Masque L'Amour

I can’t believe I was even reluctant to go. Tito Met gave us a couple of tickets (P12,000 each, mind you), to a charity banquet entitled, Masque L’Amour, a gorgeous, formal event in Makati Shangri-La Hotel, my favorite, which was ultimately such a delight to the senses. So off we went, my dad looking adorably scruffy in his dark suit, my ate, in an intimidating silver serpentine dress and me in this strange black multi-level (which turned out to be all right). Oh wow, when I entered the ballroom…huge red curtains, dozens of blood red roses as centerpieces, glittery face masks, a table full of elegant china and goblets, and a stage illuminated by ballerinas and opera singers. I felt elated and simply joyful to be a spectator. The food, was of course, excellent, care of a German chef (who is supposed to be famous. I don’t know him but what can you expect from a person who’s cooped up in the hospital the whole day). We had lobster, filet mignon, and sea bass cooked to perfection, matched with red and white wine, making everything simply divine.
And of course, the grand finale…a huge slab of flourless chocolate cake, shaped like, what else, a grand piano! With a chocolate mask to boot. First bite…I felt my cheeks tingle. Afterwards, there was a remote feeling of guilt that something so good shouldn’t be eaten by mere mortals (and I didn’t want to ruin the design, too). Yup, it is definitely pure chocolate and I love chocolate, like I love medicine or art or Jimmy Eat World. And I was grateful to the high heavens that I was neither elderly nor suffering from diabetes. I only ate half of it of course because it was too rich. Haha as rich as those red curtains, roses, guests and that damn blasted opera music. Moral of the story: Try to say yes more often so you won’t miss out on stuff like eating a chocolate grand piano☺.