A taste of amore (part 2)
Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus is a proverb by Roman comedian Terence in the early modern period (1450-1800), which loosely translates to “love cannot blossom without food and wine.” Like a man and a woman locked in an amorous embrace, food is inextricably tied to love.
Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate—Alan D. Wolfelt
Initial dates often occur over assiduously planned meals. The next stage is introducing your partner to family and friends over food and drinks. A study from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences reveals that couples who eat together and talk about their lives tend to be happier and more satisfied with their relationships. Suffice it to say, food is always involved in romance.
Show your partner how much they mean to you by treating them to a nice dinner at some of these restaurants or with these food gift ideas.
Love goes around
Resorts World Manila’s La Serenata takes diners on a degustation journey in seven exquisite courses paired with wine. A souvenir photograph, flowers for the ladies, and a box of chocolates complete the memorable experience. Guests may opt for an intimate couple’s date for ₱10,000, or an exclusive dinner at the La Cupula, the restaurant’s private dining area, priced at ₱40,000 for up to six pax. Casa Buenas also offers group dates for eight pax at the Pamilya, the communal table, for ₱50,000.
For reservations, call (02)7908-8988 or 09178788312.
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Foolproof Valentine
The Peninsula Manila is offering a lavish Foolproof Your Valentine A la Carte Gift Menu where guests can purchase a box of 24 handmade Peninsula chocolates and a dozen Ecuadorian roses for ₱7,250 to a bottle of Peninsula Champagne at ₱12,825.
(02) 8887 2888 | peninsula.com
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Gourmet by the bay
Premier haven for smart luxury by Manila Bay, Conrad Manila, offers epicurean feasts among its award-winning restaurants for the occasion. “Flavors of Love” is curated by its culinary team headed by the new executive chef Warren Brown.
At China Blue by Jeremy Leung, executive Chinese chef Eng Yew Khor has prepared a luxuriously sensuous six-course set menu that consists of sauteed lobster with chili gravy sauce, pan-fried beef tenderloin, and crispy Hainanese chicken rice, to name a few. Ladies also receive a rose stem courtesy of the restaurant. Price for the Valentine’s Set Menu begins at ₱4,980 per person, available from Feb. 12 to 14.
Bring home favorites like the Strawberry Lychee Cake, Very Berry Tart, or a Valentine’s Hamper that includes a Smashable Chocolate Heart, Heart-shaped Macarons, a bottle of Champagne, among other romantic surprises at Bru Coffee Bar.
Brasserie on 3 has a rich ensemble of gastronomic creations. Pairs are treated to welcome canapes, a glass of Champagne, a rose stem for the women, and Conrad Manila’s Signature Carey the Carabao plush doll. Starts at ₱2,800 per person.
+632 8833 9999 | [email protected] | FB ConradManilaPH | IG @conradmanila
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Sweet escapes
A love-filled journey awaits at the New World Makati Hotel from Feb. 11 to 14 with swoon-worthy experiences.
Try the decadent buffet selection of Café 1228 that comprises of roast ribeye, roast bone-in pork loin, lamb chops, fresh live oyster, crab, mussels, shrimp, and more, with free-flowing soda and iced tea. From Feb. 11 to 12, price per person is ₱1,288. From Feb. 13 (whole day) to 14 lunchtime, the price becomes ₱1,600. On Valentine’s Day dinner, a glass of sparkling wine as well as a Heart-shaped Chocolate Surprise comes with the above inclusions and is priced at ₱2,250 per person.
Jasmine Restaurant highlights two set menus, which includes crispy bean curd with spiced salt, crispy pork belly, minced chicken corn soup, deep-fried fish fillet with salted egg yolk, wok-fried beef tenderloin with Mandarin sauce, wok-fried kong pao chicken, cashew nuts, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, Yeung chow-style fried rice, chilled mango cream, sago, and red velvet whoopie pie at ₱1,588 per person—minimum of two.
The Shop has a “Gifts from the Heart” collection. The Heart-shaped Chocolate Surprise is a fun way to share love. Its shell could be cracked open with a wooden mallet to reveal a treat inside. It’s available in petite and whole at ₱300 and ₱1,300 respectively. For the whole version, advanced orders get a discounted rate of ₱1,088.
There’s also a Valentine’s Gift Box containing a Heart-shaped Chocolate Surprise with a wooden mallet, red or white wine, and an option to upgrade to sparkling wine or Champagne. Price starts at ₱3,500. Other options are the Red Velvet Cakesicles for ₱480 per box of two, while the Valentine Chocolate Pralines in boxes of 10 or 20 are for ₱700 and ₱1,200.
Orders must be placed 48 hours in advance. The collection is offered until Feb. 15.
+63288116888 | [email protected] | manila.newworldhotels.com/en/
Dreaming in Manila
Set the mood for a special lunch/dinner date at the City of Dreams Manila.
Nobu Manila invites guests to a Valentine’s Day five-course Omakase menu, exclusive on Feb. 14. It consists of Nobu canape selection of oyster with Nobu salsa, oyster tempura with wasabi aioli, yellowtail jalapeño, and black cod on a bed of butter lettuce. There’s also a seasonal selection of Nobu sushi cups comprised of toro (tuna), uni (sea urchin), wagyu beef, and tamago (egg); truffle-crusted sea bass with lobster miso butter sauce, baby corn, and crispy shitake mushroom; sous vide Australian tenderloin with dark chocolate and Nobu Cabernet reduction, smoked kabocha (squash) and onion dust; and lime mousse with pistachio curd and mixed berries sorbet for dessert. The menu comes with welcome sake cocktail and zensai appetizer for ₱11,000 for two people.
