5 Date-Worthy Restaurants to Go to This Valentine’s Day

Where should I take my date on Valentine's Day?

As someone who shares a lot about food on my blog at Wanderbites.com I get this a lot. If you're asking the same question, then you'd be clueless person number twelve this week that asked me that and I will give you the same answer to the other eleven: who you are with is equally important as what you eat.

Yes, whether you are sharing your Valentine with your significant other, your family, or your friends, make sure that it's the moment that counts not how fancy you splurge on your dinner.

With that in mind, the choices that I'm sharing with you below are places that I believed in. That means, I've been there, and I'm confident it would help make the day worth of remembrance as it has done for me in the past. However, feel free to dismiss this list and go to any restaurant and I mean it.

Here are my 5 recommendations & the moments I had there:

1. Namaaz Dining

Probably the first molecular gastronomy restaurant in Indonesia that serves Indonesian food as its signature dishes. Here, Chef Andrian Ishak playfully craft a multi-course dining experience that I bet will astound your palate and leave enough memories to recall with your date even years after. "Remember the time we had that fired up candle that turns out to be grilled banana?"

I had my Namaaz Dining experience a little over a year ago with friends from the food industry. There were chefs, barista, F&B business owners and everyone was glued to their seat on a three hour 19-course dinner. As expected, conversation on food flows endlessly.

Location: Jl. Gunawarman No.42, Kebayoran Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12110, Indonesia
Phone: +6221 33061000

2. Lyon

Oh, Lyon. The place where I had my early crush on French food and honestly the romance continues until now. Serving fine and authentic Gallic delicacies brought to you from fresh and seasonal ingredients, Lyon would help you reminisce the time you spend with your date in Europe.

I could still recall the lunch I had with a dear friend in Lyon, the jokes we had and how laughter falls in between meals. We don't meet often but I guess that's what makes every meet-up worthwhile.

Location: Jalan M.H. Thamrin, Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta, Indonesia
Phone: +6221 29938824

3. Bottega Ristorante

New, hip, and beautiful. A picture perfect restaurant to feast your eyes as well as your tongue. Make sure you got that corner seat with the mosaic tiles and pretty dimmed light. Foods here are mostly Italian-dominated with ranges of other European & Western cuisine.

I had a memorable dinner with my girlfriend here after a few months being separated 6.000 KM away. I love how the restaurant set the tone for a good mood. The kind that makes conversations flows endlessly and call me cheesy, but it sort of reminded me of the scenes in Before Sunset.

Location: Menara Bank Danamon, Kawasan Mega Kuningan, Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. E4-6, Kuningan, Jakarta
Phone: +6221 57992222

4. Plan B

Underrated authentic Spanish goodness that deserves more than just a visit. You heard that right, especially if you haven't had Spanish before. Trying out something new together is always fun. Food-wise, anything from their wide selection of Tapas to Paellas to Sangrias is worth trying.

It might just be me, but I haven't had better Spanish experience than here. The super-friendly Chef is definitely what makes it even more memorable. See, it's the people, not just the food.

Location: Jl. Tentara Pelajar, Rukan Permata Senayan Blok D No.25-26, Jakarta Selatan, DKI Jakarta 12210, Indonesia
Phone: +62 21 57940821

5. Altitude

Altitude has the formula of a 'proper' romantic dining place: great ambience, a killer view and great food. Located on the 46th floor of The Plaza, it gives a stunning view of the night lights and city-scape. Added to that three different cuisine to choose from: Enmaru for Japanese, Salt Grill for Australian, and Gaia for Italian. I guess this place would probably be over-booked this weekend for Valentines. Be quick to save your seats.

The last time I dined at Altitude was a part birthday / part homecoming of a friend who has been out of reach for a year. We were happy to see him back in town, doing what he like, and most importantly enjoying life.

Location: The Plaza, Lantai 46, Jalan M.H. Thamrin Kav 28 - 30, Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Phone: +62 21 29922448

Whichever you decided to dine with, I wish you a wonderful time that you'd recall again and again years from now. Oh, here's a tip: turn off your phone and just take one proper selfie at the end of the night.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cheers

Fellexandro Ruby

Tweet: @wanderbites | Instagram: @captainruby