The best thing about having a boyfriend is being able to explore the metro more with a companion, a lover, a bestfriend, and a potential financier. Be it food tasting on the street, or fine dining in Intramuros, the experience is better appreciated with someone to hold hands with, to laugh hard with, and to dream dreams with.
Here is a list of the top 5 affordable date places my GG (God's gift) and I went to within the 5 months we are together. In love, there is no need to break the bank.
The Bayleaf Hotel Skydeck and 9 spoons restos
We love it there at the Bayleaf. When he was still courting me, he invited me and our friends to dinners at the Skydeck and the 9 Spoons. The Skydeck provides 360 degree unobstructed view of Manila. From the U-belt of the North east to the buildings in Makati and Malate to the South, the Manila Bay to the West, and the Manila Cathedral and the Port area to the North, the Bayleaf Skydeck provides a refreshing romantic backdrop.
When it is drizzling, try out the 9Spoons resto. They have almost the same menu. Skydeck is al fresco while 9Spoons is at the penthouse of The Bayleaf. We are still checking when can we try to check into one of their rooms. Rooms start at Php 4,500++ per night.
Last night, we celebrated the BF's birthday at the Bayleaf Skydeck. Too bad though he was not greeted by the staff as they did when we brought other friends who celebrated their birthdays there. Perhaps they did not believe us when he quipped it was his birthday.
RK Hotel, Subic Zambales
As if our July stay in RK Hotel is not enough, the BF has just finalized plans for our stay in RK Hotel. His gift for my birthday, an overnight stay at the RK with my mom and my friends. Yey, I will be able to stay at the pool (i hope) all night! See my blog about our RK Hotel stay last July here. He loves the peace of SBMA and the hospitality of RK Hotel staff so much he wants to go back again and again.
See my Singles for Christ Reflection while in the RK Hotel in Subic here
SM Mall of Asia Bay Area
For Luneta Kids like me, there are some point when we miss just hanging out at the bay area of the Park. These days the bay area of the park has a hotel and a mall, and the remaining part of the bay was converted into a car park. So we tend to stay at the Roxas Blvd area, Harbor Square, or yes, the SM MOA Bay area.
The Bay Area is well maintained by SM personnel, from security guards who advise people not to stand on the concrete barrier between the sea and the mall to the janitors who keep the area clean. We like how everything is within reach in the SM MOA and we can enjoy the Manila Bay sunset while sipping our favorite milk teas.
Tea Houses
Alone, I was able to try only 2 tea houses in Manila: Simple Line in Legarda St., and Mang-Chaa across home. With the GG, we were able to try and compare the following: Chatime, InfiniTea, Mang-Chaa (we are patrons), Happy House Tea (this I need to confirm, we go here often yet we refer to it as the Tea House near St. Jude Parish) and Simple Line. We have yet to expand our milktea experience as I think I am getting tired of teas. We will go back to tea drinking again soon.
The Araneta Center/Gateway
Cubao is my parents' date place when they were younger. I find it cute that I am now considering this to be our date place too. From UAAP games, to dinners, to our Starbucks Gateway and/or Starbucks Alimall whole day staycation, to attending church at the OLPH, to shopping for bargain shoes, we have created a love filled experience at the Araneta Center. There are much more to explore and discover in this area as well as in the areas near it - St. Pio parish at the Eastwood, Antipolo City and its overlooking restaurants, Marikina and its foodie faves. There is so much more to learn, explore and enjoy, not only in the places mentioned but in our life experiences as a couple as well.
For all these and more, for having my GG, for everything in my life right now - my family, career, and the opportunity to study law, I am so grateful.
Thank you Lord.
May God be praised!
P.S. Happy Birthday Mahal.
