This Is So Wrong: A Restaurant In Kyiv Needs An Online “Black Out Menu” Yet, Its Existence Sends An Important Message That Adaptability Cannot Be Extinguished.
This Is So Wrong: A Restaurant In Kyiv Needs An Online “Black Out Menu” Yet, Its Existence Sends An Important Message That Adaptability Cannot Be Extinguished.
On Monday, 12 December 2022, in the city of Kyiv, portions of the city endure electrical interruptions. The city government reports that most of the outages are for two hours to four hours- though twenty-three-hour durations have been confirmed.
Invited to again dine at the upscale La Fontana (Moskovska St, 31/33, Kyiv, Ukraine, 01010), arrive as scheduled at 7:00 pm. Note: The city of Kyiv retains a curfew from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am, so most restaurants cease service at 9:00 pm so staff may complete closure and then arrive to their homes by the beginning of the curfew.
From the outside, the interior of the restaurant is dark except for what look like large candles in the windows. There are people entering and departing- upon nearer inspection, they are the same people entering and departing.
Entering the restaurant, there are more candles and a noticeable chilled air. Two members of the staff share that electricity has been interrupted since 3:00 pm. Looking to the left across the street, buildings are dark. Looking to the right across the street, buildings are illuminated indoors and outdoors.
On a normal evening, the restaurant would have a team of twelve (12)- manager, reception, servers, cleaners, chef, preparers. This evening, there are three (3): two in front of the house and one in the kitchen.
On this Monday evening, nine (9) residents of Kyiv, generally young, earned nothing. The owner of the restaurant has one less evening of revenue from which to pay rent (which is fixed) and rapidly increasing energy costs (water, gas, electric) which are not fixed.
Hosts arrive and there is a discussion- stay or go. Three votes stay. Unanimous.
On any other evening, a restaurant illuminated only by candlelight would be on path as the most romantic restaurant in the city of Kyiv, particularly if the date was 14 February.
This evening, a table is selected (there is no competition as there are no other guests) by the front window. The manager provides blankets. Tea is ordered.
The manager shares that since the kitchen equipment uses gas, food may be prepared. No problem. This is the moment when one of the impacts of a war kicks in- and quickly so.
La Fontana has a “Black Out Menu” that is accessed using a QR code on a cellular device. Later learn that the restaurant also has the notification on its Internet site with the following caption:
“We work with this menu during scheduled power outages. You can enjoy your favorite dishes in a romantic atmosphere.” https://lafontana.choiceqr.com/menu
Moving through three delicious pasta dishes and two deserts, plus more tea, a meal completed. Next topic: What about payment options? Cash only? Credit/Debit Cards? The manager shares that cash is terrific, but credit/debit cards may be accepted too- using a cellular device.
Given the impact upon the electrical grid, gas pipelines, and water delivery (which usually requires electricity to be pumped upward), unsurprising that restaurants and cafes throughout Ukraine have created menus designed to mirror the daily infrastructure availability.
The population of a country in a war, similarly to a country under commercial, economic, and political sanctions whether they be unilateral or multilateral, will adapt to the hourly, daily, monthly, and annually circumstances.
How business owners, managers, adapt their operations in the service of their customers remains a clear, vibrant signal, an electrical current, to foretell the trajectory of commerce as the impact of the war transitions, the rheostat dials downward, with respect to the impact upon the citizenry.
Is there a moral from this story? No. Is there a lessen? Not specifically. Is there a message? Absolutely. If there is a restaurant or café absent illumination on one side of a street and there is a restaurant or café on the other side of the street… consider dining or having that cup of coffee or tea by candlelight… And remember to provide an outsized gratuity.