Love-ly Meal

Merluza

Chocolate Panna Cotta

When on a date, it is important to be able to keep yourself comfortable enough to be able to do some wooing and schmoozing afterwards. A big buffet may not be the big ticket to romance after you feel overstuffed from the temptation to fill your plate at each station, plus the interruption of having to get up at each course to pick your new dishes. 

This is probably why, according to Discovery Group Marketing Director Gemma V. Batoon, their Heart’s Day buffet at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas is more popular among families and group dates. For something more intimate, she recommends the special Valentine’s set menu especially prepared by famed Chef David Pardo de Ayala, at the Miele-recommended Restaurant Verbena of Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay. 

What makes the meal particularly attractive is that it offers separate menus For Him and For Her, loaded with exquisite flavors and aphrodisiac ingredients designed to sweep that special someone off his or her feet. After the pleasantries of complimentary bread and spreads, the first course goes straight for the jugular with Oysters. “As it is the most well-known aphrodisiac, I just wanted to get it out of the way!” jokes the chef, who is now the Resident Manager of the Discovery group. For Her, the amorous adventure starts with Italian Ostricche or fresh Aklan Oysters on the half shell with limon granita and black caviar pearls. For Him, the oysters are coated and cooked with garlic-infused cream as a Spanish Croqueta, served hot with saffron-flavored garlic mayo, greens and edible flower petals. 

Appetites whetted, the next course involves cheese –For Her, Agnolotti, bite-sized pillows of pasta stuffed with creamy spinach and Italian ricotta flavored with double-smoked bacon, tomatoes, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar. For Him, it is Arroz Cremoso (a brothy version of paella simmered in mushroom broth finished with enoki mushrooms, bits of superb Idiazabal Cheese, and generously drizzled with olive oil). 

Prawns are dressed for romance, as Gambas set on the chef’s version of pasta called Fideua for Him, and for Her, a Gamberoni where large prawns are cooked on a vegetable condiment representing the flavors and food aromas of southern Italy.  

The mains are a choice of fish or steak. “He” gets to choose between Merluza (a gently-cooked Chilean Sea Bass with Vegetable Pisto and Black Olives) or Chuleton (U.S. Rib-eye, with piquant Piquillo Peppers, and a Basque form of ketchup which complements the natural flavors of the tender meat). “She” can opt for the Pesce (Chilean Sea Bass with artichokes and the star of the dish, the Pesto Rosso where sun-dried tomatoes are used in lieu of basil) or Bistecca (US Rib-Eye with a sinfully rich truffle flavor infused in creamy mashed potatoes).

For dessert, “He” gets the sweet orange goodness in a honey –yoghurt parfait called Naranja, while “She” gets a panna cotta infused with Italian almond liqueur and paired with the sweet acidity of fresh strawberries, complete with syrupy hearts on her plate. Illy coffee or Tagaytay Herbal Infusions are served to cap off the meal and set off those whispered sweet nothings. 

Ambience is the key to setting hearts aflame, and the intimate vibe coupled with the cool climate are other draws of the Country Suites, which is considered one of the finest bed-and-breakfasts in Tagaytay with room rates at P12,000 during the Valentine’s weekend. The set menu is available for lunch and dinner up to February 17, and comes for P2,500 each, inclusive of a bottle of Behringer or two flutes of Moet et Chandon for that celebratory toast. The arrangements can be flexible for the couples to opt for both “His” or both “Hers” courses, if they so desire. 

For more information, contact Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay at (02) 529-8172 or email mella@discovery.com.ph [1].