Manong – First Impressions

We’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this new spot in Fairmount since its opening was announced. After finally snagging dinner reservations, we had the chance to sample a taste of the menu. Here are our first impressions.

SNAPSHOT

• Price: $32-50 per person
• Cuisine: Filipino American Grillhouse
• Visit Date: December 2025
• Would we snort again?: Yes

Vibes

The restaurant is spacious and comfortable, with rhythmic, upbeat music playing that adds great energy to the space. It gives off a true neighborhood vibe, with a mix of couples on dates and to entire families dining.

Food

Cocktails – Labu Labu and Manong’s Old Fashion (we forgot it’s exact name)

The cocktail menu leans fun and inventive with a Filipino flair. I especially enjoyed the Labu Labu, which struck a nice balance between sweetness and citrus. Jimmy tried an Old Fashioned–style cocktail that hinted at banana on the menu, but in the glass it drank more like a classic Old Fashioned, without much distinction.

Appetizer – The Bloom Shroom

The Bloom Shroom is what first caught our attention on social media. While the fried enoki mushrooms were beautifully crisp, it was the bold, flavorful dipping sauce that truly stole the show. That said, the mushrooms were a little tricky to eat, and we felt the experience might have been even more enjoyable if they were easier to pull apart.

Appetizer – Chicken Skewers

The chicken was tender and well-cooked, with a satisfyingly sticky soy sauce glaze. It was yummy, but I probably would not order it again

Mains – Super Duper Creamy Pasta

The pasta was undeniably super duper creamy! The thai basil noodles and sauce paired excellently. Surprisingly, the added pork belly didn’t bring anything new to the dish and felt like an afterthought at the bottom, rather than a complementary element.

Mains – Lechon Baka

The star of the show was by far the Lechon Baka (prime rib)! Cooked to perfection, each bite was elevated by the soy sauce and horseradish pairing, creating a unique and flavorful bite. We had rice and creamed spinach on the side, but honestly, the prime rib paired with the rice was the standout combination.

Service

The moment we arrived, the staff was welcoming and helpful. Our server offered us great recommendations, and our food came out quickly. Overall, it made for a really pleasant experience.

Final Roundup

As two piglets we would snort again! Due to the friendly welcoming environment and awesome prime rib, we will be back for a casual date night.

Things we are looking forward to trying would be their wine service (as they had a large wine fridge), the balong burger, and their dynamite lumpia.

Written by,

Ashley and Jimmy your gluttonous piglets