Thursday, February 12, 2015

Celebrate Love and Enjoy an Awesome Valentine Dinner at the Shang


Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, which means love is in the air as everyone in town is on the hunt for a reservation at one of the most romantic restaurants in the metro. And if you've planned a secret break to spring your loved one a surprise--or even planning to pop the question--you're sure to have a memorable date; the key is in choosing the right dining destination. You’ve finally worked up the courage to ask the most important question of your life. Armed with the engagement ring, you are planning to make this dinner a special night to remember. But which dining destination should you choose to combine the wow factor with romance? The good news is you need not to go far to experience an awesome date and a romantic dinner. Shangri-La Plaza has not only established itself as the go-to place for shopping but it's also the metro's ultimate dining destination with its variety of gastronomic choices that will definitely satiate even the most discriminating palate. 


We’ve put together a guide to the best date night restaurants in Shangri-La Plaza — read on to find the perfect place to celebrate your love.




Duck and Buvette Crispy Half Duck Confit

Duck and Buvette is both a French bistro and bakery that serves comforting everyday dishes. Buvettes (bu-vet) is essentially small plates that are intended to be shared ala carte dishes and not just as an appetizer. The rustic French inspired ambiance of the restaurant matches the quality of the food, which is imbued with classic French flavors and traditional preparations. They take pride on their house specialty: Crispy Half Duck Confit (Php980)--(whole grain mustard, reduced balsamic sauce, served with ratatouille duck rice and cranberry carrot sides) which was cooked three days in advance using the slow cooking technique to guarantee perfection.

Duck and Buvette Octopus Salad

You must also try their 8-hour Angus Brisket, Braised Veal Shank, Salsa Verde Lamb Neck, Wild Sourdough and Cacao Walnut Sourdough breads. Personally, I loved their Maple Candied Bacon and Lemon (Php175)--delicious glazed and baked crispy smoked bacon belly, drizzled with lemon. And for the more adventurous eater, there's Grilled Octopus Salad (mixed greens, octopus in lemon-chili-hazelnut dressing Php290), Mustard Rabbit and Braised Frog Legs with Herby Breadcrumbs to try out. They've also got an array of wines to pair them up with. For non-alcoholic drinkers, I strongly suggest you go for their Citrus Osmanthus Organic Tea Cooler (Php145). It's very refreshing and cleanses your palate. 

Duck and Buvette's Braised Frog Legs in Herby Breadcrumbs

Citrus Osmanthus Organic Tea Cooler

Cap off your hearty meal with  Honey and Thyme or a Vanilla Bean macaron ice cream sandwich or their best selling Earl's Cheese Cake or Brownies. 
Vanilla Bean and honey and Thyme Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich sample sizes

Earl's Gray Matcha Cheesecake and Brownie sample sizes.

Duck and Buvette is located at Level 2, (at the old Cafe Provençal) Main Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall.



Chops Chicago Steakhouse is a haven for meatlovers like me.  With inviting and relaxing spaces, it's absolutely a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. The restaurant is highly esteemed for its use of the best choice cuts of beef in order to deliver its authentic flavor.  Chops Chicago Steakhouse is home to the city's best steak dishes. From Porterhouse to Ribeye, USDA Certified Angus Beef and Wagyu--all of which are good on their own but are even more enhanced with a variety of sidings and special sauces. Chops also boasts an undeniably impressive food and drinks menu, including extensive wines list from famed vineyards around the world for that undeniably romantic dining experience. Don't forget to try: Wagyu Beef Skewers (Php180/stick)--Tajima Japanese Wagyu Skewers with fermented red bean, honey dipping sauce and whisky mustard, Omaha Rib Eye Steak (Php1550) 100% Nebraska Black Angus Beef that's truly flavorful + Wisconsin Beef Tenderloin
(Php700) 100% grass-fed, USDA Certified Beef. 





And who would've thought that a steakhouse like Chops offers two of the best desserts I've come across with? I highly recommend their Dark Chocolate Cigars (Php290)--Dark chocolate cannoli, Bourbon mascarpone cream filling and white chocolate ash. I'm not really a fan of chocolate but I loved this dessert so much! 

Best selling dessert Dark Chocolate Cigars with Mascarpone.


With such good food + gream ambiance, Chops Chicago Steakhouse is always an excellent choice for an outstanding date night. Each items are shareable and are absolutely splendid. Swing by Chops Chicago Steakhouse this Valentines Day and enjoy the splendor of one of the most romantic restaurants at the Shang. 

Chops Chicago Steakhouse is at the Level 5, East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall.


An American-Chinese fusion restaurant favorite, P.F. Chang's East meets West concept makes this new foodie haunt another popular Valentine’s Day date destination. Make sure to get reservations 
early if you want to take your date here. The options are of the highest and most flavorful quality. 

From their Asian Latino Pineapple Pork (Wok-fried well-seasoned pork in tamarind-chili sauce, red bell pepper, corn, tomatoes and pineapple relish. Php425) to their glutten-free specialties such as my current favorite, Vegetable Quinoa "Fried Rice" (Wok-toasted quinoa with squash, mango, tomatoes, snow peas topped with sunny side up egg, Php495) down to their best-selling appetizer, Chicken Lettuce Wrap (Their signature appetizer, wok-seared minced chicken, mushrooms, green onions, water chestnuts, served over crispy rice sticks and cool crisp lettuce cups. php295). They also serve various wines and signature cocktail mixes. You'd also be happy to note that P.F Chang's prepped up your meal the healthy way, using must a wok to lock in the food nutrients and without the MSG. 

