Hollywood Steakhouse: Antipolo Upscales!

The problem with us Antipolo people is that we don’t seem to have a lot of options when it comes to really good classy restaurants here in our hometown. We often find ourselves traveling to nearby malls like Sta. Lucia, or Robinson’s Metroeast. Or we resort to the usual resto/bar stretch along Sumulong Highway overlooking. It gets really tiring, these places. And the town, I mean, come on? Aren’t we tired of the same old fastfood chains? Take it from me. I’ve been here all of my life and my family and I choose to eat out mostly in the metro.

The same goes for the people living in the metro. The problem with the city is its overcrowded and not to mention, noisy. Sometimes all you want is a nice, quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of the metro. Tagaytay is too far and people going there should have a car. Summer has dawned upon us and all we really crave for is a cool and breezy transpo-friendly place to hang out after a long tiring day.

Then came Hollywood Steakhouse..life in Antipolo will never be the same again.   

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty shall we?

DIRECTIONS:How do get there is pretty easy. There are two highways leading to Antipolo and all you need to take is the SUMULONG HIGHWAY direction. When you get to Masinag, you will see an intersection going to Marikina (left turn), Cogeo (straight ahead), Antipolo (turn right): you turn right (of course). You know when you are near Hollywood Steakhouse when you see the following landmarks: a BIG CASTLE (which is a motel/apartelle), VALLEY GOLF (it will go unnoticed believe me, read: huge golf ball) which is across OLD SPAGHETTI HOUSE/GRILLA. When you reach Old spaghetti house, turn left and then you’ll see Hollywood Steakhouse, Seven Suites and some spa. Can’t understand my direction? Googlemap it Simply type in: Seven Suites, Antipolo and zoom it in.

THE AMBIANCE:The ambiance is very welcoming. It’s a big place and the interior is breezy as it is not a closed area. Also, the location is great especially at night because you get to see the pretty city lights of Manila. 

THE FOOD: Their meals are bundled with soup, starch and salad already. Below are their choices for the meat/fish.

For the salad and soup, you choose whatever tickles your fancy below. What I like about the salad is that we are assured that the veggies are fresh. Ate Kath told me the restaurant actually have a little greenhouse garden for herbs and vegetables nearby.

I forgot to take a picture of the menu for starch. But there are basically around 3 choices of rice there: Java Rice, Garlic Rice and Asian Rice. For people who are not a fan of grains, Macaroni & Cheese and French Fries are other options.

Also, they have a bottle of wine readily available for consumption. Be reminded that the wine is not a complementary drink. Ask the waiter how much a bottle costsni & Cheese and French Fries are your other options.

Because I wasn’t really up for eating bigmansteaks, I chose a lighter alternative: Hickory Salmon Steak paired up with Japanese Slaw, Black Bean Soup and Java Rice for my starch. 

Japanese Slaw

The Japanese Slaw is fresh and light. I like how the creaminess of the dressing is toned down by the bitter Mizuna lettuce.  What I also like is how fresh the salad tastes. The green&purple cabbages are so crisp. But I have an issue with the name of the salad. I can’t figure out why and how it is Japanese because there is nothing so Japanese-y about it. Eitherway, it tastes delicious.

Black Bean Soup

I wasn’t so crazy about the Black Bean Soup I ordered. I think the black beans were pureed because there weren’t any whole beans in the soup. I’m not really a fan of smooth soup, like the black bean soup in Hollywood Steakhouse. I personally like a soup with chunks of ingredients in it. But for starting a meal, this is light and gets your stomach ready for the main course.

Hickory Salmon Steak and Java Rice

I got a big slab of Hickory Salmon steak for the main course. I LOVE IT! Firstly because the Salmon is fresh and doesn’t have any pungent fishy smell. Secondly, the salmon is cooked just right. It is still moist and succulent. Thirdly, the hickory flavor does not overpower the salmon meat too much. Sometimes you really don’t want powerful flavors ruining the virgin taste of the fresh fish. Yes, the salmon steak has already been deboned so you don’t have to worry about getting a bone stuck in your throat. I like the sauce that comes with it. It’s a cross between a barbeque sauce and a teriyaki sauce. Asian flavors

indeed.

 Hickory Salmon Steak with Shredded Nori on top and Stir-fried Vegetables on the Side

OTHER PERKS:I’ve been told that as you wait for your order, you may want to go to Seven Suites and view the observatory. FYI: Did you know that the observatory in Seven Suites is the 4th largest/most powerful telescope in the Philippines?  Seven Suites is nearby Hollywood Steakhouse.Or you can walk around the vicinity, camwhore with your friends, take picture of the scenery. My mom told me and I quote, “Hindi tinipid ang lugar.”

SERVICE:The waiters are very respectable and pleasant to the diners. We only had water for drinks but still the waiter was very attentive and fills up our water glass every time it’s already empty.  I assure that you won’t have to wait long for your food to be served.

PARKING:If you have your car with you when you go here, the parking shouldn’t be a problem.

TRANSPORTATION:You don’t need a car to get to Hollywood Steakhouse/Seven Suites. A jeep would suffice. All you need to do is ride an Antipolo jeep going to Sumulong Highway. Tell the manong driver you will get off at Valley Golf. 

THE VERDICT and to summarize:

I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE and is a MUST VISIT. Why?

1.) The ambiance is very relaxing and breezy. Read: overlooking the pretty city lights of Manila (I assume of course you go to Hollywood Steakhouse at night for dinner)

2.) The food is very affordable and delicious. You get your money’s worth because the ingredients are fresh and of good quality. 

3.) The service in general is great. Waiters are very attentive and respectable to the customers.

4.) Great hang out place for family and friends. But is highly recommended for diner dates or romantic dates.

Would definitely visit the place again. OH!!! AND DESSERT!!! How can I ever forget about that when it’s my favorite part of a full course meal! If you want a dessert after your meal, you walk to Seven Suites and they have a dessert bar there called SUGAR.  

For my SUGAR food review, click here. For other information about Hollwood Steakhouse click here.