MANILA -- The new Pound by Todd English branch at SM Megamall opened last month to long queues, thanks to its jaw-dropping #PayWhatYouWant promo.

Missed that? Don’t despair, as this month, the gourmet burger joint offers delectable dishes from its menu for only $1.

Among them is the Onion Blossom, which comes to the table shaped like a lotus flower with lightly breaded onion petals that you tear off and dip into a vat of spicy aioli.

This is deal for those wanting a light snack, or best paired with an order of the TE Slider (house ground beef patty, tomato, lettuce, crispy onion, mustard relish, and TE sauce), which is also a part of the $1 menu.

If you’re going back to the office and you’re not too crazy about onion breath, the Truffle fries should be a better alternative. For $1, bite into crispy thick-cut wedges perfumed with truffle oil. Want ketchup? Enjoy it truffle-infused as well with this dish.

Last in the $1 menu is the Pound Pomodoro. If you’re eating with kids (or if you’re a kid at heart), this is a great option. A skillet has spaghetti with a healthy dose of tomato love, gooey cheese, surprising but not overly strong bits of creamy confit garlic, and herbed bread crumbs for crunch.

This is meatless, so you might keep in mind that a TE slider is also only $1 this April.

But if you’re feeling fancy and in the mood for bigger (and not multiple) servings, head on over to Pound’s regular menu.

FOIE GRAS AND BONE MARROW

First up, let’s get the fanciest elephant out of the way, and go on and discuss the Pound Foie Gras Burger.

Coming in a hefty price tag of P700, this might be a bit steep for many, but if you factor in the amount of foie gras on that burger (50g), and the fact that a kilo of foie gras is worth thousands of pesos, not to mention that you get more than half a pound of beef in the patty, and that you also get a foie gras mousse over all the other fix-ins — it’s a steal.

That said, it’s not really hard to fancify your meals at Pound, as seared foie gras can be added on to any dish in the menu, so can the foie gras mousse, and roasted bone marrow.

Indulgent, potentially heart-attack inducing, who cares? Nothing says yummy like slathering on roasted bone marrow with crunchy bits of herbed bread crumbs on a piece of meat between two buns.

And if you’re not too inclined to go all the way lush with the Foie Gras Burger, there’s always the Amsterdam Burger. With the help of sauerkraut, mustard relish, and some spice from the pastrami, the Amsterdam can definitely stand up to (and be even better with) a healthy swipe of marrow.

But if you like things simple without a lot of frou frou, the Bacon and Egg Sliders may be for you. An order has two sliders, and I warn you, when you first see it, your first reaction will be that it looks “cute.” There’s something about how the fried quail egg sits atop pink shiny bacon, I guess, or maybe it’s the size?

I would order this if I was wanting something yummy but not too heavy, although the quail egg does add a richness to it. Ultimately, it’s the house-made bacon that makes this slider worth ordering--lightly smoky, juicy to the bite, and with corners and crannies and nooks that are brown and crispy. Yum.

P75 SIDES

Now onto one of my favorite parts in the Pound by Todd English menu—the sides! While some sides cost from P90 (onion) to P130 (roasted bone marrow, house smoked bacon), I adore all the P75 sides (and one slightly expensive side priced at P120).

Crispy, sour and sweet, fried pickles can only be ordered from two burger joints (as far I know) in Manila, and Pound is one of those places. And lest you compare it to the other joint, at P75, the Pound serving is just enough for one person.

Another P75 side dish is the Truffle Risotto Tater Tots (P75). Each "tot" has a creamy cheesy center encased in a crusty breadcrumb shell. Best eaten hot.

Last of my adored P75 side dishes is the Pickled Chilis. You get that crunch from the breading followed by a slightly spicy-bursting with vinegary goodness bite, this pickled peperoncino wonder is definitely included in my list of all-time favorite side-dishes. Not to mention, it can readily balance out any enriched bite of burger with foie or marrow.

POUTINE AND DESSERT

The slightly expensive side is the Truffle French Beans. Think fried pickles, but with French beans and a spray or two of truffle oil--earthy from the truffle, crunchy and sweet from the beans. A “healthier” option, perhaps?

Not a side dish, but definitely can be a side to any of the burgers is the Poutine. Definitely for sharing. While it can come with a pizza topping, or with bacon, if you’ve never had it, try the Todd English Poutine first. The thick cut fries are bathed with homemade gravy, caramelized onions, cheese, and ground beef. This is heavy and filling, and a cheese-pulling fiesta.

For dessert, you’re limited to one, the TE Sundae. Vanilla ice cream gets a swirl of chocolate and caramel, generous bits of OMG brownies and Betty White brownies (read: blondies), and a sprinkle of salt for balance. While not being a standout sundae, it was still very enjoyable to eat.

Besides, you should be in Pound for other things -- like the foie burger, any dish in the $1 menu, or those Pickled Chilis. Definitely those Pickled Chilis.