This Restaurant Refuses To Be Just Another Steakhouse

On a quiet street deep within San Juan City is Lobby 385, a restaurant that refuses to be confined within the usual steakhouse trope. Within its impressive facade, marble walls and tables, brass finishings, and plush booths is a place where anyone at any age can find the answer to their cravings.

This new restaurant helmed by seasoned chef and restaurateur Kalel Chan is a shared vision with his partners Kelvin Yu (bassist of OPM band Itchyworms and the brains behind some of San Juan’s gems: Francesco’s and Café Mabini, Jeff Siy, Warren Sy, PJ King, (the three are also Yu’s co-owners of beloved buffet Guevarra’s by Chef Laudico) and Paulo Cheng. 

It was Chan’s visit to Spanish-American chef Jose Andres’ Las Vegas restaurant that piqued an interest, which soon helped inspire the concept for Lobby 385. Chef Kalel encountered a unique steak — an Australian beef that’s a perfect cross between succulent Wagyu and flavorful Angus — and he decided he had to bring this unique offer to Manila. With Kelvin Yu and the partners, they also managed to score a prized KOPA Charcoal Oven from Slovenia through a series of (now-considered-happy) accidents.

But despite having one-of-a-kind steaks and a premium oven to boot, Lobby 385 hopes diners will see them as more than a steakhouse.

“Yes, we have premium cuts of meat,” says Chef Kalel, “But we want our guests to explore the rest of the menu because there’s so much more to discover here.” And that’s no exaggeration — whether you’re in the mood for steak, seafood, or something a little more playful, Lobby 385 delivers in spades.

While its interiors may be posh and chic as it was modeled after hotel lobbies — hence the restaurant name — the partners say it’s the entrance (the lobby) to something comforting and satisfying.

“We want people to feel at home here… That’s why we’re also trying to veer away from the typical ‘steakhouse’ label,” Chef Kalel explains, adding that most people tend to be intimidated when they hear it’s a steakhouse and automatically think it’s expensive, when their price point is far from lavish.

Working with Lobby 385’s head chef Niehls Manzon, one of Chef Kalel’s very first mentees, the menu at Lobby 385 reflects a masterful blend of high-end ingredients and creative twists on comfort food, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Here’s a closer look at some of the standout dishes that make this San Juan dining spot a must-visit.

Lobby 385 hits the ground running with its excellent array of starters — from playful takes on classics to completely new offers. Make sure to get the Potato Pave Crisp, crisp cubes of layered potato slices served with hollandaise sauce and finished with Pecorino Snow and Truffle Spray; and Butter-broiled Crab Cakes, meaty crab cakes served on top of sizzling butter finished with Old Bay dust and tangy Tartar Sauce on the side.

The Bacalao & Prosciutto Croquettes are umami bombs of salted cod (Bacalao) served on a bed of subtly spicy and tart salsa brava and topped with prosciutto, and served with zesty aioli for balance; and the Beef Salpicao are prepared table-side for a delicious show. The topblade tender Salpicao is served with bits of crunchy bicho-bicho that you can use to scoop up the garlic (and garlicky oil) for maximum flavor.

If you’re looking for something to offset the indulgence of the starters, try their Truffled Ponzu Arugula Salad, a bed of fresh arugula studded with creamy avocado cubes, umami-rich marinated kombu, sun-dried tomatoes, shredded onions, candied walnuts, poached pears, and figs for pleasant bites of sweetness, and shaved parmesan for a little saltiness; and the must-try Stracciatella Caprese with fresh tomato slices, grilled grapes for an interesting addition of smokey yet fresh sweetness, shredded kaffir for freshness, and fig de balsamico for that gloriously rich yet tangy finish.

