Intimate Dinners for Fourteen

We often have high-ranking management visitors from all over, and our local leadership team is rapidly running out of good food places within walking distance from Ayala Avenue. Besides, I figured, our guests should see more than their hotels and the office.

So last night I broke from the hotel-restaurant mold and trooped everyone over to Gaudi at Greenbelt 3, where we had a fabulous steak dinner. Gaudi's speciality is chuletón, slices of extremely tender beef which you can grill on a terra-cotta hot plate sprinkled with rock salt. The unusual serving method is a lifesaver for groups, since you can choose your own portion size and everyone can do their steak exactly the way they like it.

Don't get too carried away talking, though, or you'll wind up with a charred lump... which nobody will admit they own.

Gaudi has plush chairs and rich, warm decor. It's perched on the fourth floor of Greenbelt 3, overlooking the park. Most people don't even know it's there. No crowds. A handful of tables. It's easy to forget you're in a huge mall in a busy city.

The result? Instead of a stuffy business dinner we had laughter, lively conversation, and a leisurely meal.

Recommendations

The chuletón ranges from 800 to 1000 grams and usually serves four. You should also try the langostinos, the spanish cold cuts and cheese platter, and the bread pudding.

Reservations

Call 752-2710. You can also contact Gaudi at gaudi@skyinet.net

Prices

The chuletón is priced at P2,200 per 1000 grams. For appetizers, a steak and seafood dinner, dessert, and drinks (no wine), we spent roughly P800 per person.

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