High-Rise Dining

Eros, the Greek god of love, is believed to have wings that make him fly and arrows to strike at people he wants to fall in love with each other. With the sky-high ambience of these restaurants, it seems as if Eros might have designed the perfect date place itself. Here is a list of restaurants for a special Valentine’s Day experience.

OLD WORLD CHARMS

Sky Deck View Bar, The Bayleaf

Muralla corner Victoria Streets, Intramuros, +632.318.5000

First on the list is the famous Sky Deck View Bar at The Bayleaf hotel in Intramuros. Popular for its view of Manila Bay, skyscrapers, and the streets of Manila reminiscent of its rich colonial history, the Sky Deck has been a favourite of young and married couples alike. Having a 360-degree view, it is perfect for couples who want a view that is not too high and provides a front seat to the stunning Manila Bay sunset.  If in search for a nostalgic feeling, or if the couples were married in one of the long-standing churches in Intramuros, the Sky Deck View Bar is the best place to be. On Valentine’s Day lovers may enjoy a dinner buffet for 1,100 pesos per person.

CITY ROMANCE

Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday and the streets are expected to be crazy with heavy traffic and other couples rushing into their dining reservations. Thus, a dinner date near the central business districts is perfect.

The Deck, Vask

5th Floor, Clipp Centre, 11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City

Vask’s The Deck is a lounge extension of the main dining room and makes a perfect alternative dining spot for couples enjoying the restaurant’s signature tapas and pintxos. For young and hip couples who prefer to celebrate Valentine’s Day with music, cocktails, tapas, and a view of the Bonifacio Global City, The Deck is the best place to be. On Valentine’s Day enjoy a perfect starter for a romantic night with the chef’s enticing selection of dishes like Oyster Fine de Claire, Foie Terrine, Lobster, Lamb Tenderloin, Choco Lava, and a glass of rosé for 3,600 pesos set dinner menu.

Buddha Bar Manila

Picar Place, Kalayaan Avenue, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City, +632.856.7822

If in search for Asian fusion music, oriental atmosphere, and a rooftop lounge, Budddha Bar Manila is the place to be. This Valentine’s Day, couples may enjoy the 4-course Valentine Dinner Specials that include Buddha Bar Manila’s signature French cuisines fused with bold Asian flavours. Couples dining on February 14 and 15 have the chance to win accommodations at Movenpick Hotel in Mactan Island, Cebu and other surprise gifts. 

Cocktails at The Rooftop at Buddha Bar Manila are a perfect alternative to a dinner date if both parties are willing to start the ardent night with cocktails and a mesmerizing view of the Makati skyline.

Top of the Citi

34th Floor Citibank Tower, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City, +632.750.5810

100 Revolving Restaurant

33rd Floor MDC 100 Bldg.C5 cor. Eastwood Ave., Libis, Quezon City, +632.962.5564

These two restaurants cater the chef Jessie Sincioco’s culinary expertise. They are perfect for couples searching for quiet places to celebrate Valentine’s Day and have an intimate candle-lit dinner amidst the city rooftops. Top of the Citi is on the 34th floor and gives a parallel view of the Makati penthouses. 100 Revolving is on the 33rd floor but has a higher vantage point of the city lights, for there are only few high-rise buildings around.

Both prepare extensive selections of international dishes. Top of the Citi’s Pasta à la Jessie and 100 Revolving Restaurant’s Balut Surprise (a soufflé concept of the Filipino street food) are a must-try as well as other soufflés and desserts. What also makes 100 Revolving Restaurant very interesting is its revolving dining area where couples may enjoy eating aphrodisiacs while taking a one-hour and a half-long revolution. 

This Valentine’s Day, a special set menu starting at 2,500 pesos a person is available in all Chef Jessie Restaurants. Grilled U.S. Black Angus Tenderloin Steak in Truffle Sauce and Pistachio Heart Pavlova both star in this menu together with other Valentine special dishes.

ROMANTIC GETAWAYS 

But pulling off a sky-high dinner on Valentine’s Day still requires a romantic getaway. Not too far from Metro Manila is The Nest at Vivere Hotel and The Deck at Crimson Hotel that command spectacular sights of the southern region of the capital.

The Nest, Vivere Hotel

5102 Bridgeway Ave., cor. Asean Drive, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, +632.771.7777

Serving as a haven for lovebirds is The Nest on the 31st floor of Vivere Hotel. Offering an exquisite sight, the restaurant’s 360-degree panoramic view is perfect for couples who want to celebrate a love like the bliss of flight. Having floor-to-ceiling glass walls and tables strategically placed at the edge, The Nest gives an illusion of dining high in the sky. The sumptuous buffet selection for 2,400 pesos to 2,750 pesos per person includes 3 entrées to choose from: US Beef Tenderloin Steak, Pan-Fried Halibut, and Stuffed Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash. 

The Deck Bar, Crimson Hotel

Entrata Urban Complex, 2609 Civic Drive, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, +632.863.2222

In a relationship? In a complicated relationship? Single and ready to mingle? Crimson Hotel has the event perfect for couples and singles alike who want to party on Valentine's Day. The “Traffic Light” party invites guests to come dressed in colour-coded attires of their relationship status for an amusing theme of some fun in the city. With the ambience of a poolside bar lounge and a spectacular view of Alabang, The Deck Bar poses an exciting alternative to spend the night. For the whole month of February, diners may also enjoy a barbecue dinner buffet at 999 pesos a person.

Vieux Chalet

Taktak Road, Antipolo City, Rizal

But why spare the experience of a magical evening? A romantic getaway not too far from Metro Manila is the Swiss restaurant of the Hassigs in Antipolo. 

Literally meaning “old cottage,” Vieux Chalet was initially designed as the residence of the Swiss family Hassig until in 1984, when it was remodeled as a restaurant. For couples in search of adventure and need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, this colonial-style house on the hilltop is perfect for an intimate and pacific evening. Vieux Chalet breathes in the romantic breeze of Valentine and provides a view of Metro Manila’s skyline from afar without high-rise buildings blocking the view by the window.

On February 14 and 15, enjoy a choice of Orange and Butter Roasted Cornish Game Hen or a Faux Fillet À Point at 4,500 to 5,500 pesos. Couples may bask in the romantic ambience of the Swiss restaurant and feel the cosiness of home.

View of Metro Manila skyline from Vieux Chalet

Many other sweet spots in Metro Manila can be perfect venues for a dinner on Valentine’s Day. But if popping the big question is concerned, then the stakes are higher and nothing is more perfectly romantic than a dinner in the sky, on Eros’ wings.

Photos courtesy of respective restaurants | Photos of Vieux Chalet are by their guests: Atty. Eric Santos, Mr. Danny Victoriano, and Jo Tan |