I took a vacation leave from work last Wednesday to join the Zomato foodies for dinner at CRU Steakhouse, and surely I had no regrets. At CRU (pronounced as “kroo” and “not C-R-U”), steaks cooked to perfection are a given! This high-end restaurant inside Manila Marriott Hotel doles out generous portions of amazing grilled steak matched with an imaginative fare elevated by an extensive wine list. By the end of our meal, we could only utter one word to describe their menu: phenomenal. CRU Steakhouse presents everything you would expect in a quality steakhouse. πŸ™‚

Review of CRU Steakhouse (Manila Marriott Hotel, Newport City)

Ambiance: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Elegant and polished, CRU Steakhouse certainly is a good refuge after a busy day of noise and networking. Upon entrance, I felt the warm embrace of a traditional steakhouse ambiance consisting of dark wall panels, wooden flooring, and dim lighting along with plenty of wine bottles displayed across the dining area. To keep the consistently prime vibe, CRU Steakhouse is open only during dinnertime daily.

Orange light fixtures echo off the adorned designs effortlessly, while chairs dressed in red polka dots and line patterns complement the pristine white tablecloths. Central to the dining area is an open kitchen which gives a sense of contemporary dining with a twist. Adorning the space in tasteful fashion, the front part houses the bar that’s set up well to draw in any type of crowd.

For private events such as the Zomato Foodie Meetup we attended, CRU has two function rooms that seat eight to ten people. Note: Reservation of the function rooms should be made a week ahead.

Service: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Customer service was first class. Treating everyone as VIPs, the servers were kind and professional to explain about the food and demonstrate a short cooking presentation before serving some of the entrees. They also made regular rounds to make sure that our glasses were filled with drinks and that guests felt welcome and appreciated. The smooth and attentive team definitely added perks.

Food: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Salads

Think oranges are just for breakfast, snacks, or desserts? Think again. The orange made such delightful addition to the Organic Baby Spinach Salad (PhP 550), thrown together with blue cheese crumble, walnut in Parmesan crisp, and mustard dressing. Fruity notes to the well-dressed leaves of baby spinach made the salad taste outlandishly better.

Tossed with red onions, balsamic, crushed olives, and feta cheese, the giant organic cherry tomatoes locally grown from the Marriott Organic Farm served in the Organic Tomato Salad (PhP 580) were super juicy and fresh. This salad was sweet, tangy, and full of character, with the natural flavor of tomatoes combined with cheese oozing with a savory sensation. It’s a must-order for those who are in a diet. πŸ˜›

Appetizers

Voted as the best appetizer we had for the night, the Sauteed Duck Liver (PhP 920) with apple chutney and sweet maple lemon glaze was very satisfying. Admittedly, the number of times I’ve tasted foie gras is probably less than five. But by far, CRU’s take on the foie gras is the best. It melts on the tongue like the creamiest butter but with a distinct cured sweetness.


The Certified Angus Beef Carpaccio (PhP 750) reminded me of yukhwe, which is raw beef eaten with raw egg in Korea. Wandering more into a fancy territory, this appetizer was an absolute home run, and it turned out to be love at first bite. The paper-thin slices of beef were topped with parmesan, arugula, and tarragon dressing. So good!


Next, we were treated to seafood galore. The Seared US Scallops (PhP 730) were plump, briny, and buttery but still supple, with a very slight sweetness. Spicy shimeji mushrooms, pickled onions, and Hollondaise sauce all contributed to the robust flavors that stood up to the zesty sauce.


The Tuna Tartare (PhP 650) looked so tiny and simple, but this dish should not be underestimated. Every element was on full display (not sure if that’s egg yolk on top but it tasted like egg yolk), and the complete bite, with the soft wash of the wasabi aioli, was so much more than the sum of its already excellent parts.

The Salmon Tartar (PhP650) was another knockout. It was pure decadence: perfectly cooked chunks of ultra fresh raw salmon with lemon mustard dressing and extra virgin coconut oil. Close your eyes and bite into this and you could imagine you’re tasting the bestΒ salmon you’ve ever had.


Crispy and crabby, the CRU Crab Cakes (PhP 690) with the celeriac apple slaw and creamy Cajun remoulade were quite dainty, gone in three or four delicate bites at mostβ€”but they wereΒ three or four perfect bites, I can assure. I’m also glad that these crab cakes were not too heavily coated in breadcrumbs but packed more with crab meat than pasty binders. Taste was stellar.


Too appealing to slip by, the Chilled Ocean Shrimps (PhP680) looked like a starfish or spider from afar. Its presentation was so captivating with summer colors lifting our mood and appetite. Dipped in the cocktail sauce and eaten with jalapeno salsa, the shrimps tasted nice and fresh, titillating our taste buds for the final appetizer.


