Foodie fun on the fourth floor

Somehow, there’s a lot to say for eating in surroundings that are bright and spacious. That’s how it is in Megamall’s new retail space The Atrium. The new, bright space with its dome-shaped roof and circular structure allows so much light to come in that it casts a (sort of) celestial glow on the The Atrium. On the fourth floor, the cheery light helps stimulate the senses when shopping or the appetite when checking out the new dining establishments.

There are about five restaurants now open on the fourth floor, although more will soon open before Christmas and in January. Each food haunt offers a different take on food and restaurant dining that will surely please any food lover.

Sizzlin’ Pepper Steak: Some like it hot, hot, hot

Meat lovers would certainly love this restaurant, especially those who are particular about how their steak and cuts are cooked. Sizzlin’ Pepper Steak offers an interactive kind of cooking that involves an “innovative sizzling plate system,” essentially a very, very hot plate that cooks your meal in minutes right before your eyes. Everything’s basically already arranged on the plate. Your job now is to add the sauce and other condiments and turn over the meat. Sounds fun? Sure is. Plus, the sizzling plate keeps your meal hot the entire time.

Bestsellers include Beef Pepper Rice (thinly-sliced beef seasoned with garlic butter, cracked pepper and teriyaki sauce), Chicken Peppered Steak (boneless chicker rubbed with roasted peppers) and the Rib Eye Steak. If the hotplate system doesn’t sound too appealing as of the moment, you can also try looking into the restaurant’s soup and salad choices. The Chicken Salad, a medley of garden greens, mango slices, grapes, pine nuts and chicken mayo dressing, is a favorite.

Crepes and Cream: Rollin’ with the flavor

Crepes that can be held by the hand and eaten on the go: This is the main idea behind Crepes and Cream. Here, both sweet and savory crepes are rolled either cone-like or burrito-style for easier eating.

Crepes and Cream has pretty interesting choices for their savory crepes: Pork Floss Cheesy Omelete, Spicy Tuna Onion, Chicken Adobo. We tried the Kani Mango, the crepe twist on what is usually seen in sushi. This hefty roll has ebiko (cod roe), kani (crab) strips, mangoes, lettuce and a dollop of mayonnaise. If you’re desirous of a sweet fix, choose from any of their dessert crepes. The most indulgent (read: sinful) is the Mini Banana Bonkers, easily a banana split in a crepe. It has three scoops of ice cream — vanilla, chocolate and strawberry — banana slices, a drizzling of choco sauce, lots of whipped cream and almond bits. Wow! For more dessert twists, the Cake Crepes, crepes with cheesecake bits and ice cream, are even more luscious options.

Gotti’s: Italian all the way

Craving for authentic Italian in Pinoy friendly prices? Pop in Gotti’s a pleasant and cozy pizza and pasta joint. The Frutti de Mare pasta is cooked in perfect al dente style, while the unique and tasty Contadina pizza is a must. Cap it off with the bitter chocolate and mint gelato combo called the After-Eight gelato. All dishes are under P400, with pasta below P300!

Brothers Burgers: 100-percent pure burger love

In the nearly 10 years it’s been in the dining scene, Brothers Burgers has upgraded the idea of a hamburger as just a fastfood choice sandwiched in between mayo- and ketchup-smeared buns into gourmet burgers with more heft, more character and infinitely better taste. More health benefits too, since these burgers are charbroiled.

Using 100-percent prime choice imported beef in sizes that go as massive as a half pound and a pounder, Brothers Burger’s burgers appeal to those who want more chunk in their ground beef. They also serve Angus and lamb burgers. For more designer appeal, the burger chain offers a wide range of home-made toppings that can make your sandwich infinitely more appetizing.

Burgers may be their main draw but Brothers Burgers also serve fish and chicken sandwiches as well as pastas, salads and soups. Oh yeah, they’ve got milkshakes too, thick, creamy mixes that barely siphon up a thin straw. Hey, what’s a burger without milkshake, right?

Greenwich: Pizza and pasta the Pinoy way

This particular Greenwich branch offers an entirely different dining experience from other Greenwich stands. Aside from premium interiors and an increased seating capacity, the Greenwich in The Atrium has waiter service so you can better enjoy the offerings from this beloved Filipino pizza chain. The menu is still the same — pizza and pasta suited to the Pinoy’s taste — but is now complemented with dessert and coffee. Now you can finish off your Overload Pizza (a smorgasbord of pepperoni. Beef crumbles, spiced ham, bacon bits, onions, pineapples, black olives, green and red bell peppers, mushrooms and mozzarella) and creamy, meaty Lasagna Supreme with a slice of their Choco Mango Ganache, a light, mousse-like dessert that melts in your mouth. Take your dessert with coffee to complete an extremely satisfying meal.