Gerry’s Grill @ The Northwing, SM City Cebu

This is how Gerry’s Grill describes their food to be:

“Gerry’s Grill provides everyone and anyone who loves to eat with fresh food that is cooked, grilled, or prepared to satisfy the most distinguishing of palates. Ultimately, every item on the menu goes perfectly well with your favorite beverage; whether it be alcoholic or not. For a full meal with the family or for a night-out with the boys or girls, Gerry’s Grill offers the perfect place with the perfect menu to fit any occasion at any budget.”

But I strongly disagree. I have previously dined at 4 other Gerry’s Grill branches (at Ayala Center Cebu, Alabang Town Center, SM City Sucat and SM City Bicutan) and I was only “a little above satisfied”.

And just last Friday, while we were checking out the opening of the The Northwing at SM City Cebu (see previous posts), my parents decided that we’d have dinner at the newly opened Gerry’s Grill. So here’s my review:

The Place. The restaurant was cramped. Tables are too near to each other, therefore, there was not much leg space. Also, the tables were too small so there was not much arm space. Those factors (tables, chairs) were the opposite of what they were trying to achieve: a natural and restful place.

Food. Among everything we ordered, the drinks came first (as usual). I settled with the Bottled Water since I was not in the right mood because the place was too cold for comfort.

Since I didn’t want to get full so that I could taste every dish we ordered, I settled for the simplest and cheapest variation of rice, the Plain Rice

But it wasn’t plain as I expected. There was an awkward flowery taste, LOL.

Crispy Pata.

Pata is the front or hind leg of the pig. That means the leg and the trotters (knuckles). Crispy pata means deep fried pata with a crunchy rind and soft and moist meat inside.

Gerry’s Grill’s Crispy Pata was almost tasteless and was a little bit hard to chew properly. I guess they used a mature pig. Good thing the dipping sauce redeemed the bland dish.

Baked Scallops are thawed scallops, seasoned with garlic, cheese and butter then stuck into an oven until the cheese has slightly browned.

But the restaurant’s Baked Scallops was presented awfully. The cheese seemed to have blacked out. It was okay, it wasn’t too oily but it pales in comparison to Golden Cowrie Restaurant’s Baked Scallops.

Lumpiang Sariwa, or fresh spring rolls in English, consist of minced ubod (palm tree trunk), flaked chicken, crushed peanuts, and turnips as an extender in a double wrapping of lettuce leaf and a yellowish egg crepe. The accompanying sauce is made from chicken or pork stock, a starch mixture, and fresh garlic.

Gerry’s Grill’s Lumpiang Sariwa was served cold, too cold that you could say that it was just taken out from the freezer. The accompanying dipping sauce was also too sweet. I wonder what they added to the regular ingredients that made it taste such. But whatever it tasted like, I couldn’t resist my craving for fresh lumpia, one of my favorite dishes, so I consumed it all.

Halaan (Clam) Soup. Too salty.

The Fried Chicken is a redeemer. It was almost perfect. It was juicy and had a crispy crust. And most of all, it wasn’t oily!

Service. Service was good, fast and attentive. No service charge.

Waiting Time. Waiting Time is too long. Imagine having to wait 25 to 30 minutes when you already have a compelling need to eat as soon as possible.

Price. The price is okay, it’s affordable but it’s not worth it (average tasting food, and long waiting time)

Overall. I wasn’t satisfied, just nearly satisfied. Gerry’s Grill has failed to redeem itself on my 5th visit. Will there be a 6th visit for me? Probability is low, very low.

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