I guess part of the challenge of dating a food blogger is finding restaurants that are a bit more unconventional or off-the-beathen-path, especially when it comes to romantic dining. My top-of-mind criteria are: delicious food (well, that’s a given), majestic ambiance we can fall in love with, and a certain “x-factor” that will make it a place we will remember even in our dreams. Oh yes. π
During special occasions, my boyfriend loves bringing me to “secret restaurants” where the pleasure is as much in the finding as in the eating. He also makes sure that it’s somewhere I haven’t visited yet, so it can be a new discovery. This time, we celebrated ourΒ sixth-year anniversary in Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant. This “hidden gem” in New Manila, Quezon City has impressively satisfied all my requirements! π
Review of Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant (New Manila, Quezon City)
Ambiance: β β β β β
Horseshoe Village in New Manila is largely a residential compound, so it was easy to assume that Lemuria is one of those restaurants converted from a house. Apparently, we were right. Lemuria used to be part of the ownerβs home. A beautiful open garden surrounding the house reeks romance. Potted plants make the whole place feel like something out of a high-class outdoor home decor and styling magazine. The hanging flowers snaking around plants suspended overhead complete a picture-perfect setting.
At sundown, the lights are turned on, making it feel like more than just a garden. By special request to management, guests can also have lunch or dinner be arranged in this “scenic garden of paradise.”
As we entered the dining room, we were greeted by a lovely atmosphere framed with soft lighting and European-inspired interior design. Small details go a long way here. Brick paneled walls, white tablecloths, wooden tables and chairs, wooden floor, plates on walls, leaf-patterned curtains, and a full-length mirror add up in creating a contemporary ambiance.
I thought Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant is an exquisite location for those looking for an elegant dining spot that’s conducive to a quiet, intimate time when dating someone special, celebrating anniversaries, closing business deals, or proposing a marriage. At the back, they have a collection of wines that complement the menu, entice the senses, and suit every personality and occasion.
Service: β β β β β
I salute the service, which was charming and serious. We received flawless VIP treatment from the time we entered the gates to the time we left. The down-to-earth staffs were attentive, polite, and non-intrusive, making us feel like in a relaxed vacation house miles away from the Metro Manila bustle.
Food: β β β β β
Lemuria’s fine-dining menu is concise with limited options, but every item seemed like a signature dish packed full of flavor. We ordered a soup entrΓ©e, two mains, and a cake for dessert.
A complimentary bread basket with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and butter was brought to our table as appetizers. Breads were fresh, light, and tasty, and the olive oil with balsamic vinegar had a nice fruity kick.
For our soup course, the Mushroom and Gruyere (PhP 395) isnβt exactly something we seek out on menus, but while color was one-dimensional, this one happened to be quite goodβthick and creamy. The gratinated swiss cheese on top tasted pretty sharp and pronounced, so much better than cheddar cheese.
For our seafood main, we chose the Shrimp Tortellini (PhP 625) made with home-made shrimp tortellini in crab fat sauce topped with sautΓ©ed chanterelles (a.k.a. queen of mushrooms). Presentation was super fancy and the golden-priced, golden-looking, and golden-tasting chanterelles with crab fat sauce worked wonders. Texture of the pasta was not exactly like that of a traditional pasta. I was actually expecting spaghetti-like strands of pasta, obviously as I had zero familiarity with how tortellini looked like. Haha.
A mainstay of fancy dinner parties, the Beef Bourguignon (PhP 830) was nothing short of amazing. Served with mashed potatoes on the side (sorry, not on picture), these US short ribs were braised to the core in red wine for eight hours with shallots, carrots, and lardoons (pork fat). Immersed in savory sauce, the fork-tender meat melted in my mouth like butter. Although portion was small, it was filling and definitely a luxurious treat. Yum!
Nothing beats a slice of decadent chocolate cake. Formed with alternating layers of white chocolate and dark chocolate, the Opera Cake (PhP 320) had an interesting blend of sweetness. It was moist, rich, and a little bit addictive. It’s pure indulgence!
Price for Value: β β β ββ
Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant is not the most accessible place, but getting here is worth it if you’re looking forward to a dreamy dinner. The prices arenβt cheap, with an average rate per person hovering around the PhP 1000 mark. Food was well prepared and the amount of work spent to make the dishes was undeniable, but it’s truly the ambiance and service that made the experience remarkable. π I thank my “very very sweet loving boyfriend of the century,” Louie, for making this happen. β₯
Operating Hours: 6pm to 11pm
Note: To secure a table, reservation is a must. Dress code is smart casual.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
First, you guys look sweet! Happy Anniversary to both of you. You sure found a perfect place to celebrate your anniversary. It’s nice to know that your boyfriend knows exactly where to take you, Lemuria looks very romantic.