For pasta-lovers, Lobby 385 also churns out impressive plates of handmade pasta. Kelvin Yu’s personal favorite, the Shrimp Bisque Cream Pappardelle, should not be skipped. The handmade pappardelle pasta has a nice chew to it and tossed in a creamy, seafood cream sauce before being topped with stracciatella, caviar, dill, and a grilled butterfly shrimp with herbed butter. The KOPA-baked Hulk Lasagna Al Forno is a beautiful mess with its duo of Angus meat sauce and spinach cream sauce (putting the ‘Hulk’ in this dish) and topped with mozzarella and parmesan before it gets sent to the KOPA to form a nice crust, giving it another layer of flavor and texture. 

Despite opening only in late July, diners have been coming back for the Lobby Signature 100% Angus Burger, the restaurant’s take on a classic comfort food with Chef Kalel’s twist. Made with two kinds of Angus beef patties — one thick, juicy patty and one smashed patty with beautifully crisp edges — this burger is as satisfying as it is flavorful, giving diners the best of both worlds. The beef is seasoned to perfection and grilled to bring out the natural, robust taste of Angus, which responds so well to high heat. The caramelized onions and the slice of classic American Cheddar rounds up the beef’s ultra-savory flavors with subtle sweetness and salty-creamy touch. It’s served with a side of crispy herb fries and their house-made “secret” sauce. This hefty burger is a go-to for those who appreciate the simplicity of a well-executed, no-frills meal with top-notch ingredients.

Taking comfort food to new heights as only Kalel and Kelvin can, the Haute Fried Chicken is far from your average fried chicken. The crispy, golden-brown exterior hides tender, juicy meat within, but I believe what makes this dish truly ‘haute’ is its tonkotsu white gravy made with a chicken & pork base and the bed of silky mashed potato beneath the chicken. It’s a sophisticated take on a beloved classic, making it a must-try for anyone seeking indulgence in every bite. This writer looks forward to coming back for more of this stunning example of effing around with experts and finding out just how much better an already perfect dish (such as fried chicken) could be.

At the heart of Lobby 385’s menu is its signature 28-day Dry-Aged Australian T-Bone Hybrid Steak, a unique cut that blends the best qualities of both Angus and Wagyu beef. Dry-aged for enhanced flavor and tenderness, this steak is a perfect balance of marbling and meatiness, offering a rich, buttery mouthfeel with every bite. The hybrid of two of the world’s most coveted beef types makes this dish a one-of-a-kind experience for steak aficionados looking for something beyond the usual. The natural umami of the beef is intensified through the aging process, making it a showstopper for those who appreciate bold, full-bodied flavors.

For diners who want the taste of premium beef without committing to a massive portion, the Petite Steak is a delightful alternative. Don’t let its size fool you—this dish packs a punch in terms of flavor. Cooked to perfection, the petite cut retains all the juiciness and depth of a full-sized steak, making it an ideal option for those who want to sample multiple dishes or prefer a lighter meal. 

Dessert is not just an after-thought at Lobby 385. Multi-awarded chef and Doreen Fernandez Gamboa Food Writing Award recipient Francis Lacson (of Francesco’s and Café Mabini) helped develop these sweet offers, making sure it gives diners a homey yet professional conclusion to their nearly perfect meal. The Classic Tiramisu gives a punchy bite with pronounced flavors of amaretto and Belgian cocoa powder for those with an insatiable sweet tooth; breathing new life into an old world classic, their Mulled Wine Poached Pears with crème Anglais, vanilla ice cream, and Parmesan tuille will surely impress your date; and the must-try Grandma’s Pecan Pie is comfort food at its finest. 

With a menu that caters to both adventurous eaters and lovers of classic fare, it’s no wonder that this San Juan gem is already making waves in the local dining scene. Whether you’re craving the bold flavors of dry-aged steak or seeking the comforting richness of fried chicken, there’s something for every palate at this exciting new restaurant.

Lobby 385 is located at 385 P. Guevarra Street, San Juan City  |  Sun-Wed, 11am-11pm; Thu-Sat, 11am-1am  |  0917 169 5338  |  Full Menu: bit.ly/3Lvife0  |  Facebook & Instagram: @lobby385ph