Valentine’s Day is still a week away, but we stuck to our tradition and had our lunch date today. Why wait for the crowds, chaos, and overpriced everything when we can enjoy a quiet meal together instead?

The kids opted out (sigh of relief—no complaints here! lol), so we headed to SM Fairview for a lunch date at Yayoi.

Yayoi is a teishoku restaurant, named after the Yayoi period in Japan, which marked the introduction of rice cultivation and traditional Japanese dining customs. I first tried it last year with my sisters and niece, so I already had an idea of what to expect.

To place an order, you use the tablet conveniently positioned at the end of each table. But be careful—once you hit confirm, your order is sent straight to the kitchen, and the staff immediately starts preparing it. According to the server, cancellations aren’t allowed, so double-check before finalizing your choices!

They will serve you Japanese tea which I find very comforting

I ordered the Beef Teppanyaki (Php 625), which came with a cup of rice, a bowl of miso soup, potato salad, and a side dish of Japanese pickles. The beef was tender, the vegetables had just the right crunch, and the sauce had the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and savory. I especially loved the potato salad—creamy, smooth, and a great contrast to the teppanyaki. Even though I’m not a fan of intense onion flavors, it surprisingly complemented the meal perfectly.

Lay ordered the Mix Toji Teishoku (Php 625), a hearty set featuring pork tonkatsu, tempura, and sukiyaki beef, all simmered in egg and a flavorful sauce. The serving was generous, so we were able to share the meal—which was sweet (literally and figuratively, lol). It’s served sizzling, but luckily, it comes with a separate cooling bowl so you don’t burn your tongue. Still, handle it with care—the pan is very hot!

We also ordered the Salmon Aburi Roll (Php 525), which came as six huge pieces of sushi filled with fresh salmon and crunchy cucumbers. The salmon was lightly torched and topped with tamago, adding a rich, smoky flavor. It was incredibly fresh, with a delicate creaminess that melted in the mouth. Each roll was so big that I struggled to fit it in—but that didn’t stop me because it was absolutely delicious!

So, that was our lunch at Yayoi—and it didn’t disappoint. The service was excellent, with friendly and attentive staff who made sure everything ran smoothly. Our food arrived surprisingly fast, and while we didn’t order any beverages, they were quick to refill our water glasses. I also appreciated the complimentary hot tea, which was a nice touch.

The prices might be a bit higher than other popular Japanese spots, but given the quality, it was well worth it. Will we be back? Absolutely!

Food 👨‍🍳👨‍🍳👨‍🍳👨‍🍳👨‍🍳

Beverage 🥂🥂🥂🥂

Service 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♂️🦸‍♂️🦸‍♂️🦸‍♂️

Price 💸💸💸

After lunch, we had our usual shared Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks—because, yes, we always share. Sweet, no? 😆 We paired it with their Pistachio Chocolate Dream Bar, which I suspect is their take on the popular Dubai chocolate. We also tried a slice of cake that reminded me of the Mocha Sponge Cake from a well-known bakeshop. It wasn’t bad, but nothing special either.

Venti Caramel Machiatto P235 Baristas, please improve your foam, the caramel must float and not settle

Pistachio Chocolate Dream Bar P175 No, it’s not my phone it was my eyes lol

Dark Mocha Cake P215 I knew it! It’s made from bananas!

And that wraps up our Valentine’s date! So, what’s the plan for February 14? Work, of course! Lol. Until our next food trip—can’t wait for the next one!