There is something about dining high above the city that can make an evening feel a little more special. At Finestra at Solaire Resort Quezon City, dinner comes with a view from Level 38, large windows looking out over Quezon City, and a dining room that feels warm and comfortable once you settle into your seat. It is the kind of place where you can imagine spending a few hours over dinner, talking across the table while the city carries on below.
Our visit happened to fall on a rainy night, and somehow, that made the evening feel even more intimate. Drops of rain gathered on the windows and shimmered as they caught the glow of the city lights below. From inside the restaurant, the rain-covered glass softened the view into a sea of reflections, while the warm lighting and comfortable interiors made us feel tucked away from everything happening outside. There was something calming about being up on the 38th floor while the rain continued below, and it made us want to slow down and simply enjoy the evening.
That setting is a big part of why we see Finestra as a place for dinner with someone special. Whether it is a date, anniversary, birthday, or simply an evening when you want to spend quality time together, the restaurant gives you the kind of surroundings where you do not feel the need to rush through a meal. The view gives you something to look at between conversations, while the food gives you plenty of reasons to stay at the table.
For dinner, we tried Finestra’s Italian Journey Menu: Puglia, a five-course menu inspired by the southern Italian region. Priced at ₱3,500++ per person and served with a complimentary glass of Prosecco, the menu took us through Black Mussel Soup, Chargrilled Octopus, Cavatelli, our choice of Gold Label Wagyu Tagliata, and Zeppole with pistachio gelato. By the end of the evening, we were completely full, but more importantly, we left feeling that the dinner had been worth taking our time over.
Finestra: Italian Dining Above Quezon City
Finestra is located at Level 38 of Solaire Resort Quezon City, and the restaurant’s height is one of the first things you notice. Large windows open the dining room toward the city, giving tables a view of Quezon City while the warm interior keeps the focus on the people and food around you. Plush seating and soft lighting give the room a comfortable feel, so although the restaurant has the polish you would expect from a hotel dining destination, it never felt stiff or uncomfortable during our visit.
The view changes as the evening progresses. When we arrived, the city outside was already beginning to glow, but the rain soon became part of the scene. Tiny drops covered the glass, catching and reflecting the lights below. Instead of making the view disappear, the rain gave it a softer feel, almost turning the skyline into a collection of blurred lights outside the window.
From our table, there was a nice sense of separation from the city below. You could still see the movement and lights of Quezon City, but being several floors above it made the restaurant feel removed from the noise and pace outside. It created the kind of environment where you can sit across from someone and have a proper conversation without feeling like you need to move on to the next thing.
That is where Finestra works particularly well for an intimate dinner. The restaurant does not need to rely on overly dramatic décor or a loud atmosphere to make an impression. The height, the view, the lighting, and the pace of the meal do much of the work. Add someone special across the table, and it becomes easy to see why this would be a place we would choose for an anniversary, birthday, romantic dinner, or a night when we simply want to make an ordinary evening feel a little different.
The food is, of course, just as important. Finestra focuses on Italian cuisine and uses imported Italian ingredients, with regional dishes forming part of its menu. Head Chef Joel Manchia leads the kitchen, while the Italian Journey Menu allows the restaurant to explore different regions of Italy through changing selections.
Italian Journey Menu: Discovering Puglia
Our dinner was part of Finestra’s Italian Journey Menu, a series that explores different regions of Italy through a changing selection of dishes. For September and October, the restaurant is featuring Puglia, in southern Italy, with a five-course menu built around regional ingredients and traditional flavors. The menu is available for both lunch and dinner.
We liked the idea of experiencing a region through several courses because it gave the dinner a natural progression. Rather than choosing a few dishes and finishing quickly, each course gave us another reason to sit back and spend more time at the table. It also made the meal feel like something we could talk about as we went along, comparing each course and deciding which ones stood out to us.
Finestra previously featured Sardegna and Toscana as part of the series, which will continue until further notice. For us, that makes the concept interesting beyond a single visit because there is a reason to come back and see what region takes its turn next.
For our dinner, Puglia brought together seafood, pasta, meat, and dessert in a five-course progression. Some dishes were immediately memorable, while others worked more quietly as part of the meal. Together, they made for a dinner that felt substantial without requiring us to rush from one course to the next.
