Scrambling for a romantic date place for Valentine’s? Hit up any of these five spots around the Metro:
OYE Tapas and Grill
This funky tapas bar is the perfect spot for a fun, flirty night over small, delicious plates of food and generously poured drinks. The menu features traditional tapas like salmorejo, chorizo chistorra and pan con tomate, as well as modern creations such as the croquet desconstruida, calamares rellenos de chorizo and carilleras con salsa de vino tinto. As for drinks, start off with the classic sangria (red or white) or with refreshing calimotxo before graduating to a refined agua de Valencia or to the adventurous, vodka-beer-rum-juice mix known as la puñeta.
OYE Tapas and Grill is located at G/F Uptown Mall. Call (632) 667 34 85.
Mireio
Nothing screams urban romance like a date in a place with a clear view of the cityscape. And the best venue to do this is Mireio, the elegant French brasserie in Raffles Makati. For P895 per person, the restaurant has a gorgeous terrace from which you can watch the sunset or admire the city skyline while sipping on some free-flowing cocktails as well as herby and fruity beverages and fine wines during their happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Mireio is located at Raffles Makati. For reservations, call (632) 795 07 07.
The Tasting Room
Are you and your S.O. adventurous foodies? Go on a gastronomic journey with the six-course tasting menu at The Tasting Room in City of Dreams Manila. Chef Frederic Thevenet is an indefatigable culinary master, and his European dishes (with an Asian flare, of course) are technically refined and undeniably creative. The restaurant’s bar is stocked with nothing but top-shelf liquors and wines, which the restaurant would be happy to pair with your food.
The Tasting Room is located at NÜWA, City of Dreams Manila. Call (632) 800 80 80.
Sunset Bar
Romance by the sea — sounds perfect, doesn’t it? In Metro Manila, there’s probably only one ideal place to get it: Sunset Bar in Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. Enjoy a delectable dinner buffet with al fresco dining, live musical entertainment and a stunning fireworks show for P2,750 per person. For a more intimate setting, sit under one of the Sunset Bar’s Love by Design private canopies, where a butler will serve you a four-course dinner with fine wines for P30,000.
Sunset Bar is located at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. For reservations, call (632) 551 55 55.
Samba
Treat your special someone out to a night of Peruvian flavors with Chef Carlo Huerta’s Valentine’s dinner set menu at Samba in Shangri-La at the Fort. The four-course menu features some of Peru’s most popular dishes such as Salmon Acevichado con Tamal de Arroz and Asado de Res Criollo con Pure de Apio Nabo. This menu costs P3,200 per person and comes with some glasses of bubbly. For a little more privacy, you can get the cabana package, which includes a five-course set menu, personal butler, some premium champagne and custom-made Tiki cocktails by Daniele Dalla Pola for P18,000 net for two people.
Samba is located at Shangri-La at the Fort. For reservations, call (632) 820 08 88.
