Grilla Bar & Restaurant along Sumulong Highway

Eating out was not among the plans last Friday. We went out to view some houses (we’re thinking of moving) and we planned to be home as soon as the sun went down when house viewing would be impossible. But Sam was insistent — they just finished their mid-term exams, didn’t they, so couldn’t they have some leisure OUTSIDE the house, and so on, and so forth. The situation was compounded by her sister’s whining that she was hungry and she wanted French fries.

We agreed to go to Cafe Lupe near the intersection of Sumulong and Marcos Highways. We drove down, turned right on the road where we knew Cafe Lupe was but couldn’t find it. We asked around and we were told that Cafe Lupe closed down some time ago. Oh my, bad.

Since the nearest decent restaurant was Grilla, we decided to turn back and up Sumulong Highway and have dinner at The Old Spaghetti House, a kind of restaurant within a restaurant since it is actually a part of Grilla Bar & Restaurant. We’ve been there before and enjoyed the food. In fact, I had a birthday party there once and we really liked the ambience of The Old Spaghetti House — cozy and quiet. The Old Spaghetti House has its own pasta-and-pizza menu but items from Grilla can be ordered and served there. And vice versa.

appetizers: onion rings and cheese sticks

Since the girls did not relish the thought of wasting more time driving to look for some other restaurant, Grilla was it. For starters, we had onion rings and cheese sticks with chili dip. Both are excellent. I especially like the herbed crust of the onion rings. And although cheese sticks are cheese sticks, Grilla’s chili dip enhanced them wonderfully.

beef salpicao

Speedy ordered beef salpicao and was very happy with it. I tried one piece of beef but, with my mouth bursting with my fish fillets amandine, I really couldn’t make out any distinct flavor. I did notice, though, that the beef was tender and moist.

pork with mushrooms and cheese; baked macaroni

Sam couldn’t make up her mind about what she wanted and finally left me to decide for her. I chose pork with mushrooms and cheese served with garlic rice. She gave me a tablespoonful and the flavor of the mushrooms was nicely echoed in the sauce.

Alex had a serving of her addiction — baked macaroni — which was dominated by the distinct flavors and aroma of bell peppers.

fish fillets amandine

That’s my fish fillets amandine above, rather salty, but still good. It might have been even better though had they toasted the almonds before sprinkling them on the fish fillets. That way, the nutty aroma would have been more pronounced.

All in all, we were quite happy with our food. I told Speedy I could have my birthday party there again (am having my birthday this month) so we checked the menu after paying the bill. It’s a “safe” menu — there’s something for kids, for non-red meat eaters, seafood lovers and even for the very carnivorous. Unless I think of a more interesting place in the coming days, we’ll have to make reservations at Grilla soon. :)

October 18, 2007  Print This Post   
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Comments

13 Responses to “Grilla Bar & Restaurant along Sumulong Highway”
  1. jeff says:
    October 18, 2007 at 3:49 pm

    for me this place is much better than dencios. and i love their cocktails that they serve by the Carafe:)

    Reply
  2. Connie says:
    October 18, 2007 at 8:38 pm

    I agree. I find Dencio’s menu to be trying hard.

    Reply
  3. Ebba Myra says:
    October 18, 2007 at 10:36 pm

    Thanks for this day’s posting. I’m coming home in May for my annual clowning missionary trip, and I wanted to go to Antipolo first to try some of the eateries you’ve mentioned in your blog. I think Spaghetti House was feature in one of the Filipino Soap Opera show that was tape in DVD and which I have watched all the 14 volumes and all. (hahaha, 1 whole week of vacation down to watching the tube). I like Antipolo and went there 4 years ago when my scheduled allowed me. We went last day in May to go church and had lunch on the built-up/makeshift tents as we were going back to the parking. The food is ok considering the fact that we were just eating right along the closed roads. Thanks.

    Reply
  4. mely says:
    October 19, 2007 at 10:16 am

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MS. CONNIE!!

    Reply
  5. Connie says:
    October 19, 2007 at 12:09 pm

    Ebba, Vieux Chalet on Taktak Road is the best resto in Antipolo. :)

    Reply
  6. Connie says:
    October 19, 2007 at 5:53 pm

    Thanks, Mely. Hopefully, no cooking for me on my birthday. hehe

    Reply
  7. Ebba Myra says:
    October 23, 2007 at 12:23 pm

    Thanks for such tip. I found out that I do have a nephew living in Antipolo – where I am not sure, but I will sure contact him for more “hole in the wall” eateries. As my budget is limited – I usually have 12 to 14 people with me on my trip, leisure and ministry.

    Reply
  8. Rowena says:
    October 24, 2007 at 5:37 pm

    Hi Ms. Connie, happy birthday (my 3 kids just celebrated their b-days this month also). I will surely try that place. Fan mo ko eh, lahat ng resto entry mo here, I really checked them out.

    Reply
  9. Connie says:
    October 25, 2007 at 10:43 am

    Thanks, Rowena. More restaurant reviews to come. :)

    Reply
  10. mel says:
    November 19, 2007 at 8:12 pm

    is this the same as grilla bar and grill?

    Reply
  11. Connie says:
    November 20, 2007 at 8:14 am

    Yes. :)

    Reply
  12. dulce says:
    April 15, 2008 at 9:27 am

    hi miss connie i just want to know if vieux chalet in Antipolo offers food that a middle class family could afford. I want to bring my 3 kids there but i am worried that i coud not afford dining there. Can you give me an idea about the costs of food there? Thanks.

    Reply
  13. Connie says:
    April 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    dulce, a pasta and pizza dinner with drinks and starters for 4 adults would be in the vicinity of 2,000 pesos.

    Reply
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