Date Night Ideas

You and your hubby finally found the time to schedule date night. Taking things slow seems like a good idea. Have dinner where you can enjoy delicious grownup food, perhaps? Talk about stuff other than who’s picking the kids after basketball practice, and then maybe have a good cuddle without little fingers asking your help to go to the bathroom. It is exactly what two frazzled parents you need!
But where do couples go these days? So wrapped up in the daily grind have the two of you been that you’re not exactly in touch with what’s hot and happening. So we asked two foodies in the know – JJ Yulo, food writer, blogger, and founder of Pinoy Eats World, and Spanky Enriquez, food writer and host at Let’s Eat TV – to give us a list of their favorite date night places.

BLACK SHEEP
If you want to go contemporary, JJ recommends hopping over to Black Sheep for its modern take on Chinese-Filipino influenced dishes. Try the Foie Long Bao, which is the chef’s take on xiao long bao with duck meat, buttery foie gras, and Chinese plum wine broth or Heart Beet, beetroot noodles with artichoke heart, dried seasonal fruits, fried basil, and a shiitake jus.

Black Sheep is located at UPRC 1 Building, Chino Roces Ave, Makati City. Call 0927-783-7038.
Photo from Black Sheep FB page.

CHAMPETRE
Fans of French food, says JJ, would do well to book a table at Champetre in BGC. French Chef Marc Aubry runs the kitchen here and serves delicious plates of Homemade Duck Foie Gras Terrine, French Bouchot Mussels, and Lamb Chops with Mushroom Risotto.

Champetre is located at G/F Net One Center, 26th St. corner 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City. Call 815-8801 to 02.
Photo from Champetre FB page.

FLAME
This is highly recommended by both JJ and Spanky. JJ says, “For something special, I’d recommend Flame at Discovery Primea because the food is good and the view is beautiful.”

Spanky adds that the restaurant offers priceless views and private corners for lovers as well as “excellent and surprisingly affordable dishes” from Chef Luis Chikiamco. “Don’t miss the Lobster Fried Rice, served Chinese take-out style.”

Flame is located at the 16th floor of Discovery Primea, 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Call 955-8888.
Photo from Flame FB page.

FOUNDRY BY SMITH THE BUTCHER
This is “a more intimate, cozier setting to enjoy Chef Tom Hines’ unparalleled line-up of premium steaks from all over the world. It’s in one of the BGC’s newer, quieter areas, away from the maddening crowds,” says Spanky.

Foundry by Smith the Butcher is located at The Plaza, Arya Residences, Mckinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City. Call 0977-841-5378.
Photo from Foundry FB page.

GRIND BISTRO
“Grind Bistro has good meat dishes and great desserts, which the ladies always enjoy,” says JJ.
Apart from steak, some of the restaurant’s must-tries include Poke Nachos with ahi tuna, goat cheese, and sweet potato crisps; Wedge Salad with Crispy Pork Belly with chopped egg and blue cheese; Grind Meatballs cooked with marinara and lemon-scented ricotta; and Nutty Black Chicken with sweet chili sauce and classic coleslaw.

Grind Bistro is located at Crescent Park West, 4th and 5th Avenues, Bonifacio Global City. Call 946-3870.
Photo from Grind Bistro FB page.

MAKASUNTRA HAWKERS
“For those on a budget or who want a more casual experience, Makasuntra Hawkers at Megamall has dinner sets for two starting at P1000 and there’s musical entertainment, too,” says JJ.

Authentic hawker fare is yours for the taking with 12 street food stalls from all over Asia including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia offering some 60 dishes.

Makasuntra Hawkers is located at SM Megamall.
Photo from Makasuntra FB page.

MARIO’S
Of course, everybody knows Mario’s, and for Spanky, this classic will never go out of style. Its old school tableside prepared Caesar Salad, he says, is still the best in the land. “And for the meal ender, the blazing flambe of the restaurant’s legendary Mango Jubilee,” he says.

Mario’s is located at 191 Tomas Morato Ave, Diliman, Quezon City. Call 372-0360
Photo from Mario’s FB page.

PING PONG DIPLOMACY
If you don’t mind crowd noise, JJ suggests Ping Pong Diplomacy for a fun night out. He says, “The food is awesome!”
Some of the dishes you might want to try: Twice Cooked Crispy Beef Rib, Typhoon Shelter Grilled Prawns, Chicken Skin Dandan Rice, and Crispy Eggplant with Fragrant Sauce.

Ping Pong Diplomacy is located at SM Aura.
Photo from Ping Pong Diplomacy FB page.