Gone are the days when the ideal Valentine’s Date was just a romantic, candlelit dinner followed by a movie.
We’re not saying it’s a bad idea, though, considering the country’s vibrant dining scene and a rejuvenated film landscape post-pandemic. But establishments have become more creative when it comes to Valentine’s Day gimmicks. Some have more experiential offerings in store for guests—whether they’re there on a romantic night out or not. You can now spend time with a rescued animal, for instance. You can also go on a painting date. You won’t run out of ideas, then, when it comes to leveling up your V-Day moments.
With Valentine’s Day just two days away, however, time’s running out if you’re still clueless on where to bring your special someone. So, we’ve done the homework for you and rounded up five unique last-minute V-Day ideas.
For pastry lovers: Maker and Made’s sourdough donut-making workshop & four-course dinner
This well-loved brunch spot in BGC has cooked up a one-day-only V-Day offering which brings together a sourdough donut-making workshop in partnership with Kitchenaid and a four-course dinner.
We all love donuts—especially if they have sumptuous fillings. That’s why the workshop will also teach participants how to make two kinds of fillings for their sourdough donuts: chocolate creme and strawberry & rose mascarpone.
Guests may feel tired and hungry after the hour-and-a-half workshop, but fret not, as a four-course dinner awaits them. And knowing Maker and Made, it’s a feast that’s not only sumptuous and creative but sustainable as well.
To open up the palate, they have Cauliflower Pâté on Foccacia for starters followed by a Sweet Potato Soup. For the main event, guests can choose between Pork Char Siu or Pan-seared Barramundi. All dinner dates must end on a sweet note, of course, with this one ending with Chocolate Mousse.
The workshop and dinner package is priced at P7,000 per pair. To book your slot, visit the official Maker and Made website.
For Japanophiles and arcade geeks: Inari x Timezone collab
If you love Japanese food and arcade games, then the Inari Sukiyaki x Timezone collab might be the perfect V-Day date for you and your special someone. Spend your Valentine’s date night with a Sukiyaki bowl dinner at Inari Sukiyaki followed by a fun arcade experience at Timezone—or you could do it the other way around!
There are two mouthwatering menus from which you can choose. Valentine’s set menu 1 includes two USDA Misuji Sukiyaki Bowls, four Spicy Tuna Rolls, four pieces of Ebi Tempura, two house iced tea, and 500 Timezone credits—all for only P2,000 (save Php 345).
Set menu 2 is at P2,500 (save Php 295) and includes one USDA Ribeye Sukiyaki Bowl, one USDA Misuji Sukiyaki Bowl, four Spicy Tuna Rolls, four pieces Ebi Tempura, two house iced tea, and 500 Timezone credits.
Inari Sukiyaki is at the fourth level of Robinsons Magnolia. Message @inarisukiyaki on Instagram for reservations.
For pasta lovers: Super Ugly Noods 3
Noodle Lab, Ugly Duck Poblacion, and Supernatural team up for the third time around for a special Valentine’s Day five-course pasta and natural wine pairing. Super Ugly Noods 3 features some returning dishes from previous iterations as well as new and exciting recipes. Crowd favorite Squink Bucatini is making a comeback with its delightful medley of squid-ink bucatini, roasted seaweed beurre blanc, tobiko, lato, nori, and fried capers.
Also making a return on the Super Ugly Noods menu is Noodle Lab’s popular Lasagna Roll-Ups which is fresh beet pasta sheets rolled and filled with mixed mushroom duxelle, mozzarella, XO fonduta, 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, miso pomodoro, tuyo pangrattato, and garlic confit.
Among the new dishes are Gnocchi, which is beet gnocchi, pesto cream, telefono sauce, and fried basil. Then there’s Steak and Truffle—flower-laminated egg yolk and truffle raviolo, bone marrow bordelaise sauce, New York strip, and brown butter. Capping off the special V-Day menu is Cannoli which is fried pasta, chocolate, orange panna cotta, and strawberries.
Reserve your seats by messaging Noodle Lab on Instagram.
For drag fans: Butterboy’s Drag Brunch of Love
If you’re not free on Valentine’s Day—it’s a weekday after all—you can opt for a post-V-Day date with Butterboy’s Drag Brunch of Love on Feb. 17. The bakery, tucked in a quiet street in Quezon City, is famous for its laminated pastries as much as it is for its lively drag brunches.
Drag Brunch of Love features performances by drag queens Naia Black, Corazon Filipinas, Feyvah Fatale, and Pura Luka Vega. Since it’s the season of love, make sure to have a taste of Butterboy’s limited edition Valentines’ gift set which includes its crowd-favorite pain au chocolat in orange, strawberry, and s’mores flavors, as well as new ones such as White Chocolate Coconut Croissant and Black Forest Danish.
Book your tickets for the Drag Brunch of Love by clicking on this link.
For furparents: Westin Manila’s Pawfect Pair
If you and your special someone cannot bear the thought of having fun while leaving your furbaby behind, Westin Manila’s Pawfect Pair at its Lobby Lounge Veranda is the win-win solution to such a predicament—you get to spend time with your favorite human and also with your favorite canine buddy.
This one-day-only Valentine special on Feb. 17 includes one Bibimbark and unlimited Woofaccino from the hotel’s A La Bark menu, as well as one Valentine High Tea with unlimited coffee or tea good for you and your date.
On top of these sumptuous treats, you are also entitled to a free self-portrait session at the @a.studiosph booth, so you can capture your sweet moments and flex your fur-baby’s charming pawsonality. Isn’t this pawsome?
Pawfect Pair is priced at P2,800 (good for one doggie and the fur parents). Advance reservation is required. Book a table via westinmanila@westin.com or +632.8256.2020. You may also contact +63.939.926.2157 on Viber or WhatsApp.
