An Anniversary Dinner at Chingolo Deli & Kitchen, Molito Alabang: A Cozy Argentinian-Filipino Feast
There's something special about finding the right restaurant to celebrate a milestone, and this year we chose Chingolo Deli & Kitchen in Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang, for our anniversary. It happened to be a rainy evening, which turned out to be the perfect backdrop for the warm, cozy atmosphere this place had to offer.
If you're looking for a restaurant in the south (Alabang, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque area) that serves premium Argentinian beef with a distinctly Filipino brand of hospitality, here's our honest take on our meal at Chingolo Molito, dish by dish.
What is Chingolo Deli & Kitchen? A Quick Background
Before diving into our food ratings, a bit of context for those who haven't heard of Chingolo yet.
Chingolo Deli & Kitchen is an Argentinian-Filipino fusion butchery-deli-restaurant concept co-founded in 2019 by celebrity brothers-in-law Nico Bolzico and Erwan Heussaff. The name "Chingolo" is inspired by an Argentinian term for a specific cut of beef, and also a small bird found in Argentina.
The concept grew out of Nico and Erwan's love for Bolzico Beef: pasture-raised, grass-fed Argentinian Angus beef sourced from Nico's family farms and network in Argentina. What makes Chingolo stand out from other Argentinian-inspired restaurants in Manila (which usually serve USDA beef) is that it's genuinely Argentinian-owned, serving authentic Argentinian beef wrapped in a warm, casual Filipino dining experience. No stiff fine-dining pretensions, just really good food served well.
After years of success with their original Makati branch, Chingolo opened its second branch right here in Molito, Alabang, in September 2024, finally bringing their beef-centric menu to those of us living in the south.
The Ambiance: Cozy, Warm, and Perfect for a Rainy Night
The moment we stepped in, the space felt intimate and inviting, exactly the vibe you'd want for an anniversary dinner. With the rain pouring outside, Chingolo Molito's warm lighting and cozy interiors made it feel like the ideal date-night hideaway. It didn't feel like a huge, impersonal steakhouse; it felt like somewhere you'd want to linger a little longer over a glass of wine.
The Service: Attentive Without Being Overbearing
Our servers were attentive from the moment we sat down, checking in at just the right intervals without hovering. For a celebratory dinner, that kind of thoughtful, unobtrusive service elevates the whole experience, and Chingolo's staff delivered.
The Food: Dish-by-Dish Ratings
Portion sizes were generous for the price, which we really appreciated. Here's how each dish stacked up for us.
New York Strip (5/5)
This was the star of the night. Perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful, and true to what Bolzico Beef is known for: lean, tender, grass-fed Argentinian Angus at its best. If you're new to Chingolo, this is a great introduction to why people rave about their steaks.
Basil Pesto Pasta (2/5)
Pesto is one of my personal favorite flavors, so I'll admit I went into this dish with high hopes. Unfortunately, this particular pasta didn't quite hit the mark for me. It felt like it was missing that punchy, herbaceous depth that a really good pesto usually delivers. To be fair, taste is subjective, and this was clearly not the kitchen's strong suit compared to their beef dishes. Chingolo's menu clearly shines brightest when it sticks to what they do best: Argentinian beef. We'd still encourage fellow pesto lovers to try it and see if it works better for your palate, but for us, it was the one dish that fell short on an otherwise excellent night.
Beef Lasagna (5/5)
Rich, hearty, and generously portioned. The beef lasagna made great use of Chingolo's quality beef, and every layer was well-balanced: not too heavy, not too dry. A comfort-food win.
Fried Pickles (5/5)
A great, crunchy starter with just the right amount of tang. Perfect as a shareable appetizer to start the meal while waiting for the mains.
Empanadas, Original & Cheesy Chili Beef (5/5)
Both empanada flavors delivered: flaky, well-seasoned, and packed with flavorful beef filling. The Cheesy Chili Beef variant had a nice kick, while the Original stayed true to a classic, comforting Argentinian empanada flavor profile. These are must-orders for empanada fans in Manila.
Ending the Night with Dilmah Tea
To cap off a beef-heavy, indulgent meal, we ordered Dilmah Tea, a light, warm way to end the night and aid digestion after all that delicious food.
Our Overall Experience
We left Chingolo Molito full, happy, and grateful we picked this spot for our anniversary. Between the cozy ambiance, attentive staff, and (mostly) fantastic food, it checked all the boxes for a memorable celebratory dinner. The Basil Pesto Pasta was the only dish that didn't quite land for us, but everything else more than made up for it.
Chingolo Deli & Kitchen Molito: Location, Hours & Contact Details
Address: GF Building 6, Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Restaurant Hours: Everyday, 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Deli Hours: Everyday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Reservations (Call, SMS, Viber, WhatsApp): 0917 159 0972
Website: chingolodeli.ph
Final Thoughts
If you're in the Alabang area and craving quality Argentinian beef with a distinctly Filipino warmth, Chingolo Deli & Kitchen Molito is well worth the visit, whether it's for a regular weeknight dinner or, like us, a special celebration. Just maybe skip the Basil Pesto Pasta and load up on their steaks, lasagna, and empanadas instead.
Have you tried Chingolo Molito? Let us know your favorite dish in the comments below!
XOXO,
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