What’s New At The Grid? Half Saints, Mono Beef Bar And More

The Grid at Power Plant Mall has a few new reasons to visit. Half Saints and Mono Beef Bar are the latest additions, while regulars Tsuke-Men, El Born, and Kodawari have new dishes worth checking out. Whether you’re craving crispy chicharron, squid-ink noodles, or cheesecake with an unexpected combination of flavors, there’s something here to add to your next food crawl.

I spent an afternoon trying the new offerings. Here are five stalls worth checking out, plus what to order at each.

Half Saints 

After eight years in Quezon City, Half Saints has brought its restaurant-and-bakery concept to The Grid, with familiar favorites and new dishes to try. The must-order is the Chicharron Teriyaki, crispy bagnet served with whipped cream cheese, black sesame, and nori. Build your own bite for a salty, savory, crunchy combination that’s hard to beat. The Beef Blackout, with black rice, beef, shiitake confit, and calamansi kosho, is another standout.

There’s more to explore, from the coconut-cream Arroz con Pollo and signature Puff Pizza to an okonomiyaki inspired by Ilocano poqui poqui. Save room for dessert: the Crema de Fruta, based on co-founder Christine Roque’s mother’s Christmas recipe, uses coconut water left over from making the stall’s buko cream puffs. Chocolate fans should also try the 64% Dark Chocolate Tart made with Philippine chocolate and pink salt.

Tsuke-Men

Tsuke-Men is switching things up with the Midnight Ink Tsukemen, featuring chewy black noodles, seafood broth, charred octopus, sautéed squid, leeks, and lemon. Tsukemen is served with the noodles and broth separately, so you dip as you go. Prefer rice? Try the Blackout Chahan, fried rice with squid ink, squid, and egg.

Order either squid-ink dish and you’ll get a temporary tattoo. Wear it, take a photo, post it on social media, and tag Tsuke-Men to get a Sparkling Yuzu on the house. The promo runs until December 31.

Mono Beef Bar

Opened in July, Mono Beef Bar keeps things simple: beef, a choice of rice or noodles, and a few sauces. Try the Roast Beef Aburi, featuring Angus beef cooked sous vide for 48 hours, sliced thin, and torched for a smoky finish.The new Double the Meat portion piles more beef onto steak fried rice, topped with crisp garlic chips and sesame. It’s rich and savory, so order the watermelon drink alongside it for a refreshing contrast.

Kodawari 

Need something lighter? Kodawari’s Wellness Don, now available at The Grid after previously being exclusive to its standalone branches, pairs grilled chicken with kale, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. It’s a simple, veggie-packed rice bowl for days when you want a break from all the fried and savory dishes around the food hall. The seasoning is mild, making this a good option if you prefer a lighter, less aggressively flavored rice bowl.

El Born

El Born’s new Mango Lato Cheesecake, made in collaboration with Roots in Siargao, brings together artisan cream cheese from Wild Pastures, Guimaras mangoes, and fresh lato, or sea grapes. It’s rich and creamy, with the mango and popping pearls of lato adding a subtle fruity, briny contrast. It also comes in a green tub with an illustrated lid, making it a thoughtful gift for anyone who appreciates an unusual cheesecake.