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The Argentinian steaks are 'bueno' and 'barato' at Erwan and Nico's new deli-kitchen

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Cyrene de la Rosa

<p>Erwan Heussaff and Nico Bolzico are famous—for their millions of Instagram followers, their even more famous wives, Anne Curtis and Solenn Heussaff (Erwan’s sister), respectively, and their many projects in front of the camera. But this time, they’re staying behind the scenes of their latest baby, a beef-centric butchery-deli-kitchen located on the ground floor of a low-rise office building complex on Chino Roces Extension Avenue.</p><h3>You may also like:</h3><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/video/09/01/19/for-meat-lovers-only-unlimited-beef-lamb-sausages-await-at-this-roxas-boulevard-spot">For meat lovers only: unlimited beef, lamb, sausages await at this Roxas Boulevard spot</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/08/09/19/this-wagyu-steak-cut-tastes-better-than-your-usual-ribeyeheres-how-to-cook-it-perfectly">This Wagyu steak cut tastes better than your usual ribeye</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/video/02/05/19/heres-the-proper-way-to-cook-steak-at-home">VIDEO: Here’s the proper way to cook steak at home, just like it’s done at Wildflour</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/video/04/06/19/video-la-cabrera-steaks">VIDEO: La Cabrera’s steaks are charcoal grilled with a dose of Argentinian flair</a></li></ul><p>Named after a beef cut (equivalent to the USDA’s chuck tender), Chingolo also refers to a type of sparrow commonly found in Bolzico’s hometown of Santa Fe in Argentina. It is now the new home and retail outlet of Bolzico Beef from Argentina that Bolzico and Heussaff have been importing to the Philippines since 2018.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/2chingolo.jpg"/><figcaption>Heussaff brings his prior restaurant experience to Chingolo.</figcaption></figure></div><p>“Argentina is the steak mecca,” says Heussaff. “I never really had a good steak until I traveled there with Nico.” So when the Philippine government lifted the importation ban imposed on Argentinian beef in 2018, the celebrity duo decided to embark on their first business project together which was to import Argentinian beef to the Philippines from cattle farms owned by Bolzico’s family.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/3chingolo.jpg"/><figcaption>Bolzico’s Argentinian roots are evident in Chingolo’s steak menu.</figcaption></figure></div><p>“We’ve been distributing the beef for almost three years now and everyone kept asking where they could go and buy the meat themselves,” shares Heussaff. While they set up an e-commerce option, people were still looking for a place where they could check out the meat before buying. So when a retail space opened up on the ground floor of the building that houses the office space he shares with Bolzico, they finally decided to open Chingolo.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/4chingolo.jpg"/><figcaption>Chingolo’s cozy dining area seats just 25.</figcaption></figure></div><p>What to expect? Heussaff answers, “Chingolo is mainly a deli where everyone can get their beef needs, with a simple steak kitchen.” As you enter, you are greeted by the deli area filled with chillers full of takeout items. Bolzico Beef is, of course, the highlight—pure Argentinian Angus beef, certified 100% grass-fed, available for takeout in slabs cut to order per kilo, or in pre-cut frozen individual steak portions. The best part is the affordability—250 grams of striploin for P390, rib-eye for P535, brisket for P220, and rib cap for P253.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/5chingolo.jpg"/><figcaption>Bolzico Beef ready to cook at home.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Just in case you haven’t tasted Argentinian beef yet, Chingolo is the perfect place to give it a try. It has a small casual dining area with an open kitchen, offering a limited beef-centric menu. The chefs can cook your preferred steak cut for you at relatively wallet-friendly prices.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/6chingolo.jpg"/><figcaption>Beef tenderloin</figcaption></figure></div><p>The cheapest Rib Cap steak goes for just P690 (250 grams) while the most expensive Rib-eye or Ancho steak is P990 (250 grams). In between are other available cuts like Striploin (Angosto), Tenderloin, Flank (Vacio), Rump (Picanha), and Skirt (Entrana).