Sitting at the table, enjoying a dinner in the company of your partner, friends or relatives, no mobile phones on the table, no dishes to photograph and post on 'Instagram' and no loud notifications. A mirage in the desert. However, there is an oasis 'without technology': it is the restaurant 'Al Condominio', which opened last weekend in Verona.
We wanted to create a human-centered restaurant, to rediscover the beauty of a dinner looking each other in the eye and talking, - explains Angelo Lella, co-owner of 'Al Condominio' together with Federico D'Erchia, Michele Zanichelli and Lorenzo Fraccaroli. We see couples sitting at the table taking pictures and posting the dishes or answering messages on their mobile phones, without saying a word to each other. We propose to put the phone in a personal case and give a bottle of wine in return.
Consequently, the menus are also on paper, QR code and opinions can only be written on paper, as before.
However, not everyone is willing to disconnect from their cell phone, even for just a few hours.
In the first days of opening, only a third of customers accepted the challenge of a mobile phone-free dinner. Those over 45 were more reluctant. Our proposal is to find time to talk to each other at the table, relaxing, face to face and without distractions.
While the cuisine of the restaurant 'Al Condominio' mixes flavors from North to South, with dishes that take their name from ironic stereotypes of some of the figures found in each building: antipasti 'Quelli del Primo Piano', first courses like 'Il Giardiniere ', 'Le comari' and 'I Morosetti' and second courses like 'La Spiona', 'La Betonega' and 'La Matta'. Also, the desserts are themed, from the 'La Siora' rose cake to the 'La Vecia di Sotto' tiramisu.
Our kitchen combines tradition, imagination and international taste. We offer a mix of styles and personalities. In fact, the menu also includes the 'Lo Straniero' dish, which will change every two weeks, to lead us to the discovery of ethnic flavors.
Would you give up technology?
