There’s a full moon out on this cool Friday evening in the hills of Hardware, St Andrew. Gloria Palomino is in an upbeat mode. Little wonder, really, since the Gap Café is up and running once more. Perched on the balcony and enjoying Moonlight Moments — the evening’s theme — is the woman with whom we raise a toast.

What are you sipping?

A glass of Merlot from Chile.

What kind of day are you having?

An exciting one.

Jeans or LBD?

Both, depending on what’s going on. You can’t be in one all the time.

What are your handbag essentials?

My cellphone, my credit card and my hand sanitiser.

Flats or stilettos?

Flats.

Who does your hair?

Gregory Yap Sam.

Who does your nails?

Dawn Reid.

What perfume are you wearing?

To tell you the truth, I don’t wear perfume. My perfume is pure soap; I really don’t need any other scent.

What are your travel essentials?

Good walking shoes, comfortable clothing and always a jacket, because you never know what temperature will hit you when you land.

How would you describe your personal style?

I would say elegant.

Are you a romantic comedy or action adventure type of woman?

Action-adventure. Romance is a figment of people’s imagination. Action is for real.

What bad habit would you most like to put in your rear-view mirror?

I don’t have any bad habits. When I think about it, I try to be so good. I’m not being facetious or anything; I just don’t have any. I just walk the straight road all the time.

Who or what inspires you?

I really have to say Lena Kent, my godmother. She guided me from birth to adulthood; she died many years ago, though. She was the one who really made me the person I am — my behaviour, how I treat people, the compassion for the poor. I remember when I was in primary school and when I used to come home from school she would cut up pieces of pink paper and blue paper and tell me to put one shilling in each and wrap it up. Every week when the poor gathered I would give the pink paper to the women and the blue paper to the men. She did that every week until she died. That prompted me to do the charity work I do. I have never forgotten it. She instilled in me that I should never forget about the poor; that has never left me. I think about her all the time.

How did you start the restaurant?

Sixteen years ago I used to live down the road. And every morning I would jog past this place. For two years I passed the building and it was in terrible shape. One day I saw an ad in the paper describing it. The Jamaica Tourist Board was responsible for it, so I called and made an appointment, got the permit for it and the rest, as they say, is history.

You’re having a relaunch, why did you close?

With a few natural disasters some years ago, the roads were closed off and never repaired. It was a challenge for people to come up, so we closed.

The Gap Café is now owned and managed by you, David and Michelle McKay. How does this make you feel?

With the combined energy that we have now, we will survive the hard times.

What is your idea of the perfect man?

Actually, there is no perfect man (laughs). I’m just being frank.

What is your idea of the perfect date?

On the beach on a moonlit night, having a coconut. It’s so beautiful.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I’ll be dead by then (laughs).