Romantic dinner still a favorite
Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
With only one more day to go until Valentine's Day, it is difficult to escape all the romance, with hotels and cafes visions of red and pink, all offering special menus for couples wishing to spend an unforgettable evening together.
Shangri-La Hotel communications manager Ratna Sjamsiar Idris said on Thursday the hotel was offering special Valentine's Day menus at Margaux restaurant, the Lobby Lounge and the Shang Palace restaurant.
"As of today, they're all fully booked," she said, adding that the number of diners this year was expected to increase from last year.
"I can't tell you the exact percentage of the increase because the data is not ready yet," she told The Jakarta Post.
Depending on where you dine at the hotel, the special set menus will vary in price from Rp 275,000 (US$32.73) plus tax per person to Rp 438,000 plus tax per person. All of the set menus include appetizer, main course and dessert.
For the first time this year, the Shangri-La Hotel, located on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta, will also offer a floral arrangement service ranging in price from Rp 250,000 to Rp 700,000.
The Empire Grille in the Menara Imperium on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta, has been fully booked for Valentine's Day for the last week, with 40 people still on the waiting list. The set menu at the restaurant will cost Rp 350,000 plus tax per person.
Empire Grille marketing and communications manager Brigitta Lisa said walk-ins were welcome, but warned that "you will have to have the patience to wait".
At the Borobudur Hotel in Central Jakarta, there are still tables available for Valentine's Day dinner.
Borobudur Hotel director of communications Grace Alviar said she could not give an exact figure, but said that "we are heading toward (being fully booked)".
The hotel is offering special set menus ranging in price from Rp 180,000 plus tax per person to Rp 488,000 plus tax per couple. The menus includes appetizer, main course, dessert, cocktail and special gifts for the women.
Alviar declined to give details on the gifts, only saying "it's a surprise".