It was Lady L’s birthday in late September and, being a kind and considerate husband, I thought we’d celebrate with lunch at the Maranao Grill. That her birthday coincided with the Oasis Hotel’s ‘The Great Steak Lunch’ promotion was an added bonus.

The Maranao Grill is a large dining area and lacks the intimacy of more fashionable Grill Rooms in the world’s leading hotels. That aside, Lady L and I were escorted by our waiter to a table overlooking the swimming pool, seated and welcomed in a rather pleasing display of manners and efficiency. No flighty bimbos waiting table at the Maranao Grill, no-siree, these guys have been here for years and their knowledge and experience shows in a calm, professional manner and attention to detail. A pianist provides soothing background music and willingly takes requests for your favorite melody.

During the promotion, steaks were priced at P990 for 300gm and P550 for 150gm, with a 10% discount for any two orders, 20% off for three or more orders. Not perhaps the cheapest steak in town but certainly good value for money for Certified Angus Beef. We both chose the 300gm Rib Eye: one well done, one medium rare, with baked potato, salad and soup of the day included.

The steak was more chewy than I prefer, most likely because Rib Eye is a thin-ish cut at he best of times and also because of a few sinews that had not been removed. That said, however, the flavor was excellent, 300gm proved an adequate portion size, the vegetables, (broccoli, cauliflower and carrot), had just enough crunch for texture, and the presentation was outstanding. Her ladyship had no reservations about the meal and is eager for a return bout: hopefully well before her next birthday.

We each had a couple of glasses of the House Red, a Chilean wine priced at P125 a glass. A bit ‘tanniny’ and heavy for my palate, especially   at lunch, and while it slipped down easily enough I shan’t be adding it to my cellar.

As we left the hotel we both felt satisfied – well looked after and well fed after a thoroughly enjoyable meal.

There are two elements to the Maranao Grill that I was not prepared for. Firstly, this is a non-smoking restaurant. Those of us who need a tobacco fix are banished to the tropical heat to indulge our addiction, like mischievous schoolboys sneaking a smoke behind the bike shed.

Secondly, there is a dress code. Without knowing how strictly it is enforced, I don’t recommend you turn up wearing shorts and expect to be seated, especially at night.

Total cost for two, including pre lunch drinks, coffee and a modest tip was around P2,750, which Lady L and I agreed was money well spent.