Oakroom at Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Celebrates the 4th of July with the All-American Food and Wine Fest - Steaks and Burgers Galore in Manila!

We had just celebrated our Independence Day here in Manila this month. Just a week more, it would be the start of another month and a very big holiday in the US - the 4th of July independence celebration. I had featured Oakroom Restaurant in the past and they've successfully held food festivals for the past year. There's a sampling of different cuisines every time from Chinese to Italian to Indian to the World of Rice. This time around as a tribute to this upcoming holiday in the US, from this month to July 26, it's time for the oh-so-familiar American food, complete with soup, steaks, burgers and dessert with their All American Food and Wine Fest! Read all the way to the end since there's a treat there somewhere for one of my lucky readers =)

Let me tell you a little about my food preference first: There was a point in my life (a few years back) when I craved for steak every time J and I went out haha. He, on the other hand, loves burgers and we try to find a balance between the two. He would join me for some medium-well steak (even if he likes rare) while I would join him for jaw-dropping big burgers. It's not that often that we get to eat both in one place so this food fest would have been perfect then haha. Somehow, over the years, I cut back on my all-steak-and-beef-only diet and began to eat in smaller portions. I had to prepare myself for a few days before I could eat this much FYI hehe. Since this is a wine fest too, let me tell you that I avoid it because I don't like the taste and I'm allergic to alcohol. Somehow, I tried Oakroom's newest wine selection and I started sipping away. As for dessert, I just ate that brownie sundae with gusto haha. Did I tell you that I was allergic to cocoa too? Haha. Read all about this getaway below. In general, I have cravings for these food that the USA is known for haha - for the days that I just want to give myself a break and indulge =)

For this introduction to the All American Food and Wine Fest of Oakroom, I was able to try a serving of soup, steak, sidings and dessert. It's definitely more than enough for a food trip. We were all quiet and immobilized after haha. For the experience, I actually became interested in meat cuts because they gave us a copy of this chart from the Certified Angus Beef brand. I hope they have this in Filipino as well so that we know the counterparts, as well as cooking suggestion, when going to the market hehe. Better yet, maybe they will understand the pictures so I suggest just printing it! Hahaha.

It was actually able to get the difference of beef quality grades according to the USDA. I don't normally think of this whenever I order steak so it was a good wake-me-up. =) 

Apparently, there's a difference among Prime, Choice and Select haha.

Image from USDA Blog

You can check out the USDA and Certified Angus Beef sites for more info. 

So now, let's go back to the Food Fest sampling =) Here's the menu.

While waiting, I always love to munch on Oakroom's yummy bread and have some mango shake (separate menu) ;)

The Boston Clam Chowder came out and I was super happy as I love cream-based anything haha. I liked the creaminess and chunkiness of this soup.

I was taken aback by the price but after I started, I just couldn't stop. It's also thick enough so I think this can be split to share if you want to have room for the main course =) I would order this again and think about my trip to cold Boston.

This goes well with the white wine that was served. These are American wines from the Columbia Valley in Washington State - 2010 Columbia Crest, Two Vines Cabarnet Sauvignon (red) and 2010 Columbia Crest, Two Vines, Chardonnay (white). They were both light and I just started sipping away. I liked the red better but I think it really depends on what you'll be eating for the meal too.

For the main event, we were ushered into a space with all the meat! One of the highlights was the carving of steaks (striploin and tenderloin) by Sir Igor Ruge (Executive Assistant Manager of Oakwood Manila) and Chef Edgar Alejandrino (of Oakroom). 

These are the different cuts of USDA Certified Angus Beef available in the menu.

Just look at that steak (Striploin)! I like the end parts actually haha. It's crusted and all that flavor is in that exposed side.

They have set portions per beef cut order in the menu like 8 oz for the Striploin and 12 oz for the Porterhouse and Rib Eye. I told Sir Igor I just wanted a small piece so this is most likely not the 8 oz Striploin below haha.

This is the Tenderloin. I also just got a little. I was already semi-full from the Clam Chowder hehe.

The Cabarnet is definitely a good pair for this red meat.

Redness test! I had a peculiar reaction to it. I was expecting that I'd be tipsy by this time but I wasn't. Hahahaha. It tasted even better with every sip and it's super light - there wasn't any palpitation on my head and I wasn't as red.

Don't forget the side dishes! No rice here hehe.

Mashed Potato

Sauteed Mushrooms - I liked this the most =)

Creamed Spinach

Broccoli au Gratin

Also in the menu, Baked Jumbo Potato, French Fries and Fried Onion Rings! For the burgers, they said the Mexican was the bestseller. Would love to try that on my next visit! For the steak sauce, I would come back for the orange one below (it's a tomato-based special bernaise sauce called choron - maybe ask ahead about it)!!! The peppercorn sauce (middle) is also not bad =)

You should also try this!!! Not as a sauce, just a condiment... My newest discovery - Grain Mustard (right below)! Yum!!!

The ultimate cherry on top is the Brownie Super Sundae! There's delicous thick cream, ice cream, brownie cubes and sprinkles in there =D

It's very, very big so definitely good for sharing! For this, all mine so I was in a food coma after a few minutes of digging in there hahahaha. There are more desserts in the menu by the way!

I suggest you take this opportunity and go to Oakroom for the All American Food and Wine Fest until July 26, 2013! Available Daily for lunch (12 noon to 3 p.m.) and dinner (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.). Do check out their other promos too! These are happening with the All American Food and Wine Fest at the same time.

Every Saturday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Saturday Seafood Market 

Every Sunday 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Sunday's World Brunch 

The Oakroom Restaurant and Bar is located on the 6th floor of the Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center (a premiere hotel for staycations in Manila). Oakroom has made it into my Favorite Guiltless Date Places in Manila list.

Restaurant Details:

Oakroom Restaurant & Bar Ortigas Address

6th Floor, Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila

17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig

Open Mondays to Sundays

719-1160 (direct line) / 637-7888 ext. 8604

Oakroom Ortigas Facebook

Want some All American food? I'm giving away this experience to one reader =)

A GC worth P2000 which can be used 

for the All American Food and Wine Fest a la carte menu 

at the Oakroom Restaurant (Lunch or Dinner)

valid until: July 26, 2013
The GC must be consumed in one dining experience by the winner (claimed personally). 
It also doesn't matter how many people you bring to dine.
The P2K can be used for taxes and SC. 
Sample: You ate P1200 + taxes + SC = P2000

Contest Period is from June 25, 2013 12:00 a.m. to July 8, 2013 12:00 a.m.

This is a Boy-Kuripot Certified Raffle ;)

Please enter through Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to tell me below:
What's your favorite beef cut and how do you cook/eat it (as what dish)? What's your all-time favorite American food? What dish would you order for the Food Fest (you can check out the menu)?