Gulliver’s travels to Manila

Like the main character in Jonathan Swift’s classic novel of a ship doctor washed ashore on an island of little people (Lilliput), Gulliver’s of San Francisco towers above a multitude.

Gulliver’s, the restaurant, arrived in these shores last October, and already it is proving itself also quite a giant.

Many Filipinos who frequently travel to San Francisco have dined in Gulliver’s, a restaurant along the Old Bayshore Highway in Burlingame, California renowned for its prime rib. Set up by an American Jew in 1970, Gulliver’s was bought by a Filipino couple, Dr. Ricardo Ng and his wife Natividad 12 years ago.

The owners sold everything to the Ngs, "lock, stock and barrel."

Among Gulliver’s patrons are billionaire Bill Gates, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, football stars Joe Montana and Steve Bono, and actor Sean Penn. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Speaker Joe de Venecia have also dined in the restaurant in the company of friends and political allies.

Although it is owned by a Filipino couple, Gulliver’s of San Francisco, which seats over 300, is patronized mostly by "locals" or Bay area residents. Few people, in fact, know it is owned by a Filipino couple.

The Ngs have hired professionals to manage the restaurant, and it has kept the highest of standards.

"Those who go to our restaurant in San Francisco want to see and be seen," says Naty. "Our best day in the entire year is Mother’s Day, because that’s the day the men take out their mothers. Our second best day is Thanksgiving."

"Gulliver’s in Makati will be like Gulliver’s of San Francisco in every way," says Naty Ng. The only difference is that lapu-lapu was added to the menu.

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Gulliver’s in Makati is on the 10th Floor of the Great Eastern Hotel building on Makati Avenue, another thriving business owned by the Ngs. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, which offer a breathtaking view of the city.

Gulliver’s was designed to look like an English tavern, much like the San Francisco branch. Over 100 photos, paintings and prints from the novel and animated movie Gulliver’s Travels adorn the walls. Waitresses are dressed like Irish wenches.

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What makes Gulliver’s tower above most is its steak. I make no bones about this. Gulliver’s serves the best prime rib in town.

With obvious pride, Naty says that if the bone of contention is the beef, there will be no argument about the best prime rib in town.

"We source our beef from the store that supplies the beef to our San Francisco branch. We buy the beef from the US Midwest. The best meat in the US comes from the Midwest where they are corn fed. Corn-fed cows are the best," Naty claims.

The steaks in Gulliver’s are so tasty they are seasoned only with salt and pepper, boasts Naty. The entrees are served on hot plates laid on pewter plates flown in from San Francisco. You can start your meal with a bowl of clam chowder, which is already a conversation piece. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the Caesar’s Salad, though.

But if you have soup or salad, just make sure you leave enough room for the main event – the prime rib. Each steak entree (Nati recommends that you don’t order it well-done) is served with side dishes of Yorkshire pudding, spinach soufflé, baked potato and creamed corn. For me, next to the steak, the creamed corn is to die for. Naty will give you its recipe upon request.

Because not everyone has the same appetite, the roast prime rib comes in five portions: Petite Cut, English Cut, End Cut (for those who like their steak medyo tostado on the outside), Gulliver’s Cut and the Full Bone Cut. I took the Petite Cut, and still skipped dinner that night (well, I had clam chowder, too).

Seafood entrees (imported lobster tail, Dover sole, sea scallops, salmon, sea bass and halibut and local lapu-lapu) are also available, but I suggest that if you are not vegetarian, order steak whenever you are at Gulliver’s. If you don’t, it’s like being in San Francisco and skipping Golden Gate Bridge, or going to Paris and bypassing the Eiffel Tower during a city tour.

For dessert, I shared an English trifle (sponge cake, rhum, fruit and whipped cream) with my friend Niza Vergel de Dios, who hails from the same province as Naty.

A glass of red wine is always on the house.

Glad Gulliver’s has finally reached these shores.

(For inquiries, you may call 898-28-88)

(You may e-mail me at [email protected])