Last 9th of July, Kuya Carlito, husband of my wife's sister celebrated his nth birthday with us at Cucina, an Italian restaurant at Mariott Hotel in Deira, Dubai. He works for a cargo plane maintenance company here in Dubai but most of his time are spent during cargo flights in unpredictable schedule, time wise and destination wise. He is always out of reach and when he calls he would be in some other country except U. A. E. His last birthday dinner with us was one of those rare opportunities of enjoying his presence.
We chose Cucina as venue for the dinner, because we have already known its mostly kabayan service staff. We were regulars here during Bubot's infanticipation of Diego because she was constantly craving for their special carbonara pasta. And it was the first time for the staff to see and touch Diego as a born baby! Another reason is the free flowing house wine for only a bottle's price ( shhhh, their manager doesn't know, he he he he he ). Apart from the free birthday cake from the restaurant, the staff also sang a "Happy Birthday " song in Italian, at that!
