COCONUTS HOT SPOT — In Korean language gui-i means grilled. And though this new restaurant along Tomas Morato offers sumptuous grilled dishes, it also home to Korean all-time favorites like bibimbap, bulgogi, jjampong, shabu-shabu, samgyupsal and the like.
The best thing about this grill bistro is the smokeless grill. Nothing is more appetizing than having your food, like grilled meat, cooked right in front of you, then consuming it as soon as it is done. You are provided different dipping sauces and various banchan to go along with it.
THE LOOK
Grill Bistro the gu-i sits on a spot along Tomas Morato Avenue that used to be a Japanese burger place. It retained some of the wooden accents inside but gave it an all-new Korean look. On the brick walls are images of Korean food and culture. As with other Korean restaurants, the owner is always happy to have pictures taken with celebrities who have dropped by, and these are displayed as well.
The place seats about 40-50 people at both ground and upper level dining areas. The lighting is warm and the 24-hour operation makes it a great dining spot for your anytime of the day Korean comfort food cravings.
THE GRUB
We had the Dweji Galbi (PHP350), one of their bestsellers. It’s a plateful of marinated pork belly carefully cooked by the staff on your table’s smokeless grill. It is served with seafood soup, a plate of lettuce and six other banchan (the Korean version of amuse bouche) like kimchi, noodles (japchae), pickled radish and seaweed. Good thing we ordered light, since the servings were generous.
The bite-sized pork slices were smoky and is seasoned only with salt and pepper. It is best wrapped in lettuce together with a brush of some chili sauce, pork oil and kimchi. Scrambled egg is also grilled on a specially-indented spot beside the pork. The pickled radish provided a sour contrast to the savory meat. Like the seaweed, it breaks the flavor monotony and refreshes the palate.
We didn’t get to try them, but we will definitely order the Wagyu Cube, Ggot Sal, and Beef Shabu-shabu on our next visit.
While Korea just used to remind me of Starex vans, Song Hye Kyo, telenovelas, Korean students studying English here, K-Pop music and Korean fried chicken, Grill Bistro the gu-i gives me one more reason to love Korea.
Anyoung haseyo!
NOTES
Cost: Approximately P350-500 per person for food and drinks
Cleanliness: Very clean.
Service: Good. Even the Korean owner will assist you if he is there. Staff can recommend bestsellers and are knowledgeable of the menu items.
Sound level: Mainstream pop is played.
Lighting: Warm, exciting, cozy at night.
Coconuts Manila dined anonymously and paid for this meal. Grill Bistro the gu-i, Unit A 1186 Tomas Morato Ave, Bgy Sacred Heart, Quezon City; www.facebook.com/grillbistrothegui, +63 917 9258880. Daily 24/7. Photo: Grill Bistro the gu-i Facebook Page
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