Where's the Beef? It's All Here at Ruby Jack's Steakhouse and Bar

The classic steakhouse, reinvented and redefined...

When Edward Baffoe, Matthew Crabbe, and Nathan Smith decided to go on their own and open a restaurant, there was no doubt in their minds what it would be. With years of shared experience in Tokyo's hotel and restaurant industry, the trio embarked on creating one of Tokyo's elegant steakhouses, Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar. And it's now here in Manila... 

Edward Baffoe (L), one of the three partners behind Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar, greets guests at their very first establishment outside Tokyo, located at the City of Dreams. Recreating the classic steakhouse with its elegant white linen set tables and classic Cassina Cab chairs, the metro's newest dining hotspot is impressive.  

Like any respectable steakhouse, Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar boasts of a well-stocked bar offering a wide variety of hand-crafted artisan cocktails. With elegant lamps lining the bar, it's the perfect spot for a glass of wine or one of many specialty martinis before an elegant steak dinner, or a tipple after dinner.

And if you're wondering who Ruby Jack is, the name is inspired by Matthew Crabbe's grandparents, Ruby and Jack. They say old Jack loved a good steak, and he would definitely approve of the premium steaks served at the establishment that bears his name. At the very core of Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar is its impressive selection of premium beef in a variety of cuts, each dry-aged to perfection in the establishment's glass-encased chiller. Ribeye, New York Cut Striploin, T-Bone, Prime Rib, even a hefty Tomahawk, name it and Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar has it. And not just any beef, but USDA Prime, Black Angus...

...and the premium grade Japanese Ohmi A5 Wagyu Striploin. Expertly grilled to your desired doneness, Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar brings back the classic old-world charm of a traditional steakhouse along with the world's best beef.

Begin you dining experience with Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar's signature starters, like the refreshing Ruby's Caesar Salad (P 550), with crisp romaine lettuce draped in the classic dressing, drizzled with Parmesan cheese and bacon bits.

Enjoy clean flavors with Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar's Boutique Tomatoes (P 650), with fresh tomatoes imported from Japan topped with shaved red onions and gorgonzola. The mildly sweet and tart tomatoes just bursts with so much fresh flavors, with the subtle bite of the shaved red onions and sharp gorgonzola weaving its own distinct notes.

Other signature starters include the Sizzling Scallops (P 800), with plump scallops sauteed in black garlic, butter, and lemon, served on a sizzling plate. The soft scallops almost melt in your mouth releasing a briny sweetness, followed by the distinct layers of nutty garlic, rich butter, and sharp lemon notes.

Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar's Teppan Grilled Foie Gras (P 950) is another excellent starter, served with caramelized pineapple and black sesame dust. The caramelized pineapple perfectly tempers the richness of the foie gras as it melts in your mouth for balanced flavors, while the black sesame dust adds both texture and flavor to the dish. Perfect.

Savour the freshest seafood with Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar's Seafood On Ice For Two (P 6,000), with Lobster, Tiger Prawns, Oysters, House-Smoked Salmon, and Clams. The starters alone at Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar are impressive, but it gets even better when the mains arrived...

The first of the premium steaks were then served, starting with the John Dee Super Gold 160 Day Grain-Fed Black Angus Prime Rib (P 5,000/1 kg) imported from Queensland, Australia. Perfectly grilled with its signature grill marks and a juicy pink center, the flavors of the premium beef are rich and robust, great as is even without the sauce. Over an inch thick, the tender slab of Prime Rib remained juicy and flavorful, with a whisper of smokiness from the grill. For me, you can only call it a decent steak if it's at least nearly an inch-thick, everything else is just beef. Pure, clean, and upfront flavors, exactly what you'd expect from a premium steak.

Pair your steak with a variety of sides, including Mashed Potatoes with Garlic Chips (P 250), Spicy Onion Rings (P 250), Torched Asparagus and Lemon (P 500), and the Steak Rice (P 350). Other sides include the classic Creamed Spinach (P 250), Sauteed Shimeji Mushrooms (P 350), and the Lobster Mac & Cheese (P 500).

The impressive John Dee T-Bone (P 4,500/800g) is yet another of Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar's signature steaks. The beefy flavor is slightly more pronounced, with bolder notes specially near the bone. Simply seasoned with just salt and pepper, you really don't need any sauce at all. Not with steak this good.

A taste of the best is served next, with the premium Japanese Ohmi A5 Wagyu Striploin (P 6,500/300g), a well marbled slab that just melts like butter in your mouth. The evenly spread tiny flecks of white fat give this premium steak the familiar and iconic butter-like texture with its equally rich flavor, and it's an experience in itself.   

Cap your feast with Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar's equally indulgent desserts, like the intricate Mango Cajeta Pavlova (P 400)...

...the Banana Cake (P 400), served with maple ice cream, caramelized pecan and banana mascarpone...

...the Baked Cheesecake (P 400), made with dayap curd, Earl Grey ice cream with lavender...

...the Strawberry Pomegranate Agar (P 400), with coconut lychee sorbet and passionfruit cream...

...or the Assorted Handmade Chocolates (P 400) with chocolate dipped candied orange peels, each one guaranteed to end your feast on a high and sweet note.  

Then, there's Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar's handcrafted cocktails, made with the finest spirits and the freshest fruits, like the Fresh Kiwi Martini, a blend of Grey Goose, fresh kiwi, and fresh lemon juice; and the Lychee Martini, made with Grey Goose, fresh lychee, and lime juice. Other must try martinis include the Espresso Martini (with Absolut, espresso, Kahlua, and cream), and the Fresh Apple Martini (with Grey Goose, fresh apples and apple liqueur). Or the Fresh Cucumber Martini, made with Hendrick's Gin, fresh cucumber, and lime juice. Or the Classic Martini, with Bombay Sapphire Gin. With twelve specialty martinis, ten signature mojitos, and an extensive selection of spirits including premium Japanese cult labels, there's definitely a cocktail with your name on it.

So, where's the beef? It's all here at Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar...and I'm pretty sure Ruby and Jack would have loved the place.

Ruby Jack's Steakhouse & Bar is located at Unit 210, Upper Ground Floor, City of Dreams, Aseana corner Roxas Boulevard, Paranaque, Metro-Manila or call 801-8888 for inquiries and reservations.

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