Outback Steakhouse, our favorite Australian-inspired restaurant, is offering something a little bit different for the holidays. Since summer in Australia actually happens during the Christmas season, Outback Steakhouse is launching its limited-time holiday offerings called The Great Aussie Eats. These new exciting items will not remind us of cold and snowy wintery nights, but of sizzling tropical adventures that The Land Down Under is famous for. This fits perfectly with Outback Steakhouse’s slogan of “No rules, just right!” as the restaurant simply wants to let everyone enjoy their dining experience.
Outback Steakhouse first opened in Florida, USA back in 1988 and has since grown to nearly 1,000 restaurants in over twenty countries. It has four branches in the Philippines, namely, Glorietta 4 in Makati, ATC Corporate Center in Alabang, Blue Bay Walk in Pasay, and the newest branch in Eastwood City, Libis. I used to dine at their outlet just a few blocks away in E. Rodriguez Jr. but they have since moved over to a busier and livelier area in Eastwood City. You can find this new location at Citywalk 1, just beside Rufo’s and in front of the Eastwood Citywalk 1 Central Plaza.
It was my first time to visit their Eastwood City outlet and it carries a more contemporary design as compared to the older branch in E. Rodriguez Jr. which had a more classic “Western” feel. The place is much brighter and cheerful, making it a great hangout spot for groups and families alike. Several big screen televisions can be seen around the area featuring sports and other cable TV shows. I even saw some local professional basketball players having a relaxing time at the restaurant.
Outback Steakhouse is known all over the world as the “Steak Expert.” All of their steaks are dry aged for 21 days which maximizes their flavors. They also have a secret blend of 17 herbs and spices that enhances their steak’s distinct flavor. Some of these secret blends include peppers found from international markets which combine to give their steaks that magical flavor.
The restaurant features several Signature Cocktails to make your dining experience even more special. The Gold Coast Rita (P255) on the upper right is one of the highlighted cocktails at The Great Aussie Eats. This is Outback’s proprietary house margarita made with Jose Cuervo Gold tequilla which you can have frozen or on the rocks. On the other hand, the Great Barrier Punch (P255) on the lower right has Malibu coconut rum with a splash of Midori Melon Liqueur plus fresh orange juice and cranberry juice. Lastly, the Long Island Iced Tea (P255) is a classic cocktail made with vodka, rum, gin, triple sec and fresh citrus juices topped with a splash of Coke.
If you prefer to have friendlier beverages, then go for their Spirit-free cocktails. The Cherry Limeade (P165) is a refreshing summer drink which comes with a blend of sweet cherries, tart lime and Sprite. You can also choose the Sparkling Citrus Cooler (P185), a sophisticated cooler that bursts with fresh orange, lime, and cucumber mixed with flavor of pomegranate and red sangria.
I really enjoy Outback’s complimentary bread which they serve on each table. The freshly baked Honey Wheat Bushman Bread is the best way to start your Aussie feast with its soft bread served with whipped butter. This is so good that you will have to ask for a second serving, or even a third.
One of the most popular appetizers on the menu is the Typhoon Bloom (P399). This giant mountain of onion rings is good enough to serve the entire table but it can also be a great way to impress your date. We usually order this and end up almost finishing it just by ourselves.
These hand-cut fresh onion strings are dusted with Outback’s own secret seasonings, then stacked high and cooked until golden brown. You will never taste any other onion rings as crispy and delectable as these. They are also served with their spicy signature bloom sauce.
Now it’s time for The Great Aussie Eats! Their special holiday offerings include this great appetizer, the Tomato and Mozzarella Bruschetta (P349). It comes with four pieces of grilled French bread topped with oven roasted tomatoes, a huge chunk of fresh Mozzarella and basil pesto. I love how the bread is grilled which makes it crunchy instead of being tough and hard. The cheese also keeps it from being too soggy. The sour tomatoes and the Mozzarella cheese make for a good and light combination.
For seafood lovers, order the Hearts of Gold Cod (P449). This is a fresh-grilled flaky white fish topped with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, green onions and a light lemon sauce. It is also served with fresh seasonal vegetables and flavored rice. The soft and creamy fish is simply a delight, and this dish would be perfect for those trying to watch their figures this Christmas season.
But as for me, I’m going with the main attraction of The Great Aussie Eats which is the Chile Marinated Ribeye (P1599). This huge and juicy ribeye steak is seasoned and chargrilled to perfection. It comes topped with avocado pico de gallo and served with traditional Mexican corn on the cob, crispy tortilla strips, grilled tomato, chile sauce and a drizzle of sour cream.
Just look at that tender and juicy cut of steak! I had my ribeye steak cooked medium which is exactly how I want my steak done. You can easily see the still-pinkish meat which highlights the beef’s natural flavors. The Chile Marinated Ribeye comes topped with a slightly sweet and tangy sauce which makes this a unique steak experience. The cheesy and buttery corn on the cob is also a great side dish to have with the steak.
For dessert, The Great Aussie Eats features the Tropical Fruit Cheesecake (P269), a classic New York-style cheesecake topped with tropical seasonal fruit, whipped cream and lime zest and served in a pool of mango coulis. The rich cheesecake just melts in your mouth and offers a sweet and refreshing way to end our journey through the outbacks of Australia. The Great Aussie Eats is available for a limited time only until January 2017, so go and visit Outback Steakhouse for a taste of summer during Christmas.
OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
Eastwood Citywalk 1, E. Rodriguez Jr., Libis, Quezon City
277-3216
Other branches: Glorietta 4, Makati / ATC Corporate Center, Alabang / Blue Bay Walk, Pasay
