Ah, February. The month of love, of roses, and perhaps the most financially rewarding month for the makers of Whitman's Samplers. (Ha. Does anyone remember these? How old school is that?!)

Truth be told, it's tough to weed through the deluge of promotions that Valentine's Day rains on us. Every single restaurant and then some wants you to bring your inamorata through their doorstep, chow down on their probably expensive "special set menu" (a nice little trick so the kitchen can plan ahead for the loving hordes), and leave with a rose in hand (sold to you by a lovely girl decked out in her Sunday finest) for some dark corner where you can both scratch each other's belly, whisper sweet nothings ("nothing.. nothing.. nothing..") and purr in blissful contentment. Personally I'd rather stay at home and cook a nice roast. But of course, that's just me.

Hey, if you got the time, the patience to wade through horrible traffic, and a bit of cash, why not, right? Your lover deserves nothing but the best. So where does a doe eyed couple go to celebrate their loving for each other (and no, I don't mean someplace with Ninja or Viking themed rooms and 24-hour crispy pata and pancit bihon... though that will always be an option..)? Here are some places in the Metro that seem cool for a little wining and dining:

The first is for those of you who like to feel like they're in another, more genteel era: The Fireplace Grill (5/F Hyatt Hotel and Casino, 1588 Pedro Gil corner M.H. del Pilar, Malate, Manila. Tel. 245-1234), located on the 5th floor in the new-ish, under appreciated Hyatt Hotel & Casino, is a manly, beautifully appointed house of meat. It reminds me very much of the great American steak houses found in big American cities–like Las Vegas, or Chicago, or New York. You can imagine the Rat Pack swilling down dirty martinis in the corner table, holding court with their entourage of elegantly attired ladies. This is the place to go if you've got the cash to spend, as dining here is by no means cheap by Manila standards. I will go as far as saying, however, that you do get what you pay for–the food is killer! Share some classic steak house fare: a plate of oysters and an excellently done Caesar salad, then some baked onion soup topped with Gruyere or rich, aromatic lobster bisque, and try to down a big ass bone-in rib eye (also known as the Cowboy steak) or porterhouse or even Tomahawk steak (yes, it looks like one!), perfectly seared and done medium rare, with a side of potatoes au gratin and some mushroom sauce. Gulp. Caramba! Now this is a steak house. They do it right, and that surely deserves some love, don't you think? (A great steak house alternative, and a few notches less expensive: 22 Prime (22nd Flr., Discovery Suites 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Tel. 719-8888) in Ortigas with its eye popping views of the city and a solid kitchen that churns out great steaks and a silky pureed potato homage to the Lebron James of chefs, Joel Robuchon. This is a hot date place, for sure!)

If you have notions of feeling like Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice (the updated one with Colin Farrel and Jamie Foxx, ok?) the place to go is the Sofitel. On weekends (V-Day fortunately falls on a Sunday this year), the area facing the water is dressed up like a tropical lounge. Go dress up in your beach chic and take your woman (or man!–Ed) for sunset drinks on the huge white pillows facing Manila Bay. Watch the sunset over some mojitos or margaritas, and make goo goo eyes while the sound system dishes out sweet tunes. Then, when your eyeballs have melted from taking in that famous Manila Bay sunset, walk a few steps to Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Pasay City. Tel. 551-5555) for one of the most amazing buffet spreads in the city, with mountains of food from all corners of the globe. For a great happy ending, munch on a plate of their enticing, sinful freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. (Don't stuff yourself too much–might not have enough energy if you want to play, uhm, pattycake after dinner.)