A taste of amore (part 1)
Food not only nourishes the body but the heart as well. Preparing food for someone or dining out together is a huge gesture of intimacy.
There’s no denying the power of telling someone you love them. One of the best ways to do so is through food. Whether you’re celebrating the start of a new relationship or spending the day with a longtime lover, sharing a meal could be a great way to show affection. Here’s a guide on food gifts and where you can bring your date this coming Valentine’s Day.
Dinner with a view
Nothing beats a romantic dinner with breathtaking sights of the city skyline. Nosh on hearty eats while admiring the panoramic views of the Makati skyline at the 50-seater restaurant Firefly Roofdeck. Have a safe al-fresco dining and try its Date Night promo that consists of flamed grill rib eye with a trilogy of mushroom and peppercorn sauce, mashed potato, and highland buttered vegetables.
Firefly Roofdeck is at 8008 Makati Ave. cor. Kalayaan Ave., 32/F City Garden Grand Hotel, Makati, 1200 Metro Manila | (02) 8554 3429
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Ti Voglio Bene
Celebrate hearts day with Tuscan flair! L’Opera Ristorante Italiano, known as one of the best Italian restaurants in the metro, has curated a special menu for lovers this Feb. 14. On the Valentine’s special are smoked salmon with burrata cheese in pesto sauce for appetizer, heart-shaped mushroom-filled ravioli in porcini cream sauce for pasta, and a choice between prime US beef tenderloin with gorgonzola in a bed of spinach and steamed asparagus or grilled Norwegian salmon in a light champagne cream sauce. Dessert is its famous tiramisu, but a caramelized version.
L’Opera Ristorante Italiano is at The Fort Entertainment Complex 26th cor. 7th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila. Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. | 8889-2784/8889-3963 | 09178624745.
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Tick of the heart
The prominent French bistro in Makati helmed by L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon junior sous chef Miko Calo, Metronome has posted on its social media accounts that from Feb. 11 to 14, a Valentine’s set menu will be available. No information has yet been released regarding the specific dishes to be served. Its fancy dining interior as well as the sublime and well-proportioned dishes make this place a good date spot.
Metronome is at G/F The Grand Midori Makati, Bolanos St., Legaspi Village, Makati | (0917) 147 3776
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Je t’aime
Experience gourmet dining featuring French-Mediterranean cuisine and fine wines straight from the cellars of Brumms Quality Wines, Inc. Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant released online its Valentine’s Day menu 2022. Offered from Feb. 11 to 14 is a four-course meal comprised of salmon mousse with cucumber, orange and lime, radish, and tarragon; scallop, mussel, with paella, bell pepper, paprika, and beurre blanc; cape grim tenderloin with beetroot, carrot, potato, coffee, and foie gras; and a strawberry-mango dessert. This is inclusive of a complimentary glass of red or white wine. The price starts at ₱3,000.
Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant is at 5 Julieta Circle, Horseshoe Village, Quezon City, 1112 Metro Manila | +63 2 8724 52 11 | +63 2 8722 21 85 | +63 927 428 4202 | +63 998 175 4782
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A little bit of New American, Asian, and French
Makati Diamond Residences is offering a five-course dinner date at Alfred. Meals come with a glass of wine and a token for the ladies.
On the special menu are bouillabaisse with sauce rouille, semi-cured salmon with red beet on vegetable tartare, foie gras terrine with asparagus, berry salad, and caramelized mango, lychee sorbet, US beef tenderloin with chanterelle, mushroom raviolini, chlorophyll and carrot jus, and red velvet cake. It comes with a glass of wine or cocktail.
The Valentine’s Day Special is ₱2,500 per person, available on Feb. 14, from 6 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Makati Diamond Residences is at 118 Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village, Makati, 1229 Metro Manila | +632 5317 0999 | +63917 636 4875 (Viber) | [email protected].
You’ve stolen a pizza my heart
Heart-shaped pizza, anyone? This simple, fun, and brilliant idea come from Shakey’s. After all, a pizza, regardless of its shape, is a food craze we all love. In commemoration of Valentine’s all Large and party-sized Thin Crust Pizzas will be served heart-shaped until Feb. 15. Available nationwide for delivery, dine-in, and carryout.
www.shakeyspizza.ph | 777-7777
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The donut of your dreams
Pretty, colorful, and with cloud-like fillings, Krispy Kreme’s world-famous heart-shaped donuts are back. The Dreamy Valentine’s Collection comes in three flavors, namely the Strawberries & Kreme Heart, with strawberry puree and vanilla strawberry kreme filling, dipped in white chocolate and strawberry glaze, and designed with vanilla icing; Blueberries & Kreme Heart, with blueberry puree and vanilla blueberry kreme filling, dipped in blueberry white chocolate, drizzled with vanilla icing, and sprinkled with silver dragees; and White Chocolate & Almonds Heart, with white chocolate crunch, dipped in white chocolate, topped with roasted almonds, and drizzled with glitter gelli gold.
Get them via dine-in, take-out, as well as curbside and in-store pick-up, drive-thru, or through delivery via now.krispykreme.com.ph | 888-79000
An extra sweet love month
This February, M Bakery has introduced a new flavor for its popular pudding, the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pudding. This limited-time decadent treat is made with oven-roasted strawberries, pieces of chocolate cake, chocolate ganache, and vanilla pudding. It tastes just like a chocolate-covered strawberry and makes the perfect gift for your sweetheart. It comes in tubs or smaller cups.
Meanwhile, the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownie Bites are the mini version of M Bakery’s double-fudge brownie bite base, topped with strawberry meringue buttercream, covered in rich, melted chocolate, and finished off with mini heart quins. A dozen costs ₱1,140.
A dozen roses have never been this delicious. The Rose Cupcakes are delicately piped with vanilla buttercream roses in red, white, or pink over the choice of classic vanilla, chocolate, or red velvet cupcake. Get a box of six for ₱990.
Even more romantic than the two, a box of Valentine’s Day Cupcakes comes with two each of the vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet cupcakes topped with vanilla and chocolate buttercream, as well as assorted Valentine’s Day decorations. A box of six retails for ₱1,140. There’s a smaller version called the Mini Valentine’s Day Cupcakes priced at ₱840 per dozen.
Express love with Heart Sugar Cookie that comes in three heart-shaped butter sugar cookies covered in red and pink sanding sugar. No more delicious way to give one’s heart. The set of three is available for ₱150.
Those who want a grand gesture kind of gift should get the Valentine’s Cake available in six inches at ₱2,350 and nine inches at ₱2,950.
Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day at home or outside, M Bakery’s sampler pack is a good choice that’s guaranteed to make the day a lot sweeter. This indulgent bundle contains two Classic Cupcakes and two cups of its new Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pudding.
For those unsure of what to gift their loved ones may get the exclusive M Bakery Gift certificate available in ₱500 and ₱1,000 denominations.
M Bakery’s main store is at Lower Ground, Unit #23 5th Avenue corner 28th Street, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, Bonifacio Global City | (+632) 847-9829 or (+63) 917-633-1718