Melo's Steakhouse - Metro Manila

Visited the restaurant last week on the advice of a family member. Noted it had poor reviews and asked the person recommending if they were sure it was ok here - she replied yes - so off we went. No regrets that's for sure. Staff are very helpful and efficient. Our reservation was in order and we were shown to our table. There is both indoor and outdoor seating - we chose indoor. Oysters for starters were delicious although not so big, they were cooked to perfection. Good selection of steaks on the menu - settled for the Wagyu - great choice. This really was an excellent steak. Ignored the rule that Wagyu shouldn't be cooked more than medium- I opted for medium well - good choice. Very tasty and delicate as you would expect. The soup - seafood bisque was also very nice as a starter. The service was first rate, pleasant comfortable surroundings and fine ambiance. Hard to see as to why there adverse reports in TA. The bill was not for the faint hearted - 13 500 two courses without wine for four guests, but that said - no regrets - great food. 25% discount if you pay by Visa card - which I did and is reflected in the charge quoted. Would be pleased to dine here any day.

We went to Melo's prepared to pay and just wanting a good steak and comparable service. What a let-down! The steaks were very expensive but unfortunately they were tough, tasteless and poorly cooked. The drinks service was slow with wait staff refusing to make eye-contact and positioning themselves so that you could not contact them. This is in a restaurant which was not busy. Not one I can recommend.

The staff is very friendly. Having said that none of them seem to have any training and the restaurant appears to be cutting corners wherever possible. The waitress was the greeter as well. She repeatedly forgot our order, menu on the table, to bring wine. When I asked for more bread they had to clear it with the manager. When the glass of wine came it barely had any inside. Thankfully the food was good.

In writing this review, let me set a baseline. This was the first and only steakhouse I've been to in the Philippines and I'm evaluating the steak I ate based on my standard, which maybe a little bit high. I've frequented steakhouses in Chicago and I always crave for at least 28-day old, aged rib eye cut steak. I prefer thick cut because I savor the juice trapped inside the meat. Having said that, I also grill steak myself close to my set preferences. With this baseline, between 1-10 (10 being best), I rate the rib eye steak I ate at Melos as 6. It was tender and almost cooked to perfection. I meant it was medium rare, as I have ordered, but I can only savor the fat; not much of the meat juice. I've seen photos of the complete meal I ordered in other Melos websites (i.e., boneless rib eye with corn, boiled asparagus and carrots and french fries on the side). The steak is about 1/2-3/4 inch thick, I prefer between 1-1 1/2 inch thickness. Overall, it was a satisfying meal but I was expecting more considering the price of it. Service in Melos, as in any other restaurants I've been to during this visit in the Philippines, is par excellence.

This has become one of my favorite restaurants, the steak served was excellent, prepared as Medium rare their preparation was perfect. They participoate in many discount programs, seek out their promos because your are in for a treat at Melo's Steakhouse