Spicy Tuna Salad

Now a Celebrity-Chef, Marvin Agustin opens yet another branch of his Sumo Sam Japanese restaurant; this time at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City

Ebi Tempura

Continuing to share his passion for creative Japanese food, Marvin Agustin led the grand launch and opening of his 11th Sumo Sam branch in Gateway Mall last week.

Covered by traditional media and bloggers, Marvin Agustin also exhibited his skills preparing tuna sushi.

He also cut across a loooong roll and had the crowd taste what Sumosam had to offer.

Sumo Sam Gateway Mall Staff

Classy and Funky Interiros

Sumosam Fusion Japanese Cuisine

Sumo Sam Menu

Sumo Sam Japanese Restaurant

Sumo Sam Gateway Mall boasts of a 100-seating capacity dining area and a modern-classy interiors. For the menu, you should not miss the grilled seafood and steaks, rolls, sushi, tonkatsu, with its top 3 best sellers ebi tempura, beef teppan, and chicken teriyaki.

I can still remember Sumosam’s Samurai’s Choice Bento Meal I got to try a few months ago at the Greenhills Town Center branch. Back to the Gateway branch, I also got to try the Hot Prawn Salad,  Spicy Tuna Salad, and Tuna and Pink Salmon Sashimi. They were all good although I was used to the Hot Prawn Salad Chinese style which is hot and with cream. Sumosam’s is more on the traditional-natural salad type.

Sumo Sam Hot Prawn Salad

Chicken Terriayki

Tuna and Pink Salmon Sashimi

Brief History

Celebrity Chef Marvin Agustin

Sumo Sam is on a roll this year with a target of no less than 20 branches in total by the end of 2012. A brief look at the past reveals Sumo Sam as having been conceived by 3 young entrepreneurs: in the persons of Raymund Magdaluyo; Ricky Laudico and Marvin Agustin. They accomplished this together with renowned chefs: The Chef of the stars – Chef Florabel Co-Yatco; Chef Nikki Nicolas, pioneer batch of , and Chef Benjamin Gonzalez.

I’m surely coming back to Sumo Sam Gateway Mall soon. Visit them at the 2nd floor of The Gateway Mall, in Cubao, Quezon City

You might mistaken quick-serve restaurant Floring’s BBQ and Grill for Chic-Boy if you will just look at the menu offerings and the price range it lists. Add to that the Paa and Pecho dishes with unlimited rice mark and you might think you are at Mang Inasal.

Floring's BBQ & Grill

Three weeks standing Floring’s BBQ and Grill, along the 4th and 31st avenue of Fort Bonifacio, opened up as an affordable alternative for Fort Bonifacio office goers that seemed to get inspiration from more established restaurants Chic-Boy and Mang Inasal.

Recommended Dishes

I got to try some of it’s dishes for the first time during lunch and it was generally a good experience. The interior is clean and colorful fit for a glaring grill house.

I would have to recommend their Crispy Chicken which you can also get as a meal called Chicken-Tastic with a choice of Paa or Pecho for only P99 with plain rice or P120 with Java Rice. Add P22 and get a softdrink or iced tea as well. It reminds me of Max’s fried chicken. 😛

Floring's Cripy Chicken : Paa or Pecho

A complete good meal with drink for a total of P142 (if Java Rice) may be a little above the budget of a regular office worker but if you consider the location and it’s neighboring restaurants, this is already ok (don’t forget the unlimited rice).

The second dish I give a thumbs up is their Bangus Sisig at P140 (Top Photo). The serving size might be short for two persons but the taste makes up for it.

Chef Florabel Co-Yatco did a great job on these two from those I have tried.

Needs Improvement

Ensaladang talong

Pork Ensaladang Talong (P60) was also good but the serving is smaller than that of the photo in the menu.

The Halo-halo (P80) is very good in taste and the ice shaving is better than that of most other restaurants. On the other hand, the P80 price in ratio to the serving size is also above than most/average in the market. I think it’s a bit over-priced.

Lechon Manok

I was able to try the Lechon Manok (P165 half /P299 whole) and the 2-pcs Pork BBQ meal similar to Paa/Pecho pricing (P99/P120).

The taste is average and nothing special. I believe it can be made better.

Halo-Halo

Next to Order

I checked their  menu and perhaps I’ll try their Morning-Mazing breakfast meals next or the seafood offerings which they also have. Moreso, the bestseller Whole Liempo (P165) and Pork Binagoongan (P99/P120) looks promising.

Floring’s BBQ and Grill
Unit 2, 31st corner 4th avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Tel No: (632) 966 6873
10am-11pm

Interirors (1st floor) of Floring's

Floring's in Bonifacio Global City (Facade)

Considering that Floring’s BBQ Grill have been in operation for only less than a month, I say they are doing a good job and we hope for more improvements in the near future. Number of branches aside, Chic-boy beware! 😛