Resto Review: Acacia Steakhouse

On my way to work and from home, I usually pass by this seemingly ordinary place with a big acacia tree and a house nearby. I don't normally look at this place for fear of "aswangs" and other stories of white ladies that we usually get from big trees.

Just last month, I noticed some series lights being placed, it seemed to bring on some new ambiance and soon enough, there was a signage of a restaurant that is about to open called Acacia Steakhouse. What a fitting name for the reconstructed place!

Ambiance

The place opened April 29 and we went there to check the place around the end of May. We figured a month of operations could give them ample time to weed out some soft opening jitters. There was enough car space for around 12-20 cars, I guess. That night gave us freedom to park anywhere we could. The series lights really gave good decor to the whole place. Inside, it is dainty and clean with interesting wood work for accentuation. 

Service

Nobody was there to greet us and we were a bit confused as to where the main door is (no signage etc) as there was another staircase leading to the kitchen and the acacia tree itself. It was quiet, and the music was slow (some bossa-ish tone). Waiters were not that akin to upselling as they did not offer us any options-- what is the best in the menu, what is this place all about, that the best view is up at the acacia tree, etc. It was awkward, for us to wade into the menu ourselves and checking out the best option we could get based on what we thought sounded good. 

Food
We ordered food to share-- a pumpkin soup (Php65); 350g of Certified Angus Ribeye Steak, medium-cooked (Php990), and 2 mashed potato (Php100- Php50each) and tap water. 

What astonished me was that the food was served in less than 15minutes. For most restaurants, that is admirable. But for me, the food presented looked and tasted like it was prepared prior and was just heated. 

The pumpkin soup still had traces of pumpkin to taste and it was so salty, we had to ask the waiter to reheat it and put a little more cream. 

Pumpkin Soup

The beef angus which we asked to be medium cooked was almost medium well but I did not mind as it was tasty anyway. It was spiced well, with enough herbs-- not too salty and not too bland. I would recommend this to be ordered solo, and not to be shared.  I wish they have this signature gravy though to go with the steak and the mashed potato. I am not a fan of the steak sauce so the whole course was tasty, yet dry to the mouth. 

Beef Ribeye Steak

Lastly the mashed potato looked like a clump of yellow clay. I didn't think they bothered to reheat it, which felt cold, un-mashy and not tasty at all.

Cost

We paid less than P1,500.00 for the both of us but it wasn't that filling. We ended up buying and eating ice cream, eggs and pansit canton at home (so much for protein overload). 

mashed potato or smashed potato?

Verdict 

The place has a potential but I guess this is not the right time yet to venture it out. They still need a lot of polishing in terms of marketing, customer service training, etc. 

Details: 

Acacia Steakhouse is located at Acacia Street, Green Valley Subdivision, Capitol Hills. You can go there via Opra through the Capitol side. Just ask where Suarez Brothers is and it's in the same street. They are open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am-2pm and 6pm-9pm. 

'Til next time!