Cheers! Indoor and al fresco dining is back in Spices restaurant of The Peninsula Manila.
With the ambience of an exotic spice market, it is the perfect place to enjoy fresh and authentic Southeast Asian cuisine in a beautiful setting. Sip a delicious cocktail at the al fresco tables of Spices Garden or the glass-walled pavilion while admiring the outdoor pool or savor signature dishes like Yam Pla Duk Fu (Crispy catfish salad), Tom Kha Gai (Coconut-poached chicken soup with lemongrass, kaffir lime and galangal), Asam Goreng (Beef short ribs with tamarind sauce), and Spices classic Nali Rogan Josh (Aromatic lamb shank). Vegans can also enjoy delicious “Naturally Peninsula” plant-based selections in the cool and inviting interiors, decorated in natural materials such as bamboo, rattan and coconut.
Spices is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
For inquiries and table reservations, please call The Peninsula Manila at +63 2 8887 2888 (ext. 6694 for Restaurant Reservations), mobile +63 917 557 8014, or email diningpmn@peninsula.com. Or visit https://www.peninsula.com/en/manila/hotel-fine-dining/spices-asian-cuisine-restaurant.
If there’s one thing people can agree on, it’s chicken — boneless chicken at that. It’s a very flexible protein that goes well with any of your sides of choice. These boneless chicken dishes are usually fried twice or more to get that crispy golden skin and uber juicy meat, and then tossed in their signature sauces for an umami flavor in every bite. If you’re clueless about where and what to order, here’s a list of places around Metro Manila where you get your fill of boneless chicken and get your hands greasy:
24 Chicken
What To Order: Snow Cheese (P230/half; P440/whole) and Yangnyeom x2 (P220/half; P420/whole)
How To Order: Available on Grab Food and foodpanda
BOK Korean Fried Chicken
What To Order: Soy Garlic (P119/solo; P229/half; P449/whole)
If you’re one of the few who was shocked about % Arabica‘s sudden disappearance, you are not alone. This coffee shop that originally hails from Kyoto is known for its custom-made espresso machines and bright spaces. Initially started with their flagship store in Japan, they are now available in more than 90 locations worldwide with a tagline “see the world through coffee”.
We may have been ghosted for a bit but they actually care for their customers, they gave us an explanation. On January 31, they announced that they ended their collaboration with their previous partner but have a new collaboration in the works. “We have selected a new partner already and will make a fresh start this year to expand throughout the country,” the company added. They also said that we have to wait for a couple of months for the new opening announcement. So, while we wait for this but already missing one of their signature drinks, we’ve actually listed down a few cafés that offer a mean Spanish latte in Metro Manila:
FUN FACT: A Spanish latte is an espresso-based drink made with full cream milk and condensed milk. It’s sweeter than a normal latte and is best served cold.
Operating Hours: Multiple branches, operating hours may vary. Message them on Facebook. What To Order: Spanish Latte (P120/12oz hot; P130/16oz iced; P170/500ml jar; P460/1L bottle concentrate)
Dot Coffee
Operating Hours: Dot Coffee is available on madeats.co. They’re open for orders daily from 10:00 AM-8:00 PM. What To Order: Iced Spanish Latte (P150/16oz). As of writing, it is on promo at only P99.
Whether it’s for special occasion or just a normal evening at home, you can never go wrong with grazing boxes. What’s great about this spread is there’s an assortment of cheese and charcuterie that will tickle your taste buds. Sure, you can make a platter at home to customize everything to your liking but if you don’t have the time and energy to do so, there are a handful of shops in Manila that will gladly take this off your back!
They use a variety of good quality ingredients that are beautifully prepared in boxes or trays, and you can even give them special requests. So, if you’re planning to stay in by yourself, celebrate something special with your S.O, or looking to have a great time with your amigas, check out these shops that offer a great pair for your favorite bottle of wine:
It has never been just like any other Valentine’s Day for Discovery Suites since the year 2000. With the hotel opening its doors on Valentine’s Day 22 years ago, there are so many reasons to celebrate that no alert levels can stop. It is for our guests turned into family, supportive clients and the new generation who have yet to experience that genuine Filipino hospitality and talent.
On February 14 & 15, all roads lead to 22 Prime, the hotel’s award-winning steakhouse and part of Tatler Dining Guide’s Best Restaurant List for 2022. Executive Chef Gerwin Bailon curated a lavish 5-course set dinner of Baked Oyster, Salmon Crudo, Broccoli Soup and Sous Vide SRF Wagyu Hanging Tender. Ending your dinner on a sweet note with petit fours featuring a selection of our signature desserts. Experience a romantic dinner of great culinary creations with Manila skyline as backdrop and with the company of the person you love most for only PHP 6,000 nett good for 2 persons. Spice it up with free-flow of wine for only PHP 1,500 nett per person or a bouquet of fresh flowers for only PHP 1,800 nett per person. Be one of the first ten (10) early love birds to confirm a reservation on or before February 7 to get a complimentary bottle of wine.
