4 dining spots to sample the goodness of Australian grassfed beef

Eating "healthy" could mean opting for leaner and healthier cuts of meat. For other's, it's going vegan all the way. I consider myself someone in between—a flexitarian.

When I do eat meat, I go straight for the good stuff like Australian grassfed beef, which has less saturated fat than regular beef and a high level of omega-3 fatty acids essential for a healthy heart.

It’s a good thing, then, that Australian beef has become more accessible in the local scene. The Australian Embassy even has an ongoing promotion, running until August 20, with 36 participating restaurants and 60 outlets in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.

Where’s the beef?

Wildflour Café + Bakery

Ground Floor, Corporate Center Building, 125 L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Wildflour's California Burger has become a crowd pleaser. Photos: Nikka Sarthou-Lainez

My personal favorite at Wildflour Café + Bakery would be the California Burger.

Made with 1/3-pound Australian grassfed beef, cheddar, caramelized onions, and tomato, its components seem simple enough but one bite into the juicy patty will transport you to burger heaven. The high-quality ingredients really made all the difference.

Those who like their meat in its purest form can also go for the Steak and Eggs: rib-eye steak slices topped with chimichurri sauce and plated with crispy potatoes. The steak was cooked perfectly—a bit seared on the outside but still pink in the middle. I couldn’t help but sigh as I relished the tender meat and its juices with each bite.

Hyatt City of Dreams Manila: The Café

Belle Avenue, Entertainment City, Parañaque City

The Cafe at Hyatt City of Dreams Manila serves a pretty plate of Australian Beef Deconstructed Lasagna.

You’ll find Australian beef featured in the different food stations of The Café at Hyatt City of Dreams Manila.

But if you’re like me and you feel overwhelmed at buffet set-ups, just go for the dishes that you don’t usually cook at home. A must-try for sure is the 12-hour Smoked Mulwarra Beef Brisket that comes with spicy barbecue sauce. The buffet doesn’t serve this every day, but if you happen to chance upon it, you better not miss it.

I was also amazed at how they presented the Australian Beef Deconstructed Lasagna because there were no pasta layers like the traditional version. The meat was definitely the star of the show here. You can’t miss the lasagna flavor in each spoonful.

There are also a la carte offerings like the Aussie Burger, which is made with 100% Australian grassfed beef, fried egg, bacon, beets, pineapple, lettuce tomato, and served with French fries. It’s a big burger that will satisfy a big appetite.

SALA

Podium Level, Locsin Building, 6752 Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City

SALA's oxtail and mushroom ravioli would delight pasta lovers.

There’s a certain understated elegance to SALA, with its white linens and fine silverware. Its cuisine is just as impressive, with menu offerings that you can hardly pronounce—but food is a universal language, so I just took pleasure in the beautifully plated dishes of executive chef Stefan Langenhan.

He executes modern European cuisine well. One of the Australian beef offerings that left me in awe was the Oxtail and Mushroom Ravioli with onion and thyme soubise, pecorino and arugula. I had to cut through the pockets of stuffed pasta to see the shredded meat that went well with the sauce. Though cream-based, it wasn’t too heavy, and the arugula added freshness.

But probably the best beef creation for me is the Slow-braised Mulwarra Beef Cheek cooked in Pedro Ximenez sherry and served with Comté potato puree, and roasted brussels sprouts with bacon. I didn’t even need a knife to cut through the meat! It was that tender, that good, that I cleaned my plate as much as I could.

Abuela’s

Somerset Millennium Makati, 104 Aguirre, Legaspi Village, Makati City

Abuela's Slow-Roast Herbed Australian Grassfed Tenderloin Fillet comes with shimeji mushrooms and truffle sauce that's to die for.

This Spanish-Filipino restaurant may be new to the scene, but chef-owner Marco Legasto is a well-known personality in the local food industry. Abuela’s, one of his newer ventures, has a menu inspired by his grandparents' recipes. Everything is slow-cooked here; great food is worth the wait, after all.

I almost felt bad to destroy the beautifully plated Sous Vide Rib-Eye Fillet since its mesclun bouquet resembled a fresh carrot, but I don’t regret tasting the beef that was served with a rich gravy. I surprised myself by finishing all the veggies on my plate, especially the cherry tomatoes with balsamic dressing. I thought I wouldn’t have room for more, but one whiff of the main course suddenly made my mouth water.

The Slow-Roast Herbed Australian Grassfed Tenderloin Fillet with shimeji mushrooms and truffle sauce was scrumptious to the last bite. Anything with truffle is good in my book! It added both fragrance and flavor to the dish. It made me forget about the mashed potatoes side and my feeling of fullness.

Don’t be limited by these establishments should you wish to indulge in Australian grassfed beef. The Australian Embassy posted the complete list of participating restaurants, which include three in Cebu and one in Davao.

— BM, GMA News

For more information about this promotion, visit the Australian Embassy's Facebook page.