Dear Sake friends,
From my last trip to London....
Whether it comes from your alarm or the beside-bed' phone - waking up to a ring tone always create few seconds of shock until you realize that waking up to a new day is a good thing.
The Hotel isn't the best, but does the job. Its clean, central and somebody is paying for it. On top of this, London is showing off some of the best summer days of the year - four in a row is exceptional and everyone is marking the calendar as memory for the months ahead.
Cold water and breakfast brings back last night's itinerary and a smile. The bar scene in London is still as I have left it 5 years ago - surprising, refreshing and make you fell that unless you keep running, you will be seen only from the rare mirror.
The city itself is incredibly busy and at every angle there is an eatery crowded by colorful people. Tourist and residents are enjoying the sunny weather and I'm fascinated by one of the most exciting city.
Small tapas places with only bar-seating and no-booking policy seems to be winning the favor of many entrepreneurs in town - and people enjoy its casual dynamic. As the day fades away, it's time to start checking out some of the bars I have noted down as the main reason of my visit.
The selection criteria calls for the latest "top 50 bars", recommendation from people I know and some of the Industry personalities that populate them.
Well the tour started with the Night Jar in Old Street, continued at Callooh Callay - then went to the Bar at the Connaught, Artisian Bar at Langham Hotel and Hakkasan - to name a few. Last one was Happiness Forget and here I have attempted to look at my tour's notes.
Even though my view was a little foggy after several drinks - one thing was crystal clear on what made all of them so special and successful....The People working on each of them.
From the more secluded underground to the most exclusive 5 star - all the places i have visited speak about the people that runs them. Passion and knowledge are integral part of the menu and are free to any customer that visit them...every day!
Some of them not even worry about having a visible sign by the main door...who comes once will not forget.
I have enjoyed creative signatures, well executed classics and funky presentation. It's all about attention to details, knowledge and respect of seasonal ingredients - all executed with elegance and ability. So in conclusion a bunch of really good guys that today continue building the bar scene' credentials in London. They surely can count on an Industry that invest on them and offer them the possibility to grow - feed them with news, info and the latest products - leaving them unconditioned freedom. They set their own trend!
Then its time to let it out......it's true, I have had few drinks.....but cannot hold it any longer.
Would not be time for the Hospitality Industry in Dubai to start investing in people?
How many of us choose a bar or restaurant more than another because of the expensive Italian marble flooring or because the seats are made of rareleather.
Is there many of us visiting That venue because the sound system is the most expensive one - while playing chill out music - or because the lift is of latest technology and take you up there 5 seconds faster than an ordinary one?
I guess not many and surely nobody among the people that wants this Industry to grow in the Region and be one of the leading in the World.
People are still the most important assets and the entrepreneurs that are planning to start or have started to invest in people - will be looking at others from the rare mirror very soon.
Only this approachnwill allow our Industry to create on the ground - and offer them a career path and not just a salary with an expiry date.
Another beautiful day is about to end. It has been refreshing to see London and the people that makes it special.
The alarm will go off again soon and I hope the wake-up-call will also be heard by the people on the top floors. While the first time you hear it may hurts your ear, I can guarantee that it will take few seconds to realize the benefits.
From my last trip to London....
Whether it comes from your alarm or the beside-bed' phone - waking up to a ring tone always create few seconds of shock until you realize that waking up to a new day is a good thing.
The Hotel isn't the best, but does the job. Its clean, central and somebody is paying for it. On top of this, London is showing off some of the best summer days of the year - four in a row is exceptional and everyone is marking the calendar as memory for the months ahead.
Cold water and breakfast brings back last night's itinerary and a smile. The bar scene in London is still as I have left it 5 years ago - surprising, refreshing and make you fell that unless you keep running, you will be seen only from the rare mirror.
The city itself is incredibly busy and at every angle there is an eatery crowded by colorful people. Tourist and residents are enjoying the sunny weather and I'm fascinated by one of the most exciting city.
Small tapas places with only bar-seating and no-booking policy seems to be winning the favor of many entrepreneurs in town - and people enjoy its casual dynamic. As the day fades away, it's time to start checking out some of the bars I have noted down as the main reason of my visit.
The selection criteria calls for the latest "top 50 bars", recommendation from people I know and some of the Industry personalities that populate them.
Well the tour started with the Night Jar in Old Street, continued at Callooh Callay - then went to the Bar at the Connaught, Artisian Bar at Langham Hotel and Hakkasan - to name a few. Last one was Happiness Forget and here I have attempted to look at my tour's notes.
Even though my view was a little foggy after several drinks - one thing was crystal clear on what made all of them so special and successful....The People working on each of them.
From the more secluded underground to the most exclusive 5 star - all the places i have visited speak about the people that runs them. Passion and knowledge are integral part of the menu and are free to any customer that visit them...every day!
Some of them not even worry about having a visible sign by the main door...who comes once will not forget.
I have enjoyed creative signatures, well executed classics and funky presentation. It's all about attention to details, knowledge and respect of seasonal ingredients - all executed with elegance and ability. So in conclusion a bunch of really good guys that today continue building the bar scene' credentials in London. They surely can count on an Industry that invest on them and offer them the possibility to grow - feed them with news, info and the latest products - leaving them unconditioned freedom. They set their own trend!
Then its time to let it out......it's true, I have had few drinks.....but cannot hold it any longer.
Would not be time for the Hospitality Industry in Dubai to start investing in people?
How many of us choose a bar or restaurant more than another because of the expensive Italian marble flooring or because the seats are made of rareleather.
Is there many of us visiting That venue because the sound system is the most expensive one - while playing chill out music - or because the lift is of latest technology and take you up there 5 seconds faster than an ordinary one?
I guess not many and surely nobody among the people that wants this Industry to grow in the Region and be one of the leading in the World.
People are still the most important assets and the entrepreneurs that are planning to start or have started to invest in people - will be looking at others from the rare mirror very soon.
Only this approachnwill allow our Industry to create on the ground - and offer them a career path and not just a salary with an expiry date.
Another beautiful day is about to end. It has been refreshing to see London and the people that makes it special.
The alarm will go off again soon and I hope the wake-up-call will also be heard by the people on the top floors. While the first time you hear it may hurts your ear, I can guarantee that it will take few seconds to realize the benefits.
Giorgio Vallesi
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