Catch a whiff and a taste of continuing nostalgia as well as something new at Mario’s Restaurant.  Mario is one of the long-standing restaurants in the Metro as it celebrates its 30^th year this year.  Its Quezon City branch along Tomas Morato still holds its famous Sunday brunch buffet.

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Mr. Fil Benitez and his mother Tita Nenuca welcomed us graciously to their restaurant last Thursday evening.  Spanky gathered a handful of food bloggers to get the dibs on their latest specials.

On the Table

 Check out Mario’s website 

Bread Rolls

The freshly baked bread rolls made a mark during Arpee’s visit at Mario’s in 2009 and took significant notice that it’s not as big as before… No worries there because these soft and warm bread rolls are free and the waiter will keep refilling your basket as long as you request for it.

Baked New Zealand Mussels PHP 360

With garlic, herb butter and generously topped with cheese

Oysters Rockefeller PHP 245

I love oysters!  And Mario’s plate of well-prepared and well-cooked oysters brings so much joy to my palate.  While the rest enjoyed 3 or 4 pieces from the big plate, I finished 7 of the delicious cheesy oysters with spinach.  When I noticed the folks had their helping, I didn’t fret getting more than what the others averaged.  Spanx caught up with my number with ease.

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Wild Mushroom Smothered Steak PHP 525

We each had our own choice of entrée from a selection of the new specials.  It was a tough choice between the Santol Chutney Glazed Pork Chops and Wild Mushroom Smothered Steak (both a mouthful in name and in taste).  I went for the latter knowing I’m a big steak eater.

The steak was cooked perfectly to my preference that evening –medium-well.  My preferred doneness only ranges from medium to medium-well.  It was accompanied by potato au gratin with the right amount of burnt cheese on top that I certainly like, roasted tomato, bean strings knotted together, langka slivers and topped with wild mushrooms pepper sauce.

The wild mushrooms tickled the palate with somewhat an intense flavor.  The belle of the ball, the steak, was fantastic –more so because it was coupled with my desired pepper sauce.

I took a photo of Fritz’ Fillet of Pampano with chive butter and Azrael’s Turmeric Chicken served with steamed pandan rice and a salad. 

Fillet of Pampano

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Turmeric Chicken

Another surefire winner entrée was the Santol Chutney Glazed Pork Chops that I wasn’t able to take a photo of.  Those who ordered it raved happily about it.  This will surely prompt my next immediate return to Mario’s.  

Mango Jubilee PHP 365

The scene-stealer that evening was really the cook-on-the-spot Mango Jubilee.  The ripe mangoes are flambéed with sugar, butter, lemon slice and fired up with cognac.  It’s served beautifully on a dessert glass with vanilla ice cream.  What can be more satisfying than capping off a wonderful steak dish with an equally lip-smacking dessert? 

Sweet Mangoes

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Liquifying the sugar

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We didn’t start the fire 😀

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Tadah! 😉

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Cape Red was the choice of poison for me that night and I like its vibrant note.  Service is quick, genuinely friendly and adequate –another factor to like about Mario’s. 

Image Source: www.azraelcoladilla.com

The classic dishes that we’ve grown to love are still part of the menu but Mario’s now offers a new twist bringing in the recently introduced specials.  Catch their new specials and make sure not to miss out on ordering the Wild Mushroom Smothered Steak and/or the Santol Glazed Chops.

Mario’s Restaurant

191 Tomas Morato Ave. Cor. Scout Gandia

Quezon City, Philippines

(632) 372 0360

(632) 415 3887

*Special thanks to Spanky Spanx for the invite, as always.

Mario’s Album

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