I’m just crazy about barbecue, no matter how you spell it… BBQ, barbeque, barbecue, BBCue, BBque. Lay it before me and it will get devoured. I love grilled meats, whether glazed or in its virgin state. There’s something about a smoky taste that gets me all tickled –probably because it’s the closest thing to tasting fire. And I’m a water sign. Riiiiiiiiiight. Wow, deep or deeply unintelligent? Haha, moving on to the meat of the matter!
Bubba has been inviting me to have dinner at ‘Cue but I’ve been deferring it trying to be a pure “homebody” these past months (I’m also too tired or spent at work, I don’t feel like driving anywhere else). Finally, a month ago, I visited ‘Cue at the newly opened Bonifacio High Street Central with other foodie friends. Enter that bright red door to a modern style bistro with the cutest droplights slash industrial chandelier.
At ‘Cue, they just don’t barbecue and dish out comfort dishes. They toss heritage cooking with being inventive and original. They select only quality cuts of meat. They bathe and rub these meats with their house blend of rubs, marinades, or sauces. After the selection and marinade, these meats are slow-roasted, char-grilled, or ale-braised right before serving it on a plate that’s delivered to your table.
There are no rules here. You can mix and match the different dishes or the marinades or rubs. Take your cue, every pun intended, from ‘Cue’s range of house made sides, sauces, and toppings and enjoy Southern food at its best right here in Manila.
On the Table
Bone Marrow and Steak Tacos Php 485
Roasted corn salsa, flour tortillas, sweet n spicy salsa verde
Since I was late, and the bone marrow is not something that waits for anyone, this was polished off quite quickly by the group.
Fried Buttermilk Wings Php 355
Sweet, maple-pepper glaze, panko crusted
We started with ‘Cue’s wings as an appetizer and I like how the skin is crispier than usual with the panko crust adding some crunch.
Skillet of Home-style Mac and Cheese Php 375
Yellow cheddar, aged gruyere, mozzarella, bacon and tomato
This is one of the menu items that I’m sure Bubba was eyeing to try. Served on a skillet, the home-style mac and cheese brings so much happiness in my mouth with different cheeses interspersing gleefully –salty tones from the cheddar, mild beefy taste from the gruyere cheese and that mild gooey mozzarella. I wish there were more bites of the bacon and crunch of tomato too but I’m sure to order this again when I dine with Bubba.
Beef Belly 250g Php 695
Dark ale-braised then slightly charred mustard crusted with roasted onions
Just as I was getting a portion on to my plate, tenderness gave way. It surrenders at the slightest touch. The fat part that keeps the whole dish juicy has a top crust of mustard. The mustard giving that sharp pungent flavor perfectly contrasts against the beefy taste.
Lamb Ribs Php 680
Slow-baked sliced rack of lamb that Cue’s kitchen slightly grilled with a bit of charring. The ribs were seasoned with black peppercorn, cinnamon, squeeze of lemon
The lamb ribs could have been a bit overcooked since it’s a little chewy but the taste was all there.
Pan Grilled Spicy Cajun Shrimp
House made Cajun oil, blackened garlic cloves
Don’t fret about the word spice, it wasn’t THAT spicy but had that Cajun kick with spices of probably cayenne and black pepper. I also had more than my share of the shrimps, which was a welcome break from all the meats on the table.
Chicken Chipotle Chorizo Pot Pie Php 355
House-made bourbon cream, carrots, onions, celery
This was hands down the favorite of at least 3 people on the table. They broke that pastry dome on top and never looked back, digging deeper and deeper into the pot trying to exhume other flavorful finds from the hole. It had various punches of creamy flavor.
The Baby Back Ribs Half Slab Php 645 Full Slab Php 1,185
Under their Chopping Board listings, which are literally served on wood boards, are their slew of barbecued meats that Cue claims to be the specialty of the house. The serving size is good to share unless you are starving beasts as big as the Hulk! Okay, maybe my appetite is as big as the Hulk.
The Chopping Board items are usually served with in-house side dish or staple dish and a sauce of your own choosing unless that particular item states otherwise. We wanted to try the wet and dry rub side by side so we requested for a full slab with half and half.
Both sides were slow baked then barbecued but one side was dry rubbed with Cue’s homemade spice rub and the other side with a wet rub which is a homemade barbecue glaze. I remembered a Throwdown with Bobby Flay episode on Lifestyle Network (SKY Cable Channel 52) where they tested which has more flavor, dry or wet rub. I can’t tell from watching the telly but I was eager to try it for myself. I might be mistaken but I think ‘Cue so far is the only restaurant that offers dry rub.
The verdict? Both had flavor profiles that are smoky, slightly sweet and peppery but the execution of the wet rub was better in my taste than the dry rub (cue in Apl de Ap’s bebot song: “Filipino, Filipino!”) I’m not sure if being Pinoy, I’m just inclined to like saucy over dry.
Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic Spaghetti Php 285
Red chilies, white tequila, tomato oil
Desserts and Drink
The House Burger Php 395
A double 3 oz house blend all beef patty, yellow cheddar, white cheddar, a crisp lettuce leaf, fresh tomato slice, red onions, house made ranch dressing wrapped in a butter grilled bun
Cue also has a free-for-all dish called “Li’L Feast” (P1,785), which sounds like a rapper who eats a lot, which is a tasting of all their best barbecued meats. A smorgasbord of beef belly slices, lamb ribs, half a slab of baby back ribs, and a half roasted chicken. I think it will be a treat, being able to get a bite of everything!
‘Cue Modern Barbecue can get you quitting other smoke houses with its hearty and rich style of cooking Cajun dishes. I’m sure it’s begging another visit with Bubba in tow this time.
‘Cue Modern Barbecue
G/F, Bonifacio Highstreet Central
7th Avenue cor. 29th Street,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
(0917) 899 2283
‘Cue Modern Barbecue Flickr Album
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