Date at Lusso Podium? don’t miss the Wagyu Steak Frites 🥩 – Awesome! – Our Awesome Planet

Lusso has long been our go-to fine casual dining destination in Manila, a quiet luxury legacy of Margarita Forés that continues to stand the test of time. We celebrated Father’s Day here last year, and every dish we ordered was flawlessly executed. Recently, we returned for our Sunday lunch tradition with our son Aidan to try their featured Wagyu Steak Frites with L’Entrecôte-style Café de Paris Sauce, alongside the Margarita Forés signature dishes that keep us coming back.

lusso podium

Lusso Podium is arguably their most elegant location, featuring a mezzanine for larger gatherings and cozy corner banquettes that are perfect for intimate dates.

LUSSO BY MARGARITA FORÉS
Old World Cuisine Meets Filipino Warmth.
📍Ground Level, The Podium, 12 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City,
🕐 10:00AM – 10:00PM
☎️ +63 917 190 5893
📩 lusso.podium@margaritafores.com
📸 @lusso.ph
♾️ Lusso by Margarita Forés
🌐 afhospitality.com

We like to start with sparkling water and breadsticks – a light, crisp prelude that satisfies while you wait without filling you up.

BARQUILLOS CYLINDER DUET 360
WITH CHIVE MOUSSE
prosciutto crisps & salmon roe

Lusso’s signature appetizer never gets old—we always crave these crisp mini barquillos filled with chive mousse and topped with either prosciutto chips or salmon roe for a delightful pop of umami. Many copied this but the original is still the best.

PARMIGIANO-REGGIANO FRICO SALAD 670
& field greens, balsamico

Crush the crisp cheese bowl into the greens, toss with the balsamic dressing, and enjoy the flavorful mushrooms hidden beneath.

SPINACH TAGLIERINI DI MARGHI 710
MARGARITA’S SIGNATURE
asiago cheese, mushrooms, parma ham

Love this spinach taglierini, which resembles very fine fettuccine or slightly wider angel hair, best paired with delicate sauces like this creamy Asiago cheese sauce, with Parma ham and mushrooms to cut through the richness.

We intentionally create family bonding moments over good food, and when parents ask how we get our kids to join us, the answer is simple: good food. The conversations shared around the table over a great meal continue to strengthen our bond as a family.

Somehow, even the question “May girlfriend ka na ba?” feels easier to ask after sharing a really good steak meal.

WAGYU STEAK FRITES (300G) 4,750
Japanese Wagyu Striploin, French Fries
with L’Entrecôte-Style Café de Paris Sauce

The steak comes with perfectly crisp fries that pair beautifully, so you won’t even miss the rice. While the cheesy sauce is tempting, we recommend enjoying the steak first on its own, then adding or dipping into the sauce later.

The steak is Australian F1 Wagyu, a blend of Japanese Wagyu and Angus Beef, combining rich marbling with the deep beefy flavor of Angus for a flavorful steak that can be enjoyed even without sauce. Sarap ng medium cooked with a smoky grill edges.

TORMARESCA ‘NEPRICA’ NEGROAMARO 420/glass
Puglia, Italy Negroamaro

The steak pairs beautifully with a soft, elegant Puglian red—its smooth fruitiness and refreshing acidity balance the richness of the beef and cheese sauce.

LUXE MANGO TART 610
WITH CHANTILLY CREAM

For dessert, a delicate mango tart with a thin flaky crust and sweet, creamy chantilly topping provides the perfect ending.

I enjoy sweet desserts with a cappuccino, while Rache prefers a café mocha—though a more defined latte art would have been a nice finishing touch.

final thoughts

Lusso’s Steak Frites is the perfect celebratory dish for milestones, memorable dates, and family gatherings. My son finished half of this steak—the boys love their meats, and it has become one of our favorite hooks for family bonding moments. Margarita’s signature dishes, from the barquillo mousse and Frico Salad to the spinach taglierini and mango tart, completed a memorable 5-course meal highlighted by the steak frites. With impeccable, friendly, and precise service, Lusso truly deserves its Michelin Selected recognition. It remains a no-brainer choice for special occasions and great food. Budget around ₱3,000 per person.

Live an Awesome Life with Christ,

Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet

Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you to Lusso team for hosting us.

p.s. kung bitin ka pa sa dessert, check out our favorite Cow Cow Ice Hokkaido cheese soft serve by Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory