Written By: Raoul J. Chee Kee

Love in a time of pandemic has forced those in the service and hospitality industry to be more creative, to literally think outside the box. Indoor dining is back on the menu but by providing customers with outdoor options, they are covering their bases and ensuring continuous air circulation—one of the best ways to avoid contracting COVID. The cool weather we’re experiencing in the metro is just a bonus.

For Valentine’s, the Venice Grand Canal at McKinley Hill is offering al fresco dining packages available until Feb. 15. The Megaworld Lifestyle Mall offers several options where customers can avail themselves of meal promos with prior reservations. Each package includes a complete plated meal for two adults.

San Marco Driveway has slots for eight cars per serving time at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m on Feb. 11-15. Diners will have a romantic view under a neon tunnel. They can choose from several restaurants that will prepare and deliver the food to their vehicle.

Megaworld Lifestyle Mall — Couples enjoying a romantic date inside their vehicles will surely fall in love at this vibrant tunnel of lights display.

If you’re looking to wine and dine your significant other, there are five Love Pods set up at the Venice Piazza available via reservation. Diners can look forward to views of the Venice-inspired architecture, listen to music and share full-course meals.

Ponte Rialto has two food packages (priced at P3,654++ and P3,319++) that include Bruschette Di Mare or Spadellata Di Vongole; Spaghetti Puttanesca or Napoletana Pizza; Filetto Di Pollo Impanato or Spaghetti Aglio Olio; Cannoli (plain, chocolate, pistachio) or Tiramisu; and one round of Four Seasons.

Cobalabamba’s two food packages (P2,070++) include a choice of Chipotle Chicken with Rice or Blackened Chops with Rice, a Taco Tray, Doble Nachos and one round of Coba iced tea.

TGIFridays’ two food packages (P1,270++ or P1,570++) include Mac and Cheese Bites or Baked Mac & Cheese; Arugula Pasta or 6 Spice Chicken; Fish and Chips or Whisky Glazed Riblets (half rack); and soda in can or bottled Sola Iced Tea.

Crustasia Asian Market has one food package (P3,500) that includes Seafood Laksa, Calamari Char Kwey Teow, Sesame and Miso Scallops, Cereal Prawns and one round of iced tea.

Ten gazebos (tents) are also available for walk-in guests and couples. Options for a plated full-course meal include those served by Seafood Island, 121 Grille, Backdoor, Cobalabamba and Giligans.

Choose your preferred Valentine’s Date package and book until Feb. 15 online at https://megaworld-lifestylemalls.com/lovevenice, call Megan your personal butler at 0999-3699760, or head to the Mall Concierge Booth at the GF Venice Grand Canal.

If you’re more low-key, the restaurants lining the Venice Grand Canal have alfresco areas where couples can enjoy live serenades and a magnificent view of the Grand Canal.

Families and couples are spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants that offer alfresco dining.

More attractions

From Feb. 11-15, customers can buy Valentine’s Day decorations, balloons, flower bouquets, couples’ shirts for a DIY celebration at the Home Sweet Home section. The Bubbles & Roses area offer flowers and a selection of wines and chocolates until Feb. 16. Couples can seal their love with a special lock at the Love Locks installation, Feb. 11-15.

Couples can visit the Ponte de Amore Bridge and place their own love locks as a symbol of their love and commitment.

Partner stores will have Valentine’s Day discounts from Feb. 11 to 28.

“Love Reigns: A Bridal Showcase” is on view Feb. 11-15 during mall hours. Couples can plan their dream wedding in this one-stop bridal fair. There will be a Masquerade Fashion Show on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m., and a Bridal Runway Show on Feb. 13 also at 6 p.m. Both shows will be held at the Ponte de Amore Bridge. During the bridal fair, there will be a display of vintage and bridal cars at the mall’s main drop-off point.

On Valentine’s Day, from 6 p.m. onward, there will be performances by Orange and Lemons, Keiko and Jem Cubil with the after-party music provided by DJ Patty Tiu and Mark Thompson at Venice Piazza. Look up as grand fireworks display will brighten up the night sky at 8 p.m.

From Feb. 12-14, couples can battle against other couples in an exciting Call of Duty Duo match at the Venice Piazza for the chance to win exciting prizes. Couples can make it a night to remember by having couple tattoos and getting pierced at Thompson Collectives.

Mall-goers have even more ways to celebrate love season: Take photos at the tunnel of flowers on the second floor, go on a movie date at the Venice Cineplex (now showing are “Marry Me” starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson, and “Death on the Nile,” a mystery thriller starring Gal Gadot and directed by Kenneth Branagh), book a romantic cruise on one of the mall’s gondolas that can seat a maximum of four, take a souvenir photo with one of Venice Grand Canal’s mimes clad in colorful Cupid and Venetian-inspired costumes, or feed the pigeons at the Piazza.