SWEET TREATS This Valentine’s Day, give Pink Mixer Sweet treats to your loved ones. Made with the finest ingredients, Pink Mixer’s treats come in variants like Strawberry Cake, Mango Cake,Walnut Tarts, Moonie Cookies, Assorted Love Bites,mini Apple Pies, and Yema Cake. Find Pink Mixer’s Valentine treats at Landmark until Feb. 15.

Fire up this Valentine’s at Cabalen where a sumptuous aphrodisiac feast, created with ingredients like Balot a la Pobre, Adobong Pugo and Inihaw na Talaba, is on the menu. The drink of the month is Lemongrass Juice. With its romantic night views and aphrodisiac-inspired menu, Cabalen is the perfect destination for couples celebrating their love this Valentine’s Day.

Diners have a chance to win gift certificates by simply taking a photo of the aphrodisiac menus and posting it on Instagram with #cabalenvalentines. For inquiries, call 3723515, 8939884, 3732914; visit www.cabalen.ph.

Valentine’s with a twist

Celebrate Valentine’s day with a twist of Thai at Soi. The restaurant introduces Red Rubies in Buco Sorbet, a delectable coconut-milk-based dessert popular among Thais when the weather is hot. The small pinkish jewels are actually water chestnuts covered with tapioca flour, and served with buko sorbet. Diners with a minimum spend of P1,000 will get Red Rubies in Buco Sorbet for free.

Visit www.soi.ph.

Romantic 4-course menu

Cravings has come up with “Cravings of the Heart,” a promo that features all the elements of a romantic date—an indulgent four-course menu, a cake selection, and a chance to win movie tickets.

Take advantage of this hearty deal from Feb. 12-15. The magical meal for two begins with Organic Asparagus, Poached Egg, Champagne Emulsion, and Organic Mushroom Truffle Cappuccino, followed with Baked Salmon Fillet, Wilted Spinach and Orange Rosemary Beurre Blanc (mains for the gentleman); and Chicken Breast Roulade, Spinach Orange, and Rosemary Beurre Blanc (mains for the lady). For dessert, there is Warm Chocolate Fondue with Tropical Fruits.

Cravings Fraser Place in Makati has a month-long Cravings of the Heart promo. This outlet has its own exclusive four-course menu, and freebies like love cake pops and movie tickets.

Cravings outlets: 287 Katipunan Ave., QC (tel. 5879634); 31/F Fraser Place Manila in Makati City (8154271); 5/L Shangri-La Plaza Mall (6356087); and #14 Cluster 2 Molito Lifestyle Bldg., Alabang (5560927).

‘Fifty Shades’ at Marriott Hotel

This February, Marriott Hotel Manila offers a Valentine experience like no other. Inspired by the best-selling book series “Fifty Shades of Grey,” each of the hotel’s restaurants will feature elements readers will recognize.

Marriott Café will have a “Red Room” filled with sinful and sensual desserts. There will likewise be steamy culinary selections mentioned in the trilogy such as oysters, strawberries, cheese, smoked salmon, vanilla ice cream and more.

On Feb. 13-15, the dinner buffet will be priced at P2,650 while Sunday brunch is P2,600 per person. Marriott Café gives diners a chance to own the highly coveted Pandora charm bracelet, just like Mr. Grey’s surprise birthday gift to Ms Steele.

At Cru Steakhouse, executive chef Meik Brammer recreated an iconic dish from one of the couple’s dates, the Charity Ball. Ignite your taste buds with Salmon Tartare with Crème Fraiche and Cucumber on Toasted Brioche. For dessert, submit to your craving with The Dom, a chocolate dome that melts under a lovely chocolate sauce to reveal a dessert made up of hazelnut cake, truffle gianduja and chocolate sorbet.

For inquiries and reservations, call 9889999; visit manilamarriott.com.

Easy-to-prepare family picnics for V-Day

King Sue, one of the best brands of ham that has been on Filipino tables since 1930, provides useful ideas on how to prepare good meals for Valentine’s Day using everyday ingredients combined with premium hams, sausages and bacon.

The family may go to the park and bond over breakfast, picnic-style. A breakfast basket may contain any of the following: slices of King Sue ham, different types of cheeses, omelets, tomatoes, olives, crackers, bread and drinks.

The family may also have an al fresco meal right in the family garden. Preparations may include ham sandwiches, quiches, grilled macaroni and cheese sandwich, and even muffins with ham filling.

King Sue hams and other meat products are available at leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide. Check out www.kingsue.com; tel. 8810530, 3645430 and 3766441 for inquiries and orders. Visit @kingsueham on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; or e-mail [email protected].