</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/7chingolo.jpg"/><figcaption>The least expensive Rib Cap at P690 for 250 grams.</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/8chingolo.jpg"/><figcaption>The priciest cut, Rib Eye, at less than P1,000 for 250 grams.</figcaption></figure></div><p>In choosing a steak cut to try, you should remember that grass-fed Argentinian beef is slightly different from the predominantly grain-fed USDA beef that most local steakhouses offer. Argentinian beef is less fatty with a heartier beefy flavor, and tends to have more bite than its American counterpart.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/9chingolo.jpg"/><figcaption>Flank, one of Heussaff and Bolzico’s favorite cuts.</figcaption></figure></div><p>After two visits, I would recommend the Bolzico Beef Striploin over everybody’s favorite Rib-eye, which I enjoyed with fresh-tasting chimichurri sauce (Bolzico’s favorite sauce!).</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/chingolo10.jpg"/><figcaption>Striploin</figcaption></figure></div><p>Chingolo also has other made-from-scratch sauces that I have yet to try, as well as sandwiches, ranging from a Beef Quarter Pounder to a Chorizo Sandwich. The menu also offers other beef treats like beef <em>tapa</em>, sausages, pastrami, and beef bacon.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/chingolo11.jpg"/><figcaption>Garlic sausages, beef bacon (the author’s pick), and pastrami all made in house.</figcaption></figure></div><p>According to Bolzico, Argentinians enjoy eating their steaks with lots of vegetables, which explains why their limited menu includes, surprisingly, an extensive selection of vegetable side dishes. You can start with Bolzico and Heussaff’s favorite Arugula Salad, simply a big mound of arugula sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. I particularly like the roasted vegetable offerings, especially the extra zesty Grilled Tomato with Greek Yoghurt and Thyme, and another Heussaff favorite, Oven Baked Pumpkin with crumbled feta cheese.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/chingolo12.jpg"/><figcaption>Grilled Tomato with Greek Yoghurt and Thyme.</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/chingolo13.jpg"/><figcaption>Oven Baked Pumpkin with crumbled feta, sunflower seeds, and chili oil.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Also worth ordering is the Mashed Sweet Potato with brown butter topped with roasted onions and leeks, as well as the refreshing Roasted Beets Salad with roasted carrots, orange segments, and almond slivers, lightly dressed with lime dressing.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/chingolo14.jpg"/><figcaption>Mashed Sweet Potato with roasted onions and leeks.</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/chingolo15.jpg"/><figcaption>Roasted Beets with carrots, orange segments, and lime dressing.</figcaption></figure></div><p>You can then balance off your meal with some carbs, especially the creamy Mashed Potato and Dalisay Garlic Rice, then end with some of their delish, housemade Dulce de Leche Ice Cream for dessert.</p><p>For the immediate future, Heussaff and Bolzico plan to source and sell premium beef products from other countries, like Australian grass-fed beef (now available), New Zealand grass-fed Wagyu, and Charolais beef from France that all share the same free range, organic, certified grass-fed, and “healthier profile” with Bolzico Beef. As far as the kitchen is concerned, the owners intend to keep it simple with its existing short menu which enables Chingolo to maintain its relatively affordable steak prices.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/02/chingolo16.jpg"/><figcaption>The very Pinoy Beef Tapa ala Chingolo.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Chingolo is open Tuesdays to Sundays, with Deli hours 9 am to 6 pm, and the Kitchen open, by reservation only, at 11 am to 3 pm for lunch, and 6 pm to 10 pm for dinner. The dining area seats a maximum of 25 people, and is also available for private functions.</p><div><em>UPRC III Building, 2289 Chino Roces Extension, Makati City, (0915) 266-3581, Instagram @chingolodeli</em></div><div> </div><div><em>Photos by Chris Clemente</em></div><div><em>Follow the author on Instagram and Twitter @cyrenedelarosa </em></div>

<p>Celebrity brothers-in-law just opened Chingolo Deli & Kitchen in Makati to offer premium Argentinian beef at wallet-friendly prices.</p>

Celebrity brothers-in-law just opened Chingolo Deli & Kitchen in Makati to offer premium Argentinian beef at wallet-friendly prices.