Pound by Todd English recently opened their 2nd branch at the 2nd floor of the SM Megamall Fashion Hall. The pound sign is more commonly known as hashtag nowadays but the name connotes an earlier time and shows in the theme and decor. The main area serves as both seating and an art installation at the same time.
The main dining area is located in the center while the kitchen and a few more tables are located in the enclosed area beside the elevators. They just wheel out the orders using a chic black cart. Check out those lovely copper drinking mugs on your table. (I wonder where they sell those?)
The menu at Pound is simple and easy to peruse, burgers, fries and sides done the Todd English way. They’ve recently added pasta dishes to the menu due to clamoring from their regular diners.
Start off with some nibbles while waiting for your burgers. The Truffle French Beans (P120) are light and crisp and give a nice, satisfying crunch. The one we had just needed a tad more salt but aside from that it was good.
Truffle Risotto Tater Tots (P75). I love arancini or fried risotto balls but they are so heavy for an appetizer. Pound shrinks it into bite sized tater tots, the flavor is still there but you I just have a piece or two to satisfy the craving. These are drizzle with truffle oil and shaved Parmesan cheese. I’m not too sure if it was 6 or 7 pieces in one order but it’s a great price.
# Bacon Poutine (P210). Fries, cheese and gravy are the components of a poutine, simple but oh so good. They don’t use the same cheese as the ones from Canada but this one got Lauren’s approval because of the very tasty gravy plus the generous little cubes of house smoked bacon. Other poutine choices are Pizza and Todd English.
For a healthier started, try the Crispy Goat Cheese Salad (P150). Mix greens, baby tomatoes, topped with deep fried goat cheese ravioli and drizzled with raspberry vinaigrette. The fruity vinaigrette is very enjoyable and reminded me and Irene of the ones from Eden Nature Park in Davao. The salad has lots of different texture, crispy ravioli that release gooey goat cheese, sweet and juicy tomatoes, crisp greens, all make for a fun eat.
I got the Amsterdam Burger (P280) which came with a beef patty, fried onions, pastrami, Gruyere, sauerkraut, mustard, relish, TE sauce on toasted brioche bun. I found the combination of pastrami and burger interesting but the pastrami and sauerkraut seemed to be battling the beef patty for flavor champion on my taste buds. I really enjoyed the brioche bun though as well as the components separately but together not so much. I’d go with the basic burger next time.
The Foie Gras Burger (P700) is the most expensive thing on the menu. House patty, tomatoes, crispy onions, lettuce, mustard, TE sauce, caramelized onions, 50 grams of foie gras and foie gras mousse. This is too heavy and busy for me, the toppings and the foie gras overpowered the patty but if complicated burgers are your thing then this would suit you to a T.
House Smoked Bacon (P130). Hiding in plain sight among the listed sides on the menu but look harder and you will be rewarded with a piece of smoked heaven. Thick cut with a wonderful balance of fat to meat and seared just right. Lauren order 2 of these plus the bacon poutine and she was a smiling and happy eater.
Irene got the TE Crispy Chicken Burger (P225) and loved it. She gave me a little bite of the crispy chicken with crispy slaw with sweet spice and I loved it also. We both loved the chicken sandwich so much that on a succeeding visit we each got one, regular for me and TE crispy chicken sliders (P195/ 2 pcs.) for Irene. The flavors are very Asian predominately because of the sauce while the slaw adds a fresh crunch you only get with vegetables. Hands down our fave sandwich at Pound.
You’ll be surprised to find out that Pound also serves wine, personal sized bottles cooled in a copper mug.
Roasted Bone Marrow (P130). We’re not fans of bone marrow so we did not try this one but our dining companion enjoyed it. Other places charge an arm and a leg so I was surprised to find out how cheap they sell it.
Finish off with something cool and gooey by way of the TE Sundae. OMG brownie, Betty White Brownie, Vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and chocolate drizzle are the ingredients of this simple, chocoholic sundae.
Pound by Todd English is a good addition to the restaurant choices in SM Megamall. Prices are quite reasonable and you enjoy them in an art installation cum throwback to the past.
Pound by Todd English
2L SM Megamall Fashion Hall Edsa cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila Contact No.: (632) 753-9892Facebook Page: Todd English Food Hall
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