Where fitness-minded couples dine out
Since dates are not only exclusive for Valentine’s Day and special events, I chatted with my daughters one night and asked where fitness minded couples go to dine out.
While perfect date venues are normally dimly lit and fancy, those who eat clean would rather have a filling, nutritious, and delicious meal that will leave the diner refreshed, energized and rejuvenated.
“Let’s be real – no one wants to be bloated on a special night out,” my daughter Samantha pointed out. She gave me a list of six healthy yet date-worthy restaurants below.
• Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe in QC. Inspired by the travels of chef Waya Araos-Wijangco, Gourmet Gypsy Art Cafe in Quezon City transports diners to various places across the globe through its diverse menu and decor. They serve Mediterranean, European, Italian and Asian cuisine, along with some Mexican and Brazilian dishes. Being a house-turned-restaurant, its homey and rustic ambience is perfect for a casual date with your special someone. Must try dishes include curried squash soup, Mediterranean dips, low-carb skillet focaccia dip, za’atar and turmeric-roasted veggies and Thai quinoa tangle, cauliflower or adlai paella, shirataki chapchae, low-carb palabok, raspberry linzer tart, chocolate walnut tart, and apple pie (all keto).
• Green Pastures. Green Pastures is a farm-to-table restaurant that uses locally-sourced ingredients to serve clean, healthy and organic dishes. Conceptualized by Cyma’s chef Robby Goco, the menu is comprised of various appetizers, toasts, pastas, bowls and Filipino dishes, to name a few. Must try are avocado toast, organic mushrooms toast, Korean fried cauliflower, pulpo, crab meat and sea urchin pasta with shirataki noodles, Vegetarian Burger That Doesn’t Suck, Any of the Faux Rice Bowls (made with cauliflower rice) and adlai paella.
• Earth Kitchen in White Plains. Earth Kitchen is another farm-to-table restaurant brought to you by the Got Heart Foundation and Hizon’s catering. They are dedicated to supporting local farmers and indigenous communities by using, promoting and selling the products of their partner communities from Luzon to Mindanao. Best-sellers include mushroom spring rolls, root vegetable chips and sweet potato empanada, Watermelon and Rocket Salad, mushroom ravioli, carbonara with whole- wheat noodles, chicken kebab, beef kebab and homemade ice creams.
• The Wholesome Table. The Wholesome Table is an organic restaurant that uses only the freshest and most natural locally-sourced ingredients. Their meat comes from grass-fed cows, their poultry and eggs are free-range, their seafood is wild-caught, their sauces and condiments are made from scratch, their drinks do not contain high fructose corn syrup or any artificial sweeteners, and they do not use any processed ingredients. Don’t miss the vegan cheese, Cordillera Salad, Superfood Salad, miso-glazed salmon, any of the bowls and their dairy-free, refined sugar-free, gluten-free and soy-free N’ice Creams.
• Happy Garden Cafe in Makati. Happy Garden Cafe is, you guessed it, a garden-inspired cafe by the Bizu Group. The cafe is a sanctuary in the city with white walls adorned with flowers and greenery paired with cozy sofas and lounge chairs. Its bright and clean interiors directly mirror their menu, which promotes clean-eating through healthy and organic farm-to-table dishes made with the freshest locally-sourced ingredients. Fun fact: the menu also reflects Bizu CEO and founder Annabel Tangco’s gluten intolerance. Must try are Adlai Arroz Caldo, Harvest Salad, Portobello and beef Burger, Saramsam Pasta and OMG Pasta. For dessert, sugar-free ginataang halo-halo with chia and gluten-free sansrival are highly recommended.
• Noor in BGC. Noor, which means “light,” is an authentic Mediterranean restaurant located in bustling BGC. It is very aptly named as the large windows allow the sunlight to come in in the day and the fanciful light fixtures illuminate the space at night. Its fresh and light dishes are sure to brighten your day. Conceptualized by chef Or Hakmimi, the menu puts vegetables in the spotlight, making this the perfect place to enjoy a healthy yet delectable meal. Must try are Noor’s Deep Fried Cauliflower and Moroccan Cigars, fatush salad, spinach ravioli and salmon fillet, and Knafe for dessert.
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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.
