14 Places to Pop the Question This Valentine's Day

You’ve got the ring, now it’s time to pop the question. The question remains, though, on where you will ask her to spend the rest of your lives together. This is a momentous, memorable occasion—of that there is no doubt—so you have got to find that perfect setting for something that life-changing. To help lessen that pressure, we took the task of searching for 14 romantic venues where you can ask her to say yes (and hope for the best).   

Antonio’s Tagaytay

This dining destination that is helmed by one of the best chefs in Asia lands at the tippy top of our romantic places list because of its gorgeous interiors, refined food and wine selections, and its unparalleled white-glove service. Chef Tony boy Escalante is a maestro of ambience when it comes to orchestrating a beautiful setting for any important occasion. The Lanai, where drinks are served in a well- manicured garden, makes a picturesque spot for a proposal, with a special degustation menu especially prepared by the chef for V-Day.

• Purok 138 Barangay, Tagaytay, Cavite
• www.antonio’srestaurant.ph/ 0917 899 2866

Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant

Take a quick turn from the busy streets of Quezon City to find this hushed hidden culinary sanctuary. Lemuria offers the exquisite fresh flavors of French Mediterranean cuisine in a postcard-perfect setting complete with columns, trellises, brick walls, and baroque windows. Its Valentine’s menu starts off with fresh oysters and salmon gravlax appetizers, with Cape Grim Tenderloin for Mains and Strawberry and Chocolate mousse for dessert. A Reservation Fee is needed, by the way.   

• #5 Julieta Circle, Quezon City
• lemuria.com.ph/ (02) 724 5211

The Champagne Room, Manila Hotel

 

The Grand Dame of Philippine Hotels is steeped in history, so what better place can there be for a historic moment in your journey to forever, right? The marbled floors, tasselled chandeliers, the plush floral chairs, and the gorgeous lighting make an elegant backdrop for photos of your moment of courage. A seven-course meal featuring its fine-dining cuisine is available for Valentine’s from February 13 to 15.   

•  One Rizal Park, The Manila Hotel, Manila
• (02) 527 0011

The Nest at Vivere Alabang

The sweeping view from the 31st Floor roofdeck restaurant of the Vivere Hotel in Alabang is breathtaking, with a twinkling vista of the Southern part of the city making a windswept background for a romantic evening. You can choose between the al fresco seating or an air-conditioned dining room with a view from its large picture windows. This love month, its dinner specials include Baked Lamb Rack and the strawberry and schlagger Blush of Venus drink.

• 5102 Bridgeway Ave, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa 
• (02) 771 7777

Bistro Ibarra Tagaytay

If you want the Taal Volcano to bear witness to your proposal, the restaurant outlet of the Villa Ibarra events place in Tagaytay is the place for you. It offers a stunning 180-degree view of the Philippine landmark and its cerulean lake. The ambience gives you the feels of being on a cheery countryside cottage with its wooden accents, white curtains, and of course, that fresh mountain air. Tawilis is not on the menu, of course, but it has excellent Spanish-Filipino dishes such as paellas. If all goes well, you can also book an overnight stay at its charming hotel.     

• 130 Gen Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Barangay Maharlika East, Tagaytay City
• (046) 483 0770

The Peak Grand Hyatt Manila

If your love has led you to dizzying heights, well, the Peak is a good choice for your momentous night. The Roofdeck restaurant of the tallest building in the city so far begins its lovely journey with two glasses of champagne and a platter of premium pica-pica for its Sunset Valentine Sessions. For dinner, Chef Manuel Baenziger prepares a mouth-watering Valentine’s spread starring fresh catch from the sea such as French Oysters and Boston Lobsters, Chateaubriand, and Raspberry Mascarpone Mouse and more at The Peak Grill.

• 60th Floor, Grand Hyatt Manila, 8th Avenue corner 35th St, Taguig
• (02) 838 1234; [email protected]

Tasting Room City of Dreams

What can be more memorable than a French Michelin-star experience when it comes to proposal night? The Tasting Room rolls out the romance of its contemporary fine-dining cuisine with a five-course Valentine’s dinner menu from February 13 to 15. Among the menu items are Grilled Foie Gras Terrine with Artichoke and Port Wine; Smoked Grim Beef Tenderloin with Coffee, Salsify and Hazelnut; and an indulgent dessert of Chocolate Ginger Tart with Exotic Fruits and Pomegranate. The set menu comes with an option for wine pairing for that all-important toast to the future.

For added enchantment, The Tasting Room’s Valentine’s dinner comes with a complimentary welcome glass of Henriot Brut Champagne, a door gift of Mexican hot chocolate cube, lemon cake, and a long-stemmed red rose for each lady.

• Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard Entertainment City Manila, Parañaque
• (02) 800 8080

China Blue at Conrad

The Manila Bay sunset is unrivalled the world over, and its blazing crimson colors can be a dramatic backdrop for your proposal. The best (and in our opinion, most sosyal) vantage point of this wonder of nature is at the Conrad’s China Blue restaurant by award-winning chef Jeremy Leung. The spacious, sweeping restaurant offers a stunning view of the sunset coupled with delectable dishes. Its Brasserie on 3 also has a candlelight dinner buffet with a view of the Manila Bay.   

• Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard corner Coral Way | Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay, Luzon 1300, Philippines
• (02) 833 9999

Taza Fresh Table at Taal Vista

This revamped restaurant has proven to be one of the popular proposal spots in Tagaytay. My editor witnessed—not one, but three proposals there in one night! The draw is its meticulously-prepared and imaginative dishes by Chef Jayme Natividad, in a romantic garden setting set off by the crisp Tagaytay air. If you want to take it outside, the hotel also offers dinner under the stars for Valentine’s Day on its well-manicured garden, an event that comes complete with a live music serenade. 

• Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo highway, Tagaytay, 4120 Cavite
• 046 917 8219

Raging Bull

If you are looking for a more luxe, urban vibe for your main event, the retro-inspired 60’s New York setting at the Raging Bull Chophouse & Bar in BGC is a setting you’d definitely be comfortable in. It offers an intimate and romantic meal, where you can make your move over its premium steaks and delectable wines. Chef Nathan Griffin's 4-course set menu for Valentine’s features specials such as the Seared Citrus Marinated King Scallops, Grilled Black Cod with Truffle Crumbs and Josper Grilled Australian Grainge Tenderloin. It comes with a complimentary glass of champagne for your big “merger” pitch.

• Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila 30th Street corner 5th Avenue,  Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
• (02) 917 8225

Las Casas Quezon City

The restored mansion in the heart of Quezon City is a beautiful home that has seen love through the generations. The walls can now bear witness to your own love story, with its spacious dining area that houses gorgeous antiques a romantic setting that offers Italian-inspired cuisine overseen by Chef Margarita Fores.  The sit-down dinner special includes a serenade by South Border.

• 134 Roosevelt Ave, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City 
• 0917 711 3714

Cru Steakhouse

The Marriott Hotel Manila goes all out to celebrate all forms of love in equality, inclusivity, and diversity with its especially colorful Valentine’s Promo this year. Aside from its gorgeous steaks and imaginative drinks, they are offering an exclusive for dessert for Valentine’s Day at CRU—The Love Heat is made of rainbow sponge, heart chocolate bonbon, mango cremeux, compressed strawberry, chocolate soil, golden chocolate shell, and wild raspberry sauce.

The Deck is for dining under the stars on February 14, with iconic pairs as inspiration for its love offerings. “Bonnie and Clyde” is slow roasted organic red and yellow beets, artichoke hearts salad with Davao goat cheese and glazed raspberry dressing; “Beyoncé and Jay-Z” is a raspberry and chocolate heart delice, which is a combination of soft chocolate sponge, lychee panna cotta insert, raspberry mousse, Gianduja Amara gelato, strawberry sauce, and almond crumble.  

• Marriott Manila, Pasay
• (02) 988 9999; [email protected]

Vu’s Sky Bar at Marco Polo Ortigas

The stars and the metro’s night lights are in full view at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge at Marco Polo Ortigas. Guests are greeted on Valentine’s Day with a welcome drink of Prosecco and musical entertainment will be provided by the Silk Band. If you prefer to propose in private, the hotel also has a special promo where a February 14 room booking will automatically be upgraded to a premier room that has an option for an in-room dinner of U.S. Angus Beef tenderloin and a bottle of Cadet d’Oc Chardonnay.

• Marco Polo hotel, Meralco Ave, Ortigas Center, Pasig 
• (02) 720 7777

The Terrace at Maxims

Pop the question at a table for two at a beautiful poolside, under the stars or in the shade and privacy of a breezy cabana. The Terrace in Maxim’s Hotel Resorts World Manila has prepared a special Valentine’s treat with its selections of mains that include prime cut steaks, seafood, or grilled herb chicken, with dessert that comes in the form of the Sweet Companion, an original concoction of Adlai grain crunch with layers of tablea mousse and calamansi puree.

• 5th Floor, Maxims Hotel, Resorts World Manila, Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay
• (02) 908 8888