National SPORTS Grill

National Sports Grill describes itself as the "Undisputed King of Sports Grills" and the first international sports bar to blend dining and sports together. I have seen this restaurant on various walks along Greenbelt 3. So when boyfriend decided to treat his family, I suggested we try National Sports Grill. It’s home court is at Level 3 of Greenbelt 3, Makati City.

 

 
The menu features a wide variety of all-American appetizers, salads, specialized sandwiches, hamburgers, pizzas, alcoholic & non-alcoholic specialty drinks, domestic & international beer and refillable soda & iced tea.

  
Sports memorabilia are overly noticeable within the restaurant. Those are from both international and local stars creating a sports museum setting. It is equipped with a projector and several TV monitors, tuned in to sports channels showing several sporting events. A pool table is also available in the outdoor dining but you have to pay for it in an hourly basis.

 
*SUPERBOWL PASTA*

 
We picked ANGEL HAIR POMODORO (Php 235.00) for our pasta.

It’s an angel hair pasta tossed with fresh diced roma tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil and red sauce.

This is the most critical pasta pick for me because if the pasta itself isn’t good, there is no way I will surely like it. At National Sports Grill, the pasta was great. The texture of the pasta was exceptional – just what I was looking for. But the sauce was just satisfactory. You can distinguish diced tomatoes blanketing your noodles, but I didn’t find it impressive. The serving was big but we didn’t gobble into it that much maybe because it wasn’t served warm. I don’t know how long it took the waiters to place it out of the pan before it was served to our table. I wasn’t really amazed by this one.

 

We also ordered CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH PENNE PASTA (Php 425.00)

It’s a choice of red or white sauce to top our breaded chicken breast with melted cheese and penne pasta plus garlic bread on the side.

The breaded boneless chicken breasts were cooked tender, but their taste were simply neutral. They're pale, and better cooked to golden brown. I was not able to savour the red sauce we requested on top of it before melting cheese. Oh well, the cheese on top of it added a little flavor to the chicken. This may have tasted good if it was served warm. Tssss

The penne pasta was good. But I don’t know why they don’t serve the pasta straight from the pan. Anyway, the penne pasta didn’t lose its smooth tubular shape. They’re perfect. And the texture? Al dente! They truly know how to cook their noodles. The sauce was hearty but the taste was just like the home-cooked red sauce. Nothing remarkable on the sauce. It didn’t taste bad either. I just pondered that melted cheese on top of the pasta would have added that exceptional tang. (I don’t think National Sports Grill fails to serve good pasta, only serve the pasta hot from the pan next time).

 
*SUPERBOWL PIZZA* 

Pizza monsters ofcourse ordered pizza: PEPPERONI PIZZA (Php 265.00).

The waiter said this is their best seller pizza. It’s a four cheese pizza topped with zesty pepperoni slices.

Nothing wowed or offended – just the right taste. The cheese and crust were nothing special. Maybe because I am not a fan of underbaked crust and the cheese was just like those home-style pizza cheese topping. I only found one great aspect of this pizza, less greasy!

 
*MAIN EVENT MEALS* 

STRIKE & SPARE RIBS (Minor League – Php 315.00; Major League – Php 415.00)

Major league was enough for all of us to share: two strips of grilled spareribs marinated in their signature sauce. Served with garlic rice, coleslaw and fruit of the day (watermelon then), it’s sure a big serving. 3 persons can share this plate. The spareribs were tender and I loved the sauce. Yum! The pork spareribs were perfectly marinated and grilled, and obviously carefully cooked in medium heat. It’s as if during the grilling process, the delicious sauce was brushed to the pork which added moisture, reduced burning, and loaded lots of flavor to the pork spare ribs. While relishing the spare ribs, I know that NSG gave enough justice to its quite expensive price. 

The garlic rice was a real small portion but you can always fill your tummy with the coleslaw served in a fresh cabbage bowl. That serving of coleslaw looked really cute :)    

 

 
KARATE CHOPS (Minor League – Php 315.00; Major League – Php 415.00)

Another major league: two grilled pork chops marinated in teriyaki sauce. Served with garlic rice, coleslaw, buttered corn kernels, fruit (watermelon) and BBQ sauce. This tasted fantastic also. Still worth the price (but strike spare ribs captured my heart best haha). The pork chops were also perfectly grilled and marinated and the teriyaki sauce echoed in every bite.

The garlic rice was of the same portion as in strike spareribs but you can always satisfy your bellies with the coleslaw plus the corn kernels.

CHICKEN BREAST PLATTER (Php 385.00)

It’s actually a choice of cajun, BBQ or Pico de Gallo on top of the boneless chicken breast. We chose Pico de Gallo. It’s served with buttered corn kernels, firecracker fries, coleslaw, fruit (watermelon) & garlic cheese toast.

Although cooked to perfection, the grilled chicken breast lacked flavor. It’s as if only salt seasoned the chicken. The pico de gallo topping didn’t improve the taste of the chicken. In the end, we just had to munch on its overwhelming sides: the fries, corn kernels, coleslaw, watermelon, and garlic bread – they all tasted great.  

 

*STADIUM REFRESHMENTS*

Strawberry Milkshake (Php 175.00) and Fresh Green Mango Shake (Php 125.00)

My strawberry milkshake was good and I loved it because it wasn't a “diabetic-coma” milkshake. Just the right amount of sugar plus lots of milky flavor. Boyfriend described his fresh green mango shake as “just okay.” Though both drinks tasted good, they are obviously overpriced.

 

You will spend big if you decide to dine at National Sports Grill. Most in their menu are overpriced except for their main event meals.
 

Service is great as well but one objection: their waitresses expose their tummies all the time. The waitresses’ uniforms don't suit the sports ambiance. I don’t just see the point because they can always wear decent jerseys :)
 

The place has a real sporty feel. If you’re a big fan of sports and wants to be always tuned in to the latest sports craze while dining, this is just the right place for you.

**National Sports Grill Bar**
Products: All-American Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Pizzas, Alcoholic & non-alcoholic specialty drinks, Domestic & international beer, Refillable soda and iced tea.

Location: Level 3, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City, Philippines

Contact Numbers: +632 728 4126
Website: http://www.nsg.ph/