Cheap But Good: Our Budget Dinner at Pound X Flatterie

What’s your usual budget when you eat out?

If you’ve ever dined in Bonifacio Global City (or BGC, as most of us call it), you probably already know that eating here can get expensive. The place is full of great restaurants and trendy cafes but a lot of them can easily burn a hole in your wallet. It’s not unusual to spend PHP 1,000 (17 USD) or more per person for a casual meal.

Because of that, my partner and I decided to try a little challenge: find a restaurant in BGC where two people can eat for less than PHP 1,000 (17 USD). Sounds simple, but if you’ve eaten around BGC, you know it’s not always easy.

That’s how we ended up trying Pound X Flatterie.

At first glance, this place doesn’t look like a budget-friendly restaurant. Pound X Flatterie is actually a combination of two restaurants. “Pound” is known for its burgers, while “Flatterie” specializes in flatbreads. The restaurant has this slightly dark, speakeasy-style vibe that makes it feel a bit more upscale than it actually is.

_{📍 Pound X Flatterie, BGC}

Their BGC branch is also quite small. It can get pretty crowded during lunch and dinner, so don’t be surprised if the place fills up quickly during peak hours.

_{inside Pound x Flatterie BGC}

We went there for dinner and were lucky to find a table right away. One thing I liked immediately was their QR code ordering system. You just scan the code on the table, browse the menu on your phone, and place your order directly. It’s quick and convenient, especially if you already know what you want.

Another thing I noticed is that they offer solo meal options, which is nice if you’re dining alone or simply don’t want to share dishes. Not every restaurant in BGC offers meals that are portioned and priced for solo diners, so I appreciate when places do this.

I’m not entirely sure if the restaurant offers WiFi, though. I ended up using my mobile data when placing our order. Personally, I avoid connecting to public WiFi for security reasons. If you’re the same, it might be good to make sure you have data available when dining here. Of course, you can always ask the staff if they have WiFi if you prefer that option.

After placing our order, the food arrived surprisingly fast.

_{Good 'ol Fries for Php 100 (1.68 USD)}

The first thing served was our fries, which cost PHP 100 (1.68 USD). They were simple but good. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Fries are one of the things that are hard to mess up, but still, it’s always satisfying when they come out hot and freshly cooked.

For drinks, we ordered Foodee Iced Tea for PHP 100 and a soda for PHP 90. Nothing fancy but they paired well with the rest of the meal.

_{Foodee Iced Tea and Soda}

A few minutes later, our main dishes arrived.

We both ordered the spareribs with rice, priced at PHP 295 (4.95 USD) each. When the plates were placed on the table, I immediately thought this already looks like a good deal.

_{Spareribs with Rice for PHP 295}

The spareribs were good. The meat was tender and satisfying enough for a full meal. I’ve tried spareribs in other restaurants around BGC that cost more and yet the quality here was just as good. This dish is such a great value for the price. Getting spareribs for less than PHP 300 in BGC and having them actually taste good is something I didn’t expect.

By the end of the meal, we were full, satisfied, and a little proud of ourselves for completing our challenge.

Our total bill: PHP 880 (14.78 USD) for two people.

In a place like BGC, where meals can easily go beyond PHP 1,000 per person, we managed to have a full dinner for less than PHP 1,000 for both of us combined. Not bad, right?

I also remembered a friend telling me before that she thought Pound X Flatterie looked expensive from the outside. The restaurant’s design and atmosphere give off a more upscale impression but sometimes, looks can be deceiving.

There are still budget-friendly spots in BGC if we take the time to look for them. We don’t always have to spend a lot to enjoy a good meal.

I think I’ve found another restaurant to recommend whenever friends or family want to eat in BGC without overspending.