                     Asian Latino Pineapple Pork

               Vegetable Quinoa "Fried Rice" 


                     Chicken Lettuce Wrap

P.F. Chang's is on Level 2, East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall. 



If Japanese is your thing, you can’t go wrong eating at Gyu-Kaku Japanese Barbecue. In addition
 to the wonderful food, the quaint interior and superior staff truly transform this establishment into one of the most awesome restaurants in the metro. Gyu-Kaku's dining concept will surely thrill your date as you try your hand in cooking your meals, "yakiniku" style. Each Gyu-Kaku's tables have built-in grills if the customer wants to cook their meals themselves. Gyu-Kaku is considered as the biggest yakiniku restaurants in the world, so you can also be assured that all ingredients are from the most superior standards and meticulously-inspected meat and vegetables before it's served to guests for premium freshness and quality. Show your significant other that you can take the challenge of cooking up a mean barbecue, try dining at Gyu-Kaku. While you're there, I recommend you try the Tofu Steak, Spicy Karubi Ramen and the Crispy Pork Belly. I particularly loved the Spicy Karubi Ramen. Even if you're not fond of spicy foods, you'll appreciate this one. Don't worry it may look really hot and spicy because of the soup's red color, but I can assure you, it's easy to tolerate the spice because it tastes just right--with just a little kick + some sweetness on the soup. The ramen noodles are what Japanese refer to as "moshi koshi" or アルデンテ, I'm not quite sure of the term but the wheat noodles tasted al dente--a bit chewy yet easy on the palate. Eat here with your special someone, especially if she's into anything Japanese. 


                                Crispy Pork Belly


                                      Tofu Steak 
                             Spicy Karubi Ramen

Gyu-Kaku is located at the Level 2, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza Mall. 






The Shang also brings back the scrumptious taste of California via California Pizza Kitchen. A casual dining restaurant with its innovative hearth-baked gourmet pizzas including crowd favorite The Works, Original BBQ Chicken, Thai Chicken, and Jamaican Jerk Chicken, California Pizza Kitchen has opened last November 2014 at the East Wing to continue to draw pizza-lovers and those looking for a great place to grab bites of their healthy pasta, salads, appetizers savoring the true California flavor. If you're still single this Valentines, you could have a date or a girl/boy's noght out with your friends or even your family and order your favorite pizza. After all, pizza is meant to be shared with the people you love. 

                           The Works Pizza



I personally prefer Grilled Veggie and Goat Cheese Pizza with fresh Arugula on top. It gives off that unique bitter-sweet flavor of pizza. I love that you can finish the whole pizza and enjoy the degustation without getting too full.
                   Grilled Veggie and Goat Pizza

California Pizza Kitchen is located at Level 5, East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza.




If casual date is your kind of thing, bring your date to the newly opened Teddy's Bigger Burgers. Teddy's burger concept was simple: Serve delicious yet simple burger where flavor comes from the beef patties and not from the toppings. Here, burger starts at 5oz (around 1/3 pound), followed by 7oz amd then 9oz. Those with bigger appetite can have what they call Monster Doubles with a whopping total of 18oz per order. Teddy's Bigger Burgers is Hawaii's #1 Burger Chain. 

They've got juicy patties and burgers have generous servings of assorted toppings (there's a lot to choose from!) with melt-in-your-mouth cheeses. They explode on flavors after flavors that you'd be in burger heaven in no time! To add some sweet gesture, you could order the monster doubles and share it in half with your date. 

Teddy's also feature 1/4 lb. burger for their Great Kahuna Line with 100% USDA Ground Chunk patty combined with your choice of interesting tippings. Pair your burgers with cripy fries, tater tots, beer-battered onion rings and my all-time favorite, their super thick milkshake in vanilla, strawberry 
or coffee flavors. I swear, Teddy's milkshake is the thickest I've ever had and it's the best. You could 
also share a milkshake with your date and use two straws for that "sweet moment". Teddy's Bigger Burgers will surely satisfy whatever burger craving you've had. 

                   Teddy's Original Burger in 5oz


Teddy's Bigger Burgers is located at the Level 6, The Ledge of Shangri-La Plaza Mall. 

While you're exploring the different dining choices at the Shang, why don't you drop by the 9th Spring Film Festival? There are lots of interesting movies with different genres that will surely catch your fancy. Best of all, admission is FREE! All you have to do is to show up with your date 30 minutes before the screening time and enjoy! 



With all these dining choices + free film screening, the Shang's the ultimate valentine destination. Where else can you find awesome foodie haunts and free admissions internationally-acclaimed film screenings? The only problem you have is how to ask your date. 

For inquiries, call 370-2500 local 593. Like Shangri-La Mall on Facebook to be updated with their latest promos and events www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage. Follow Shang on Instagram at @shangrilaplazaofficial. 

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own. 


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