10 Most Romantic NEW Restaurants in Manila for Valentines 2015!

Valentine Weekend is just around the corner, and we have exciting new romantic restaurants that recently opened in Manila.

Our Awesome Planet Most Romantic Restaurant Series:

Here are the Top 10 Most Romantic NEW Restaurants in Manila for Valentines 2015:

1. NOBU MANILA

The NOBU Restaurant is a Japanese & Peruvian-inspired restaurant by Celebrity Chef Nobu Matsuhisa in City of Dreams Manila. It’s the signature restaurant of the Nobu Hotel and the 2nd Celebrity Chef Restaurant to open in the metro.

We had a special date with our foodie friends, Tina and Chef Guy, to check it out. Here’s our experience and some tips to have an awesome experience at Nobu…

NOBU MANILA
Level 1 Tower 3 Nobu Hotel
Email: NobuRestaurant@cod-manila.com
Telephone: +632 691-2882, 691-2885
Website: http://www.cityofdreams.com.ph

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

2. BLACKBIRD

BLACKBIRD is the Aviation-themed, Contemporary European and Asian Restaurant of Chef Colin Mackay of Sala and People’s Palace fame. It is located at the Neilson Tower of the old Manila International Airport and is named after the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft. The ambiance is inspired by an Airport Terminal and its Art Deco building in the heart of Makati City.

We tried Blackbird with our partners and we loved it! Check out one of our favorite restaurants of 2014…

BLACKBIRD by Chef Colin Mackay
Nielson Tower, Ayala Triangle, Makati City, across the Peninsula Hotel.
Telephone: +632 828-4888
Operating Hours: Open Daily 11.00am to 12.00mn

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

3. MECHA UMA

Mecha Uma-54.jpg
MECHA UMA is a Chef-Driven Restaurant by Chef Bruce Ricketts of Sensei Sushi fame. The name is a Japanese expression for absurdly delicious food.

They serve predominantly Japanese food but are not limited to it. Foodies have raved about the Tasting Menu served Omakase-style (but is still dependent on the chef and what’s freshly available that day). They also serve an a la carte menu of the best dishes featured in the Tasting Menu.

MECHA UMA
G/F RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center,
25th Streets, cor. 6th and 7th Avenue,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines
(beside Starbucks Coffee)
Telephone: +632 801-2770
Mobile: +63 917 544-3226

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

4. PURPLE YAM MALATE

PURPLE YAM MALATE is the local branch of the popular Purple Yam Modern Filipino Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. It was founded in 2007 by Amy Besa and Chef Romy Dorotan of Cendrillon fame in Soho. Its name was inspired by the owner’s love of ube. 🙂

The Malate branch is only open on weekends for by-reservation private dining — dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, and brunch on Sundays. The owners describe their restaurant as a “serious dining” establishment (as opposed to a fine dining one).

The opening of Purple Yam is sure to create a buzz among the foodies in Manila and hopefully usher in the revival of Malate.

PURPLE YAM MALATE – Reimagining Filipino Food
PY Curated Foods, Inc.
603 Julio Nakpil corner Bacobo, Malate, Manila
Contact: Amy Besa
Email: acbesa49@gmail.com
Reservations: +632 523-3497
Mobile: +63 926 713-3523
Facebook: Purple Yam
Twitter: @PurpleYamNYC
Website: http://www.purpleyamnyc.com/

Operating Hours (Set Menu price):
Friday Dinner: 7.00 pm onwards (P2,500/head)
Saturday Dinner: 7.00 pm onwards (P2,500/head)
Sunday Lunch: 11.00 am to 3.30pm (P1,500/head)

Note: Cash Only. Reservation is a must.

5. QIWELLNESS LIVING TEA HOUSE

We were pleasantly surprised to discover QiWellness Living–a Budji Royal-designed Chinese Tea & Bath House–with probably the best overlooking vantage point of Taal Volcano.

We tried their 3-hour Quick Escape Package for couples on our 12th year wedding anniversary.

Here’s our QiWellness Experience…

QIWELLNESS LIVING
Aguinaldo Highway, Brgy. Maharlika East, Tagaytay City, Philippines
Email: teahouse@qiwellnessliving.ph or bathhouse@qiwellnessliving.ph
Mobile:+63 917 522 6969
Website: http://www.qiwellnessliving.ph/
Instagram: @qiwellnessliving

Operating Hours:
The Chinese Tea House
Monday to Tuesday – CLOSED (but can be opened for group bookings or functions)
Wednesday to Sunday- 11:30am to 2:30pm 6:30pm to 10:00pm

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

6. 12/10

12/10 is a Japanese restaurant by Thea de Rivera and Gab Bustos, also known as The Girl + The Bull. The name of their second restaurant is a tribute to their anniversary date. The restaurant is an izakaya-inspired drinking joint featuring a customize-your-own degustation.

