USDA CAB Ribeye Steak

M E T R O

D I N I N G







Vittorio's Steakhouse is known for serving the most memorable steak-oriented dishes in Quezon City. This restaurant in the Tomas Morato dining district is not exactly along the long strip of other restaurants dotting both sides of the busy avenue. Because of its location along the less frenetic Scout Borromeo Street right beside the charming salon of celebrity Fanny Serrano, steak-lovin' patrons are also finding the establishment to be worth reserving for intimate meals and exclusive celebrations. With the presence of two major broadcasting networks and countless hotels in the area, business is lucrative so much so that even Mondays are packed.

To satiate my sporadic food trip of this side of Metro Manila, I spent a fulfilling lunch one weekend with friends at Vittorio's Steakhouse for steaks and more. It was a good thing that its co-owner, Chef Victor Daluz, Jr., was at the restaurant because I had the chance to find out his motivations behind his stellar dishes.

Osso Buco

Vittorio's dining area

Four Seasons Milkshake

Good Shepherd Ube-flavored Ice Cream (homemade from Benguet)

Lucena City Roots

A native of Lucena City, Chef Victor worked in various US-based resorts for three years before deciding to open the restaurant. After a short stint co-owning another restaurant in the metro, he finally decided to be at the helm of the dishes in a space he could call his own. Quezon Province is a known culinary destination after all, so his childhood and beginnings at the kitchen back home were probably brimming with memories of fiestas, exotic snacks, and comfort food that can only be truly Filipino. His culinary experience abroad has only enhanced who he is today and what he can offer in his latest venture.

Chop Noodles Salad with Miso Dressing

The massively big Tomahawk (1.4kg.) before it's cooked

Appetizing Noodle Salad, Tempura, and Seafood Starter

For appetizer, we had a highly recommended noodle salad that looked so hefty for combining a typical noodle dish and a conventional salad. Called the Chop Noodles Salad (Php199), miso paste was used for the dressing which would cleverly taste well with ribeye steak that was to be served later on, bringing out the latter's umami flavor. The noodle salad is a fantastic meal starter for those who can't wait for their order of the steak because the inclusion of pasta in the salad is a nifty way to add bulk to the appetizing dish, making it stretch further.

Another appetizer that we had was the Butter Garlic Shrimp (Php 270) which was velvety to the taste thanks to its rich butter-garlic flavor, plus the Tempura which revealed the fun side of dining at Vittorio's. Just when we thought that we couldn't enjoy world flavors at the restaurant, a stellar deep-fried Japanese favorite was available to perk up the meal.

My revisit of the restaurant

Ordered Hainanese Chicken for my revisit

Benguet Coffee-flavored Ice Cream (homemade from Benguet)

Tempura

Tasty Treats Crafted For Kids

Just for kicks, we sampled featured favorites especially made for kids since all of us at the table have young nieces and nephews whom we sometimes tag along on food trips. A co-diner even has kids of her own and she has always considered this part of the menu important. The treats called for easy-to-consume but filling orders. One such kiddie fave was the restaurant's version of the Angus beef patty burger called Burger In Paradise (Php210). The sinful patty is one wallop that can strike the hunger off of a youngster. Interestingly the pepper-y taste of the burger can also appeal to a teenager or an adult as opined by a co-diner. Another kiddie fave we had was the restaurant's version of the Mac and Cheese (Php 175) which definitely was more than grocery quality in taste. It had generous bacon bits which I loved and its creamy taste was a crowd-pleaser at the table.

Burger In Paradise (left) and Mac 'N' Cheese (right)

Clam Pasta

In-Demand Clam Pasta

From one pasta favorite to another, the Clam Pasta (Php 285) that we decided to order for sharing looked decadent when served. Although it initially seemed enough for sharing, it turned out that most of us at the table lapped up every briny and savory bite that it had to offer. Soon, we were ready for more of the mains!

A Tender Lot Was At Steak

The steak dish that we decided to order for sharing was one of the restaurant's best-sellers -- the USDA Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Ribeye Steak. Served medium rare and topped with toasted fat trimmings, it tasted fantastic with its accompanying steak rice (options: mashed potato or fries). I intentionally feasted on the toasted fat trimmings minutes later which, on its own, tasted remarkable with the steak rice. All in all, this was a standout for me. I'm no steak expert and because of that my rules are basic. If I could slice through one without hurting my grip, then I know that I'm in for a delicious treat.

Butter Garlic Shrimp

A romantic space at Vittorio's

Mac 'N' Cheese

Chocolate Milkshake

More In Store

For the first time, I sampled an Italian dish called Osso Bucco which sounded odd to me at first but became familiar in taste. Having no point of reference, I was reminded of Beef Caldereta. If you're a fan of the latter, you'll love this dish especially if served on a hot plate.

Another new flavor for me was the dessert called Alfajor-flavored ice cream (Php140) that I had along with two reliable ones -- Ube (from Good Shepherd) and Cookie Dough flavors. A Spanish and Latin American confection, alfajores are soft and delicate on their own. Mixed as a ribbon of dulce de leche in the homemade ice cream from Benguet that Vittorio's serves, it becomes the nutty texture of the dessert which is creamy all over.

Alfajor-flavored Ice Cream (homemade from Benguet)

Cookie Dough-flavored Ice Cream (homemade from Benguet)

Remarkable Revisit

A few days after my first visit of Vittorio's, I returned to the restaurant for an unscheduled late lunch which allowed me to order a favorite dish of mine -- the Hainanese Chicken (Php250). Usually satisfied by any version as I consider this a constant craving, I was honestly impressed with the way the chicken was cooked and how much meat was in the whole serving. It was definitely a departure from my usual dining experience in other restaurants that serve portions that have more bone that meat.

As a sweet bonus to my revisit, I had a Benguet Coffee-flavored Ice Cream that was subtle in taste and not at all overwhelming that you thought you sipped a cup of barako coffee.

There's no shortage of the distinct at Vittorio's. It has a plenitude of featured dishes, but each is done under the watchful eye and with the personal touch of Chef Victor which makes all the tasty difference.


Vittorio's Steakhouse

Official Facebook fan page of Vittorio's Steakhouse

Address: 32 Scout Borromeo Street, South Triangle, Tomas Morato, 1103 Quezon City, Philippines
Hours of Operation: Daily, 11:00am - 11:00pm
Phone: (02) 738-6564
Email: [email protected]



Where To Stay In Quezon City For Food Trip Staycations?

• B Hotel-Quezon City
• Microtel By Wyndham-UP Technohub
• Cacao Hotel