Black Mussel Soup
Black mussel soup, Tarantina style, tomato scent, sourdough.
The meal began with the Black Mussel Soup, and this was easily one of our favorite dishes of the night. The broth was rich and deeply savory, with an incredible flavor from the tomato-infused base that made every spoonful comforting and satisfying. There was something about the combination of the mussels and the rich tomato broth that made the dish feel familiar and reassuring, especially as the rain continued outside.
The sourdough was a good addition, giving us something to enjoy alongside the soup and making the opening course feel even more satisfying. It was one of those dishes where we found ourselves wanting just a little more after finishing it. If we were to return and the Black Mussel Soup was still on the menu, this would be one of the first dishes we would look forward to having again.
Chargrilled Octopus
Chargrilled octopus, potato, parsley.
The Chargrilled Octopus followed with a completely different character. The octopus was tender, with just the right amount of smoky char from the grill, giving it enough flavor without overpowering the dish. The potato and parsley kept things simple and allowed the octopus to remain the focus.
After the richness of the soup, we liked having something with a bit more char and a lighter feel. It was cooked just right and gave the meal a nice change of pace before the pasta arrived.
Cavatelli
Cavatelli, marinated tuna, zucchini pesto, toasted almond.
The Cavatelli was wonderfully comforting and quickly became another dish we enjoyed. The marinated tuna brought a savory depth, while the zucchini pesto gave the pasta a lighter, fresher quality. The toasted almond added a subtle nuttiness and a little texture, which made the dish more interesting with every bite.
What we liked most was that the pasta never felt too heavy. After the soup and octopus, it gave us something warm and satisfying while still leaving enough room for the main course. It was a comforting dish that fit naturally into the progression of the Puglia menu.
Gold Label Wagyu Tagliata
Gold Label Wagyu tagliata, pecorino and herbs, garlic potato.
For the main course, you can choose between the Gold Label Wagyu Tagliata, pecorino and herbs, garlic potato, or the Grilled Sea Bream, “acquapazza” fish stock, seasonal greens. We opted for the Gold Label Wagyu Tagliata, and it turned out to be an excellent choice.
The beef was seared to perfection and unbelievably tender. The pecorino and herbs added another layer of flavor without taking away from the meat, while the garlic potatoes made the dish feel rich and satisfying. After several courses, this was the kind of main course that made it clear we were in for a substantial dinner.
It was also one of the dishes that felt right for the occasion. There is something satisfying about having a beautifully cooked piece of Wagyu arrive at the table while you are sitting high above the city with someone special. It made the dinner feel like a proper night out rather than simply another meal.
Tropicale (mocktail)
Peach puree, banana syrup, fresh lemon juice.
Alongside the five-course menu, we also had the Tropicale, made with peach puree, banana syrup, and fresh lemon juice. We really enjoyed how refreshing it was, especially alongside the richer dishes from the dinner.
The fruit flavors gave us something lighter to sip throughout the meal and worked well as a contrast to the savory courses. It was an easy drink to enjoy while taking our time with dinner.
Zeppole
Zeppole, custard, Amarena cherries, pistachio gelato.
By the time dessert arrived, we were already completely full after the five-course meal. The Zeppole with custard, Amarena cherries, and pistachio gelato was therefore more of a gentle finish to the evening for us rather than another major highlight.
The pistachio gelato, however, was divine. We really loved it and could have easily had more of it even after everything we had already eaten. The homemade chocolates that followed were a nice final touch, giving us something small and sweet to finish the dinner before we called it a night.
Is Finestra Worth It for a Special Date?
At ₱3,500++ per person, the Puglia five-course menu is firmly in the premium dining category. It is not the kind of dinner you book simply because you need somewhere to eat, but that is also not how we would approach Finestra.
For us, the question is whether the entire evening feels worth the price, and that comes down to more than the food. You are getting five courses, a complimentary glass of Prosecco, a restaurant on the 38th floor, and a setting that gives you time and space to enjoy the person you are with. When you are celebrating an anniversary, planning a date, marking a birthday, or simply want to take someone somewhere nice, those things matter.
