Page 9 - Condo Living

DINE - IN
FANCY EVENING
Impress your dinner date this Valentine’s
Written by Janina H. Bautista
Styled by IDr. Uzel Alconera
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. With restaurants and lounges fully
booked, why not bring your date inside the comforts of your unit instead? Not only can you
and your partner shy away from the noise of busy restaurants, but you can also seize the
romantic solitude together. Set your heart on impressing your lovely Valentine for when the
S.O comes over with these easy dinner table setup tricks.
1. Nothing sets a romantic
mood better than candles.
While we do love scented
candles, only light them in
the living room and before the
meal. Always use unscented
candles on the dinner table
Photographed by Vincent Coscolluela
because the scented ones can
distract your senses from the
taste of the dishes served.
2. Turn your dining area into
a fancy, upscale restaurant by
using glossy charger plates over
a boring placemat. Chargers
make a good decorative
statement base!
Items used: Mervyn Gers soup bowl (P525), 3. Whether you’re ordering take
Essential Bar glassware (P295), Tulip Essential out or cooking with love, bring
glassware (P295), Rustic Pure Vase in Night out the finest plates to serve
Shade (P995), Gold Charger plate (P1250), your meal on. Layer handmade
Marble Bird On Stand (P1722), Alta Crackle ceramic plates and napkins
Dinner plate (P595), Pinecone salt and pepper that come from the same color
shakers (P1418), Flameless candle (P1317) group. Matte cutlery in black or
gold are a must in any kitchen
drawer today so head down to
your local home store to get
your own set.
4. The key to having a perfect
dinner date is to enjoy it
over a good bottle of wine,
served in your finest wine
glass. Remember these wine
pairings:
ï Whites pair perfectly with
fish and cheeses
ï Rosé pairs with beef, lamb,
and fruity desserts.
ï Reds pair best with curated
meats, chicken, and steak
ï Bottles of bubbly pair best
with sushi, fish, and chicken
5. Of course, dinner dates
won’t be perfect without
hearty laughs. Prepare some
good jokes or mind-boggling
trivia for you and your partner
to talk over the entire night.
Avoid dead air and boring
conversations, and we bet your
partner will fall head over
heels even more!
Shot in West Elm, Estancia Mall,
Capitol Commons, Meralco
Avenue, Pasig City
Stalk them: @westelmph
C O N D O LI V I N G 7