WE KNOW OUR PASSION!

We have decided to abandon dateph for

http://eatph.blogspot.com/

After 2 weeks of blogging, we've finally realised what we really wanna blog about, and that is Great FOOD! Where? HERE in the PH!

So join us as we track the best restaurants and offer our improved services, thank you for staying with us. ONCE MORE: http://eatph.blogspot.com/

Thank you and goodbye :)

Announcement

To those checking out the site, thank you very much for your readership. There will plenty of great restaurant reviews to follow, including myrons in rockwell, spiral in sofitel and maurizio at de la costa.

It is the Christmas season, and as such, we will continue posting but at a slower pace as we go around and stuff ourselves with food. Please continue to check back, as more reviews of restaurants and great date ideas are sure to come =)

Thank you,
dateph couple =)

P.S. if you're a reader, write a comment just to give us a head's up and some encouragement :)

Restaurant: Nihonbashite

A great restaurant for dates definitely! Hidden away round the corner of Arnaiz Avenue in Makati City, this authentic japanese cuisine offers two styles of dining in: cooked in front of you or just served to you.

Why?

The food is delicious! We both ordered wagyu beef set (P1860) shared, this came with tempura (which is different from ebi tempura in a sense that tempura is mixed and not just shrimp, we were served 1 shrimp tempura with the rest vegetables) also came with rice, either plain or fried (yummy fried rice :p), vegetables, soup, icecream in the end and 3 different yummy sauces!

THE SAUCES ARE:

Apple cider (I think): She liked this one
Honey Mustard: Sweet, yummy my favourite

Garlic Sauce: Err.. It's okay if you like that sorta thing

The atmosphere is great, you can get a private room, just try to reserve earlier; or dine outside. Usually the place is full, the day we ate was a weekday so it wasn't.

Our chef Enan does great tricks, which I thought make fantastic entertainment when on dates. It definitely eliminates the need to fill in the conversation, as usually the chef's crack jokes and juggles the eggs and all, so just laugh along if your the shy type.

Great stuff!

Where

800 A. Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City (its at the corner of the end of the street)

1F Izakaya: 818-8893/818-8894

2F Steak: 8188907/0926-6475803

How Much

Expect to pay around 1400-1800 if sharing, or 3.5-4k if not

What to do after

Along the strip I think there are some comedy clubs, which can be good for the night! If not, there isn't much to do there but there are bars as well.

Tips

• Tip the chef cooking in front of you at least 50pesos
• No need to tip at the end of the meal because service charge is included
• Eat slowly, talk more
• Enjoy the cook-in-front of you bit
• Lean back when he puts the wine at the start (Enan was telling us how a customer burnt his eyebrows off)

Try a walk in Serendra/Highstreet!

Why?

Well just cause its probably the first outdoor window shopping area here in the Philippines, kinda like the States, its breezy too! It's very upper crust though, classy shops and expensive restaurants, you won't find any Jollibee and Mcdo here that's for sure. However, Market Market is just across the street and there is plenty of shopping there too and more restaurants.

(picture taken from http://anton.blogs.com/)

Serendra
Really, the only places accesible there is the first 2 floors, the rest are residential. The list of places there can be found in Serendra are: (as of dec 22, 2008)

• A Different Bookstore - Cacao - Gaudi


• Abe - Chelsea - German Deli


• Art Verite - Choco-late de Batirol - Guava


• Asian Finds - Cupcakes by Sonja - Gymboree


• Balducci - Duo - Habi Home


• Bali Rice Table - Durrani Carpets - Hermle Clocks


• Baloro - E Gallery - Hosseins


• Blow Up Babies - Europa - Isa Casa


• Bookworm Cafe - F Salon - Julianne Collection


• BPI - Fez - Kape Isla


• Brazil! - Finesa - Laudromat


• Luna - Mantra - Mezza Luna


• Nail Tropics - Padua - Pharoah


• Polu Kai Grill - Pondok Indah - Portico


• Renergy Medi Spa - Show and Tell - Silk


• T.O.P. - Tatami - World of Fung Shui


• Zhongnanhai

High Street

Plenty more shops, lots more. There's are more than 5 coffee places along this area, sit down, drink and chat. Want a classy dinner, try New Orleans (Great Oysters!) or the Steakhouse in the far end (Name is lost in me right now, great ribs though!). Donuts while walking? Krispe Kreme first ever is found here. Want to play games? Timezone, a great date place too! Go into the shops here, try somethings and laugh about them. Relax and have a good time about the day, only here in this outdoorsy place :)

(Author's Note: Wanna impress? Take her to The Spa that just opened there! Perfect!)

