Why a staycation is the perfect romantic getaway

When couples think of romantic destinations where they can spend much-needed time together, places like Paris, Santorini, and Bali usually come to mind. Beautiful city skylines and beautiful island getaways make excellent backdrops for a romantic getaway since they create the perfect ambiance that helps couples focus on their relationship without a care in the world. 

Unfortunately, planning for a romantic getaway usually takes a lot of time to prepare and costs a lot of money. And, for a lot of couples, they simply don’t have the time or budget to make their dream couple’s vacation a reality. Luckily, couples can still create their perfect romantic getaway without having to travel far or break the bank by choosing to go on a staycation at home or in a nearby hotel. 

Staycation, which combines the words “stay” and “vacation”, has become increasingly popular not only for singles but for a lot of couples as well. For one thing, staycations give couples the freedom to spend their vacation days however they want without having to worry about following a schedule. It also gives them an incredible opportunity to strengthen and deepen their relationship. 

But how exactly can a staycation achieve this? First, let’s delve into the advantages of a romantic staycation and how it can transform your romantic life.

The Advantages

A romantic staycation carries many benefits, some of which may surprise you. Here are some of the advantages of having a romantic staycation at home or a hotel that’s close by:

Comfort and Convenience

Staycations allow you to bypass the stress and fatigue that often comes with traveling. If you’re living in Manila, for example, it’s easier to have a staycation in Pasay or at home because you don’t have to spend long hours in transit or to adjust to a new environment. Instead, you can enjoy the comfort and familiarity of your hometown, making it easier to relax and focus on each other.

Flexibility

Unlike a traditional vacation, where itineraries can be rigid and crowded with various activities, a staycation gives you the freedom to set your own pace. Want to have breakfast in bed at noon or watch movies until the early hours? With a staycation, you can.

Affordability

A staycation can be a more budget-friendly romantic getaway. It eliminates expenses like airfare, expensive meals, and tourist traps, freeing up your budget for other special treats like a fancy take-out dinner or even splurging on a high-end local hotel for a night.

Quality Time

Perhaps the most significant advantage of a staycation is the opportunity to spend quality, uninterrupted time together. Without the distractions and demands often associated with travel, you and your significant other can connect on a deeper level and strengthen your relationship even further.

A Bit of Planning Goes a Long Way

A romantic staycation may be a dream come true, but a bit of planning can take it to the next level. Here are some ideas you can try to turn up the romance level of your staycation to a hundred:

Setting the Mood

Create a romantic atmosphere to make your staycation feel special. This could be as simple as cleaning and decluttering your space, lighting scented candles, or setting up fairy lights for a cozy ambiance. Don’t forget to prepare a playlist of your favorite songs to set the mood.

Food and Drinks

One of the highlights of any vacation is trying new and exciting food. For your staycation, consider ordering from a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try or cooking a special meal together. Pair it with your favorite wine or try making homemade cocktails.

Disconnecting from Routine

To make your staycation truly feel like a romantic getaway, it’s important to disconnect from your regular routine. This means setting an out-of-office email, turning off message notifications, and putting off household chores. Make this time purely about enjoying each other’s company.

The Variety of Romantic Staycation Activities

To make the most of your romantic staycation, it’s a great idea to plan some activities that can enhance your experience and promote bonding. Whether you decide to stay at home or book a hotel room, there are plenty of enjoyable things you can do together. Here are some activities that you might consider to make your romantic staycation more memorable:

Cooking or Baking Together

If you’re at home, try cooking or baking a new recipe together. This not only allows you to enjoy a delicious meal or treat but it also gives you the chance to create shared memories.

Movie Marathon

Choose a series of movies or binge-watch a new series together. To make the experience even more romantic, you can create a cozy atmosphere with dimmed lights, comfortable pillows, and your favorite snacks. This can be done both at home or in a hotel, making it a versatile option.

Game Night

Whether you’re at home or in a hotel, setting up a game night can be a lot of fun. Bring out classic board games, card games, or even video games you both enjoy, and your time spent together will be filled with laughter and playful banter.

DIY Spa Day

You can transform your bathroom into the ultimate spa by simply placing scented candles on the bathroom counter and using aromatherapy sprays. You can even make bath time more romantic by adding some bath salts or throwing in a bath bomb in the tub. When the ambiance is set, you can enjoy a relaxing bath together, give each other massages, or try out new skincare products. This can be a special treat, particularly if you’re in a hotel with a beautiful bathtub.

In a world where we are constantly on the go, a staycation offers a refreshing change of pace. It’s a chance to slow down, appreciate the simple things, and focus on the one you love. With the right planning and mindset, a staycation can provide you with all the joy, relaxation, and romantic connections of a traditional vacation without the hassle.

A perfect lunch retreat: Tablo Kitchen x Cafe’s blend of creativity, community and comfort

In the bustling metropolis of Metro Manila, where foodies seek not only delectable dishes but also a place of creativity and community, Tablo Kitchen x Cafe stands out as a haven of comfort. With its inviting ambiance, generous servings of hearty cuisine, and a commitment to fostering connections, Tablo Kitchen x Cafe offers an exceptional lunch experience worth savoring.

I experienced it myself together with my officemates when we set out to explore the foodie possibilities in the Tomas Morato area during our lunch break.

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
An ambiance of openness and warmth

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe welcomed me and my companions with its open and airy atmosphere. The restaurant boasts a thoughtful blend of al fresco and indoor seating options, allowing guests to enjoy their meals amidst the natural light that floods the space. Recycled wood and metal furniture, accompanied by cozy throw pillows, create a welcoming environment that encourages relaxation and conversation.

However, do note that parking can be limited, so arriving early is recommended to secure a spot before the lunchtime rush. (I learned this the hard way.)

