I have started writing about how the F&B industry is coping up post the lockdown and opening up following the social distancing and making sure that they show the care and make their customers at ease. Getting the customer to their restaurants is not only tough but it’s also important for their survival.
Last week was actually very exciting, I went to three different places, and these places have been catering to a different market segment. Olive is known for their experience, excellent food and great service. When we went there, we saw guests more than what we have seen anywhere post lockdown. Chef Dhruv was very excited to serve their customers again. He has been eating all the local vegetables at home during the lockdown and that is what he had planned to offer. This place brings lots of positivity and seeing the crowd sitting under the banyan tree gives you hope that slowly customers are going out to eat. At olive, every single dish is not only treat to your eyes but they taste amazing as well. I am very fond of their salads which is always fresh and now Chef Dhruv has started using a lot of seasonal and local produce, like amla which he smartly used in the salad that I ate. In his upcoming menu, you will see a lot of local ingredients in his dishes. I am super excited to learn more about it.
There is something which I learned that I prefer to visit places post the unlock, where I have been before and have liked their food. I haven’t been to any new places neither been to places which may have been opened long back but haven’t had the chance to visit earlier.
Customer loyalty is also going to play a big role, during this lockdown. It’s sad to hear that many of the restaurants are not opening and one of the major factors is rent. Places, where they were unable to negotiate new rent terms with landlords, are finding it very difficult to open.
I know Anuj Soin for a very long time and have witnessed growth in F&B and now he is the director at Radisson Blu Plaza. He is vibrant, dynamic and has great customer management skills. The Great Kebab Factory is a celebration place and has been doing consistently well for a very long time. This hotel under Anuj and Ashwin, their new GM is shining again and I am looking forward to seeing their continuous rise in coming months.
Jasjit too, I have known for quite some time now. His restaurants get great feedback from customers. I somehow had not visited Shibuya earlier, but finally, I did. I met Jasjit at Shibuya and this place is stunning and serves amazing food. Simmi, their business partner wasn’t present, but we connected on phone. I am for looking forward to eating there more often. I loved their ramen bowl and their desserts are excellent.
Lockdown has hit hard and it has affected the entire world including our F&B industry. We should come forward and help our industry to come back. All these places are taking great care to make sure that customers have excellent experience with all the hygiene and safety as well as precautionary measures in place.
