LOCATED AT the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, SuperStar Sports Grill and Bar was opened to cater to sports fans meeting up before the game and concert patrons wanting to find a good place to hang out after a show. 

While the nearby Mall of Asia offers plenty of dining choices, SuperStar Chairman and Chief Executive Amando “Wopsy” Zamora believes being at the country’s largest indoor venue (which can accommodate as many as 20,000 people) provides exciting opportunities.

“It’s still different when you are just a few steps away from the venue. Guests will not walk, or drive, that far to eat,” Mr. Zamora told reporters recently.

Just in time for the start of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball tournament, SuperStar opened its doors to the public last Friday.

The 24-hour sports grill and bar offers casual dining favorites, bar chow, and a selection of grilled dishes from around the world.

Guests can choose from chicken, beef short ribs, pork belly, shrimp, or the fresh catch of the day and have it grilled in a variety of manners — like Pilipino inasal, Japanese yakiniku, Korean galbi, or Indonesian satay. Guests can also have their grilled orders made like Mexican asado, American barbecue, Mediterranean kebab or Brazilian churrasco starting at P270 per order.

The extensive list of appetizers includes Dynamite cheese sticks (P110), Pinoy corned beef lumpia (spring rolls, P160), Classic nachos (P180), and Super Pork siomai (P230). The pasta dishes are also inspired from around the world. There is Longaniza Bolognese (P220) made with the local sausage from Vigan, Ilocos Sur; as well as Singaporean favorite char kway teo (P220); and traditional Thai Phad Thai (P230).

Among the chef’s specials are Korean beef stew (P280), Crispy pata binagoongan with coconut cream (deep fried pig trotter cooked with shrimp paste and coconut cream, P840), and London fish and chips (P220).

SuperStar also serves sandwiches, all-day breakfast favorites, soups, and salads.

The restaurant has a 237-sq.m. dining area which can accommodate 98 people. It also has a chic sports bar which opens at 10 p.m., as well a VIP section for small gatherings and meetings. The restaurant also offers al-fresco dining starting at 10 p.m.

Mr. Zamora, together with his partners Manny Sy, Sergio Yu, Jose Siao Ling, Delfin Wenceslao, Jr., Ramon Gana, Michael Escaler and Chot Reyes, made sure that SuperStar will be omnipresent at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Those watching events at the Arena can buy food from any of SuperStar’s 15 satellite smoking rooms located inside the venue, while avid spectators whose eyes are hooked on the game can just wait for SuperStar “hawkers” to come to their seats.

Those who want to go to the bar after a concert can enter through the Arena lobby, while those working in offices the vicinity can also get their SuperStar fix via delivery.

Mr. Zamora said the restaurant offers SuperStar Meal Boxes for P180 (including the delivery charge) which includes a choice of a grilled dish with rice, plus dessert and a drink.

“A wide variety of food offerings of international flavors and exciting concoctions, classy interiors, cozy ambiance, and good acoustics, what more can you ask for a place to while away the time?” Mr. Zamora said. 

SuperStar Sports Grill and Bar is located at the ground floor of the Mall of Asia Arena along J.W. Diokno Blvd, Pasay City. For inquiries and deliveries, call 863-2776 to 77, 0917-854-8293 or 211-3487. For updates, visit www.superstargrill.com or e-mail [email protected]. — Jeffrey O. Valisno