Lovers of luxe and leisurely fine dining, get ready.  Lusso, Margarita Forés’s much-loved temple to luxe leisurely dining, has just opened its third branch at The Podium. With two floors and signature dramatic interiors, the new Lusso flagship is the hottest new restaurant in town. Put this on your list as a must-try this year.  

The new Lusso at The Podium

There is something magical in the way Lusso channels the Old World charm of a bygone era, while radiating modern luxury. Here, one feels perfectly at ease to dine in casual wear, pairing comfort food with champagne and caviar. This effortless elegance is signature Margarita Forés, reflecting her personal aesthetic that values refinement, tradition, and a thoughtful attention to detail.

The elegant  interiors glow with gold and marble accents

Nostalgia is the inspiration for Lusso, she says. “The original Lusso was really inspired by a lot of my very memorable experiences with my mother as a young girl. She took me to many magical spaces like Harry's Bar in Venice, The Peninsula Lobby in Hong Kong, Café de Flor in Paris and all those beautiful Old World cafés, and even places like the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Really, just Old World elegance and spaces that bring this experience that's quite timeless. And I really wanted to bring that to to Manila.”

Every corner exudes effortless elegance

Designed by George Yulo and Mark Wilson, both of whom also worked on the Lusso branches in Greenbelt and Rockwell, this iteration is larger with two floors and features a stunning chandelier, dramatic staircase, and  touches of gold and marble. The effect is a glamorous refinement of the original jewel box concept that is Lusso.  

Many of Lusso’s signature dishes are unchanged. Says Margarita, “There are a lot of dishes that you don't find in in menus today, things like Prawns Thermidor, or even shepherd's pie, or even something that my grandmother taught me how to eat— the Chicken Veronique."

Chicken Veronique

These old-fashioned recipes harken back to the 1950s and older, and you don't really see them on restaurant menus today. "I think that that's what creates this really unique experience at Lusso," says Margarita. "So even my bar serves the Nomad caviar, which is something that is really like a cornerstone dish on the menu. And you can even have a nice burger."

The Demi-Pound Burger

Lusso's signature dishes have remained constant for decades and are definitely still available at the new restaurant. "You can have the best foie gras  burger that we've had for, oh gosh, 12 years already, since Lusso opened. Apart from that, there are substantial dishes like our Lamb Shank Osso Bunco and the Short Ribs  that used to be in Pepato, that's also one of our best sellers here."=

The Lamb Shank Osso Bucco

And then, of course, there are a lot of pastas. "I think that that's the part of the menu that I love to do: healthy pastas like the Spaghetti, but also quite indulgent pastas like the Spinach Taglierini with the prosciutto and truffle paste. Aside from that, we have some new dishes. We have a nice Papardelle with  mascarpone. And then your favorite sandwiches: our standard club sandwich, the lamb sandwich, and our lobster and river prawn roll. And we also have quite an extensive seafood venue for those who don't really like to eat meat."

The Taglierini di Lusso topped with foie gras

Lusso also has a lot of delectable fish dishes, including Chilean Sea Bass with  orange cream sauce and bottarga. "We have a nice whole fish that we do in salt, which is a very for me, classic thing that you can get in Italy, just served with a nice homemade mayonnaise and some beautiful olive oil and lemon," enthuses Margarita. Or you can also be indulgent with Corona pork cotaleta, inspired by a wonderful restaurant in Milan that's appeared on one of Margarita's shows for Metro Channel. 

Chilean Sea Bass with Bottarga

And then, of course, the desserts are also quite stellar. For instance,  the white chocolate tiramisu that's crunchy, which is something that Margarita has done for many years now. As well as the Panna Cotta with a little bit of truffle essence,

White Chocolate Tiramisu

And while Lusso is known for its elegance and refinement, dining here is not a formal experience. "I think you can even come in shorts, because then you can have this magical experience even when you don't really need to be dressed. And I think that that's the nice thing about Luke. So it's an all day dining experience, and it's not intimidating, in spite of the way it feels a little bit elegant. But it's, it's, it's your everyday elegant cafe experience that I think is unique to Manila."

Lusso owes much of its charm to the intentional blend of European elegance with Filipino hospitality. You’ll see lots of Filipino ingredients on the menu, but it's the Old World touches that is the essential thing to celebrate. The fact that it’s in a mall makes it even more accessible, in spite of its essential separation. That’s one of the unique things about this space. 

Old World elegance and thoughtful service

"Well, I'm a real stickler for making sure that the details are all well thought out. So I think that not just the space and and the design is important, but I think that little things, including the wonderful like toiletries in the in the restroom, and the way the staff is dressed, with their white jackets, feeling very Old World. I think that that's something that is quite unique to the loser experience. And apart from that, I think the food also is, is quite well thought out. 

The wine cellar 

“I’m thrilled that Lusso at The Podium embodies my truest intention for the brand,” shares Margarita. “This new location signifies a clear evolution from the original Lusso in Greenbelt. I love that we are bringing Lusso to another part of the city. With a beautiful two-floor corner space and a much largerkitchen, I’m confident we’ll not only welcome new diners but also breathe fresh life into the brand as a whole.” 

Lusso is located at The Podium, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong. Instagram: @lusso_manila. Facebook: @lussomanila.