Where:

In Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City near Makati

How Much?

Shouldn't Cost you more than 1500 for nice meal anyways, but if your budget isn't that high, eat in Market Market where there are affordable yet yummy meals.

What to do after?

• Go to Market Market for a movie
• After a long walk, sit down and grab something to eat
• If it's a saturday or sunday night, sit on the grass, plenty of people do

Tips

• Don't make it awkward, look around and talk about the art you see. (Public Art by Regie Yuson) Read here for more info: http://anton.blogs.com/awesome/2007/04/bonifacio_high_.html
• Don't walk too fast
• Grab something to eat or drink while walking, ice cream or juice.
• There are bathrooms in every corner hidden

Play an hour of badminton!

Why?
Badminton is such a great sport because it excercises both the mind and the body. You and your date will have a great time playing together or against each other, it offers a sort of high that you can't reach anywhere else. What's good about this too is you prepare yourselves for a good meal afterwards. It's original, it's fun, it's stimulating. Aside from that, there won't be any awkward silences while playing.

Where?

Greenhills Badminton Center

Number: 7234484 & 7247298

Business Hours: Monday to Friday 6:00 am to 12:00 mn

Here is a link to a directory of badminton places here in the Philippines! http://www.ypofphilippines.com/miscellaneous/badminton-courts/

How Much

Usually the courts range from 250 - 300 pesos/hour, depending on the court and if you are a member or not. That is usually not including the fees for each player, ranging from 150-250 pesos. You might want to avail of any of their special promos, perhaps an "play all you can" or something similar to that.

What to do after

As I always recommend, a good meal after physical activity is the best. Otherwise, grab something to drink.

Tips

• Do bring extra shirts
• Do bring gatorade or other drinks, they do sell there but expect it to be more expensive
• Don't be over competitive
• Do have lots of fun in between plays
• Try to stretch before to avoid injury
• Hire a coach if both of you are starting out

Join a Marathon!!!

- Obviously not a Philippine Marathon, although marathons here do tend

to attact even foreingers ;) -

Why?

It's exciting and fun! There are some drawback however, if one of you two are not physically fit then you might get seperated during the run. There are plenty of advantages however, 1 is that both of you will experience a certain high after completion of the race, pleasure hopefully, that might be extremely pleasing. 2nd, it definitely removes the jitters of first dates since you won't have the energy to feel nervous anymore. Third, it gives a great sensation to be doing something physical and at the same time mental.

There are 5k, 10k, 16k and 42k marathons.

How much?

150-250 pesos

Where and when?

For complete information about marathons here in Manila visit: http://thebullrunner.com/

Or you can also go to http://www.marathonguide.com/races/search.cfm

What do after ?

• EAT! EAT! EAT! Someof the Marathons are held along Manila Bay, which is close to Mall of Asia. Marathons are always held early in the morning, and you usually have to skip breakfast and eat a light snack (recommended: 2 bananas) so both of you might be hungry.

• If you aren't hungry, propose a nice movie, if cinemas are open already, the comfy chairs and the cool aircon might make a happy ending :)
• Grab some coffee! or something cold! depends really

Tips:

Before running your first marathon, you might wanna consider searching on google some tips, or read some of these:

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/assets/pdf/U027756510.PDF

http://www.halhigdon.com/Articles/tips.htm

http://www.valleyofthegeeks.com/About/Marathon.html

From experience:

• Wear good running shoes
• Stay on a slow and steady pace
• Carry music if you must
• Don't drink too much water before and during the race
• Walk never stop
• Focus on the next step, not the next mile
• Try to set a goal-person to catch up to
• Eat bananas before the race, around 2
• Wake up early for warmup and stretching (particularly the ankle and the hamstrings)
• Take pictures and smile after! :)
  

Go watch IMAX!!!!!!

