Pig-out Crispy Pata (photo by CHARI VILLEGAS)

There’s something about grilled fare that draws people in: the warmth of the open flame, the mouth-watering aroma of cooking meat, and the homey comfort that gives one a feeling of having a regular family barbecue (not just in your backyard).

Pig Out, the newest dining concept under Creative Resto Concept Inc. which is the sister company of the Bistro Group, celebrates the art of grilling through a country-style grill restaurant located amidst the expanse and greenery of Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Pig Out serves simple yet flavorful selection of grilled dishes – from pork, beef, chicken, and seafood, all uniquely seasoned and spiced.

Just how do you start a “pig out” session? You start with a delectable appetizer which could be the Calamari, squid rings coated with a batter lightly spiced with herbs, or the Shrimps Salsa Cocktail which is grilled robust Tex-Mex topped with spicy tomato salsa served in a bed of chopped lettuce on a cocktail glass.

From there, further warm up your tummy with comfort soups. Have a bowl of the Mung Bean Soup, mongo soup with alugbati and shrimps, topped with chicharon. Or perhaps, the traditional Chicken Noodle Soup with tender chicken morsels and the Pork Rib or the King Prawn Sour Soups with their kilig-to-the-bone tartness.

The rice selection is a real gastronomic journey. Mr. Pig (the restaurant’s trademark) will take you to India through its Curry Fried Rice with generous toppings of chicken chunks, raisins, and nuts. Travel to Korea with the Seoul Spice Fried Rice which is quite spicy, but just enough to further whet your appetite.

The Chicharon Fried Rice is a delight in itself. Just imagine the crunchy goodness of the native pork crackling in every spoonful of fried rice. Then, there is the Chinese-Styled Fried Rice with shrimps, ham, and vegetables, a meal in itself.

Now, you need to pay attention and savor the next entrée. Although Pig Out dishes are mostly grilled, the real secret is in the sauces that come with each plate.

Take for example, their grilled shrimp. When grilled properly, shrimps on its own become a revelation. Their natural flavor stimulates the palate into blissfulness. At Pig Out, they take it one step further. They serve it with aligue and coconut milk sauce, topped with roasted chopped garlic. Truly sinful, yet quite heavenly.

The Inihaw na Tuna Belly is also a different story. A perfectly grilled tuna belly starts with a good marinade with citrus base. It helps to enhance the flavor of the fish meat, not mask it. Mr. Pig’s is a delight. It is soft and tender, and when eaten with chili leaves and garlic, it is delectable to say the least.

For serious meat lovers, Pig Out Crispy Pata is a true winner. It is quite crunchy on the outside and really tender on the inside. Then, there are the Beef Ribs Spicy Seoul Style, sweet and spicy ribs in sesame and chili sauce, the Pork Baby Back Ribs which is served with smoky barbeque sauce, and the traditional Pork Barbecue.

But let’s not forget the juicy steaks – the US Black Angus, the Striploin, or the Rib-eye – which come with mashed potatoes or buttered rice, vegetables, and mushroom or garlic butter sauce. The secret to a real steak experience is to not let it sit too long, or the meat will dry out. So, eat it while it’s hot.

Of course, always leave room for dessert. Have a slice of the classic American-style Apple Pie or the decadent old-time favorite Chocolate Cake. Or go Pinoy and taste the Fried Banana Spring Roll and the Halo-Halo.

Cap your pig out session with refreshing drinks that are a healthy blend of fruits and vegetables such as Veggie Cooler (a mixture of carrot juice and malunggay, with a squeeze of lime and Sprite, sweetened with honey), the Green Fizz (a blend of ampalaya, lemonade, Sprite, with honey and lemon juice), or the Skintrip (carrot juice with blended wheatgrass and honey).Whenever and wherever there’s great food, there’s always a reason to indulge. Pig Out is located at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. For inquiries, call (049) 502-6549.