MY dream is to be able to afford a power lunch everyday. To look nice in a glamorous power suit and debate with the most esteemed business execs, politicians or legal luminaries over sea bass, steak or some other power food. And, of course, kick their asses ? with the help of a bit of chardonnay.

Having been reared by St. Scholastica, I have always been a firm believer in women empowerment. When President Cory Aquino died, I was one of those who felt so proud of the legacy that she left not only as a Cojuangco-Aquino but as a woman ? even if she wore the most what-are-you-wearing? duster-like dresses and had that early ?80s short permed hair (who didn?t?). The important thing is that she was a woman who, though soft-spoken and in a skirt, was strong-willed and definitely had balls. A real woman of power.

Nowadays, there are a lot of powerful women whom we look up to: Letty Jimenez Magsanoc, Risa Hontiveros, Nikki Teodoro, Kris Aquino... As a food writer, I can only wonder what they eat for lunch.

Erika Aquino, PR director of the Mandarin Oriental, says she sees many of these powerful women lunching at their hotel, including the Rotary-Anns without their men. I hear that at Old Manila at The Peninsula, former First Lady Imelda Marcos frequently makes an appearance. At Mamou in Serendra, it?s President (Gloria Macapagal-) Arroyo herself. At Chateau 1771, it?s our very own Mrs. Magsanoc. The Powers That Be of ABS-CBN have their very own Restaurant 9501.

My observation is that the only point of the power lunch is to convey the message to whoever you?re dealing with at the other end of the table that you are a person whom they can entrust their business to. Because, as they might have witnessed with what you ordered and by your selection of venue, you have taste and are willing to spare no expense in pleasing them. Truth be told, you don?t really need the lunch to convey power but it?s like good plating: the food may taste the same if it were just splattered on the plate, but attractive plating sure makes the dish look more appetizing.

What do people eat at power lunches? At the Tivoli, they offer a three-course Business Lunch menu that includes crisp green salads like their Belgian endive-walnut salad, and exquisite appetizers. By exquisite they mean the likes of Jamon Serrano on the bone as well as fine cheeses and cold cuts. Entrees, which change weekly, include two seafood dishes, two meat choices or a vegetarian dish. You can predict that this would usually include veal tenderloin, steak, sea bass or Lapu-Lapu rolls with foie gras. Including desserts, Tivoli?s Business Lunch is offered on weekdays at almost P1,500 per head. It?s at P1,500 because their fish come with foie gras, their mushrooms with chardonnay foam and their pasta involves the use of chestnuts. That?s the price at most power lunch places. The prices command power too.

At other restaurants that offer power lunch menus, like Aubergine at the Fort, the menu is similar: duck foie gras, carpaccio of Australian tenderloin, braised Kurobuto pork belly, Mulwarra beef tenderloin.

The message is, as the restaurant attempts to offer you the best that the markets have to offer, so will you offer your power lunchees the best that you have and can give. Take service, another point of distinction at these power lunch places. For most hotel places, like at the Tivoli or Aubergine, the staff is highly trained to anticipate your needs even before you realize them. Hungry already? Free bread. Have a heavy bag? There?s a bag chair. Feeling cold? They have scarves. Tense? The wine selection is impressive. And even better, at the Tivoli, they will not cross out your option of turning your power lunch into a four-hour martini session.

Of course, flirting with success does not have to be too expensive. And the power lunch will not necessarily end up in closing a deal. But at least you had a good meal. After all, at the end (middle?) of the day, it's what makes the hard work worth doing. ?

The Tivoli. 2/F Mandarin Oriental, Makati Avenue cor. Paseo de Roxas. 7508888. Reservations recommended. Wheelchair access via elevator.

Aubergine. 32nd and 5th Building. 5th Avenue cor. 32nd Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. 856 9888. Wheelchair access via elevator.