Thursday, August 28, 2008

Self Help

The bookstore was nice and cool ...
It was a refreshing sanctuary from the searing humidity outside
In this massive multi-storey literary playground, I would decompress after a hard day at the office.

I started browsing the thousands of books that were there
Wifey started looking around too ...
I could sense her looking for something
Then, with a puzzled look on her face, she turned to me and asked - "do you know where the SELF-HELP books are?"
With a polite smile, I looked her in the eyes and said - "Yes I do ... but, if i told you it would defeat the purpose ..."

The next thing I knew there was a hardbound copy of the "Kite Runner" soaring towards my head
Poison darts were flying from her blood-shot eyes
Fire was shooting out of her nostrils
And steam was rising from the tips of her searing red hot horns ...

Damage control ...
It was time to soothe the savage "beast"
I put my arms around her in a genuinely insincere way and suggested that we drive somewhere to patch things up over a glass of wine and some pasta (one of her favorite early evening "to do" things)



Artina Gallery Cafe is a nice quiet corner of art and cuisine.
Immediately attractive even from the outside, this glass encased gallery cum restaurant is rapidly becoming a destination for those who want the twin satisfaction that can be derived from good food and soulful art

It is literally like sitting in the middle of a small private gallery
A glass of Chardonnay sharpens the senses
The eyes constantly scanning the wall
Looking for stories hidden in each piece of art
Analysing the harmony of color, the depth of brush strokes and the mystery of technique

A warm greeting and a genuine smile from the servers puts us at ease
The comfort of tastefully chosen music calmed our nerves

The menu invitingly starts with:
"Our food is based on classic French cooking techniques, a foundation that allows us to create new flavors while maintaining the integrity of the old. We use the freshest and most flavorful ingredients to offer you an innovative yet traditional dining experience."

I ordered a "linguine with seafood in Spanish saffron and cream sauce" for the aggrieved dragon lady ...
With just the first bite
A smile finally broke through
She nodded her head in satisfied acclamation

More wine ...
She started to loosen up
She started to talk
Our truce had begun
The ice was thawing
My strategy was working ...

As we intimately shared a soft and juicy rum cake for dessert,
I looked into her eyes and said,
- "why don't we go home and get 'cozy' ? "
"OK" - she demures
Pushing my conjugal luck, I whispered - "I will make it up to you ..."
"Greaaaaat" she signals with a wink
And with full intention to humble myself and cook her a romantic "breakfast after" as part of the peace offering,
I expectantly ask - "And how would you like your eggs in the morning?"

"Unfertilized ! ! ! " --- she shouts as she walks away with a proud and vengeful swagger

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Women ........
I will never understand
Who would have known that "till death do us part" would take sooooooo long




Artina Gallery Cafe
Unit 106-107, Ground Floor
A. Venue Mall
Makati
(63-2) 7298983
www.artinasuiteshotel.com


22 comments:

Anonymous said...

you guys are too funny!

hey, speaking of wine - the 10-day Wiesbaden wienfest just ended 2 weekends ago. yesterday is the start of the Mainz weinfest and next thursday thru the weekend. you coming? ;)

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

rita,
Omigoshh - winefests in wiesbaden.
I can just see myself with a Riesling in hand - munching on sauages with mustard and saurkraut

Maaaaan - I miss wiesbaden
One day - I must go back

Have fun
Stay tuned

dagul

Gracie said...

Hahaha! You're so funny!

Who would have known that "till death do us part" would take sooooooo long

~ I'm sure she must've been thinking the same thing...LOL!

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

Gracie,
Yes - I am sure she was thinking the same thing. Hahahaha

Maaaaaan - it is really so long

dagul

Anonymous said...

LOL!! I'm so glad you're back!!
Heidi

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

heidi,
Thank you so much for staying tuned to the blog ...
Spread the word.

dagul

Liza on Maui said...

Impressive :)

The photos are beautiful and the story about the "unfertilized egg" cracked me up! Yeah, who would have know "till death do us part" would be sooooo long! - ha! ha! ha!

First time in your blog, I think I'd come back for more reading...

Thanks,
Liza

Liza on Maui said...

Excellent blog! I like this - will be back for more reading. I wish I can go to the places / restaurant you talked about here.... Maybe when I come visit.

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

liza's eyeview,

Thank you so much for dropping by.
I am glad you like it.
Gossssssh you made me blush ...

Please drop by again.
Spread the word ...

dagul

Unknown said...

i love it!!! you're mean... but so funny... :)

Unknown said...

you're wicked, dagul!:D

i noticed this restaurant when i went to A. Venue but didn't check out their menu. nice interior. that pasta dish looks fattening!

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

mikky,
Thanks for dropping by
Yup -I am mean ... in a very loving way

Thanks for dropping by

daguldol

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

Luna,
Wicked indeed ....
hahahahaha

Yes - the pasta was a little "heavy"
But - once in a while indulgence can be a good thing

I love your skywatch pics

dagul

Sidney said...

Well, your readership seems to grow with the day. You have a wonderful blog. But like most little gems it take some time to discover it.

As for me, I am glad I discovered your blog long ago.
Each blog post makes me laugh aloud and makes me hungry and thirsty! ;-)

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

Sidney,
Thank you so much for being there for me. You among others have been my blogging inspirations ...

I have taken much of your advise to heart - particularly that which has to do with being true to one's self.

I hope that things are well for you ...
Stay tuned

dagul

Maver said...

great blog. i enjoy my visit every time. write on!!!

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

maver,
Thank you
A slice of life ...
Portions are for sharing

Glad to have you on board.
Please spread the word

daguldol

Anonymous said...

glas ur back
--hiro--

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

Hiro,
Thank you
Glad you dropped by

daguldol

 gmirage said...

This is the kind of place my good friend and I would love to visit...we both like artsy stuff and food and we used to invade book launches, art exhibits, painting contests not just to rub elbows with artists or literatis nor just for a report, interview, photo for the paper but the food as well. hihihi.

You're not just wicked, you're the beast not wifey hahahah! Sorry na lang your tactic didnt work out well! =P

Daguldol Tarakatac III said...

mirage2g,
Yes - Metro Manila can be interesting at times. I hope you will have the time to visit soon ...

As far as my tactic not working - I have gotten used to it. My friends call me Titanic coz I always hit an iceberg at night ...

Hahahaha

dagul

Anonymous said...

a nice new resto