Lolo Dad’s Café in Malate Manila: Valentine's Tasting Menu and More!

Believe it or not, I know numbers of love stories in which Lolo Dad's Café in Malate Manila played a great part.  Most of the foodie couples I know have their own romantic stories to dish out about Lolo Dad's.  And I never doubted those stories. With numbers of years in Manila's restaurant scene, what started out as a simple house of Apuyao family that eventually converted into a fine dining restaurant has earned utmost respect in the industry by dishing out impeccable gastronomical fares that everybody loves. Not all fine dining restaurants in Manila can do that, and Chef Ariel Manuel of Lolo Dad's is doing a great job in proving that Lolo Dad's deserves every recognition it earns.

I have always been puzzled why most of these couples I know would always subtly force me to dine at Lolo Dad's in every single dates I had. As much as I want to think that they are dying to see me change my status from single to in a relationship, it is more fitting to think or accept that they do have different reason.  Yes, they want me to dine at Lolo Dad's because no matter how successful or unsuccessful my dating journey would turn out, I still have the impeccably executed dishes to fall in love with at Lolo Dad's.

This resolved was further steeled when recently, I had a chance to preview the Valentine's Tasting Menu which Lolo Dad's offers on February 8 to February 16, 2013. Together with lovely couples and fellow food enthusiasts Richard and Irene, Richie and Rina, Ray and Lynne, and Teddy, my friend Glenn and I feasted on a lovely dinner at Lolo Dad's.  Despite being surrounded by these couples, I do not mind not having someone to fall in love with because honestly, the food alone were enough to make me feel giddy like a school girl seeing her crush. True story.

Mesclun Restaurant and Café at The Linden Suites in Ortigas Pasig City

During the time that I attended the launching of Mesclun Restaurant and Café at The Linden Suites in Ortigas, I was able to have a preview of some of the dishes they will be serving through cocktail portions being passed around while all guests were partying the night away.  It was a great launching as it further excites me to have an actual dining experience at Mesclun.

When I finally had a chance to spent a leisurely afternoon at Mesclun over great dishes that they offer, I knew right then that the excitement I felt the night of launching was really worth it.  The delightful experience was actually expected since this gastronomical abode is headed by Chef Katrina Kuhn Alcantara, the same genius behind the well loved Chuck's Deli.

Located inside The Linden Suites Ortigas Pasig City, Mesclun serves as its in-house restaurant dishing out delectable food for the hotel's guests and walk-in diners.  It boast of cozy and brightly lit modern ambiance that exudes comfort.  Peppered with splash of green colors against immaculate white base interior, Mesclun which is means "mixture" is indeed a mixture of delightful dishes, refreshing ambiance, and great service.

Mitsuyado Sei-Men House of Tsukemen at Jupiter St. Makati City

I think by now it's no secret that I have deep affinity for restaurants that does not just dish out great food but has beautiful interiors as well.  Entire dining experience for me includes taking and feeling in the aesthetics of the place I am dining in.  While there are hole-in-the-wall and some downright humble eateries that I love, admittedly, nothing beats the feeling of enjoying your food in an environment pleasing to the eye.  No, I am not snob, I guess it just have something to do with the architectural background in my family.

Here in Manila, there are a lot of restaurants that made me fall head over heels with their interiors alone. And lucky me because almost all of them delivers when it comes to great tasting dishes. One of them is Mitsuyado Sei-Men, House of Tsukemen located at Jupiter St in Makati City.

Hailing from the land of the rising sun, Mitsuyado Sei-Men was brought here in the Philippines by the UCC Group as an addition to the growing ramen scene here in Manila.  I first heard about Mitsuyado from a traveler friend who fell madly in love with tsukemen during his stint in Japan. The word "tsukemen" means dipping noodle which is an innovative way to enjoy your usual noodle by dipping it into a broth. When I heard that Mitsuyado is already here in Manila, I know have to try it, pronto.