Take your date to Lusso’s new location
“We just had two servings of the barquillos,” I sheepishly confessed to Margarita Forés, who had stopped by our table as we were nearing the end of our meal at Lusso’s new location in Podium.
Any Lusso fan will tell you that the barquillos cylinders are a must—addictive bite-sized rolled wafers filled with chive mousse and topped with salmon roe or prosciutto.
The chef smiled and said, “Have you tried the one with caviar? I’ll have them bring you some.”
Soon it arrived, another row of barquillos standing on a plate, caviar gleaming atop. Each bite was glorious, as the barquillos shattered and its subtle sweetness melded with the creaminess of the chive mousse and the saltiness of the caviar.
It’s a dish inspired by the chef’s father, Dr. Raul Forés, who loved snacking on barquillos with caviar—an unusual combination that really works.
The legendary barquillos is just one of the many things you can enjoy at Lusso’s new location.
Lusso, Forés’ restaurant known for its charming mix of European elegance and Filipino hospitality and for serving luxury on a plate, has a new home on the ground floor of The Podium in Mandaluyong, and it’s the biggest one yet.
Larger, grander
“While the Greenbelt and Rockwell branches are intimate spaces, almost like jewel boxes, the Podium location is larger and grander, with two floors. This allows us to accommodate more guests and host larger gatherings,” Forés told Lifestyle.
The Greenbelt resto opened in 2009, while the one at Balmori Suites in Rockwell opened in 2023.
Why Podium? “This location is ideal as it serves professionals from the banking sector and nearby institutions like the Asian Development Bank… I wanted to provide a space where larger groups and new patrons could experience Lusso’s unique charm.”
Lusso is quite unique—it’s elegant but approachable, its food sophisticated but comforting. A perfect example would be the Luxe Truffle Fries—crispy, double-fried fries that come topped with a creamy truffle mushroom sauce, truffle oil, and fresh tarragon.
The Lusso Demi-Pound Burger is another—a hefty sandwich made with US beef, foie gras, cambozola, and prosecco onions. Another is the Taglierini Di Lusso with foie gras, cream, and pink peppercorn. Other signature dishes are the Spinach Taglierini (fresh spinach pasta in a rich truffle mushroom cream, garnished with melted asiago, prosciutto, and a touch of truffle oil) and Pepato Short Ribs (braised and grilled short ribs in a savory porcini cream sauce, accompanied by a potato torte and asparagus, garnished with thyme).
The Lusso menu is a fun one to explore—from the beautiful salads, aperitifs, and pastas to the risottos, mains, and desserts—and you’ll find little surprises and Forés’ creativity and playfulness on every page. And everything can be enjoyed with champagne or wine, if you wish.
It’s the perfect place for impressing clients and business partners, celebrating milestones with the family, catching up with friends, and yes, going on a Valentine date.
Personal favorites
We asked Forés what she eats at Lusso. “Some of my personal favorites are the barquillos with Nomad caviar, the foie gras burger, and the spinach taglierini with prosciutto and truffle paste. These dishes hold a special place in my heart because they capture the timeless elegance and nostalgic flavors I envisioned for Lusso. They’re recipes I’ve honed over the years, and they embody the old-world dining experience I wanted to share.”
Those who have been going to Lusso forever have the tendency to stick to their favorites and order the same things over and over again. But what are other dishes that Forés wishes diners would discover as well?
“While our classics are always a hit, I’d love for guests to try dishes like the Lamb Shank Ossobuco, the Chilean Sea Bass with Orange Cream Sauce, and the Whole Fish in Salt. The latter is a traditional Italian preparation served with homemade mayonnaise and olive oil, and it’s a dish I adore.
“For dessert, the Panna Cotta with Truffle Essence and the crunchy White Chocolate Tiramisu are must-tries. These dishes showcase Lusso’s commitment to offering rare, nostalgic flavors that stand out.”
There are also dishes that diners can enjoy only at the Podium branch. “We’ve introduced new dishes like the Pappardelle with Nduja and Mascarpone to surprise and delight our returning guests.”
Lusso’s new location is just the one of the things Forés has in store for food lovers in 2025.
“This year is an exciting time for the Margarita brand. I’ll be opening my signature restaurant soon—a project that has been a long-time dream of mine. It’s a pivotal year as we consolidate the brand, and I’m looking forward to creating more innovative and nostalgic dining experiences for Manila.”
Lusso is at the ground floor of The Podium, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City; open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call tel. no. (0917) 190-5893 or email lusso.podium@margaritafores.com.
