Off the Grill turns 10

MANILA, Philippines - What started out in 2003 as a sheer idea of having a homey garden set-up where you could just serve good food and have live bands playing in the background is now celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Over the years, Boojie Sy, operations manager of Off the Grill, is humbled with the kind of following the resto bar has created: “Looking back, we never thought this will hit the market. We were just a group of friends who wanted to have a place where everything is cool — music, ambiance, food. I guess it’s that kind of ‘experience’ that has brought us to where we are now. And of which the people or the public comes back for — the Off the Grill experience.”

Located at 69 Timog Street, Quezon City, Off the Grill is known for its live entertainment, great ambiance, and excellent food. “As you can see from our logo, the three frogs have one holding a bottle of beer, one holding a microphone and the other, holding a fried chicken. This is translated to our kind of service: great drinks, live entertainment, and good food, respectively,” Sy says.

Asked why the frog icon for Off the Grill, he says, “Well, frogs because of their unique sound (and they) can definitely attract people. Frogs bring in good luck.”

Off the Grill has had lots of changes — for the better, of course. It has its new menu all set and the all-time favorite dishes are still consistently delicious. Special mentions are the Grilled Squid (grilled just right), Spicy Sashimi, Pork Sisig, Crispy Pata, Buffalo Wings, and the Bulalo Steak that’s just perfect with a bucket of ice cold beer.

Off the Grill has a huge event place. It has cool air even without air conditioning.

Off the Grill is also one of the pioneers in having live bands and acoustics. In fact, it is home to some of the country’s award-winning musical artists.

“We are proud to say that some of our country’s top performers in the music industry started their stints here in Off the Grill, the likes of Side A, Freestyle, Paolo Santos, UrbanNation, Richard Poon. And they are still very much part of Off the Grill,” Sy says.

Through the years, guest performances by MYMP, K24-7, True Faith, Mocha Girls, South Border, Brownman Revival, Princess Velasco, First Five, Duncan, Jimmy Bondoc and Saia have added glitter to the Off the Grill nightlife experience!

One of the highlights of the 10th anniversary celebration is giving recognition to these artists. And this happens on all Tuesdays of September, Off the Grill’s anniversary month.

For the VIPs, have it your way on Sept. 24.  There was a media launch last Sept. 10, and a “Supplier’s Night” on Sept. 17. A reunion of sorts for all VIPs and former employees is happening on Oct. 1.

Apart from its main location in Timog, Quezon City (426-9773), Off the Grill also has an outlet at Brick Road, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Cainta, Rizal (571-7531).

“This year, we would like to spread some more, targeting five more branches in the south, so that more and more people can get to share the Off the Grill experience. On the business side, which is our next big step, is opening our prospects for franchising,” Sy says.