Updated Post (01/24/2019): A La Cabrera Anniversary in the Best Steak House in Mandaluyong! @EdsaShangriLa (2019)
LA CABRERA is an Argentinian Steakhouse and the Manila branch of Parrilla La Cabrera by Chef de Cuisine Gaston Riveira. This local iteration is through the efforts of Carlo Lorenzana of Shi Lin fame, and Carlo Lorenzana of Cellar de Boca Argentinian Wine Kitchen in Davao (yes, they have the same name. :D).
Argentinian Steak is considered the best in the world. In La Cabrera Manila, however, they use USDA steak. It still gets good reviews when it’s the Argentinian Chef who prepares the steak.
We tried La Cabrera with our Mercato Centrale partners recently. Here’s our experience…
LA CABRERA Grillado and Bar
Ground Floor, 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati, Philippines
Operating Hours: 11am-3pm/5:30pm-10:30pm
Mobile: +63 905 290-0703
Facebook: La Cabrera Manila
Instagram: @lacabrera_mnl
Website: http://www.parrillalacabrera.com.ar/
La Cabrera Manila Series in Our Awesome Planet:
• A La Cabrera Anniversary in the Best Steak House in Mandaluyong! @EdsaShangriLa (2019)
• La Cabrera Manila: Steak and Wine Pairing (and Buenos Aires’ Signature 40% off) (2018)
• LA CABRERA MANILA Argentinian Steakhouse at 6750 (A Review)
La Cabrera is located in the former location of Lolo Dad’s Brasserie, in the opposite corner of 6750, where the first Starbucks in Manila is located near Shangri-La Makati (this location is notorious for its bad feng shui).
You’ll love the old, rustic steakhouse ambiance, with large glass windows to bring in the good chi.
There’s also an elevated dining section at the back if you want a more private area, and if you want to see how your steak is cooked in their custom-made grill.
LA CABRERA MENU: Entradas Starters, Guarniciones Side Orders | Ensaladas Salads, Platos Principales Entrees | Vino Wine, House Wine | Lunch Specials, Desserts
They only serve steaks and different kinds of meat. There’s no fish or vegetarian option, aside from the side dishes and salads.
The complimentary bread was just OK. Best to save your appetite for the different cold and hot side dishes.
Jamon Crudo con Parmesano, Albahaca, Tomates Secos y Rucula (P950 +10% service charge). Parma ham with shaved parmesan cheese, basil, sundried tomatoes, and arugula.
The serving sizes are good to share. This salad comes with generous portions of parma ham.
Chorizo Criollo (P780 +10% service charge). Creole-spiced lean pork sausage.
The sausage was a bit tough and I couldn’t really taste the flavors in this dish. You can skip this.
✮ Provoleta (P890 +10% service charge). Provolone cheese grilled to a crisp outside and gooey inside (for four).
This is the best appetizer! Grilled, chewy cheese paired with bread and some salsa. Recommended!
An Argentinian meal isn’t complete without a glass of Malbec.
Lagarde Malbec 2012 (P1,900/bottle +10% service charge).
Order a bottle, which pairs nicely with and cuts through the flavor of the steak.
An array of eat-all-you-can cold side dishes that puts the banchan served in any Korean restaurant to shame is served.
My favorites are the shiitake mushroom with balsamic or chimichurri, the cherry tomatoes with alfalfa sprouts, and the tomato & green olive puree.
Also try the sundried tomato with capers and the black olive puree.
✮ Bire de Chorizo 500g (P1,880 +10% service charge). USDA Prime Striploin steak.
The striploin steak is juicy and tender with a yummy grilled flavor (no other seasoning needed). Good value for your money 🙂
You have to insist on cooking it medium to get the best tenderness and flavor. You can return it if it’s overcooked which happens when the Argentinian chef is not in the restaurant.
The hot sides dishes are served with the steak. I love the humita, which is a puree of corn with pimiento and cheese. They serve honey mustard on the side, too. 🙂
A second set of hot side dishes is served, which include apple sauce, caramelized garlic, squash with raisin, and BBQ corn. The caramelized garlic is the best! 🙂
Asado del Centro 500g (P1,580 +10% service charge). USDA Prime Short Ribs.
The Prime Short Rib was disappointing–they served it well-done–and even when they replaced it, it was still very chewy and tough.
✮ Panqueque de Dulce de Leche (P200 +10% service charge).
This dessert was awesome! It has a sansrival-like texture, with sweet condensed milk, and topped with meringue.
Highly recommended for ending your meal on a sweet, delicious note. 🙂
One more thing….you get to take home a Chupa Chups lollipop. 🙂
Check out the testimonial from PNoy with the yellow ribbon. 🙂
It’s great to eat here because La Cabrera attracts the beautiful crowd of Manila. 🙂
I recommend the La Cabrera experience if you know what to order. The must-tries are the Provoleta, the Bife de Chorizo Striploin Steak, and the Panqueque de Dulce de Leche.
I love the rustic ambiance and the unlimited serving of cold and hot side dishes. Remember to insist on a medium-cooked steak and to order a glass of Malbec to complete your Argentinian steak experience.
Budget about P2,000/head for a complete 3-course meal with wine.
The only downside of this place is if the Argentinian Chef is not around, you often get inconsistent flavors and mixed feedback.
Congrats to the two Carlo Lorenzanas for a winning Argentinian Steakhouse concept! 🙂
Let me know what your take on La Cabrera is and your other recommendations in the comments section.
LA CABRERA Grillado and Bar
Ground Floor, 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati, Philippines
Operating Hours: 11am-3pm/5:30pm-10:30pm
Mobile: +63 905 290-0703
Facebook: La Cabrera Manila
Instagram: @lacabrera_mnl
Website: http://www.parrillalacabrera.com.ar/
Related Blog Posts: Jin Loves to Eat | La Cabrera ♥ ♥
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: We paid for our meal. I wrote this article with my own biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. The bad Feng Shui doesn’t seem to affect the initial success of the resto. I wonder what they did to counter it?
La Cabrera Manila Series in Our Awesome Planet:
• A La Cabrera Anniversary in the Best Steak House in Mandaluyong! @EdsaShangriLa (2019)
• La Cabrera Manila: Steak and Wine Pairing (and Buenos Aires’ Signature 40% off) (2018)
• LA CABRERA MANILA Argentinian Steakhouse at 6750 (A Review)
“An array of eat-all-you-can cold side dishes that puts the banchan served in any Korean restaurant to shame is served.”
LOL. You trippin’, Anton.
I was just going to say the bad feng shui! But let’s see how it goes. Lolo Dad’s was up and running for how long? So give it time! I hope they did something to counter it. I don’t think Feng Shui ever affects the initial stages of success, well – it’s too early to tell since they’ve just opened right? Give it time and let’s see how it goes. Ganun naman ang Feng Shui eh.. Long term. The 2 Carlos have balls to go through with this space! Naks!!
Love, Didi
I ate there last week for dinner and it was amazing. My group arrived during Happy Hour, and did not order drinks, but the 20% discount for happy hour included all food items. The little cups of items to try were a lot of fun and delicious. Only $16 US dollars! I highly recommend.