Starting this July, I commit to reviewing one restaurant every month, to suppress my curiosity on food tastes and enjoy even a small percentage of my earnings from my part-time job. π So last Friday, after work hours, I planned to have dinner in Patio Guernia (MOA) with my mother. We’re excited to try Spanish cuisine, but the flurry of excitement was slashed out when we learned that the restaurant had already closed its branch in SM Mall of Asia over a year ago, according to one of the roving security guards. That explains why it’s not listed anymore in the mall directory.
This left us hanging in a blindfold moment to jump into other never-tried-before restaurants. We strode along the long alley of restaurants in the ground floor of the South Parking Building. Faced with about 20 choices there, I turned to the basic: the elimination method: I’m not into Filipino food. I’ve had too much of Chinese and Singaporean food. We’ll be having a Japanese meal (buffet) soon. I have just tried Mediterranean.
There we were left with American. The poster of value meals on Holy Cow’s glass walls looked yummy. The plus side? They’re affordable. So we entered, had a quick skim through their menu and finally ordered the Beer Battered Rodeo Fish Fillet, the Cowboy Ranch Style Burger Steak, and the Clam Chowder Soup.
Review of Holy Cow Steak Ranch and American Grill (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay)
Ambiance: β β β β β
The entire rectangular space was designed with a consistent cowboy-ranch theme, from the tables and chairs, lighting, decorations on the wall, rest room, cashier area and just about everything else. The waiters were also clad in cowboy-style uniforms. While this brings into the positive side of the ambiance, the offsetting factor was the poor air conditioning of the place.
Inside got nearly sauna-hot temperature, and there was only one medium-sized electric fan available used by a group of customers in one table. When they left, Mom asked the waiter to have it face us and the fan rotating also for the benefit of other diners. It was a pretty quiet place, lit by yellow spotlights.
Service: β β β β β
As soon as we arrived, the attendant led us to comfortable seating and handed us the menu. Our orders were repeated for confirmation. The waiter gladly gave Mom her requested additional mushroom gravy for the sizzling platter for free. When called to take our picture, he also willingly did it. Everything was okay except checkout. Their point-of-sale (POS) terminal for processing credit cards broke down and could not register Visa and MasterCard card transactions. Good thing we also have cash, so we just paid in cash.
Food: β β β β β
Their gut-busting specialties are their slabs of steak, signature burgers seared to perfection and other meaty dishes that will sting your lips and numb the tongue. Already, Mom was assured her order, the burger steak, will taste delicious.
Contrariwise, I opted for the seafood alternative with a twist β Just how eminent would the beer’s tang be in the beer-battered fish? Mom is game to try food which she does not know how to cook, so she additionally ordered a bowl of clam chowder soup shared by the both of us.
After 15 minutes, we were amazed as the plates with HUGE portions of scrumptious food were served with rice and mixed vegetables on the side. The fish had a tinge of beer taste and smell. Cooked to my likeness, it’s crispy on the outside and soft inside. I also tried a spoonful of Mom’s order and it was as well delicious. The clam chowder soup was thick and creamy; it’s a classic soup made to please anyone.
We were so full, we just could not finish everything so we packed the leftovers home. I especially felt my stomach bulging after, but in reality, it was still as flat as it normally should. Thank Heavens!
Price for Value: β β β β β
Our food bill summed up to PHp 440 (prices of food inclusive of tax and there was no service charge). For the casual dining vibe, great food and satisfactory service, I say the price is worth paying for. If you’re planning to dine in here, really expect big servings and unbuckle your belt or simply wear a loose bottom.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
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