Champagne Room at The Manila Hotel

MANILA, Philippines — It’s two days to The Big Day and I still don’t have a date.

To give up or not to give up?

Give. Up.

Valentine’s Day. It’s just so CAPS LOCK OVERRATED.

Still, I feel somewhat obligated to come out with a list for all the hopeless lovey-doveys out there. (Some people just don’t get it. Sigh.)

So here’s my list of places. Guys, PLEASE call ahead for reservations (it’s a total turn off if you don’t). Impress your girl by ordering for her. For your reference, I’m including all the dishes I want my non-existent date to order for me.

You’re welcome very much!

Antonio’s

For the fun and outdoorsy babe.

Drive up to Tonyboy’sTagaytay restaurant for an enchanting evening. The immaculate interiors, the lush greens, dining on excellent food under starry, starry night…I guarantee you she’s gonna swoon with delight. Ordering in Antonio’s is very easy, just pick an entree and you have a full course meal that includes house salad, soup and your choice of dessert. The Herbed Roasted Rack of Lamb with Cardamom Beurre Blanc with Pumpkin Sage Risoni is always a favorite. When you’re not looking, she will grab the tender chops with her hands and suck them bones dry. And because she is such a ravenous darling, reward her with Steak Tartare and an extra side of Pan Seared Foie Gras to go with her salad. The Dark Chocolate Souffle always seals the deal.

Antonio’s is located at Purok 138, Barangay Neogan, Tagaytay City, Cavite. Tel: +63917-8992866

The Fireplace

For the classy and carnivorous babe

It is the warm and elegant setting, the pile of wood and the Beech oven… You just know right away this is THE place for great steaks.Start your meal with a rich, tasty bowl of Lobster Bisque. It’s off menu, but I’m sure they will accommodate special requests on special occasions.Share the Millionaire’s Salad, it’s got prawns, scallops, Portobello mushrooms, foie gras and all the good things you’ll want on top of healthy fresh greens. And then the steak. Go for the US Angus Rib Eye. Or the Wagyu Tasting for the splurge. Warning: If you don’t want to spend the rest of the night fighting, do NOTsuggest sharing! End the meal with the sinful and decadent Chocolate Soup.

The Fireplace is located at 5/F Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, 588 Pedro Gil corner M.H. del Pilar, Malate, Manila. Tel: +632-2451234

The Goose Station

For the modern and sexy babe

Forget roses. Present her with the daintiest bouquet of foie gras mousse. It’s more practical, and tastes so much better. Plus it’s so smooth and buttery you’ll hear her little moansof pleasure. Hit second base with the Caviar Surprise.  Avruga caviar, king crab, white asparagus cream, prawn jelly… fresh and clean flavors of the sea. Go all the way with the 24-Hour Steak, sous-vide until soft and tender like a newborn baby, every mouthful is an explosion of macho beef umami. The Strawberry Sorbet is one sexy martini glass filled with different textures of strawberry goodness – smoked compote, sorbet, granita and chips. The flavors are so happy and vibrant it feels like eating a rainbow.

The Goose Station is located at the Ground Floor, W Tower, 39th Street, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Tel: +63917-8546673

The Champagne Room

For the feminine and charming babe

The pale yellow, crystal palm trees and pretty flowery prints will make her feel like a prim and proper lady. She’ll suddenly feel the need to lower down her voice, bat her lashes and whisper like how English ladies do at afternoon tea parties. You’ll order for her the garlicky Burgundy Snails baked in their own shells with herb-shallot butter, the meat-that-wants-to-become-butter Pan-fried Goose Liver and Apple Mille-Feuille on Cider Syrup, and a big slab of the tender and tasty Prime Rib that Champagne Room is famous for. For dessert, the sweet and tangy, hot and cold Crepes Suzette. A man should always understand and never underestimate the appetite of a true lady.

The Champagne Room is located at the Ground floor of The Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila. Tel: +632-5270011

Abaca Boutique Resort and Restaurant

For the romantic and wife-material babe

Fly her to Cebu in class. Bathe together, swim in the infinity pool together, snuggle in the cabanas, get relaxing scrubs and massages at the spa, have a romantic candlelight dinner, enjoy a hearty breakfast in bed. The service at Abaca is first class, food is excellent and the resort very private. What happens in Abaca, stays in Abaca. ;)

Abaca Boutique Resort and Restaurant in located at Punta Engano Road, Mactan Island, LapuLapu City, Cebu. Tel: +63-32-495-3461

Since I’ve been to all these places, I guess it’s just fair for me to say that I am a fun, outdoorsy, classy, carnivorous, sexy, modern, feminine, charming, romantic and wife-material babe. HA!!!

Happy Valentine’s, Peoples!

Visit Jin’s blog at www.jinlovestoeat.com