This Italian restaurant does not allow cell phones. Its owners tell us the reason

In the city where the scenes took place Romeo and Juliet There is a gastronomic establishment with a unique offer. In tune with Shakespeare’s classics, he can make many people fall in love with him. The condominium is mobile free restaurant. To encourage customers to join the initiative, they are giving away a bottle of wine to those who agree to put their phone away during lunch or dinner.

The business, located on one of the narrow streets of Verona, Italy, is one initiative that promotes digital blackout, at least while meetings are ongoing, before meals. “We offer clients to choose give up technology to enjoy a pleasant moment,” says Angelo Lella, one of the founders of Al Condominio. “Technology is becoming a problem. You don’t have to check your phone every five seconds, but for many it’s like a drug. Thanks to our idea, they have the opportunity to put it all aside and drink good wine,” he says.

Hypertext To find out more details about this move, I spoke exclusively with Lella, one of the owners of the mobile-free restaurant. What prompted you to this shutdown plan? Also, do you find any benefit in technology tools for your business?

It’s a mobile-free restaurant experience.

Walking through the door of Al Condominio, visitors can refuse a smartphone. The mechanics are simple. The client must leave the device in a locked box, and when he gives the key to the waiter, he will receive a bottle of wine as a gift. The idea of ​​the founders – in addition to Lella, Federico D’Erchia – is to offer an alternative to the scenes that we see in many cafes and restaurants: couples, families and sometimes groups. disabledeveryone is looking at their phone screen.

“We realized that the biggest problem today is the dependence on smartphones and the lack of human interaction,” Lella says in a dialogue with this publication.

How did the idea of ​​opening a restaurant without mobile devices come about? Remember the “eureka moment,” that specific moment when the plan took shape?

The format was born in an attempt to create a restaurant and solve this huge problem at the same time. When we opened the doors of Al Condominio, we wanted to innovate and make a positive impact on the community. The bottle of wine we offer is simply an incentive for customers to participate. So that they then realize for themselves how pleasant it is to be fully present, enjoying a meal with loved ones.

Have you seen this trend catch on in other restaurants?

Honestly, no, at least in our area. We are the first in the world to provide clients with this opportunity. We are also distinguished by the fact that we give the client the opportunity to leave the phone in the mailbox if he wants, no one is obliged to do this.

Since children are part of the audience that finds it very difficult to give up technology, is there any offering targeted at them? In this sense, are you a 100% cell phone-free restaurant?

Our format is more aimed at people from 30 to 60 years old. Thus, for children accompanied by their parents, the format serves as an example if adults sign up for the challenge.

What was the reaction of the first people who came to Al Condominio, who did not know about this offer?

People are generally very receptive and almost 90% decided to leave their phone in the mailbox after we introduced it to them. Customers go to restaurants not only for food, but also for experiences. That’s why when we offer them this challenge, they are intrigued and want to try it. Then at the end of dinner we give them a postcard with a pen so they can write their review and put it in a special mailbox. We are now also starting to introduce the snapshot format because since our clients don’t have phones to take photos with, we decided to offer them a snapshot they can take home as a souvenir of their dinner.

We believe that smartphone-free dining, whether with friends, family or business partners, is an opportunity to be present in the moment. Devote this time entirely to enjoying food and having genuine and productive conversations. In this way, human connections reappear without the distraction of the virtual world to which we are so dependent.

In a broader sense, and of course in terms of your specific perspective: How do you think dinner, lunch, a meeting is improved if you don’t use a cell phone?

We are definitely not the enemies of technology. After all, it is something important in our lives that helps us every day. We would just like to remind people that it’s okay to not be “connected” in order to become completely intimate with the people sitting in front of us, just like the old days.

In this sense, it can be said that you, restaurant owners without mobile devices, are not “haters” of technology. Can you tell us about offering a free dinner to those who write the best reviews online?

Transparent. This is an initiative to encourage customers to spread their word about our space. It is very important for us. Thus, we introduce others to this innovative format so that they can come and experience it for themselves.

Connection also has benefits.

In line with the previous points, Lella admits that digital tools are very useful even for his restaurant, which does not have mobile devices. “They certainly make our lives easier, especially at work or when communicating with friends on the other side of the world. Fortunately, There are many benefits that technology has brought to the world, including in this business.. For example, to manage a restaurant, we need these solutions to track reservations. Plus, like I said, online reviews help us grow.”

The mystery of the creators of the establishment in Verona seems to be in balance. That is, in skill choose when to connect and disconnect. “The response from customers has been very positive. It’s good to see people accepting this offer. So they talk to each other while eating instead of looking at photos or replying to messages,” Lella concludes.