If eating crabs in shells isn’t your thing, try the Lump Crab Cocktail (PhP690) and savor the juicy lump crab meat without getting your hands dirty. Spicy pineapple salsa and cocktail sauce added texture and a hint of sweetness to the cold dish.


Soups

We were served with three kinds of soup. The Shrimp Gumbo (PhP 370) consisted of a mildly spicy broth that’s a far cry from the one-dimensional broth made from instant meal packages available in the grocery store. The soup had a rich body and a faint aroma of the sea. At the bottom of the bowl, we found bits of fragrant rice and minced vegetables popping out as a nice surprise.

The Caramelized Onion Soup (PhP 350) sang a chorus of layered onion flavors topped with a blanket of gooey cheese. Yum! We enjoyed the variation in tastes and textures.


The Wild Mushroom Soup (PhP 390) was super creamy, rich, velvety, smooth, and with the aroma of truffle oil,Β intoxicatingly delicious. OMG. I loved the soup so much and I think I won’t ever get tired of it. πŸ˜›

Mains

The long wait was finally over and well worth it. The spectacle of parading the three sizzling slabs of pound CRU’s US Certified Angus Beef Bone-in Rib Eye (PhP 5,400 for 900 grams/31.75 ounces) through the function room invariably led everyone wanting one. Well-browned and crackling with some fat, CRU Steakhouse’s signature steak was sliced open and revealed a juicy pink center that extended from edge to edge. Each slab had a commendable crust and a succulent interior.

Each 900-gram steak comes with two sauces, five sides of your choice, and carved table side. Choose to pair it with black peppercorn, forest mushroom, spicy tomato and onion, CRU blue cheese, Shiraz, or BΓ©arnaise sauce, and you have one unforgettable dish. I’m not a fan of sauces for the steak, but I tried them anyway. What I wasn’t able to resist were the sides that have a good fit with the food.

Since we got three slabs of steak (shared by 12 people), we were pampered with all the sides which were more than enough to please our demanding palates: truffle mac and cheese, grilled organic sweetcorn, organic sweet corn on the cob, corn and pepper hash, grilled portobello mushrooms, creamed spinach, steamed asparagus with hollandaise sauce, green beans pancetta, organic steamed broccoli, honey glazed organic baby carrots, fried onion rings, black truffle risotto, warm organic tomato salad, and sliced potato fries.

Above all, truffle mac and cheese, grilled portobello mushrooms, creamed spinach, and black truffle risotto for me struck as the best complements to the steak and almost worthy of as much discussion as the steak itself. πŸ™‚

Desserts

The Banana Foster (PhP 410) took a few minutes to get prepared. The waiter ignited caramelized bananas, raw sugar, flamed rum, whole butter, and sliced almonds at the tableside and then poured over vanilla ice cream for our enjoyment. It was like a one-plate dinner theater that’s undeniably fun and interesting to watch. The first bites of the banana foster were luxurious, as crisp flakes of almonds and swimming banana in ice cream completed the equation.

If you have a sweet tooth, you can’t miss the Sweet and Salty Chocolate Moist Cake (PhP 400) with homemade dark chocolate ice cream. It had a moist and buttery crumb that packed a toasty, nutty punch. This chocolate cake isn’t particularly novel, but it’s not disappointing in any way.

Basically an ice cream cake of chocolate and cognac, the Grand CRU Chocolate Praline Mousse (PhP 400) is one of those desserts that create a great textural experience, as the mousse melts away while the praline provide crispiness.Β Make sure to snag the layers in one forkful! πŸ™‚


Another pure chocolate bliss was CRU’s Chocolate Caramel Crunch Log (PhP 380). Sweetened by caramel, the rich chocolate flavor was beyond divine.

Drink

CRU Steakhouse’s bar serves wine by the glass and by the bottle. Selections range from champagne, sparkling wines, red wines, and white wines. Other beverages offered are local and imported beers, whiskey, rum, tequila, etc. We had Beringer’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley) that featured aromas of black plum, cherry, and enticing spice notes.

Price for Value: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†

For the price point, you don’t need to sell your car to eat here. However, you might have to break your bank account a bit to recover for a return visit. πŸ˜› Ambiance, service, and the quality and taste of food were unquestionably impeccable, but prepare to pay “special-splurge” prices for the privilege. It will be good to reserve dining at CRU Steakhouse in Marriott Hotel Manila (Resorts World) for special occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, graduation, promotion, or sealing a good business deal.

No. 10 Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
For inquiries/reservations, call (02) 988-9999 local 8109
Date Published: 03/19/2015
18 / 20 stars

Operating hours:

Sun – Thu: 6:00PM – 10:30PM
Fri – Sat: 6:00PM – 11:30PM

About 

Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.