Premium seats by the window are available at PHP 8,500 nett for two (2) persons inclusive of a FREE bottle of wine and a rose.
Steak At-Home
Celebrations at home can never go out of style. For safe and intimate Valentine’s dinners in the comfort of your homes, go hassle-free with 22 Prime’s Steak at Home. Enjoy a 4-course set dinner composed of Mixed Greens Salad, Lobster Bisque, Grilled USDA Ribeye Steak and Discovery Suites’ Signature Salted Caramel Cheesecake for only Php 5,000 nett good for 2 persons. Steak at Home is available for pick-up and delivery.
Suite For Your Sweet
Need a break? Have a “Steak-Cation!” Couples can book an overnight stay in a 1-Bedroom Suite and have a private 4-course steak dinner by 22 Prime for 2 for only PHP9,999 per night. Bring your staycation and date game to the next level.
Private Dining and Events
22 Prime is now open for intimate gatherings and private dining reservations. Make celebrations memorable with well-planned and properly executed event details and carefully crafted menus from PHP 2,500 nett per person.
Book early and avoid Valentine’s Day rush. 22 Prime is located at the 22nd floor of Discovery Suites, 25 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, and is open by reservation from Tuesday to Sunday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. For inquiries and reservations call +63 2 719 6822, e-mail ds-fnb@discovery.com.ph, or visit https://www.discoverysuites.com/love-alert-level22/.
Believe it or not, National Croissant Day is a thing. In case you didn’t know, January 30 is a day dedicated to these flaky and buttery baked goods. And if you want to make sure your household is stocked up with this very important pastry (VIP), you better have this bookmarked. Here is an updated list of must-try croissants you can get in Manila:
This one’s definitely not your ordinary croissant. As the name suggests, its a hybrid of a croissant and the Japanese fish-shaped cake taiyaki. These unique snack is available in sweet and savory flavors like Milk Cream, Ube and Custard, Nutella, Azuki Beans and Custard, Pepperoni Pizza, Meaty Taco, and priced at P135 to P165. They also offer a Discovery Set where you can have a taste of each flavor for only P888.
For orders, send them a message via Viber or Whatsapp at 09563945249. Same-day delivery is available with a cut-off at 6pm.
Eric Kayser
Found in 1996 in Paris, Eric Kayser came to Philippine shores in 2013 and have grown 7 stores in different cities within Metro Manila, with stores in Makati, Taguig, Mandaluyong, and Alabang. An easy best-seller and obvious crowd favorite is his Croissant that’s buttery and flaky, using Eric Kayser’s signature liquid leaven and pure French butter.
Order via website. They offer next day delivery for orders placed by 4pm. For same-day delivery, call their stores.
KOMU
Make sure you’re patient enough for KOMU’s Sourdough Hybrid Croissants (P150)! While it’s available almost daily, their croissant takes 3 days to make and is made with unbleached flour and Belgian butter for a beautiful lamination. Keep your eyes peeled as they post what’s available for that week in their highlights!
Originally from Baguio, they’re now available in Manila! They’re reopening their kitchen in February with their lineup already posted on their Instagram: Butter, Pain au Chocolat, Ham & Gruyere, and Strawberries & Cream. Make sure you stand by for their Pride Croissants which are as colorful as the Pride Flag. These croissants are filled with yema and topped with more yema and roasted cashew nuts.
You’ve probably seen Silly Lily in your Instagram feed at least once. These beauties that are originally from Laguna can easily be transported to Manila so it still counts! Their croissants has the finest lamination butter from France and use both Yeast and Sourdough to enhance the flavor of each pastry. Silly Lily has 12 variants — Chocnut Croissant, Tiramisu Croissant, Rainbow Sprinkle, Triple Choc Au Lat to name a few, and ranges from P95 to P190 apiece.
One of the sought after bakeries in the metro, The Daily Knead’s baked goods are all made by hand and they promise to only use wholesome ingredients with no preservatives or extenders. They have a whole lineup of French pastries that consists of Croissants, Pain au Chocolat, and Danishes. Choose from their flavored croissants collection — Calamansi Caramel, Lychee Strawberry, Coffee Cardamom, Coconut Hibiscus, and Sparkling Strawberry to name a few. Their flavored croissants come in a box of 4s and range from P640 to P1,800.
