By good fortune and friend Rowena, I recently had a satisfying lunch at 22 Prime in Discovery Suites at Ortigas, Pasig.

22 Prime Wines

I was ecstatic when the invitation came as I am aware of 22 Prime‘s reputation including a recent distinction including the recent Gold Spot Awards recognizing Manila’s Best Restaurants which I also covered. 22 Prime won in the Best Steak House category, as they also did the previous year.

The star of the day was 22 Prime’s Australian Tomahawk Chop.

It all begun when Discovery Corporate Chef – Chef David Pardo de Ayala, presented the Tomahawk Chop in its raw form and enormity – including the extra-large rib bone (in photo).

“Wow, that’s what we’re having for lunch in a while!” I said in my mind. 🙂

Australian Tomahawk Chop

It’s a 1 kilogram 6-star tenderplus Australian Beef Rib Eye Steak. You don’t actually order it by ‘serving‘ since each individual will have varying capacity to consume the Grilled Tomahawk Chop. But I say, on the average, you could share it with 4 of your other friends. 🙂

Chef David Pardo de Ayala

Chef David adds that meat should be prepared in room temparature before cooking.

This helps the cook have more control on the cooking temparature and hence achieve the desired browning of the outside meat.

When asked about his secret, “It’s all about the meat – quality, sourcing, and how it’s prepared“.

And so the Grilled Tomahawk Chop was finally served.

It came sliced with a casserole of baby vegetables and a bowl of Caesar Salad of which 22 Prime is also famous for.

Grilled Tomahawk Chop with Vegetables and Caesar Salad

Verse 1 by Brookland Valley

As expected, the beef rib eye steak was juicy and its prime cut meat, tender.

The sides and the Caesar Salad are also commendable.

At P4800, this specialty menu is paired with a bottle of Verse 1 Cabernet Sauvignon wine by Brookland Valley to complete the meal.

22 Prime in Discovery Suites

Get your power lunch or filling dinner of the Grilled Tomahawk Chop as this is only available starting today, June 1 until June 15, 2010.

22 Prime is located at the 22nd Floor of Discovery Suites. For reservations, call 683-8222.

Texas Roadhouse Grill became one of my top choice in steak restaurants since I discovered their Bonifacio High Street branch back in April of 2008. Their grill menu is made of win and their steaks are imported from the US.

All the while, I didn’t know until a few weeks ago that they have an Ortigas branch at El Pueblo as far back as November 2007.

Anyhow, as I expected, dinner was awesome. I don’t really eat that much during dinner but this one is irresistable. It’s good that I was with friends to share the large servings. Allow me to share the three main stars of that night:

Shrimp and Salmon Skewer

Shrimp & Salmon Skewer

Three skewers of shrimp and salmon. Three medium shrimps and two chunks of salmon on each stick to be exact.

It’s good that the salmon was still juicy, despite being grilled; coz others fail at that.

Herbs and spices are visibly sprinkled on top. Texas rice, the sauce, and some veggies complete your serving of Shrimp Salmon Skewer.

Priced at P420 (US$9), it is also a ‘Sheriff’s Recommendation.’

Jesse James Sampler

Jesse James Sampler

Texas Road house Grill’s Jesse James Sampler is a combination of three starters : Chicken Tenders, Buffalo Wings, and Wild Cheese Fritters.

I love the cheesy-ness of the Wild Cheese Fritters, the other two are so-so. The serving size is not that much also since it’s just a starter and the three had to share plate space; not to mention the three types of dips/sauces occupying the middle area. :)  P375 (US$8).

The Great Ribeye

The Great Ribeye

This is it. It’s not called The Great Ribeye for nothing.

The Great Ribeye is a 10 oz. US ribeye steak seasoned with herbs and garlic. You have the option to have it cooked rare, medium rare, medium, medium well or well done. We had ours at medium well. The meat was so tender and juicy; but of course we already know this.

The chef generally advised to shy away from ordering well done steaks to be able appreciate the tenderness of the meat.

Texas Roadhouse Grill in El Pueblo, Ortigas

The large serving took the three of us to shared it and almost had leftovers. However, with a big size also comes a great price (it rhymes!). 🙂 P1100 (US$23.50) might sound expensive but the size and quality of the beef makes it worth it.

It also comes with a serving of mashed potato and veggies; another ‘Sheriff’s Recommendation.’

Texas Road house Grill in Ortigas is open daily from 11 am to 12 mn Sundays to Thursdays but until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays (Tel. nos. 635-6715 to 16).  The Bonifacio Global City branch in Taguig can be found at Bldg 1, Bonifacio High Street. They have the same operating schedule.  (Tel. nos. 856-1547 to 48).

It’s ‘yeehaw‘ time at Texas Roadhouse Grill. nomnomnom 🙂