Why?

{photo taken from http://nimrodel.net/2006/07/02/imax-theater-in-sm-mall-of-asia/}

The San Miguel Coca-Cola IMAX Theatre is the country's first and only IMAX theater to date. It features a screen that is 10 times larger than what you regularly watch! How else can you distract your date while you strech and put your arms around her? She'll be so dazzled by the screen, its like taking candy from a baby. :p

Where?

Location: SM Mall of Asia Central Business ParkBay Blvd., Bay City, Pasay City Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
Phone: 556-0104 to 06
Website: http://www.smcinema.com/imaxShowing.aspx?movcat=12

What to do after

If it's around 5 or so, you can follow it up with a nice walk on Manila Bay. Great Sunset!

(taken from: http://photos.the-protagonist.net/)

Or maybe a nice dinner if your not too full from the popcorn already! - Plenty of restaurants here, check this out!

http://www.clickthecity.com/food/foodlist.asp?maid=155

And if you can't find any good ones that you like there (pretty impossible) then you can opt to search for a restaurant near Mall of Asia using clickthecity's Restaurant Finder!

(Authors Note: Of course clickthecity.com is soo invaluable to our everyday gimik life, it provides movie listings, event happenings and more!)

For more information about IMAX visit this blog: http://nimrodel.net/2006/07/02/imax-theater-in-sm-mall-of-asia/

Great stuff there!

Tips:

• Please please don't try doing the old stretch-and-yawn to put your arms around her
• 3D glasses = funny pictures!
• Make sure to get popcorn!
• Bring a jacket, its cold! It's also thoughtful incase she's forgotten hers! :)

Ice Skating

Why?

Ice Skating a fun activity to do because it allows for conversation and physical interaction. What's good as well with this activity is that it is impossible to be tense on the date because you are trying so hard to keep balanced and not look like a fool. You and your date will definitely have laughs after several falls, or watching other people fall. If you know how to skate, you can hold your partner's hand and drag her along.

Where?

SM Megamall

Location: EDSA Corner Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Business District, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

Phone: (632) 6335043-46

Website: http://www.smprime.com/Supermalls.php?MallsID=4

SM Mall of Asia

Location: SM Central Business Park I, Island A, Bay City, Pasay City

Phone: (632) 831 3340

Website: http://www.smprime.com/Supermalls.php?MallsID=14

SM Southmall

Location: Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Piñas City, Metro Manila

Phone: (632) 8000447-54

Website: http://www.smprime.com/Supermalls.php?MallsID=5

How much?
Weekday Rate (Mon-Fri 10am to 10pm) - Unlimited Skating Time Ticket: P 280.00
Weekend/Holiday Rate (Sat & Sun 10am to 10pm) - Unlimited Skating Time Ticket:
P 350.00
Introductory Lesson (30 minute session) P150.00
Hockey Group Class is every Sat & Sun (7:30AM-9:30AM)
Taken from: http://www.smiceskating.com/schedules.asp

(Author's note: Try asking the cashier or manager incharge if they have extra coupons, say you left yours at home, you should be able to get a 50pesos for 1 hour coupon. :) if not, try getting them from near by fastfood areas there in SM.)

What to do after
Follow it up with a nice movie, or perhaps a good meal. If you are in Mall of Asia, go IMAX.

Tips

• Make sure you tie your laces tight, I've seen plenty of beginners just skating with loose laces, not good for balance
• Hold on to the rails if you must, but try to venture off a little, it will help
• The first lesson always taught is the walk, try walk first, not gliding
• Always skate counter clockwise, go with the flow of the skaters!
• If you fall, get up slowly by tucking your feet behind you first, don't get up like a flopping fish, you're more likely to injure yourself.
• Hire a coach to train both of you for 1 lesson