Places designed to make you more in love (or infatuated) than you already are.
By Liz Anne Bautista
 
Although I'm not really a big fan of Valentine's Day, I am a fan of wining and dining, unexpected bouquets of flowers, and getting swept off my feet – holiday or not! So, for this month's Night Out, we're giving you the best places to dazzle your date and nurture that lovin’ feeling. Cupid should thank us for making his job easier.

VIEUX CHALET
Taktak Road, Antipolo City / 697-0396

WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE: A quaint, little restaurant located in the mountains of Antipolo, approximately 27 km away from the city, Vieux Chalet is a Swiss restaurant that offers good food, fresh air, greenery, and a sweeping view of the city (we recommend you visit at night). Plus, you’ll be forced to talk because of the long ride and your date will greatly appreciate that you made the effort to research about Vieux Chalet and actually drive all the way to Antipolo.

LOVE GRUB: Vieux Chalet, which means “Old House,” also believes that food brings more to a person’s life than just satisfying his hunger. Among our favorite dishes were the Lamb Shoulder in Red Wine Sauce (P725) and the Cheese Fondue (P1300/good for 4).
 
ROMANCE FACTOR: In Vieux Chalet’s 25 years, it has witnessed love being celebrated left and right. Says its chef, Florence Hassig, “One of my favorites though would be that one particular couple wrote on our guest book, saying that ‘Vieux Chalet have always saved our marriage.’  I reckon it's safe to say that they would have their spites/arguments and then probably reconcile here.”

RATING: 10 HEARTS

VAN GOGH IS BIPOLAR
154 H Maginhawa St. Sikatuna Village, Quezon City / 394-0188

WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE: Van Gogh is Bipolar is one of the more interesting cafes in the city, claiming to offer mood-altering dishes in a low-profile gallery setting. Owner Jethro Rafael, who is a self-confessed bipolar person himself, opened his own home (yes, the restaurant is also his home) to cater to people looking for an alternative dining space.

The place is intimate, with only about 10 tables, so reservation is a must. It is open daily from 5:00PM-12:30AM, except on Tuesdays.

LOVE GRUB: Van Gogh is Bipolar’s menu lives up to its theme, with each dish named after a famous person suffering from bipolar disorder. I recommend you try Larry Flint’s Cabbage Experience Salad (P415), President Clinton’s Manic Depressive Meal (P275), and their Lemon Grass (P90/glass).

ROMANCE FACTOR: Rafael showed us an artwork that had a note of a man who once proposed at VGIB. The note may be short, but it’s sweet enough to get a lot of “awws” from people who read it.

RATING: 7 HEARTS
 
ILOVEYOU X FUTURE
Cubao Expo, Cubao, Quezon City

WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE: Those looking for a more upbeat night should try Future at Cubao X. Fittingly located in IloveYou Store’s ground floor, it is the go-to place for anyone looking for an amusing night of interesting music and characters. The cool, unpretentious vibe of Future features great DJ sets and affordable chow and drinks, set in a dimly-lit, shabby-chic interior. 

Personally, this is my favorite place to chill in, because the vibe just loosens you up and lets you be yourself. And as they say, there is nothing more wonderful than you and your date being yourselves.

LOVE GRUB: Future is more of a post-dinner kind of date. They have pizzas, pastas, nachos, and pastries at no more than P200 and drinks at less than P100. 

ROMANCE FACTOR: Not sure if it would be a great place for proposing and such, but it’s definitely great for the getting-to-know-you phase.

RATING: 8 HEARTS

FAT MICHAEL’S PLACE
Gen. Lacuna Corner A. Rodriquez St., Bangkal,  Makati / 843-1953

WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE: This eclectic restaurant is considered to be one of the Bangkal neighborhood’s best kept secrets. This homey, charming, and intimate dining place, which started in ’00, still hasn’t changed one bit. And yes, that includes the part where they “cook slow,” and you, in turn, have to “deal with it.” But, needless to say, it’s worth the wait.

LOVE GRUB: I guess one of the reasons why people keep coming back to this place is their good food at reasonable prices. Old favorites include their Paella (P275/good for 2), Grilled Chicken Rosemary (P145), and the Sausage and Arugula Kesong Puti Pizza (P320/good for 3).

ROMANCE FACTOR: Sacha, one of the owners, told us that the place is always packed come Valentine’s week with couples even reserving tables a month ahead.

RATING: 7 HEARTS

CAFÉ  ILUSTRADO
744 Calle Real Del Palacio, Intramuros, Manila / 5272345

WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE: If you want to add a sense of elegance and history to your date, then we suggest an intimate dinner at Ilustrado in Intramuros. With its 19 years in the fine-dining business, Café Ilustrado has certainly been host to a number of dates, proposal, and weddings even.

LOVE GRUB: The restaurant is known for its dining excellence. Among the must-try dishes from its menu are the Bagnet with KBL sauce (P280), Lengua con Setas (P320), and their famous Homemade Ice Cream in sampaguita, pinipig, ginger or nut flavor (P80).

ROMANCE FACTOR: Since you are already in the romantic cobbled-stone streets of the walled-city, up your date’s ante with a 1-hour calesa (horse-drawn carriage) ride around Intramuros (P250).

RATING: 9 HEARTS