Rare are the days when my wallet is full, my skin is clear, and my schedule in sync with at least one of my barely adult friends. When the stars do align and a friend of mine and I can find a free weekend to meet and catch up, brunch is our default date. Late enough in the morning so we could sleep in, and early enough to make the most of a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of day.

During these brunches, I personally like to hang out in places that will inspire and befit the mood of such a special day. Somewhere darling and relaxing with good food. Somewhere intimate but casual enough to share stories (or gossip, let’s admit) with a dearly missed friend. Here are some restaurants in Manila that, I think, fit the bill.

Green Pigs Kitchen Co.
36 Sct. Torillo St, Diliman, Quezon City
P850 for two people

For their tea set collection display that takes up an entire wall.

Karen’s Kitchen
17A San Rafael St, Pasig
P800 for two people

For their mushroom truffle zoodles (zucchini noodles).

Stacy’s
Rizal Drive, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig/
Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center, 1, Capitol Hills Dr, Matandang Balara, Quezon City
P1,000 for two people

For the pastel-obsessed.

Mary Grace
Ground Floor, Greenbelt 1, Esperanza Street, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati
P1,000 for two people

*Photo courtesy of clarsmisadventures.wordpress.com*

For the old-fashioned. (Mary Grace is an established franchise with branches all over the country, but I personally recommend going to their Greenbelt 1 branch in Makati.)

The Wholesome Table
The Infinity Tower, HV Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati/
30th Street Corner 7th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
P1,300 for two people

For that impractical desire to eat organic under the shade of a tree while enjoying indoor air-conditioning.

Le Petit Souffle
3F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave, Makati, 1210 Metro Manila
P1,100 for two people

For that French-Japanese aesthetic.

Artsy Cafe
36 Maginhawa Street, UP Village, Diliman, Quezon City
P800 for two people

For the artsy (obviously).

WUMS Cafe
39 B Maginhawa, U.P. Village, Quezon City
P600 for two people