Ninyo has long been part of my list for the most romantic restaurants in the city. What started as Manila’s Best Kept Secret, the humble ancestral house of Chef Nins Laus, is transformed into this quiet and intimate hidden paradise with its garden-like charm. From the moment you step in, you’re already greeted by the candle lights, beautiful pavilions, hanging vines, koi ponds, and antique accents in the interior.
Aside from the gorgeous ambiance, it’s also a foodie destination for good food, with Chef Nins’ creative take of European-Asian fusion dishes. Note that Ninyo always updates its menu so its degustation is always a good idea. A set menu is a great option, easier than choosing from a wide array of food.
NINYO Fusion Cuisine & Wine Lounge
66 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights
Quezon City, Philippines
Landline: (02) 426 0301
Facebook: NinyoFusion
Besides the romantic pavilions for two, they also have plenty of intimate table set-up for group gatherings, and an à la carte menu to go with it.
My favorite spot is the second floor with a window view of the garden.
Feel the love with a romantic meal for 2 persons and request to be seated in one of the gazebos filled with rose petals all over the floor to maximize the romantic feel of your very special night.
We had the Paris 6-Course Degustation that’s P3000 (inclusive of vat, exclusive of 10% SC), that’s also available for this Valentine’s day.
Note: Date Package for two persons INCLUSIVE of the gazebo with petal candle setup (Reservation is needed; Gazebo subject to availability)
Everything on the menu was divine…
Start with a glass of wine– choice of red or white house wine. (Part of the set)
Duet of Oysters
Wasabi Fried Oyster with Citrus Mayo, Baked Oyster with Foie Gras
Aklan oyster delivered fresh daily alive…
The Wasabi Fried Oyster is a classic dish that has been there for 15 years in the menu.
The wasabi mayo was sublime, and I loved the bit of heat coming from the horseradish. While the second oyster dish was also a treat, creamy baked oysters with foie gras hollandaise. Yum!
Truffle Mushroom Soup or Wakame Salad
Black Sesame Dressing, Takuwan, Crispy Kani, Bonito Flakes, Toasted Nori
My date chose the soup, which was a lovely puree of black truffle with Japanese enoki and shiitake mushroom bits.
While I loved my order of salad. It was a refreshing mix of fresh and pickled Japanese seaweed, and various pickled vegetables, topped with black sesame dressing.
Now doesn’t everything just offset each other in a gorgeous balance? Oishi!
Grilled Tiger Prawn
Hollandaise, Prawn Guava Bisque, onion, Crab Fat Risotto
A European-Japanese style dish using tiger prawns marinated in gochujang chilies and fermented beans, grilled and topped with soy-based hollandaise sauce. Then set on a crab fat and blue swimmer crab risotto.
The risotto was so unbelievably good, each spoon is a one-bite activity, to begin with, but you won’t feel bogged down by the weight of aligue no matter how many you eat.
Raspberry Sorbet
A palate cleanser between courses before the meat.
U.S. Top Blade
Garlic Beef Au Jus, Whipped Potatoes, Leeks, Miso Eggplant
By this point, I was already a bit full. The steak was tender served with whipped potatoes and a hint of wasabi. I fancied the wasabi whip, while my date didn’t like the subtle taste.
Panna Cotta
Green tea Panna Cotta with fresh vanilla bean tastes nothing but fresh milk and cream, plus yummy matcha green tea.
Mango Pavlova
The pavlova wasn’t part of the menu, but it was highly recommended by the chef, so we tried it. The crispy meringue is simply irresistible, especially when filled with fresh mangoes!
Ninyo has always been a favorite venue for special occasions ( birthdays, anniversaries, and tons of proposals). I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to impress their date with a fancy set-up and mouthwatering rave-worthy dishes! The menu of Ninyo always changes, but from my previous experience it still continues to excite and not disappoint.
Advance reservations are highly advisable. 🙂
NINYO Fusion Cuisine & Wine Lounge
66 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights
Quezon City, Philippines
Landline: (02) 426 0301
Facebook: NinyoFusion
Live an Awesome Life,
ABI of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: We were media guests of Ninyo. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
great post.. thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing this. May I ask, for a gable for 2, is there any reservation fees and how much?
Just reserve in advance the cabanas.