Perfect places for your Valentine's date

Don’t have any plans for Valentine’s Day yet? No need to worry, we got your back! Here are some of the restaurants we have visited which will be perfect for your February 14 date.


1. STELLA

If you and your date are into Western cuisine, Stella is perfect for you. Their dishes are mostly cooked in wood fire which makes them flavourful. A few of their specialties are their pizzas and pastas.

Other than their Valentine’s Day table setup, Stella has also prepared a special dish which will only be available on February 1-28.

MUST TRY: Warm Chocolate Raspberry Cake
Read more about Stella: http://www.advertisingmarketingph.com/2017/01/stella-wood-fired-bistro.html


2. KABILA

There’s never a wrong time for Pinoy food. So, why not have your date at Kabila where they serve authentic Filipino food?

This love month, Kabila will also be serving the Love Burger.

MUST TRY: Crispy Catfish, Burong Hipon + Mustasa
Read more about Kabila: http://www.advertisingmarketingph.com/2017/02/kabila-filipino-bistro-pinoy-na-pinoy.html


3. SABOTEN

Japanese food is always on someone’s cravings list. Let your significant other have a taste of Japan at Saboten this Valentine’s Day.

You may also want to try their Valentine’s Day special, Green Tea Latte (Iced or Hot).

MUST TRY: Shabu-Shabu
Read more about Saboten: http://www.advertisingmarketingph.com/2017/02/have-taste-of-tokyo-at-saboten.html


4. The Nook Café

Are you a certified Potterhead? Well, if you are, The Nook Café is where you should be. From their interiors to their menu, everything is Harry Potter inspired!

Especially made for Valentine's Day is this newbie in their menu Strawberry Cream-O.

According to their owner, they always prepare a special gimmick for their customers every Valentine’s Day. Be sure to find out what awaits you at The Nook Café on February 14!

MUST TRY: Butterbeer
Read more about The Nook Cafe: http://www.advertisingmarketingph.com/2017/02/the-nook-cafe-keeps-harry-potter-vibes.html


5. Artesania MNL Café

Get artsy and have good food at Artesania MNL Café this Valentine’s Day. They don’t only serve good food but they also have free art activities you can do while waiting for your food. A written “I love you” in calligraphy would surely make your date even better.

This Valentine’s Day, Artesania MNL Café has a special offer just for you: When you order 1 salad, 1 pasta, and 1 pizza, you will get complimentary drinks - your choice of Galaxy Latte or Cucumber Lemon Soda.

MUST TRY: Midsummer Night's Dream
Read more about Artesania MNL Cafe: http://www.advertisingmarketingph.com/2017/02/an-artsy-cafe-is-finally-in-maginhawa.html


6. TERRAZ

If you want to get all fancy and romantic, Terraz is the place to be. Here, you can experience how it feels like to dine in a five-star hotel without having to spend much.

Terraz also has a special Valentine’s Day menu just for you.

MUST TRY: Sesame BBQ Pork Ribs
Read more about Terraz: http://www.advertisingmarketingph.com/2017/02/get-all-fancy-at-terraz.html


Whether alone or with a date, I hope you'll all have a meaningful Valentine's Day 2017!

The Nook Cafe keeps the Harry Potter vibes alive

Potterheads prepare your broomsticks now, you have a new perfect nook to visit for a Harry Potter-themed dining experience!

The real draw is their extensive menu of magical food and drinks inspired by JK Rowling’s Harry Potter such as:

Butterbeer

This drink does not need much introduction. The preferred drink of underage witches and wizards is the most popular drink in Harry Potter. I got to try it first in a famous coffee shop, but I can say that The Nook's version is way better. Their version is made of sparkling water with the right amount of caramel and butterscotch - perfect refreshment for Potterheads of all ages. You can have it at Harry's (Php 100) or at Hagrid's (Php 150).

Bacon wrapped chicken (Php 160)

The Nook gives justice to this famous comfort food. The chicken was moist and the bacon was perfectly crispy. They elevated the dish by adding a dash of honey to cut the saltiness of the bacon. 

They also have a selection of sweet treats reminiscent of the Honeydukes.

Donut Holes (Php 150)

Chocolate Pudding (Php 120)

Cafe Latte (Php 100)

Egg Coffee (Php 115)

The Nook brought the famous coffee of Vietnam in Maginhawa. Imagine an espresso with a gloopy of egg on the top. It's something unusual, but you should try it!

The interior follows the Harry Potter theme closely. It features the murals of Hogwarts, wooden furniture, and costumes for unique Hogwarts look.

