SURE, an electronic card with an enchanting animated GIF of two cuddly bears canoodling amid an explosion of hearts may be the way of romance in this age of e-everything, but only the true romantic knows a lovely dinner will never lose its cachet on Valentine’s Day.
Here are some suggestions:
RESORTS WORLD MANILA
PARIS may be the City of Love, but if a flight to France for dinner seems a bit over-the-top, you can still give your special someone a taste of French fine dining at multiaward winning restaurant Impressions in Resorts World Manila (RWM, www.rwmanila.com).
The Impressions Dine in Love prix fixe menu starts off light and frothy with an amuse bouche of Crab Meat Croquet with avocadoes and cherry syrup. The appetizer of Candied Walnuts with 62-Degree Egg is served with crispy lardons, mixed greens and mustard dressing, followed by a comforting bowl of Potato and Green Tea Soup with steamed tofu and croutons. For the entrée, you and your date can savor Impressions’ signature Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass and Grilled Scallops served with spinach puree, cauliflower risotto, sea urchin foam, and tomato Tuile.
The light flavors of the entrée are the perfect build-up to the main entrée of Prosciutto-Wrapped Australian Lamb Loin which comes with ravioli of lamb ragout, sautéed asparagus, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese mousse, stuffed zucchini and honey pear jus.
The mignardises course is a trio of bite-sized treats of Red Berries Macaron, Tequila Rose Praline, and Cherry and Vanilla Cream Puff.
The final flourish of this decadent dinner is a Citrus Panna Cotta with Strawberry Puree that delivers an exhilarating burst of tartness that contrasts the silky textures and rich sweetness of the classic dessert. Couples who want the romance of the outdoors can enjoy a starlit poolside dinner at The Terrace at RWM’s Maxims Hotel.
Featuring a gourmet four-course dinner, a sommelier’s selection of wine pairings, a live acoustic band, floral arrangements, and languorous lighting by the poolside, The Terrace has all the elements of an unforgettable date.
A steaming bowl of creamy mushroom soup warms up your palate, followed by a refreshingly tart Caesar salad. The selection of mains has something to satisfy just about any craving with choices of prime-cut Angus Rib-Eye Steak drizzled with veal jus and a side of three cheeses baked with seasonal vegetables, Grilled Salmon fillet seasoned with shallots, cauliflower and herbs, or the Airline Chicken—grilled herb chicken breast with freshly mashed potato and seasoned vegetables in red wine sauce.
End the meal with a flourish of textures with the Sweet Companion, an original concoction of Adlai grain crunch with layers of tablea mousse and calamansi puree.
Diners at the Terrace can choose between a table for two by the poolside where the waters reflect the twinkling stars, or the privacy of the cabanas for a truly decadent and romantic evening.
F1 HOTEL MANILA
CELEBRATE Valentine’s Day at F1 Hotel Manila (www.f1hotelmanila.com) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, with Love at First Bite, an all-in-one Valentines buffet concert. The first set will run from 6 to 8 pm, while the second will be from 8:30 to 10 pm.
Enjoy a night full of delicacies that would satisfy your appetite and make your heart aflutter as Jet Barrun serenades you and your significant other on this night of passion. What could be better than feeding each other with delicious morsels of scrumminess, with some of the most romantic songs every composed as your aural backdrop.
EASTWOOD RICHMONDE HOTEL
EASTWOOD Richmonde Hotel’s Eastwood Café+Bar (www.facebook.com/EastwoodRichmondeHotel) celebrates that most compelling force known as love with “L’amour,” a Valentine’s Day dinner feast filled with delectable dishes that are as rich and exquisite as love, and as passionate and dreamy as a French romance.
Happening from 6 pm to 9 pm, this special Valentine’s dinner buffet features a lavish spread of mouthwatering international fare highlighted by favorite carvings as the entrées—US Rib Eye, Australian leg of lamb, US turkey and Chilean salmon, complemented by the paella Valenciana and paella nergra, plus various sidings. The antipasti station is chockfull of cold cuts, cheese, chorizo, olives, grapes, artichoke, and munchies like walnuts, almonds, dried apricots, crackers and bread sticks. Completing the pre-entrée items are the salad bar and soup station. The feast’s pièce de résistance can be found at the dessert counter where an assortment of chocolate confectioneries is showcased, from candies to cakes and pastries. A pianist provides the diners with live musical entertainment.