Aww thanks, Marge! π He knows me so well, haha! This place has done a great job in capturing our hearts and making a memorable celebration on our anniversary. Hey, see you soon!
wohooooo!!! Happy anniv…. sooo like when ang kasal??? Icccckkkkkkyyyyyyyyy!!!! Lemuria is an awesome date place. Serene and quiet. A little expensive but worth it for any special date! Also…..>>>> Welcome to the gang dear !!!!!! Cheers to more food and drinks!!!
Thanks, Jeng! π Sikreto. *evil laughter* Joke lang. Time will come for that and I will proudly announce it to everyone. I’m expecting ikaw naman mauuna eh. Hihi. Yeeees! Cheers to more years of food and fun with the KTG. π
Saludo ako sa idea ng bf mo. Isa siyang romantic person. Bringing you to this place is something. Ang ganda ng aura ng place and the foods, so sure masarap din. Nice review and ang sweet nyo sa photos.
Thanks, Papa Leng. Matutuwa siya for sure when he reads your comment. Yes, I admit that he’s romantic and I didn’t expect that when I first knew him. Lemuria is a place where you can also bring your wife for a date night. π You will have a good time guaranteed!
a nice change to the usual dining experience in the area..will try this soon. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! π After your meal, you will be proud of yourself for venturing our of your comfort zone and trying something new.
I bookmarked this post as I’m planning to feel this romantic place and taste the food. Happy Anniversary!
High five on that one. Thanks, Robert. π
A romantic dining experience at an Italian-like environment restaurant. Very wonderful day for both of you. Great!
Yes, it was a nice date. The decor may be a wee bit cheesy, but I kinda like that. Lemuria is really a place you’d love to give attention to. Thanks, Fernando. π
You two look alike. My guy was no food blogger but he always wants to explore new resto as well. This place might be a little over the budget but the service and dishes speaks for the price already. Would love to try here. Happy anniversary!
Haha you’re not the first person who said that we look alike. Some people even mistake us as brothers and sisters. π Thanks, Theresa. You may want to also try it sometime and surprise your guy.
Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful restaurant! Thanks for writing about it – I put it on my list of restaurants to explore within the year π
The Shrimp Tortellini looks amazing!
Lemuria is a lovely place, however I wouldn’t really say it’s worth it to go here any other time, though. It’s about twice as expensive and you get less food. Reserve it for some day special. π Thanks!
Aww.. That’s so sweet of you boyfriend! Cheers to more years of love and happiness, you two! π Belated Happy Anniversary! <3
On a different note, I've always wanted to try dining at Lemuria, and your post made me want to go asap! Although the food (especially portion sizes) didn't seem to impress you that much, I'd gladly come here just for the ambiance. Lol! π
Thanks, Sumi! Long time no see! π Yup, I bet ambiance is the no. 1 reason why you’ll fall in love with Lemuria. Call for reservation first. Their gates open strictly at 6PM. The place was a lot bigger than I had imagined. It’s good to come in early so you can take as many pictures as you want before sundown.
Congratulations on your anniversary π My husband and I love to find romantic, new restaurants when we celebrate our anniversaries, as well. Your meal looks delicious- I would love to try each item you ordered, especially the shrimp tortellini!
Thanks, Briton! π This restaurant has a very romantic feel and it stole my heart. The food, while with small serving, had a taste of happiness.
wow so fancyyy.. pero that opera cake, me wants
Haha, you’ll love it for sure! π
So sweet gesture of your boyfriend, very thoughtful like my husband. Good place and good food equals satisfied sweethearts.
His thoughtfulness and sweetness make a lot of difference. I’m so happy to be with him. π
Happy Anniversary to you both. I love the look of the garden area. All the plants and hanging flowers make it look magical. And the food looks simply divine and so wonderfully plated.
Thank you, Rachel. π I think this is one of the best restaurants around Quezon City we’ve ever tried. It’s like a masterpiece tucked away inside a quiet compound.
Happy Anniversary! This restaurant looks amazing both for the ambiance as well as the food! It does look like a place that you would remember forever and enjoy talking about in the future!
Thanks, Audrey. π Blogging helps me remember events and details.
Thank you for your review and sharing your experience dining at Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant. From the ambiance of the place it looks like a very traditional and vintage setting. It’s always good to know new eateries that are perfect for date nights. π
You’re welcome, Cara. Your partner might just bring you here one time! π Yes, this place is really perfect for a date night. If I just had all the money in the world, I’d want to have this place as my own (oh, especially the garden part). π
Ang cute nyo! π Happy anniversary to you guys. And I have to agree, reviewing a bunch of food places makes it difficult to look for restaurants for your personal dates. Hehe! π
Haha, thanks, Jhanz! Galing ni Louie, mahilig siya magresearch. Hirap tuloy makatulog. :p
I love the wonderful outdoor type setting of this restaurant. It is hard to find a restaurant with this type of setting. The food looks amazing as well and it sounds like an amazing place to grab a meal.
