There are two doors that lead to the dining room of Borough.  One is situated inside the Podium mall while the other entrance is at the outside side of the mall, the immediate driveway to the car park.  

Either way, walk comfortably into the restaurant and decide whether to sit in the 1^st level or the loft dining area.  The handsome army green and brown painted walls furnished with photo frames of NY diners and square mirrors match attractively the black tables and brown chairs mixed with floral upholstered chairs.  Notice the cool masculinity vibe in certain parts of the restaurant –from unfinished cemented bar to the old lamps to the drop lights and some details of plank wood.

Borough.  NY.  Comfort Food.  24/7.  Declaration of the concept of the restaurant summed together –their inspiration coming from the Big Apple, their kitchen whips up the best comfort food to serve, they’re open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

On the Table

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup PHP 240

Grilled Cheese in Homemade Brioche Bread.  Served with creamy tomato soup.

The grilled cheese is well browned and the exterior had a lot of good crusty texture.  There’s a muted crunch as you bite into the soft bread filled with cheddar cheese (that tastes all too familiar to Bubba.  He suspects that it’s the same supplier as the cheddar cheese of Ristras). 

I tasted a bit of subdued cheese (was it mozzarella?) that interchanged with a shade of sharpness from the cheddar cheese that’s a vibrant contrast to the tart of the tomato soup.  Although I feel it lacking a bit in freshness since the spring of it is missing, the tomato soup with chunks of diced tomato had the right acidity and brightness.  It was such a feel-good starter.

Cubano Corn PHP 100

Corn on the Cob.  Covered in Cayenne Pepper.  Parmesan Cheese and loads of Butter.

The Borough wait staff will ask if you want it on the cob or shredded.  Although I wanted to see the presentation on the cob, I opted to get it shredded since I’m already so hungry that I just want to be fed.  It was okay, nothing extraordinary for the price.  The spice of the cayenne pepper will jump at you from time to time but nothing remarkable.  I barely tasted the Parmesan cheese.

NY Strip Steak PHP 680

Grilled NY Strip Steak.  Served with a side of Bernaise sauce and French Fries or Mashed Potato.

I was debating whether to get the Cola Glazed Porkloin or the NY Strip Steak.  Since I had a taste and texture concept of the pork I want that night in my mind (which is specifically Chelsea’s Crisp Citrus Roasted Pork Belly), I decided to get the steak. 

Bernaise sauce is made of clarified butter emulsified in egg yolks and flavored with herbs.  Borough’s steak came with a solidified béarnaise sauce on top of the steak (or it’s probably just herbed butter?)

The steak was served medium and maintained its natural juice that locked in moisture halfway through the steak.  The latter half tends to be a bit dry and the fat had a lot of ligaments that’s hard to even cut the knife into.  Steak was well-seasoned and was still satisfying overall.  The French fries was presented in a brown bag next to the steak and was an enjoyable side dish. 

Cheese-injected Portobello Pita Pocket PHP 230

Portobello Mushroom oozing with Monterey Jack in a Pita Pocket

I love the originality of this Borough dish.  Parts of the Portobello mushroom had that beefy profile while certain aspects had that earthy flavor (almost tasteless in some parts) but it’s perked up by the cheese it’s merged with.  Seems like it was panko-crusted (but I could be wrong) that gives some texture on the outside.  

Melon Ball PHP 100

Melon liqueur, vodka and pineapple –the drink somehow worked with what we ordered.  Well-mixed cocktail.

The wait staff assigned to our table was quite accommodating and attentive that you’d feel right at home.  Others might find it a bit obtrusive but I was taken by his eagerness to please.  He knew the menu well and was able to answer my questions easily. 

Borough’s winsome ambience will certainly attract the well-coiffed, ADB workforce, Ortigas professionals that look for a fresh and inviting hub serving comfort food that erases gastronomic boredom to oblivion.  Despite a long day at work, the dinner at Borough made me feel good afterwards.  The best part is, this restaurant that takes after The City, it never sleeps.

Borough by Il Ponticello

G/F Unit 107A, The Podium Mall

12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City

(632) 570 8906

Borough Album

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