Eastwood Café+Bar’s L’amour dinner buffet comes with bottomless flavored mimosa.
RICHMONDE HOTEL ILOILO
THE Granary of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo (www.richmondehoteliloilo.com.ph) presents a Valentine’s Day Dinner Buffet you can indulge in with the people dearest to you. With bottomless lemonade, the delightful feast consists of an assortment of appetizers, a charcuterie station, entrées, carvings of lechon roll and braised beef chuck roll, and sweet desserts. The open kitchen also features a la minute cooking of tempura, grilled meats, laksa, tom yum, and pasta, prepared just the way you like them.
For the single and brokenhearted, BizBar is throwing an anti-Valentine’s Day party. Dubbed “No to VD,” the event will be devoid of mushy romance but filled with fun and freebies for the fabulously unattached. Enjoy complimentary Zabana Anti-Love Potion cocktail, free cheese platter for every bottle order of house or premium wine, buy-one-get-one on San Mig Light Beer; and 1-4-3 on Heineken draft beer and Zabana cocktails (one glass free four every three glasses ordered). Dance heartaches away to the retro mixes of DJ Enzo of Fatboidjs and win a hotel gift certificate if you’re chosen as Star Dancer of the Night. Another hotel gift certificate will be up for grabs for the Valentine “hater” with the best Instagram party post and caption with #BizBarNOtoVD.
The Love is Love Valentine’s Dinner Buffet is from 6 to 10 pm. The No to VD Anti-Valentine’s Day Party starts at 8 pm.
DIAMOND HOTEL
FALL in love all over again at Diamond Hotel Philippines (www.diamondhotel.com). Make every moment special at Corniche. Treat your sweetheart to a grand, romantic gesture with a Valentine buffet they will never forget.
Plus, get a chance to win an overnight stay for two with breakfast buffet for every P5,000 spent. On February 14 and 15, be entertained by a pianist during lunch and a quartet during dinner.
Let your significant other know that they means the world to you with a unique and authentic Japanese-style date. Yurakuen offers a lunch and dinner set menu for couples with a glass of Piper Heidsick. Complementing the dinner is musical entertainment by a duo.
Get to know the person that brings joy to your heart at the Lobby Lounge with a four-course set menu and a glass of Cava, perfect for building a meaningful conversation. Reserve a table for two for this intimate date that comes with a complimentary slice cake. Set the mood as a soothing saxophone plays in the background.
Alternatively, relish al fresco dining by the Poolside under a beautiful night sky. Delight in a five-course dinner as you gaze at the stars and reminisce how your love story began. The set menu comes with musical accompaniment by a soulful duo. Cap off the evening with a glass or two of your favorite cocktail drink at Bar 27.
With a spellbinding view of the cityscape at night, a four-course set menu that comes with a glass of red or white wine, plus live band entertainment, Valentine evening brims with possibilities.
THE MANILA HOTEL
ON the most romantic night of the year, The Manila Hotel in Manila (manila-hotel.com.ph) has crafted the perfect evening to celebrate love, romance and passion in “A Taste of Love,” an exclusive Valentine dinner punctuated by love songs from romantic balladeer Christian Bautista. The event is slated for Valentine’s Day, February 14, 7 pm, at Fiesta Pavilion.
Executive Chef Walter Konrad demonstrates his considerable skill in creating an exquisite and unique dining experience, through a menu that pays homage to the great romances of history.
Every dish is a story told through ingredients, technique and artistry.
MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA
FALL in love to your heart’s content with a tempting love-themed spread at Cucina of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila (www.marcopolohotels.com) on February 14 and 15. A special a la carte menu will also be available during dinner including sumptuous Chicken Piccata on Tomato and Olive Ragout with Tagliatelle in Basil Pesto and Grilled Australian Lamb.
Relive the season of love with authentic Cantonese cuisine at Lung Hin. An intimate dining experience awaits with dishes that are crafted to perfection, with an ambience of love in the air through special set menus that can be enjoyed on February 14 and 15.
Celebrate a truly red-letter day with the best view in the metro at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge. Dine on February 14 and toast with a welcome drink of Prosecco upon arrival.
Featured performance for the night by Silk Band begins at 9 pm.