The Hottest Place

One of the favorite quotes of the late President John F. Kennedy, as inspired by the infamous Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) - was :

"The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality".

Taking that lead,
And in the context of what is currently happening in the country,
I propose that -
Those who sit on the fence and take no position about the ongoing national dynamic are destined to spend eternity with the "evil" ,
Living through a Hell that is of one's own making,
For "evil triumphs when good men do nothing"

These are times for meditation
Contemplation
Consideration
Deliberation
Reflection
Decision

On whatever side of the fence one may find himself,
What is important is that we realize that we cannot be mere spectators in the drama that is our own destiny
Opinions must be taken and defended
Positions must be established and reinforced
That is the essence of a working democracy
That we can agree to disagree
And in the end -the power of one cumulatively becomes the power of all, as the truth unveils itself

Much to think about ...
A good meal, a glass of wine and a warm cup of coffee in one of the Metro's "hottest" places might help


In the midst of the sprawling modernization of the Greenbelt 5 area of Makati - the developers have thoughtfully left an area where they have preserved generations old high top trees, and lush verdant foliage
Sort of an anti-thesis to the scourge of steel and concrete that surrounds it

There lies Zuni Restaurant and Wine Bar
A relaxed and casually elegant fine dining venue
Fronting the gardens surrounding the Greenbelt Park chapel.

Barely 2 months in operation, Zuni is fast becoming a word-of-mouth favorite
And why not?
Mediterranean continental cuisine
Friendly and attentive service
A fine wine list
And a vibrant setting that allows one to just "chill" ...





























The menu is extensive - including tapas, salads, appetizers, soup, seafood, fowl, prime meats - all appearing to be a delight and a challenge to the palate

As is my habit, I started by benchmarking their Beef Carpaccio @345pesos
My first smile of the evening broke through ...
Then we proceeded with:
- Spaghetti with Steak and Vegetables
in olive-oil garlic sauce @350pesos
- Grilled Tiger Prawns and Scallops in cognac
in cognac-martini sauce served with brown rice risotto and asparagus @775pesos
- Grilled Steak in Adobo Jus
US top sirloin in roasted garlic-soy sauce on a bed of aubergine salad served with steamed rice @ 550pesos
- Roasted Beef Tenderloin Rossini
New Zealand beef tenderloin topped with foie gras, in truffle jus @945pesos

This was a dinner that was worth the moderately pricey tag
Flavorful
Satisfying
Relaxing

It was a wonderful evening among friends of different persuasions
Democracy at work over a sumptuous dinner
There was much of our national direction to ponder on
There was politics to discuss
There was truth to determine
There were sides to take

My gaze focused on the trees
My soul lifted by the spiritual strains coming from the chapel just a prayer away
A cool February breeze in the air
A glass of wine in my hand
And a slice of Chocolate Decadence cake beckoning ...

Let us see what tomorrow brings.





































































































Zuni Restaurant and Wine Bar
Greenbelt 5
Legaspi Village, Makati
Tel: (63-2) 4673931 (63-2) 7570361