Mel Meer, the style entrepreneur who founded and continues to run Bergamo, apparently has no fear when it comes to trying something new.

To celebrate a milestone—two, actually—his birthday (although he wasn’t calling attention to it) and Bergamo’s founding anniversary, Meer chose to turn the Conservatory of the Peninsula Manila into a venue for a dinner reception.

What was innovative and striking was how he set the very long and elegantly decked dinner table to overlook the iconic Peninsula lobby. His guests were wining and dining above the crowd.

It was a candlelit dinner that was classic and elegant, with Abueva’s overwhelming sculpture masterpiece hovering above the guests, and the Peninsula poshness all around.

Yet, the soft glow of candle light cast on the simple flower arrangements made the dinner cozy.

Such was the design coup by Meer.