It’s like the younger, hip brother of Mecha Uma–another “graduate” of the BF Aguirre Food Street– offering contemporary Japanese cuisine to a mainstream foodie audience in the metro.

12/10 Izakaya Japanese Restaurant
7635 Guijo St., San Antonio Village, Makati
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 5.00pm to 11.00pm
Telephone: +63 915 663 2823
Email: hello@twelveten.ph
Website: http://twelveten.ph/
Facebook: 12/10 Restaurant

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

7. ARROZERIA

ArroZeria is an authentic Spanish paella place by Chef Chele Gonzales (of VASK fame) and Spanish chef Paco Bermudez from Valencia.

You can enjoy your paella in 5 different ways–the classic PAELLA (Al dente and thin), CALDOSO (Soupy), RISOTTOS (Creamy), MELOSO (Saucy), and FIDEUA (Thin Noodles).

In partnership with the International Rice Research Institue (IRRI) in Los Baños, they were able to source an heirloom rice from Cordillera to use in their paella, which is similar to the Spanish arroz bomba rice.

Here are some tips to have an awesome experience at ArroZeria…

ARROZERIA – “Rice is the Hero”
Level 4, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue Makati City
Mobile: +63920 974 4742
Email: info@arrozeriamanila.com
Facebook: ArroZeria
Twitter: ArroZeriaMNL
Instagram: ArroZeriaMNL #arrozeriamanila
Website: www.arrozeriamanila.com (in construction)

8. ALLIUM

ALLIUM is the restaurant reincarnation in Makati of our favorite Studio Kitchen in Alabang, by Filipino-American Chef Mark Tan. Its name is inspired by the genus of plants that include onions, garlics, chives, and leeks and responsible for the flavors we enjoy in our food.

We tried the degustation sampler and grilled meat selections prepared by Chef Mark during one of our Mercato partners’ meeting. His specialty is contemporary American cooking using fresh local ingredients and good quality imported meats.

ALLIUM Contemporary Modern American Cuisine
G/F Grand Midori, Bolanos St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
Telephone: +632 519-1088
Mobile: +63 999 694-3068, +63 916 356-3663

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is recommended.

9. LA CABRERA

LA CABRERA is an Argentinian Steakhouse and the Manila branch of Parrilla La Cabrera by Chef de Cuisine Gaston Riveira. This local iteration is through the efforts of Carlo Lorenzana of Shi Lin fame, and Carlo Lorenzana of Cellar de Boca Argentinian Wine Kitchen in Davao (yes, they have the same name. :D).

Argentinian Steak is considered the best in the world. In La Cabrera Manila, however, they use USDA steak. It still gets good reviews when it’s the Argentinian Chef who prepares the steak.

LA CABRERA Grillado and Bar
Ground Floor, 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati, Philippines
Operating Hours: 11am-3pm/5:30pm-10:30pm
Mobile: +63 905 290-0703
Facebook: La Cabrera Manila
Instagram: @lacabrera_mnl
Website: http://www.parrillalacabrera.com.ar/

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is recommended.

10. TODD ENGLISH

TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL is officially Manila’s first Celebrity Chef Restaurant opening at the SM Aura Premier! It is also the first restaurant that sets the trend for the Food Hall concept in Manila.

A Food Hall is a communal dining space with well-curated stalls or food stations. It is NOT a buffet, because you can order from one or any of the stations. It is NOT a food court, because the food is typically handmade, with a cohesive theme.

Todd English Food Hall is all about quality of food with provenance, and a mix of cuisine that is eclectic and inspired across 9 food stations.

TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL
5/F SkyPark, SM Aura Premiere, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Operating hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Monday to Sunday
Email: toddenglishfoodhallmnl@gmail.com
Twitter: @TEFoodHallMNL
Facebook: FoodHall ToddEnglish
Instagram: @toddenglishfoodhallmnl
Telephone: +632 621 4002

Note: Credit Card Accepted. Reservation is a must.

Our Awesome Planet Most Romantic Restaurant Series:

Live an Awesome Life,

Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com

Disclosure: I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.

P.S. Check out the Villa del Conte Amore Box P880 with 200g of chocolate pralines for Valentines day! For more info, visit Villa del Conte FB Page.

2 thoughts on “10 Most Romantic NEW Restaurants in Manila for Valentines 2015!”

Jerome says:

February 10, 2015 at 12:08 pm

another list of Top stuffs in Taguig/Makati. Any recommendations for people in the North?

Jacksny says:

February 10, 2015 at 8:39 pm

Thanks for sharing the 10 most romantic restaurants. May this will be the best dinner treat to my partner.

Latest Episode:

1. NOBU MANILA

2. BLACKBIRD

3. MECHA UMA

4. PURPLE YAM MALATE

5. QIWELLNESS LIVING TEA HOUSE

6. 12/10

7. ARROZERIA

8. ALLIUM

9. LA CABRERA

10. TODD ENGLISH

2 thoughts on “10 Most Romantic NEW Restaurants in Manila for Valentines 2015!”

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