Harry Potter Houses' robes and Hogwarts mural

Hand-painted Harry Potter pots

The Nook stores a collection of Harry Potter books

Scriptures of the magical elements in Harry Potter

Harry Potter-inspired chess (board game)

I know it is always a joy for every Potterhead whenever there is a new fad inspired by Harry Potter, and as someone who is not really a fan of the movie series, I highly recommend The Nook Cafe. It is a fairly-priced coffee shop, very cozy place to "chill". Make sure to go there early to avoid the long queue.

OPERATING HOURS: 1:00pm to 10:00pm
LOCATION: Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
CONTACT NO.: 0915 974 3660



Photo credits to Edward Amar      

Get all fancy at Terraz

Once in a while, you feel like you need to get all fancy even without any occasion. But you already feel guilty even just with the thought of spending too much, right? Don’t worry, I’ve found a fancy place that serves top quality yet affordable dishes.

Located at the 3rd floor of the renowned high-rise Zuellig building is this casual and approachable dining space called Terraz. This 117-seater bistro has a very relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect with their mouth-watering dishes.

Here’s a little sneak peek of their menu:

REFRESHMENTS:

(from left to right)

Ginger and Mint Lemonade – 130
Strawberry Lemonade – 130
Lychee Shake – 135
Four Red Fruits – 120

SALAD:

Housemade Norwegian Salmon Gravlax – 310

(fresh lemon + capers + mixed greens + sweet chilli + orange truffle dressing)

SOUP:

 Mushroom and Barley Soup – 275

(shitake + white and brown button mushrooms + baby arugula + barley and basil foam)

WESTERN DISH:

Sesame BBQ Pork Ribs – 450

(sesame asian slaw + garlic truffle potato puree)

ASIAN DISH:

Szechuan Prawns – 555

(butterflied prawns + chilli bean paste + kaffir lime + cilantro rice)

DESSERT:

Deconstructed Chocolate Valrhona – 275

(revel bar crumbs + nougatine crisp + vanila ice cream + chocolate soil)


Terraz is also open for social events, meetings, and even romantic dates.

OPERATING HOURS: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, Monday to Friday
LOCATION: 3/F, Zuellig Building, Makati Ave. cor Paseo de Roxas, Makati City 
TEL. NO.: +63-917-833-6804 or +63-917-859-9082 or +632-625-4831 / 4832 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/raintreeterraz
Twitter: @raintreeterraz


Photo credits to John Edward Amar

An artsy cafe is finally in Maginhawa!

Calling all artsy people! I've found our happy place!

Along the busy Maginhawa Street in Sikatuna Village, you will find Artesania MNL Cafe, a place where art and food meet. Their artsy interiors are so inviting and relaxing.

In Artesania MNL Cafe, it's not just all about art, but good food as well. I can't help but be amused with their artsy and appetizing dishes.

Potato Eaters (French Fries Palette - 185php) - Nope, it is not your ordinary french fries. It is served with playful dips that look like paint in a palette. Out of all the four dips, my favorite would be the blue cheese which has a very unique flavor.

Midsummer Night's Dream (Tropical Mango Salad - 245php) - This salad won't make you feel like you're eating greens because of its sweet taste. What made it perfect is its walnut toppings that added extra flavor to the salad.

Forrest Gump (Shrimp Aglio Olio Pasta - 280php) - Out of all the dishes served to us, this is my favorite. It's simple yet mouthwatering. What I loved most about this pasta is the kick of chili and garlic that complemented the shrimps well. They are also very generous with the serving of shrimps!

The Animal Farm (All-Meat Pizza - 290php) - I would recommend this pizza to the meat lovers. I also loved their pizza crust which is thin and crispy - just perfect for the toppings.

Artesania MNL Cafe also offers a wide variety of drinks like this Iced Caramel Macchiato (140php) that was so refreshing. You may also opt to order your coffee hot or iced.

Black Forest Latte (135php) - It is also known as the Galaxy Latte which is one of their best sellers.

What's even more exciting about Artesania MNL Cafe is that it also serves as a venue for various workshops such as calligraphy, sketching, painting, and even makeup.

Below is a list of the upcoming events at Artesania MNL Cafe:

Feb. 13 (Monday) - Noche la Peña (Night of Misery) feat. Bullet Dumas
Feb. 14 (Tuesday) - Not-your-ordinary-romantic music by Iwag Maninantan
Feb. 17 (Friday) - Labing-Labing (Poetry Night) feat. various Spoken Word Artists


Like their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/artesaniamnlcafe/ and follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/artesania_mnl/ to be updated with their schedule of events and workshops.

OPERATING HOURS: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Tuesdays to Sundays)
LOCATION: #140 Maginhawa St. Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
TEL. NO.: (02) 891 8958



Photo Credits: John Edward Amar