The food gives you plenty to look forward to. We loved the Black Mussel Soup, enjoyed the smoky char of the octopus, found the Cavatelli wonderfully comforting, and thought the Gold Label Wagyu Tagliata was an excellent main course. The Tropicale was refreshing, while the pistachio gelato gave dessert its own little highlight.
But what really stayed with us was the feeling of the evening. The rain outside, the reflections on the windows, the warm dining room, and the time between courses made it easy to slow down. There was no sense that we needed to finish quickly and leave. We could simply sit, talk, eat, and watch the city below.
That is why we think Finestra works so well for an intimate dinner with someone special. It gives you a reason to dress up a little, make a reservation, and actually spend an evening together. The food is an important part of it, but so is everything that happens around the food.
More Than Just Dinner
There are restaurants you visit because you are hungry, and there are restaurants you choose because you want the evening itself to feel different. For us, Finestra falls into the second category.
The 38th-floor location changes the pace of dinner. You are not looking at the usual street-level scene outside the window. Instead, the city stretches out below, and as the evening gets darker, the lights become more noticeable. On a clear night, the view would already be a reason to look out the windows. On our rainy night, the reflections on the glass gave it a completely different look.
The Italian Journey Menu also gives the dinner a sense of occasion without making the meal feel overly formal. Five courses naturally give you more time at the table, and because the menu changes its regional focus, there is something to look forward to when you return. We liked knowing that Puglia was only one part of a larger series that has already featured Sardegna and Toscana.
Most of all, Finestra gave us something we value when dining out: time. Time to enjoy the food, time to talk, time to take in the view, and time to simply be present with the person across the table.
After our dinner, Finestra became one of our favorite hotel restaurants to date. We can see ourselves coming back for another Italian Journey Menu, especially when there is a new region to discover, but we would also return simply for the setting and the chance to have another long dinner somewhere above the city.
Finestra at Solaire Resort Quezon City: Location, Hours, and Dress Code
Finestra is located on Level 38 of Solaire Resort Quezon City, at 1 Solaire Way, Vertis North, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City, Metro Manila. The restaurant serves Italian cuisine and is open daily for lunch and dinner. Lunch is served from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, while dinner runs from 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM. The dress code is Smart Casual.
For clarity, this feature covers Finestra at Solaire Resort Quezon City, also known as Solaire Resort North, rather than the Finestra at Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Pasay. This is worth noting when searching for the restaurant online because the two Finestra locations are in different Solaire properties.
If you are planning a romantic dinner, anniversary, birthday, or another special occasion, it is worth checking the current menu and availability before visiting. The Italian Journey Menu changes by region, so guests interested in a specific menu should confirm what is currently being served when making plans.
Our Verdict
ICONIC MNL APPROVED
What we liked most about Finestra at Solaire Resort Quezon City was how well it suited the kind of evening we wanted to have. The Puglia menu gave us plenty to enjoy across five courses, but the restaurant itself gave us the time and surroundings to actually enjoy being there.
The Black Mussel Soup was one of our biggest favorites, with its rich, savory tomato-infused broth, while the Gold Label Wagyu Tagliata stood out for its tenderness and execution. The Chargrilled Octopus had just the right amount of smoky char, and the Cavatelli was comforting with its zucchini pesto and toasted almond. The Tropicale was refreshing, while the pistachio gelato was easily our favorite part of dessert.
At ₱3,500++ per person, this is not an everyday dinner. But for an evening with someone special, we think the price makes more sense when you look at everything that comes with it: five courses, a complimentary glass of Prosecco, a comfortable dining room, and a view from the 38th floor.
Our rainy-night visit made the whole thing feel even more intimate. Sitting inside while drops of rain gathered on the windows and the city lights reflected across the glass, we found ourselves slowing down and enjoying the dinner without worrying about the time.
We left completely full, genuinely satisfied, and already looking forward to returning. Finestra has become one of our favorite hotel restaurants to date, and it is somewhere we would happily recommend to anyone looking for a place to take someone special.
Whether it is a first date, anniversary, birthday, celebration, or simply a night when you want to spend a few uninterrupted hours with someone you care about, Finestra at Solaire Resort Quezon City is the kind of restaurant where the dinner can become part of the memory.
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