5 Cliché-Free Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day
A helipad date!
For the first time ever, Discovery Suites Ortigas is opening the doors to its helipad for a special Valentine’s dinner on February 14 and 15. Take in the spectacular 360-degree view of the Ortigas skyline over a four-course meal complete with a bottle of wine and a cheese platter. The menu includes a seafood velouté soup, mackerel carpaccio and spanner crab fritters salad, sous vide fillet mignon and grilled selva prawns, and fresh strawberry soup for dessert. Only six tables are available on each night.
P15,000 net for two, or P20,000 for a dinner package with overnight stay FB: DiscoverySuitesOrtigas www.discoverysuites.com
Mackerel Carpaccio
Seafood Volute
Strawberry Soup
Surf n Turf
A secret garden under a canopy of stars
The Spices Garden at The Peninsula Manila is one of Manila’s best-kept secrets, and is the perfect venue for an intimate al fresco dinner under the stars. The balmy evenings make a wonderful foil for the menu created by Thai specialty chef Phaithoon Attbasarn, consisting of classic and contemporary Thai dishes including a live action som tam station
Spices Under the Stars available every Friday and Saturday of February, from 6 to 11 PM FB: ThePeninsulaManila www.peninsula.com/manila
Som Tam
A romantic escape in a magical space
A hidden haven where the world melts away, The Burrow in the grounds of Antipolo Beehouse is romantic yet modern. Tucked away by a river, with a lush garden, this is an irresistible place for a tête-à-tête. On February 14 and 17, you can book a table for a six-course classic Filipino meal with house-brewed iced tea. Bring your own wine, and since the space is accessible by a 76-step staircase, we do not recommend wearing high heels.
FB: antipolobeehouse www.antipolobeehouse.comImpressively curated tapas (plus wine) for just the two of you
Sometimes you don’t have to leave the city to have a magical experience. Artisan Cellar Door, right in the heart of Makati’s busy Pasong Tamo Extension, is a wine cellar that also allows for wine tastings and tapas in a private room in the middle of all the vintages—absolute heaven if you happen to be a gourmet (or even a gourmand). Relish in such delicacies as pulpo salad, bottarga pasta, Mayura Wagyu steaks, an impressive selection of cheese and charcuterie, and the best vintages they can offer.
Artisan Cellar Door provides wine and tapas tastings for a minimum consumable of P15,000 FB: artisancellardoor www.artisan.com.ph
Artisan Cellar Door Private Tasting Room
Mayura Wagyu at Artisan Cellar Door
A cheesy celebration with good friends.
For people who don’t need to be in a relationship to be complete, we say a close circle of friends is certainly worth celebrating. Head to Old Swiss Inn on February 17 and take advantage of their Valentine’s Day promo that’s not meant for just couples (everything is supersized!). Have buckets of Belgian beer and mega nachos smothered in their signature Swiss cheese fondue. End the night with their signature tricolore Valentine fondue. Because you don’t need to be in love to have a special Valentine experience.
FB: oldswissinn www.oldswissinn.com
Tricolor Valentine Fondue
