alike.com.ph—Love is in the air! And while some of us don’t seem to give a damn just because we don’t have a date on the 14th, Valentine’s Day could be a perfect excuse for a night out with the amigas.

Moreso, if there are two things us ladies get so excited about, it’s always fashion and food. So why not celebrate the day of hearts with something that you love?

“Where fashion meets food and taste matters” is where Nic’s comes to front. The restaurant and pastry shop is strategically located at Park Terraces (across Glorietta 2) in Makati, with a New York chic vibe that welcomes the inner tita in you.

“It was my mom who put up the brand from her love of cooking and fashion,” Nicole Thorp of Nic’s said. Her mother was from the fashion industry and they were also running a commissary business, supplying wholesale catering to different restaurants.

“She later on decided to open a restaurant because as a foodie family who sometimes dines outside, we find ourselves saying, ‘Hmmm, we can do this better,’” Nicole said.

Nicole added that whenever her mom travels to another country and eats there, her mom would always study the menu and bring the dishes that she fancies back to the restaurant. Her mom came up with her own versions and maintained it all at an affordable price.

“Our price range is suitable for everyone. It’s very reasonable and the location is so convenient,” Nicole shared

While you may have already known Nic’s from UP Town in Quezon City, Nic’s in Makati was made to be a bit more glamorous, accented with custom-made pieces of furniture and handpicked decors. Stepping inside Nic’s is like being transported to a posh Western or European cafe, with black, white, and red-striped classy interiors designed by Atelier Almario and Nicole herself.

Nicole said she even made sure to place sockets underneath each table to make it more convenient for customers who want to stay longer.

“We wanted to start investing on the brand’s DNA that we can replicate just in case we want to branch out,” Nicole said.

Another thing to be excited about Nic’s Makati is that it’s the only branch that serves cocktails all-day long. Cocktails range from P175 to P295 which are affordable even if it’s not happy hour.

Sipping on Nic’s frozen fruity cocktails such as Piña Colada and Strawberry Margarita ease our thirst for summer, while its Espresso Martini gives us a strong kick of caffeine and vodka.

Pair up a classic lemon gin or a refreshing mojito with Nic’s charcuterie platter—a gastronomic assortment of jamon serrano, chistorra sausage, blue and brie cheese, honey, and slices of baguette—for starters. It’s perfect for sharing at its price of P345.

But what we could not stop munching on are the bar chows, especially Nic’s signature Parmesan Wheat Crisps and Parmesan Sticks with Smoked Milkfish and Parmesan Pimiento Melt on the side. Their honey and nutty Baked Brie was also unforgettable, and surely a dish you can’t find elsewhere. Also a must-try is their crunchy-on-the-outside but chewy-on-the-inside Mozzarella Sticks with tomato dipping sauce that goes well with a glass of Sangria.

For first-timer groups, Nicole recommends their traditional Cheese Pizza, Shrimp Pesto Pizza topped with their signature pesto sauce, and their sweet and savory Blue Cheese Pizza.

One can also try Nic’s wide selection of coffee with 14 available variants to choose from, and we’re sure the coffee connoisseurs will rejoice at their wide selection of beans. If you have a sweet tooth, try their Cake Shake. You can choose between Red Velvet or Dark Molten Lava Cake to be mixed in rich and guilt-ridden milkshake, so you can have your cake and eat it, too.

For Valentine’s Day, Nic’s will be offering the perfect package for a Girls Night Out—a food and drink deal for a Party of 4 only costs P999. It is inclusive of a fresh Caesar Salad, two bowls of Seafood Medley, a whole cheese pizza, and two choices of dessert that could be their mini-heart cakes, cookies, or truffles.

“They could drop by here first to have dinner or as a ‘pre-game’ before they head out to drink somewhere in Poblacion or BGC,” Nicole suggested.

Besides the Party of 4 deal, they also have a Table for 2 package at P399 that comes with a whole Cheese Pizza, two bowls of Aglio Olio, and your choice of dessert.

You can also go solo on V-day with their P245-deal that comes with a large Chunky Chicken Sandwich, Tomato Soup, and a glass of iced tea.

Nic’s also lets you take home their definitions of love. Called “Love in a Jar,” soft and chewy cookies that are available in two flavors: oatmel chocolate chip and double chocolate chip. Each Love in a Jar is sold for only P245, while some cute Mini-Heart Cakes for your loved ones are priced at P280 for two—so you get to eat one and then gift one.

Because Nic’s is all about “savories, pastries, and gifts,” Nicole said it’s exactly the right place to be in this Valentine’s Day—or even on any day for that matter.

“People would think it’s just a pastry shop from the outside, but we’re more than that. We want to get that word out and that what we serve are affordable, without compromising the taste and style,” she said.

Now the next thing you have to do is to call your girl friends!

Photos by Jerro Santos

For reservations, you may message Nic’s via e-mail at contactus@nics.com.ph, or through their Facebook or Instagram.

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