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
A culinary journey through comfort food

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe specializes in satisfying comfort food that is perfect for sharing with friends, family, or colleagues during a leisurely lunch. Our dining experience included a feast of flavors, featuring standout dishes from their menu.

We started with complimentary Prawn Crackers, accompanied by a tangy Vinegar dip, which set the tone for the meal ahead.

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe

The Tablo Meat Platter (Php2,640), a generous serving of Tablo’s grilled meat specialties meant for eight or more, impressed us with its mouthwatering variety. It showcased Half Texas BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Roast Beef Slices, Peri Peri Pork Chop, Salt & Pepper Pork Steak, Chicken Chops, Corn, Buttered Vegetables, Roasted Potatoes, Side Salad, Garlic Rice, and Garlic Bread—a true feast for the senses.

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe

Another standout dish was the Roast Beef Adobo Cream (Php640), featuring tender slices of roast beef and potatoes and French beans, all brought together with a delightful soy-vinegar marinade and coconut cream.

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe

These comforting flavors were perfectly complemented and made more filling by our Pinoy staples Plain Rice (Php64/cup) and Garlic Fried Rice (Php80/cup).

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Attentive service and memorable experiences

At Tablo Kitchen x Cafe, the service and staff add an extra touch of hospitality to the dining experience. The attentive and competent staff ensure that guests are well taken care of, catering to their needs and providing helpful recommendations. Moreover, the friendly servers are always ready to capture those Instagrammable moments, making sure your memories of the meal are captured in the best possible way.

Convenient locations for Metro Manila foodies

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe boasts multiple branches across Metro Manila, making it accessible to a wider audience of food enthusiasts. The branch we visited is located at 14A Scout Borromeo St., South Triangle, Quezon City. For inquiries and reservations, you can contact it at +63 912 4330580.

If you find yourself in other parts of Metro Manila, Tablo Kitchen x Cafe has branches in BF Resort (Tel:+63 925 3372789), BF Homes (+63 956 4805696), and South Las Pinas (Tel: +63 927 0190919), offering the same delightful culinary experience.

Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe
Tablo Kitchen x Cafe

As my workmates and I discovered, Tablo Kitchen x Cafe stands as a testament to the power of creativity, community, and comfort food coming together in a delightful culinary experience, thanks to its inviting ambiance, generous servings of hearty cuisine, attentive staff, and accessible locations. Whether you’re looking for a place to gather with family and friends or simply indulge in comforting dishes, Tablo Kitchen x Cafe is sure to provide a haven of creativity, community, and delectable comfort food that will leave you longing for more.

Know more about its menu and offers by visiting its website or following Tablo Kitchen x Cafe on Facebook and Instagram.

Indulge in delicious comfort food at Borro Manila

During the pre-pandemic era, the Tomas Morato and Scout areas in Quezon City have the distinction of being local foodie havens.

In these relatively quiet and mostly residential areas have popped up a diverse collection of dining choices offering a wide array of cuisines.

While the pandemic and its resulting lockdowns have slowed down this once vibrant food scene, it has slowly but surely shown signs of recovery.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

This is evidenced by the opening of a new and exciting dining destination in the area last December: Borro Manila.

A new trendy spot for foodies

Taking its name from the street where it is located, Borro certainly seems all set to be a popular establishment among the metro’s food fans.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

Upon arriving here with my officemates for one of our much-anticipated happy lunches, I was at first daunted by the seeming lack of parking space in front of the building. I was happy to discover that the restaurant offers free valet service so parking turned out not to be a problem.

It boasts of a welcoming facade, where stairs led up to the first floor al fresco and indoor dining areas. Another set of stairs to the side led up to similar areas on the second floor.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

These expansive and airy spaces are marked by well-appointed furnishings and chic yet homey decor, made all the more welcoming by an abundance of natural light streaming from floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

All of these add up to making Borro a very Instagrammable spot for foodies to capture moments and memories with their favorite comfort food.

International and Filipino comfort food

At Borro Manila, my officemates and I were happy to discover a diverse menu featuring both international and Filipino comfort food favorites.

Borro’s complimentary freshly baked bread and butter started our meal off right while its Watermelon Shake (₱140) was a refreshing treat.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

Then, we warmed our tummies with a deliciously hearty helping of Polonchay Soup (₱480) made with spinach, shrimp and eggs.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

We also dove into the Super Nachos (₱390), a heaping pile of crispy tortilla chips topped in meat, bell peppers, jalapenos, onion, olives and marinara sauce, then smothered in torched cheese.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

The Creamy Truffle Pasta (₱580), a rich and decadent dish made with cream, white wine, garlic and truffle oil did fit the bill for something more indulgent.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

The Boneless Fried Chicken (₱540), on the other hand, which was served with homemade gravy, came in servings large enough for the whole group to share.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

The Lechon Kawali (₱530) consisted of deep-fried pork belly and crispy chicharon and a serving of rice.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

Lastly, Borro’s Bagnet Kare-Kare (₱550) brings a taste of Ilocos with deep-fried bagnet on a bed of peanut sauce and veggies with bagoong on the side.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila
Reviving Tomas Morato’s Food Scene

Borro Manila proved to be a welcome addition to the Tomas Morato area, which has long been a hub for foodies in Quezon City. With its stylish yet welcoming decor, diverse menu, and prime location, the restaurant is a perfect venue for family and friends to come together over good food.

Borro Manila
Borro Manila

It’s surely doing its bit inhelping to revitalize the neighborhood’s food scene and attract a new generation of diners.

Borro Manila is located at No. 10 Scout Borromeo corner Scout Tobias Streets, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open daily from 11am to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 966 9331841.

Stay updated on its menu and offers by following Borro Manila on Facebook and Instagram.