Second in a series
Abe’s Farm
Magalang, Pampanga
In the heart of Pampanga, in the foothills of the dormant volcano, Mt. Arayat, is Abe’s Farm. Come for a relaxing visit and enjoy the culinary delights of the gourmet province of Pampanga, in the town of Magalang, birthplace of famed writer and artist Emilio “Abè” Aguilar Cruz.
It has a tasteful country home, with a warm pool set against a garden backdrop. There’s a cozy hut built for two; or savor the night in authentic Ifugao huts.
Enjoy a reinvigorating therapeutic spa treatment at Abe’s Farm Spa Village.
The food says it all
Abe’s Farm serves a full menu of Kapampangan food and signature dishes of the LJC Restaurant Group.
At the spa, one can choose from a number of treatments like full-body massage, foot therapy, or a relaxing head and shoulder massage.
The four-hectare farm also provides facilities for friends and family to bond over a game of ping-pong, badminton, or board games. They can also take a stroll to the museum or share stories while relaxing in one of the cabanas.
From the NLEX, proceed to the Angeles exit (Marquee Mall), about 45 minutes from the Balintawak tollgate. At the rotonda, follow Magalang Road leading to the town plaza (approximately 10 km), turn left at Jollibee to get to the Magalang Municipal Hall. Then turn right at the Triple V gasoline station to head towards Brgy. Ayala.
To get to Brgy. Ayala from Marquee Mall at the Angeles exit, you will pass several subdivisions and barangays. At Brgy. Ayala, go past a resort on the left and head straight. Pass a concrete bridge and turn right at the street with the sign pointing to Abé’s Farm.
A Taste of L.A.
171 Roces Ave., Laging Handa, Quezon City
We love A Taste of L.A. not just for its spinach pizza but also its cozy little corners which are perfect for dates.
But if you think spinach pizza is unromantic, you’re bound to find something else you like in the restaurant’s extensive menu. You can go for baked oyster platters, fondue (they have the two-cheese Swiss fondue and the rib-eye fondue), an assortment of salads, and pasta.
And if your date has a huge appetite, you can go for steaks or a two-person pritchon party.
For reservations, call tel. 3742461
Elbert’s Steak Room
Sagittarius Building, H.V. Dela Costa, Makati
If your date is serious about steaks, Elbert’s Steak Room is the place. It serves only high-quality steaks and you can choose to pay for an extra topping of foie gras.
The side dishes are good, too: truffle mashed potatoes; duck fat potato wedges; traditional pommes frites; baked potato; linguini with mushroom black truffle sauce; porcini mushroom risotto; and steamed butter vegetables.
We like the creamed spinach.
It has a special Valentine’s menu (P5,500 per person) that includes oyster Rockefeller, seared foie gras salad with raspberry vinaigrette, cream of smoked tomato with basil foam, your choice of steak served with side dishes, a cheese platter and strawberry Napoleones for dessert. The courses are paired with different wines.
And the best part? The place is tucked away in a building in Makati, away from the crazy lovestruck crowds.
Call tel. 3393363.
Sofitel Philippine Plaza
CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
Sofitel has a lot in store this season of hearts—spa treatments, a night for singles, a poolside buffet, Valentine specials at Spiral and more.
But if you want a more private dining experience and are ready to splurge, book one of only five canopies and dine under the stars as you are served by a private butler.
Enjoy a six-course “aphrodisiac” menu that includes oysters with yuzu pearls, lumpfish caviar and apple blossoms, lobster pomegranate salad, poached asparagus with truffle egg, pancetta and bacon powder, Chilean seabass, lemon prawns ravioli and sea urchin bisque, and tea-smoked Magret duck with foie gras.
The meal ends with strawberry shortcake, pineapple carpaccio, banana ice cream and honey orange butterscotch sauce.
The P30,000++ per couple package also includes a bottle of champagne, a bouquet of roses and a heart chocolate box.
There’s also a four-course meal for two for P15,000++ that includes a bottle of sparkling wine and the use of the Adam and Eve day bed.
Call tel. 5515555.
Madison’s Bistro Moderne
Edsa Shangri-La, 1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Madison’s Bistro Moderne is just steps away from Shangri-La Edsa Plaza Mall.
Its Valentine’s tasting menu (P2,200++ per person) begins with an amuse bouche, a choice of pan-seared scallops with fried eggplant, sauteed mushrooms, oyster tempura and tomato emulsion or sous vide lamb loin, herbs, brioche, truffle mayo and candied vegetables, homemade spaghetti chittara with bottarga, sea urchin and lemon zest, a choice of Angus beef tenderloin “en croute,” potato cubes, roasted red beets and zucchini in gorgonzola sauce or grouper fillet, tomato pesto, black and white veloute, potato-chorizo croquet and snow peas.
Dessert is a Valentine’s trio-cake, parfait and the delicious panna cotta.
Call tel. 6314675.
100 Revolving Restaurant
33/F MDC 100 Bldg, C-5 cor. Eastwood Drive, Bagumbayan, Quezon City
Chef Jessie Sincioco wants to woo you and your loved one with her creations while you take in the view at the 100 Revolving Restaurant.
The menu (P3,300++ per person) includes fruity micro green salad with chia seeds, baked fish horn-a-plenty with spinach sauce, cream of vine ripe tomato, farfalle al pesto with grilled tiger prawns, pink pomelo sorbet, grilled US black Angus beef tenderloin rossini in madeira sauce, and pan-seared Cape Cod jumbo scallop with sea urchin butter sauce served with beetroot risotto and sautéed French beans.
For dessert, enjoy what she calls a “perfect combination”—macapuno heart with homemade avocado gelato and strawberry shortcake with homemade dark chocolate gelato.
Call tel. 9621016 .
(To be continued)