Those who prefer Filipino cuisine can go to Haliya for its five-course menu, which is inclusive of a choice of two cocktails. The meal involves sugba (grilled) scallops with compressed watermelon, pomelo salsa, mango sauce, calamansi curd, and squid ink tuile, followed by tinapang tanigue (smoked mackerel) carpaccio with pickled grapes, roasted pili nuts, red radish, caviar, garlic mayo, rose water, red onion pearls, and micro green salad. It continues with kalabasa (squash) crema with caramelized pork longanisa (sausage), cheesy pan de sal Biscocho (twice-baked bread), pumpkin seed oil and microgreens; and mechado, consisting of pan-seared Black Tyde rib eye, adlai aligue risotto, potato fondant, baby carrots, wilted kang kong (water spinach), asparagus, and pea puree. Served also is the signature dessert, the Chichingka (bibingka cheesecake) with salted egg, cheese, and coconut. Good for two, the meal costs ₱8,350.
Crystal Dragon, meanwhile, charms with its set menu from Feb. 13 to 15. Offered for lunch and dinner at ₱3,800 per person, the set menu thoughtfully comes with a glass of sparkling wine, oven-baked swan pastry filled with chicken and truffle paste, deep-fried lychee prawn mousse stuffed with smooth mozzarella, and pan-seared sea scallop in golden cup for appetizer; braised hot and sour crab meat broth with shrimp wonton; wok-seared cumin-marinated Australian lamb rack with sauteed fresh mushrooms and broccoli; poached handpulled noodles with braised eggplant and minced pork; and Mangaro dark chocolate dome with ginger crème brûlée.
Finally, those with a sweet tooth should try Café Society’s tempting lineup of delectable chocolates, cakes, pastries, and other confections. Some of the choices include Valentine’s love bear for ₱3,500; Cupid’s box, consisting of three to six assorted chocolates for ₱500 and ₱850; Valentine donuts ₱1,100 for six pieces; chocolate heart Danish ₱500 for three pieces; coffee chocolate loaf cake ₱700; spiced coffee caramel passion fruit mousse cake ₱1,000; and trio chocolate mousse crispy feuilletine cake ₱1,000 among others.
8800-8080 | www.cityofdreamsmanila.com | [email protected]
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Shangri-Love
Couples have a variety of picturesque dinner dates to choose from at EDSA Shangri-La’s restaurants and lounges, from Feb. 12 to 14. For one, a sumptuous buffet at Heat features Boston lobsters, ratatouille roasted leg of lamb, and a foie gras live station at ₱2,950 per person inclusive of iced tea.
Senju, on the other hand, offers a five-course set dinner with a choice of hot or cold sake, a glass of Sapporo draft beer or strawberry iced tea at ₱3,500 per person. Lovers looking for a romantic evening serenaded by live piano music can spend the night at the Lobby Lounge, where a four-course set menu at ₱6,000 for two persons with a glass of house wine, iced tea, or chilled juice is on offer. Outdoor dining options include a four-course set menu paired with a glass of house wine, iced tea, or chilled juice complemented with a welcome cocktail Al Fresco by the pool at ₱8,000 for two.
For a more intimate setting, dine in the Gazebo, nestled in the hotel’s tropical garden. Rate begins at ₱27,800 which includes a welcome cocktail, five-course set dinner for two, a bottle of Champagne, and a dedicated butler throughout the evening. Gazebo dining is available for the whole month of February.
If a dinner date at home is what you’re looking for, Gourmet on the Move has a three-course set menu at ₱2,850 net for two and ₱6,800 for five, available from Feb. 7 to 15. To sweeten the celebration, Valentine cakes, chocolates, hampers, and more are on offer at The Bakeshop until Feb. 15.
(63 2) 8633 8888 | [email protected] | www.shangri-la.com/manila/edsashangrila
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Romantic takeaway
Those still afraid to go out need not worry. With Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ gourmet takeaway options created by executive chef Tristan Galang and his kitchen team, one can plan a quiet and cozy date in the comfort of your home. There’s the Guinness Braised US Beef Cheeks Hotbox served with root vegetables, mushroom ragout, and polenta for only ₱1,490, or a healthier choice, the Miso-glazed Black Cod Hotbox served with teriyaki-infused soba noodles and bokchoy for just ₱1,320. Elegantly packed in Richmonde’s signature black takeaway box, these specials have a built-in steaming kit so you can heat your meal quickly and effortlessly with just a pull of a string.
For desire, the luscious Berry Sweet Strawberry Cheesecake is recommended, a simple four-inch cake priced at ₱645.
All these flavorful delights are available for pickup and delivery orders from Feb. 11 to 19. As a special promo, a flat rate fee of ₱150 applies for deliveries within Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Quezon City. Delivery is free within San Miguel Avenue, Pearl Drive, and Escriva Drive.
Pre-order with a minimum of 24-hour lead time is required.
(632) 8638 – 7777 | Viber 0917 534 4352 | @RichmondeHotelOrtigas
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Celebrate with a passionate dance of flavors
A romantic date awaits guests at the Marriott Hotel Manila with the All Ways Valentine’s. Choose from Marriott Cafe’s Steak and Lobster Dinner Set Menu for only ₱5,888 for two, exclusively available on Feb. 14. Or celebrate early with Oceans of Love Dinner Buffet on Feb. 12 and 13, for ₱2,944 per person. There’s also a special offer at multi-awarded Cru Steakhouse on Feb. 13 to 15 and Man Ho on Feb. 11 to 14. Among the highlights of this year’s love month celebration is the unique sunset, rooftop dining experience overlooking the city at the newest Crystal Pod for rates starting at ₱4,888 per person.
0917 800 2393 | www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mnlap-manila-marriott-hotel/dining/