89 Responses

    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Yup, this is an excellent fine-dining restaurant. You can have a grand date here with your husband and enjoy the food + superb ambiance. πŸ™‚ See you soon, Joy!

      Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Thanks, Jeremy! Yeah no doubt we had a great time at CRU. This is a spectacular steakhouse, very well run and the food was impeccable. We were greeted as family and seated straight away. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  1. Robin (Masshole Mommy)

    Wowza, the food all looks so delicious there. What a treat it must have been to eat there.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Yup, everything was great in this non-pretentious restaurant. It went above and beyond to provide a wonderful meal to us first-time customers. πŸ™‚ We’ll be back to celebrate a special occasion.

      Reply
  2. Kay M

    This place looks absolutely amazing! That sculpture behind the front desk is so gorgeous, and the food!! I will say you are a little more adventurous with food than I. I stay away from tartars but I could definitely find my way around the other delights. Thank you for a beautiful review, now I want to visit!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      That sculpture in the reception area is too hard to miss. It’s a stunning masterpieces that perfectly sets the mood for elegance throughout. You should visit soon, Kay. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Amanda

    Wow, everything about this restaurant looks amazing. When we get a date night out (which is rare) we always want to go to a steak house…thankfully Chicago is full of amazing ones!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      If you love steak, I would recommend this for a romantic dinner, business, or just a fun dinner with friends. CRU Steakhouse is capable of providing a great experience in any situation. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  4. Myrabev

    Kroo OMG looks like an awesome place, the food looks so delicious I just ate but I am super hungry already. The salads and the appetisers have me by the throat because I so want some like right now.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Haha that is how I also feel when reading blog posts with sumptuous food pictures. Those appetizers were actually enough to fill my tummy before main course.

      Reply
  5. brook devis

    wow.thats seems to be a great place to go and yes i would love to go as soon as possible. i love all the pictures you took to show us all the stuff in details. i love the foos shown in pictures.great post

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Thanks, Brook! There’s little to say that hasn’t been said. With nice decor, excellent wine list, and succulent steak, CRU Steakhouse is truly one of the best steakhouses in Metro Manila. πŸ˜€

      Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Haha it’s great that you learn something new every time you land on my site! πŸ˜› This restaurant will definitely be getting your moneys worth. Everything is amazing even the dessert!

      Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Yup! I can’t believe that one order of the steak (one slab) is good for two people. The size of the steak may be intimidating, but the taste just brings out the beast in you in trying to tackle it. Every bite was as tasty and juicy as the first. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Terri Ramsey Beavers

    What a beautiful place and all of that food looks amazing. I could just reach out and grab that steak it looks divine. Thanks for sharing your review and photos.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      It’s one of the best meals I have ever had. Place was amazing! Now, if you are a carnivore, like a real big meat lover that is, then you NEED to come check out CRU. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Nancy

    One point in my life I used to devour red meat like nobodies business, but a number of years ago I gave it up and I cannot eat it at all. I DO miss it, but it just tastes really gross to me. Probably because I used to eat it really rare and now it just sickens me to think I used to do that lol πŸ™

    I love the ambiance in the restaurant, the bookshelves of wine bottles in the back is my fav.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Got your point! πŸ™‚ I’m also not a huge fan of meat and steaks in particular. But in times when I’m invited to taste such in food events, I just try to get myself prepared to be induced in a food coma–in a good way. πŸ˜› The steak we had was medium well so it was okay and nothing too gross for me.

      Reply
  8. Nikki

    That looks like such a classy and fun place to dine. All the dishes are so pretty. I’m not a big steak eater, so I appreciate that they have plenty of other options on their menu.

    Reply
  9. Cassie

    The decor of this restaurant is quite lovely. And I know that my husband would love to have one of those gorgeous steaks!

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth O.

    Those scallops look fantastic! The food looks so good, I’m sure it’s a gastronomic event!

    Reply
  11. Roselynn

    The Crab Cakes looks delicious, but don’t even get me started on those deserts. I definitely don’t go to steakhouses as often as I’d probably like to. Not too many good ones around us.

    Reply
  12. michele d

    Looks like an heavenly place to have dinner. All the foods look amazing delicious. I would definitely visit.

    Reply
  13. Jenny

    Looks fancy! reminds me of the time my husband and I went to a steakhouse and had a $75 steak in Vegas. Of course it was comped, no way I’d pay that! LOL

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Haha. As I always suggest, treating yourself to a fancy restaurant like CRU is a good reward system. πŸ˜› I cannot rave enough about the quality of the steaks and classic accompaniments here. Everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned with a balance that lets its partnering wine sing.