Right. Probably in the province, there are more garden-type restaurants since they have larger areas where they can build and design great landscapes. But here in the city, it’s not often when we find this kind of “majestic” ambiance. π
Great boyfriend who would go the extra mile just to please you, sweet ambience, dining in one of a kind restaurant with out of this world food, well, you’re one lucky lady.
Thanks, Mitch. I feel I really am. π
Happy anniversary – I can relate to the challenge of dating a food blogger, I drag my wife to all sorts of different places and half the time the food is cold by the time I am done taking photos π The Mushroom and Gruyere may not be the most photogenic subject, it sounds delicious. The Beef Bourguignon looks fantastic too!
Haha in our case, I’m the one always taking photos but my boyfriend is already used to it. I appreciate that he patiently waits until I confirm that I get the right shots enough. I think I might need to invest in a camera for better quality night photos. Thanks, James!
Wow congrats to the both of you. So happy to see lovely couple dining together in a romantic place such as this. Very romantic indeed, it has a world-class interior design with a clean and modern style. And the food looks first class too!
Yes, everything here seemed to be first-class. It’s definitely a high-recommended place for you to visit. Thanks, Pal Raine. π
Wow! You’re not kidding about the small portion, it looks like a tasting menu. The bread with balsamico and olive oil sound delicious and I wouldn’t mind a slice of the Opera Cake, it looks heavenly. And that terrace looks dreamy!
We didn’t get a hearty amount of what we ordered but I think that’s quite typical in fancy, fine-dining restaurants. We left pretty content anyway. π
Happy anniversary! My husband and i dated for 6 years before we got married (we started seeing each other when we were 17 hahaha) :D. What a wonderful beautiful place! Totally perfect for such a special occasion!
Wow, that’s quite a long time! But I think we will date far more than six years, haha. Thanks, Mindy! π One day when you finally visit, just sit back and enjoy the cuisine at one of the city’s most underrated gems.
Oh my goodness! What a gorgeous restaurant location! That courtyard is stunning. I would just love to go there one day. Discovering places like this is one of my favorite things, too. π
If you’re into wine, don’t miss the chance to try one. Bon appetit!
Lemuria Gourmet Restaurant seems like a near-perfect romantic place for couples.
Yeah, even without trying the food, the ambiance outside alone was worth five stars.
wow what an ambiance.. this is indeed a very romantic and a very relaxing place! Thanks for sharing ^_^
Oh and by the way belated Happy anniversary for both you… such a cute and sweet couple ^_^
Thanks, Milton. π It’s a great special occasion restaurant. I think Lemuria will also be an ideal venue to host weddings. The open garden area looks excellent.
Happy Anniversary to the both of you. This is such a romantic place to spend your anniversary. Your BF is lucky to have someone like you.
Aw, thanks, Franc! You can also have a wonderful, charming, and delicious experience here. π Leave room for dessert!
You guys are looking really wonderful here…congratz for your anniversary.The restaurant looks very nice,a restaurant in the complete lap of nature.
Thanks, Debarpan. I enjoyed every moment of it. π It was a wonderful experience that exceeded my expectations.
If there are restaurants that are of the same ambiance as Lemuria, I wouldn’t think twice of bringing a girl in that place and give her the best day of her life. π
The place itself is like a dream place for the couple and foodie. Romantic indeed! π
Haha that’s a good idea. π Lemuria a lovely jewel of a restaurant. We were lucky that it didn’t rain cats and dogs when we were there though it did rain at night when we were leaving.
I think P1000 per person would be worth it for an ambiance and food preparation like this.
Right. π I think most people would not mind paying for that range when there’s really something special to celebrate.
This place is indeed the right place to go to for a special dinner with loved ones. Your boyfriend sure did the right thing in bringing you here.
Yes, he had a big smile plastered on his face since he knew he did a great job in making me happy. π Fun memories were made, indeed.
wow ! beautiful place….i wanna eat al fresco if this is the look of the restaurant. just at night time maybe,baka mainit during daytime π
It’s open from 6PM onwards pa naman so the sun will be out soon as you arrive. π
First! happy anniversary! you two look so happy together. The shrimp tortellini looks deliciously scrumptious and the beef bourguigon is delish too even though beef is not always my thing. Thank you for the thorough review so now we all know which places to try during our own visits.
Thanks, Shonda. π This place is not too “secret” anymore. π
What a sweet place to go for an anniversary. It looks like an absolutely perfect dinner or dessert place. I would love to have lunch out there on that garden. It is truly picturesque. That dessert is awesome!
Lemuria’s romantic setting is good for dates and it’s easy to imagine that you’re dining in some exotic faraway land instead of in the middle of Metro Manila! π
The place was good, the food looks delicious. Instagram worthy π I want to visit this place some day.
Yup, it’s also a great venue for wedding reception in the Philippines. π
This is my first time to see this restaurant but what I’m amazed here is the scenery. Cool ambiance and the place is great for prenup set up / photos π
I have just seen one of my friends take their prenuptial shots here. π
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