For a restaurant that wasn't meant to be a steakhouse, Mamou has carved out a good reputation for its steaks. The three year old resto in posh Serendra has been a go-to dining spot for hungry carnivores on the prowl for prime, choice meats. Mamou's porterhouse steak is an all-time favorite, with foodies from all over the blogosphere hailing it as the “best steak in town.” Popular travel website, Trip Advisor has also named Mamou as the 8th best restaurant (out of more than 300 dining spots) in Metro Manila with reviewers salivating at the mere mention of its aged meats.

This is a huge jump from when Mamou first opened its doors in July 2008. Diners then had a different idea about the place.

“People thought we were a Chinese restaurant,” recalls Malou Fores, the woman behind Mamou. “One time, a lady asked me,' Ano yang Mamou, may siopao at mami ba kayo?' (What's Mamou? Do you have siopao and mami?)”

Malou made sure she offered Continental, American and Filipino cuisines in her menu not only to show her expertise in the kitchen, but also because these are the cuisines that she would cook and serve at home.

While Mamou’s steaks have brought her fame, Malou was worried at first if her customers would even take the first bite. It was not the taste that she was worried about, after all she only purchases prime grade USDA meat.“I thought people wouldn’t order it because of the price,” Malou narrated.

But judging from the number of orders of their 28 Day Dry Aged USDA Prime Grade Porterhouse Steak is any indication, Malou shouldn’t have worried in the first place. The meat is everything it is touted to be: tender, flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth. The steak comes with two side dishes of your choice: white or red steak rice, corn pudding, creamed spinach, or baked mashed potatoes. I carved the meat near the bone upon Malou’s insistence and it was indeed flavorful. The steak is definitely one of the best I’ve tasted in a while.

Unlike other steaks Mamou’s version is broiled in the oven using a cast iron pan. This  doesn’t mean, however, that the taste is any different from the grilled variety.