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Saturday November 7, 2009

A pleasant surprise

Blogged Out
By NICOLE TAN

A TEXT message from a friend read: “We are going to hide ourselves. Bring him in and we will come out when you guys are seated.”

We were standing in front of Bruno’s Restaurant and Bar in Jaya 33, Petaling Jaya, when I took a quick glance at the phone before stuffing it into my bag and smiled innocently at the birthday boy standing next to me.

Last week, I threw a surprise birthday dinner for someone dear to me in the quiet yet elegant Spanish European restaurant along with some of his closest friends.

No ordinary cake: The writer enjoying a slice of the Mille Crepe cake.

Bruno’s offers a delectable selection of pork dishes on top of its scrumptious lamb shank and tuna steak.

While we gorged on the sinful selections of tender pork loins and pork ribs, we chatted away, enjoying our beer and cocktails - the perfect ingredients for a celebratory dinner.

But planning a surprise birthday dinner is no easy task, as I have discovered.Not only does it require ultimate confidentiality from all involved but also needs discreet planning and careful scheduling.

It started as an invitation to dinner for two on his birthday. Despite his work commitments, I managed to convince him to accept without making him suspicious.

I almost panicked when he insisted on going to his favourite restaurant but managed to stay calm and explained that I had reserved a table for two in Bruno’s.

Friendly place: A cocktail for the the birthday boy at Bruno’s - Spanish European restaurant at Jaya 33 in Section 14, PJ.

By the time dinner was over, Candy, the friendly cheerful owner of both Bruno’s and Food Foundry restaurants in PJ, who had helped me in the planning of this surprise birthday party, brought out her amazing Mille Crepe cake.

A total of 35 layers of carefully spread cream and crepes, Mille Crepe is no ordinary cake.

Everyone likes a surprise. When planned properly, it can bring happiness.