With nothing much to do on a Saturday evening, I found myself at The Avenue complex trying out its Weekend Grill Cookout. The lure of the delectable food from the five restaurants plus the entertainment it provides its guests, it's a surefire way to enjoy the weekend.
The Avenue Complex is among the premiere and the first restaurant rows in Iloilo City that started around 10 years ago. It has 6 restaurants and cafes, a function room and a club making it a complete dining and entertainment destination.
There's Bauhinia for re-imagined native Ilonggo and Filipino cuisine, Mojave for Tex-Mex cuisine and steak lovers, Amalfi for Italian, Bourbon Street for American (and my favorite backribs), Nothing but Desserts for all your sweet cravings and Coffeebreak for your caffeine fix. The Venue Function Rooms can accommodate parties, meetings, receptions and more ranging from 40 to almost 200. And Aura Chill Out Lounge are for those who want to chill, drink and dance the night away.
The Weekend Grill Cookout features select items from the menu of Bauhinia, Mojave, Amalfi and Bourbon Street that basically on the grill. You can have Inihaw na Sibingan, Texas Pork Ribs, Steak Florentine and a whoel Rack of Ribs from each to the restaurants. But you can still have non-grilled items on the menu, it's just grilled specialties are highlighted.
Here's our Half-rack of Ribs from Bourbon Street and it still teases my palate the same way it did years ago. The quality and taste never faltered, still the same ol' delectable ribs that had me coming back over the years.
Not on Bauhinia's grilled menu, but the Crunchy Sizzling Sisig is a best-seller. The most sinfully delicious sisig in this part of the country, I must say. It's a pulutan, but it really is best with rice. And it should be unli-rice...
Back (almost) to the grilled menu, this time it's the Sausage Platter from Mojave. We can't say no to these deliciously grilled juicy-licious Schublig, Hungarian and Bratwurst. Another default order eversince, as it is both familiar and just really good for all.
A large serving of Bauhinia Iced Tea perked us up that night. This signature houseblend drink is more on the fruity side and a perfect cooler anytime of the day. Mojave and Amalfi also have their own houseblend iced tea - the latter being my ultimate favorite as it is cranberry juice based. Also when eating The Avenue, one can order items from different restos have it served in one place. Usually, we stay at Mojave and have orders from Bauhinia, Bourbon and Amalfi.
Entertainment filled the night as satisfyingly enjoyed each of the restaurants specialties. Music by the Driven Band filled the air and fire dancers illuminated the complex plus free shots of Raffa Sparkling Wine and Alfonso Premiere every now and then.
But the highlight of the night really belonged to the Domino Shots. Flavored concoctions were placed on tall glasses while spirits (alcohol) were on shot glasses lining up on the tips of the glasses. When the shots glasses fall on the tall glasses like dominoes, a new concoction is formed.
To make the long story short, watch my fellow blogger Andrea of Feature blog doing the ceremonial "toss" of the first shooter that created a "domino effect" on the other shooters. There were more than 200 glasses that night - almost double from the previous night. And when the last shot glass fell into the drink - everyone was welcome to take as much as they can. Yes, drinks were overflowing that night!
Capping off the night on a sweet note doesn't have to go far, Nothing But Desserts got us covered. As always, the mouth-watering display gave us a sweets dilemma as checked out the wide array of desserts they offered. But good thing Chef Marjoe was there... to the rescue!
Something new was the Almond Vodka Mendiant which is an adaptation from the original mendiant but still good - hey, it's chocolate, it should be good. Then there's the Calamansi French Macarons, citrussy and crumbly sweet in every bite. To cap it of, Chef Marjoe personally made our Peach Mango crepes which made our night end on a delicious sweet note!
Delectable grilled (and more) food offering. Delicious desserts. Engaging live music. Blazing fire dance. Domino shots (and more gimmicks) and free booze too. What more can you ask for a weekend chill out? The Avenue's WEEKEND GRILL COOKOUT is the place and event to be!
WEEKEND GRILL COOKOUT
Every Fridays and Saturdays
7pm onwards
7pm onwards
Glicerio T. Pison Ave. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Tel. No. 033-501-6262
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