      Reply
  14. Tammilee Tips

    OH my goodness those desserts look heavenly!! I love restaurants that have a side table cooker like that! This looks like a great place for a date or the rooms sound great for a business meeting too!

    Reply
  15. Marjorie

    The place looks grand but then again this is in a hotel haha… You had me at steak, I love steaks, it’s just that they are really expensive so I don’t get to eat them that much. I think my eyes just watered when I saw the picture of that angus beef steak. Sobrang nakakainggit naman!

    Reply
  16. Erin Kennedy

    oh my goodness! How do you get invited to an event like this? What an amazing time. The restaurant is gorgeous and the food is to match. I can’t believe all the course! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      I’m a Zomato foodie and I get invites often, however I don’t have all the chance to attend every time because of work. It’s a pleasure to share all these great dishes with you guys. πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  17. Rosey

    Those are some amazing pictures. I’m sure the food was even more amazing though than even those!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Yes, it almost seemed that the appetizers were endless. Haha. We were waiting for the steak and it was worth the time. When you’re craving a juicy steak, give this spot a whirl – you won’t be disappointed!

      Reply
  18. papaleng

    wow! social ang interior ng Restaurant. Okay naman ang dishes specially that Angus Beef Carpaccio. However very pricy lang. Another good review.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Thanks, Papa Leng! πŸ™‚ Simply put, they serve the best steak around. If you go to CRU, there’s no need to look at the menu. All you need is the steak for 2 or 4 or how many people in your group.

      Reply
  19. Kori Tomelden

    My mouth is watering over here. I would love to try those crab cakes, a good steak, and finish it up with some chocolate praline mousse.

    Reply
  20. Bonnie @ wemake7

    Wow! You took some amazing photos, it makes me want to try this food. Looks like a great place to eat too.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Thanks, Bonnie! πŸ™‚ It was a perfect experience, filled with incredible food in huge portions and ideal ambiance. Everything was camera-friendly!

      Reply
  21. Victoria

    Everything looks so good. If I were in the area this would definitely be a restaurant that I would try out. It looks like it is located in a fairly nice area of town too.

    Reply
  22. CourtneyLynne

    omg wow!!! This steakhouse looks amazing!!! Every photo you took of the food…. Yum!!! Now I have a craving for an amazing steak πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  23. Erin

    Oh my word, how delicious does all of that look? I need to add this place to my bucket list!

    Reply
  24. HilLesha

    It has been years and years since I’ve dined at a steakhouse. However, I have never been to one fancy as that one. Nice!

    Reply
  25. Karen of MrsLookingGood

    I am also agreeing with you, the photos you took are phenomenal! I can’t pick a favorite because I’d love to taste each and every item you’ve featured. Have to save lots of money to be able to dine there!

    Reply
  26. Pal Raine

    Place is very simple yet so elegant and quiet and sensual, surrounded with nice design fixtures and furniture’s. Foods are extravagant and delicious!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      If you’ve got an important occasion to celebrate, do yourself a favor and make a reservation to CRU Steakhosue in Marriott Hotel for a nice night out. πŸ™‚

      Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      The scallops were perfectly cooked! This is place to go if you don’t want to be bothered and need some “you” time accompanied by great food. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  27. Yona Williams

    I really like the atmosphere of this restaurant; it looks like it would make a nice place to go for date night. Nearly everything that you pictured above the steak and sides photos is a little bit too adventurous for my taste buds. However, the presentation looks amazing.

    Reply
  28. mindy

    Okay so, you might already know (from previous comments) that i’m a total carnivore, and i knew i was going to get hungry reading this post judging from the title alone! I just didn’t expect to feel THIS hungry! Everything look so so good! The presentation’s definitely wonderful so i even found the appetizers (i am not much of an appetizer kind of person, they don’t really interest me) makes my mouth water!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Haha yes, you have to start with appetizers, the main course, and then don’t forget desserts. It’s nice to dine in a restaurant whose atmosphere is definitely very royal. What’s worth mentioning of course is that they have a farm for growing all their vegetables organically and locally!

      Reply
  29. Franc Ramon

    It’s been quite some time now that I’ve tried a dish of steak and wine. I guess this is a good time to try Cru Steakhouse.

    Reply
  30. lloydy

    I always have a mouth watering whenever i visit your site. That spot seems to be convenient , so much creativity

    Reply
  31. Chef Adrian Candelaria Esteban

    Thank you guys for all the positive review , We from CRU Steakhouse will definitely maintain the quality and give you the best dining experience. xoxo

    Chef Adrian Esteban
    CRU Steakhouse
    Sous Chef
    Marriott Hotel Manila
    Philippines

    Reply

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