Kubiertos

To those who know me well, I am a passionate eater. There are many times that I am also an emotional eater. I think that is what got me started eating in several restaurants. Every time I had a bad hair day, I immediately call my friends and ask them out to a nice lunch or dinner. If at worst, no one is available and I am desperate enough, I go out and get myself a table for one.

Down and miserable is exactly what I felt, when 3 other friends and myself walked towards Greenbelt 5 to catch lunch at Zuni. I first heard of Zuni from a senior colleague and she reassured me that the place had reasonable prices. The thought of good food in a posh place excited my friends and I so we gamely walked in to get a table during lunch.

I caught my breathe as I entered Zuni as I was taken aback by the formality of the place. Uh oh, I thought, my business casual attire was not appropriate for the place. The lunch crowd at that time all appeared to be working and talking serious business (I mean serious-I-own-the-company business). But the hostess who greeted us had a warm and friendly smile and that immediately put me at ease.

We were shown to a square table for four which we found too small for us. At that time, we had bingefest in mind – so you understand. We transferred to a bigger round table instead. It was awkward to be placed at a round table when not dining with family. I guess I have always associated round tables with large family dinners and gatherings and not lunch with friends but we had to settle with that or a cramped space which is much less inviting.

The menu consisted of mainly my favorites – steaks and seafood. They had other stuff like pasta, chicken and even ostrich but my eyes were glued to the grilled meats choices. There were several cuts and breed offered on the menu that it was a challenge to make the perfect choice. I am not an expert on beef and cannot tell which is better – US Angus or NZ – and the response by the server to my dilemma did not help. So I settled with US Angus Beef Tenderloin, anticipating that meat is meat and tenderloin would not disappoint me. To be honest, the price for the Rib Eye was over and above what my budget was at that time. The other orders we had were the Surf and Turf, US Wagyu Beef Sirloin and Braised Lamb Shank.

US Angus Beef Tenderloin

I expressed preference for a medium well done steak but I think I got a mostly well done steak. By the time I sliced through the meat, it had already gone too dry to raise my spirits. It may be that I was too depressed to appreciate the fine dish but all I can recall is that I left Zuni feeling like I just bought a swanky dress that I find I cannot wear.

Braised Lamb Shank

My friend who ordered the braised lamb was not too happy as well because according to her, it did not taste any differently than her mom’s Mechado. I sympathized with her because we both loved lamb dishes for its distinctive taste and I think that sort of got lost in the strong flavors of the dish.

It was a good thing, my other friend (the funny one regularly reading this blog), ordered Wagyu and left me a bit to taste. The tiny bit of tender beef sent me to carnivore heaven. I instantly regretted that I did not choose to order this and promised myself I would come back for it.

US Wagyu Beef Sirloin

At the end of the meal, I decided that Zuni has yet to captivate me. Personally, I am enamored by places that sweep me off my feet on my first visit and Zuni failed to do that. I have to see what happens when I come back for some Wagyu, maybe I will change my mind.

Zuni
Ground Level, Greenbelt 5,
Ayala Center, Legaspi Village, Makati
(Beside the Greenbelt Chapel)
Tel. No: 467-3931, 757-0361 to 62