carbonara, Meatball Pasta, Mashed Potato, Buttered Carrot and Corn, and Coleslaw among many others. I noticed that each side dish are a meal in itself for its big serving, and it made me think that the resto owner is so generous for still including a cup of steamed rice in every meal.

Personally, the Meatball Pasta is my favorite side dish. It tasted like Macaroni and Cheese but with a hint of creamed mushroom that adds character to it. The juicy and savory meatball further intensifies the goodness of this dish.

Aside from the steaks, they also offer steamed fish, different soups, appetizers, and burgers which I will certainly try on my next visit.


Their branch in San Juan is fairly small but comfortably cozy. It can only accomodate certain number of people with its roughly 10 tables that is why most of the time, people are gathered outside to wait for their turn to be seated. Also, since the meals are freshly cooked when you order, you have to wait a considerable time before you can feast on it. Yes, there would be some waiting time once you decided to dine in this resto, but I can assure you that their steaks are worth it.

After abstinence, surely there are things in life that are worth the wait.


Everything At Steak, Family Steakhouse
#5 P. Guevarra St. cor. V. Cruz St., San Juan City
Contact No. 7262386

Tuna and Pimiento Spring Roll

When Oprah Winfrey coined the question, “What Do You Know For Sure?” I know that aside from the people whom she had thrown this question to, many have dig deep within to search for an answer. There is something rather poignant about that nagging question that we couldn’t just bend our mental faculties quite enough to ignore. What do you know for sure?

This question has been asked to me by friends quite a few times now and most of my answers, I have already forgotten. It only means I was not sure of my answer. Then just recently, over a cup of steaming tsokolate and freshly made churros that screams butter and cinnamon upon every bite, I was asked again of that same question but this time, on a lighter sense. Without the existentialist drama that creates havoc to my ultimate quest of finding a purpose in life. “As a food enthusiast, what do you know for sure?” I was asked.

I was about to answer “That green and leafy vegetables are healthy”, but ill bouts of laughter that sounded like hyenas from my friends who all look like dolls has never been a good early morning experience, so, I changed my mind. As a food enthusiast, what I know for sure is that I couldn’t give up on meat. I just couldn’t. But then of course, it is a different story when it comes to Holy week when almost every one is abstaining from eating meat.

Yes, I love meat. But who say’s a meal without a meat is boring? I always believe that eating is a celebration of life, therefore, if we are not allowed to eat meat for a certain period of time, we must find ways not to bore the heck out of ourselves by finding substitute to what is missing. Fish has always been a good replacement. It is healthy and you can make a lot of dishes out of it. Just like Tuna Spring Rolls.

Tuna and Pimiento Spring Roll

Lumpia or Spring Roll has always been one of my comfort food. The good thing about it is that you can experiment with the filling. And since we are abstaining from meat, I find Tuna as the best filling in my spring roll, plus pimiento for the added tangy taste.

Aside from the fact that it is healthy, it is also easy to make. You can use either Fresh or canned Tuna, sauté them in Olive oil, add some chopped pimiento, shredded carrots, cabbage, or even cheese, then set aside to cool down.

After cooling down the Tuna filling, drain off any excess oil and then wrap it in a Spring Roll wrapper, sealed with an egg white, then deep fry until golden brown.

Let it rest for a minute in a dish with a paper towel to drain off excess oil before serving. You can either use Vinegar with little salt, pepper, chopped onions, and chili for the sauce or just plain catsup and mayo.

Another thing I know for sure as a food enthusiast is that, although I am a meat lover, a week without it on my plate is no big deal since I believe that even little sacrifices counts. There’s always fish and vegetable we can count on anyway, we just need to exert effort in preparing these meals that are good for the heart, and this time, even good for the soul.

Viennese Mocha Torte at Conti's

Have you ever experienced being caught off guard by something arrestingly beautiful that you do not want to let it go? That is exactly what I have experienced when I saw Viennese Mocha Torte, a new addition to Conti’s Pastry Shop’s line of satisfyingly delectable cakes.

I was dead set on getting a box of Turtle Pie at Conti's after hearing raves about it. After all, I have truly liked their Infamous Mango Bravo and Mango Cream Cake, so I said, why not try the pie. Then while browsing through the choices of cakes available, this intricately beautiful creation provocatively staring back at me while situated at the corner of the refrigerator loaded with other delectable cakes caught my sight and I was never able to take my eyes off it.



It is delicately beautiful I want to display it in our living room if only it wouldn't melt! It is very enticing to the senses you would feel that it is too beautiful to eat. Indeed it was love at first sight; naturally, I have to buy it too.

This beauty is made up of layers of rich chocolate cake, meringue, mocha butter cream mousse, and thinly chopped almonds.

If you are a mocha lover, then this cake is for you. The mocha butter cream dominates the entire flavor of the cake but the richness of the chocolate cake gives balance to it. The crunchiness of the meringue and almonds adds texture to the cake it would make you realize that it is indeed something different.

If you are a chocolate cake lover like I am, expect that it wouldn't give you the same satisfaction you get from a slice of decadent super moist chocolate cake on your favorite pastry chop, because Viennese Mocha Torte screams mocha! in your face there isn’t a chance that you would ever forget that you are eating a Mocha flavored cake. Well, it wouldn't be called its name for nothing right?

All in all, I can still say that it is worth its price of 450php for the mini and 950php for the mile high one. Oh, did I mention that it is as tall as Mango Bravo? Yes, it is.

So, this delectably beautiful cake that captures my heart at first sight is truly beautiful and delicious on it's own right. But I guess love at first sight is still different from your one true love (read:chocolate cake). I never regretted having a palatable affair with Viennese Mocha Torte, but life is too short so I guess I’ll be on my way to my next quest, Turtle Pie!

You can visit Conti's Pastry Shop website at contis.ph