Comment: the role of "The Cantonese Palace" in Philip's life

One of the requirements of your task regarding "For Philip, on His Last Night at the Palace" by Stuart Nadler is to comment on the role of “The Cantonese Palace” in Philip’s life. From the very beginning, it becomes clear that the restaurant is mirroring Philip’s love for habits, as he comes there every Friday evening: “It was, as it was always on Friday evenings, a fillet of sole simmering in some combination of white wine, chive and butter.” (ll. 1-3)

“The Cantonese Palace” is also the place where he and Margene used to spend time together. The restaurant functions, thus, as a reminder of the good times that the couple had: “At some point over the years, they’d inverted the traditional order of the courses. It had probably been Margene’s idea, because, well, most of the things in their life had been Margene’s idea.” (ll. 28-30)

Throughout the story, it becomes clear that “The Cantonese Palace” did not appeal to the couple because of the atmosphere or the food; Philip and Margene enjoye...