It's Valentine's week and you haven't booked a dinner yet? Planning a Valentine dinner is stressful with many of the usual restaurants and date places fully reserved as early as last year.
Here we give you options for restaurants, views, and experiences, some relatively unknown, some that have just opened, or some that have been dressed up differently for the season for Valentine’s day and beyond.
Plus, there's a pick that we have for Valentine's-averse folk or couples in the end!
180 Degrees by Chef Sau
180 Degrees by Chef Sau Del Rosario takes your breath away with his newest restaurant tucked away in the lesser visited side of Tagaytay, east of the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road. You get Del Rosario's culinary prowess with a 180-degree panoramic view of Tagaytay and Taal Lake from the restaurant’s balcony. What's not to love?
180 Degrees by Chef Sau is at 3-C-2, LT Labak ng Sungay Ln, Tagaytay, Cavite
Bar 27
Food and cocktails while looking at Manila Bay sunset? One of the more underrated in this list, Bar 27’s floor-to-ceiling windows give diners a stunning view of Manila's famous sunset and picturesque Roxas Boulevard. They also have a fancy onyx bar counter for that Valentine 'gram.
Bar 27 on the 27th floor of Diamond Hotel Manila
Nobu, City of Dreams
Make your loved one feel pampered and special by getting one of these cabanas at the City of Dreams Luxury Resort’s garden. A Nobu dinner in itself makes it great, but the ambiance makes it extra special.
Timberland Highland Resort
With weather that just screams "hug me" and without having to drive and brave traffic, courtesy of the C6 road, Timberland Highland Resort has you doing your Valentine's meal on an outdoor viewdeck where you can breathe in the cool mountain air, with an option for a sunset view of the surrounding forests.
Cabel
A romantic dinner at a beautifully restored house near Malacañang Palace is what Cabel offers. Cabel is a time machine that leads into a Manila of a more genteel time. Arrive early to explore the house to discover rooms and little corners that show off the elegance of another decade. Best for those who love wonderful interiors and Filipino comfort food.
Cabel is located at 1153 JP Laurel cor. Aguado Street, San Miguel Manila.
Z-Lounge
This is one of the more hidden gems of the hidden gems. Valentine's dinner at Z-Lounge brings dining to a higher level. This hideaway right in the middle of EDSA makes guests feel like VIPs with secure parking and an exclusive elevator that zips them up to Z-lounge which occupies the entire roof deck. Come early to enjoy unobstructed views of the sunset over the Pasig River before settling in for drinks and dinner.
Z-Lounge is located on the top floor of the GA Tower in EDSA, Mandaluyong City.
Secret Supper Club
For our extroverted couples, this was created with you in mind. Have a great night out by meeting new people to have compelling conversations over food, love and life. Vegan cook Edsel Ochoa opens up a secret space right in the middle of old Malate for a 4-course plant-based dinner with 2 glasses of vegan wine. Each secret supper is limited to 20 guests and is strictly by reservation.
Vu's Sky Lounge and Bar
The Ortigas Center can be a difficult area to get out of, especially on Valentine's Day. Walk on over to Marco Polo Manila and zip up to enjoy the Vu of Pasig, Taytay and Antipolo while having a toast with your date with one of the aperitivos.
Vu's Sky Lounge and Bar is located on the 45th floor of the Marco Polo Manila.
Penthouse 8747
Love isn't black and white, but in Penthouse 8747, you can celebrate love amidst luxurious black and gold décor and a commanding view of the Ayala Triangle. An elegant backdrop for a romantic dinner ala Great Gatsby.
Penthouse 8747 is located on the top floor of the BA Lepanto building on Paseo de Roxas, Makati.
BONUS FOR SINGLES:
Patchimon Ookini
The greatest love of all is learning to love yourself, as the great Whitney Houston sings. So, if you want to eat some Japanese, and stay away from couple-centric places, there's Patchimon Ookini in Makati. Roomy isolation booths, friendly staff (that you don't have to see), and an extensive menu (try the takoyaki!), it's this author's new favorite place to eat even with or without my significant other. Plus, if you're with like minded Valentine-averse folk, the partitions do fold away if you want to socialize.
Patchimon Ookini is located at the 3rd Floor of Creekside Mall along Amorsolo Street in Makati. Lunch seating at 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Dinner seating from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.