Valentine Post 2015: Our Favorite Date Places

Bry and I love to eat :) We like trying out new restaurants and having date nights are a treat for us.  We try to have one each week but ever since we had the twins, it has been a challenge.  Still, here are a few restaurants that we've tried and loved over the years.  We'd love to hear your own version of your favorite ones so we can try them.  

So, In time for the day of hearts,I will attempt to share tidbit of our favorite restaurants.  Take note that we live on San Juan-Mandaluyong area so locations is a factor, hehe :)

Le Jardin
+63 9178176584
Penthouse, W Fifth Avenue Building, 5th Avenue Corner 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City

Why we love it:  The ambience is very "maaliwalas" since it has a garden theme.  Very nice service, they even assign you a parking slot if you reserve ahead.  

What we ordered: Our favorite was the seared scallops with mashed potatoes from the hot appetizers, and the braised beef cheek with foie gras from the main course:)

Quirky Bacon
192 Wilson St. San Juan
+63 9279184189

02 5702494

Why we love it: Very convenient location for us, haha! (If you know us, you know how convenient the location is).  Also, the casual feel of the restaurant makes it ideal for an impromptu date night.  Plus, we are meat eaters so we are the target audience of the menu

What we usually order: Pork Panalo, Seared Wagyu Steak Plate, and of course, Chef Sharwin's drop dead fried rice.  Oh, and ask for the specials for more options from the menu.

La Creperie: 
Branches at the Shangri-la Mall (Mandaluyong); Robinsons (Ortigas); 403 F. Calderon St.,Bgy. Little Baguio (San Juan); New Manila, E. Abada and Salcedo Vilage

Why we love it: no matter how much we eat, there's always a space in our tummies for their crepe.  I like that they have thin crepes which are light on the tummy.  Bry thinks we can actually finish one each.  They have a variety of choices for their main courses, too

Our favorite in the menu: Mango Hazelnut au Chocolat - Choco crepe with Mangoes and Almonds.  Need, I say more? 

Aubergine 
32nd and 5th Building 5th Avenue cor. 32nd Street Fort Bonifacio 1634
856 9888

Why we like it there: Classic restaurant for a very special occasion.  I can never get enough of Foie Gras!

What we order: Foie Gras Salad and the Surf and Turf

Chef Jessie
8906543  , 8907630
Ground Floor, Rockwell Club, Amorsolo Square, Amorsolo Drive, Rockwell Center

Why we love it there: classic dishes with a twist, lot of options in the menu from 3-4 course meals to a simple rice plate. Ideal for a lunch date :)

What we ordered: Bry liked the Poached Salmon with Tomato artichoke sauce.  I liked the Duck Confit in Echalote Sauce

Cafe Juanita
19 West Capitol Dr, Pasig, Metro Manila
632 0357

Why we like it: Unique ambiance and Lots of choices of Filipino dishes (and other cuisines(.  

What we ordered: Sinigang na corned beef is a winner.  They are famous for their Kare-kare, too

Blackbird 
(02) 632 0357
Nielson Tower, Ayala Triangle, Makati City,
Telephone: 828-4888
Why we like it? Their ambiance makes going on a date there feels so grown up.  Fast service, too! Perfect for a couple like us who don't have the luxury of a long date night

What we loved eating: Yes, their steaks are delicious but their truffle oil lasagna with portabello mushrooms and asparagus is lovely, too.  For dessert try the burnt butter with vanilla seed ice cream sundae that comes with salted caramel, chocolate brownie and candied popcorn. Ok, I'll stop now :)

ArroZeria
02 2176563  +63 9209744742
 Fourth Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City

Why check it out: This is a new restaurant by Chef Gene Gonzales of Vask.  They offer different kinds of rice dishes featuring different textures from soupy to saucy.  Their most famous dish is the paella valenciana.  They have a rice dish of the day, too.  We called ahead to pre-order our dish to save time.

What was interesting in the menu: the gambas was quite unique.  The shrimps are deep fried in squid ink batter. Yum!

So there you have it.  My labor of love this Valentines for family and friends who read our blog   My apologies for not having photos or more details.  As you know, I'm not a food blogger, just a mom and wife who loves to eat out.