Once upon a time, in the bustling streets of Quezon City, food enthusiasts and carnivores alike found themselves facing a culinary conundrum.
Despite the thriving food scene in the city, a noticeable absence left many craving for more: the scarcity of new steakhouses.
Quezon City, known for its diverse and dynamic gastronomic landscape, had always been a haven for food lovers.
From hole-in-the-wall eateries to high-end dining establishments, the city offered a wide array of culinary delights. However, for those who cherished a perfectly seared steak, the options were becoming disappointingly limited - for this author at least.
Enter Wolfgang's Steakhouse. The famous restaurant officially opened its doors today, Oct. 10th, at Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City. This marks their first branch in Quezon City and their 5th in the country.
People from 'Kyusi' (a colloquial term for Quezon City) no longer need to travel to the south to enjoy the restaurant's signature USDA Prime Black Angus beef, which is dry-aged in Wolfgang’s own specially designed aging room for an average of 28 days.
The restaurant was established by Wolfgang Zwiener, formerly the headwaiter at Peter Luger Steakhouse, an iconic New York establishment that dates back to 1887.
After dedicating more than 40 years of his life to the steakhouse, Zwiener decided to venture out on his own in 2004, opening his restaurant on Park Avenue in Manhattan.
The Zwiener family is always present in restaurant openings in the Philippines, and the opening at Araneta City was no different.
“From the milestone of introducing more value-driven, more interesting, and more flavorful plates in City of Dreams, it is an absolute honor to be able to continue this legacy here at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in Araneta City,” says Peter Zwiener, President and Co-founder of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, son of Wolfgang Zwiener.
“Nothing brings our family more joy than to share this unparalleled dining experience we have all come to enjoy and love to the rest of Metro Manila through this benchmark in Quezon City where the best of sports and entertainment come together in a show of force unlike any other.”
During the opening, Peter also expressed to Manila Bulletin how confident they are about their prospects in the Philippines. "Next will be in Boracay, probably before the end of the year. Or by next year 2024. And then off to Davao and Cebu."
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse offers a menu featuring a selection of steaks, potatoes, beef barley soup, creamed spinach, and cheesecake.
The highlight of their offerings is the porterhouse steak, available in sizes suitable for two to four diners, following the cherished tradition of classic New York chophouses.
In an interview with Raymund Magdaluyo, one of Wolfgang Steakhouse's Philippine partners, he emphasized that the dishes at Wolfgang's are a hit due to the high-quality beef and the cooking techniques employed.
The restaurant exclusively offers USDA Prime Black Angus beef, which undergoes a meticulous dry-aging process in Wolfgang's custom-designed aging room for an average of 28 days.
According to Magdaluyo, the choice of USDA Prime Black Angus beef is based on its exceptional qualities, including superior marbling, tenderness, flavor, and texture.
Magdaluyo further explained, "We have a unique Angus beef supplier that no other local restaurants have access to. Wolfgang's team maintains a stringent commitment to the quality of the beef we serve, as well as the interior design of our restaurants. Our goal is to replicate the experience of dining in the original Wolfgang restaurant in New York, ensuring that when you dine at any of our branches, it feels as though you're in the heart of the original Wolfgang establishment."
Why choose Araneta City for the newest branch? According to the owners, there's a significant untapped market in the north. The area is home to many corporate offices and residential areas that constitute prime markets for the upscale dining experience the restaurant offers.
“The Araneta Group is steadfast in its pursuit of pioneering endeavors that are the first, the biggest, and the best in their class, and with this partnership, which stands to be a first in Quezon city,” Lorna Fabian, Vice President for Leasing of Araneta Group said, during the opening ceremony.
“In our pursuit to create inclusive communities that deliver memorable experiences worth sharing and ultimately, always welcome everyone, we are grateful to take this step forward with Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and grow the food scene in delightful abundance here in Araneta City.”
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Araneta City is open daily from 10:00AM to 10:00PM on non-show days and 10:00AM to 11:00PM on show days.