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