Top 5 ZC Diners for the V Day (budget-wise!)

It’s that time of the year again when love is revealed, celebrated, and sealed with a ring. It’s also the time when flowers become gold and places to eat are filled with people in-love and those who just want to spend fun time together. Valentine’s Day is indeed fast approaching... Yes, it’s *wait for it* 10 days away! So, have you ironed out plans for the V day?

To aid you on where to dine on the day of hearts (basically considering the optimum value of budget at hand), Taste Bud Speaks gives you top five eating places in Zamboanga City where we had wonderful dining experience. (The price range is for a couple on a date.)

Tia Nina
Location: Pasonanca, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Budget: Php 250 – 400
Recommended food to order: 

• All-Meat Pizza (ordering solo size is already good for two unless of course you want an all-pizza dinner)
• Tia Nina’s Chicken Wings (2 pcs chicken wings with rice for only Php 65! YUMYUM! And yes, gravy is unli!)
• 1Liter Coke
• Ice Cream

 






Mang Paeng’s Inasal
Location: Sta Maria, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Budget: Php 450 – 600
Recommended food to order:

• Grilled Tuna Belly (served with rice but the tuna is big enough; you can share it with your date)
• Chicken Inasal (with rice)
• Kare-Kare de baka or Bulalo
• Drinks

Hacienda de Palmeras Hotel and Restaurant
Location: Pasonanca, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Budget: Php 500 –  900
Recommended food to order:

• Bilao
• Two cups of rice
• Drinks
• Knicker Bocker (Palmeras’ special dessert: a glass of jelly and fruits drenched in yummy milk and cream and topped with a scoop of strawberry ice cream)
• Tip: They have a Japanese food section where you can enjoy California Maki!

 

Gerry’s Grill
Location: Canelar, Zamboanga City, Philippines (or any branch of Gerry’s Grill)
Budget: Php 500 – 1,000
Recommended food to order:

• Crispy Pla Pla w/garlic (A house specialty: Fried tilapia and creatively-creepily presented)
• Lechon Kawali or Kare-kare
• Two cups of rice
• Four Seasons

Tropics
Location: Sta Maria, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Budget: Php 1,000 – Php 2,000
Recommended food to order:

• Prawns Termidor
• Steak (you may have this prepared the way you want it served)
• Drinks
• Pizza
• Cream of mushroom
• Tip: Ask the waitress about their special dessert beautifully decorated in a wine glass! Surprise!

Make sure you include in your planning time of dining and reservations. Most restaurants are already filled by 6PM on Feb 14. Also, Palmeras does not accept reservations on that day. There are also restaurants and hotels offering smorgasbord with pre-paid tickets. You just have to keep your head up for promos. 

If you have extra budget, don’t forget to pre-order the traditional chocolate cake (Php 250+) at Myrna’s Bake House with three branches in Zamboanga City: Pilar Street (at Southern City Colleges), Climaco branch (near La Vina Hotel) and Pasonanca branch. If budget is tight, you may also purchase the slice-sized chocolate cakes (Php 80+). And yes, grab at least a stem of a red or white rose for your date at any of the flower shops along Zamboanga East Central School. Trust me, chocolate cakes and roses can add an extra kick of sweetness during your date.

Enjoy your Vday, have a happy heart, and stay tuned as TASTE BUD SPEAKS!