The restaurant and grill of the East Hotel replicate a proposal born in the eastern resort.MARCELO GALLARDO06 Aug 2017
Felipe González once said in Punta del Este that developed countries are not those that offer better conditions to foreign investors. On the contrary, the Spanish socialist leader considered that the best countries are those that have entrepreneurs who go out into the world to conquer new markets.
Something like this is happening with a trio of Uruguayan businessmen who successfully managed to develop a powerful gastronomic brand from the east coast of the department of Maldonado.
The legendary restaurant La Huella, the best restaurant in the world and one of the best gastronomic establishments on the continent, has landed in Miami. So much so that its creators were able to recreate the Latin spirit that characterizes José Ignacio's restaurant in the heart of the financial district.
Since May 23, 2016, Quinto La Huella is part of the East Hotel complex, a theater, a shopping center, and other restaurants in the heart of Brickell City Center.
Entrepreneurs Martín Pittaluga, Guzmán Artagaveytia, and Gustavo Barbero were tempted by a major business group from the United States. “We had no interest in developing other establishments. No plans, nothing to do with expansion. They approached us. Later, we learned they had scoured all of South America to find a partner to develop a distinctive establishment,” explains Martín Pittaluga.
Jealous of the aesthetics and image of the successful beach resort, Pittaluga assures that this is not a franchising-type business agreement.
"Our partnership with them is different. We're up to date with what's happening there every day, even the number of cutlery sets sold each day. We also go there several times a year to learn about the development of the complex," he adds.
With Suarez and Messi.
The East Hotel, owned by the partners of the owners of La Huella de José Ignacio, was the one chosen two weeks ago by the Barcelona Football Club during its stay in Miami to face its eternal rival, Real Madrid. The wives of the stars Leo Messi and Luis Suárez knew the restaurant's proposal very well.
Quinto La Huella is located on a fifth floor divided into halves, a covered area and a generously sized terrace. The space has the same DNA as its older brother in José Ignacio, despite being located in the middle of a mass of enormous buildings.
It was built from a bar converted into a meeting place, a grill for roasting the best meats and fish and its subsequent gastronomic offering. Almost a carbon copy of what exists in José Ignacio, apart from being spread over the fifth floor of a huge building, which has elevators for all destinations, although they lack the traditional button panel. One elevator for the hotel, another for the shopping complex and one exclusively for the Uruguayan brand restaurant.
Customers aren't just the foreigners who flock to José Ignacio during the summer. Quinto La Huella has a life of its own. "Uruguay? Where is it?" a chorus of women who shared a table on the terrace a few weeks ago asked. They arrived by word of mouth from the customers who visit the Miami restaurant. The well-known lawyer Marcelo Open and a large number of Argentinians who spend extended vacations in South Florida are regulars at Quinto La Huella. All its customers, whether they're familiar with Uruguay or not, are drawn to the generous menu, catering to a wide variety of palates.
“Our urban reinvention, Quinto La Huella, proposes an unparalleled charcoal cooking method using a grill located in the heart of our restaurant, including a wood-fired oven, a sushi bar, and an al fresco dining experience. Our menu features simple, carefully crafted dishes prepared with the finest ingredients. Our food is simple, like the atmosphere we create: a relaxed setting where you will experience unforgettable moments,” visitors are informed.
Untouchable grill.
Pittaluga clarifies that the issue of the grill in the middle of the restaurant was always a non-negotiable decision with his partners in the United States.
“I didn't know what José Ignacio was. No idea. Now I want to get to know him,” says Cynthia, a waitress originally from Havana who arrived in Miami three years ago. She still manages to present grilled fish and meats like the best Uruguayan grill.
The management team is made up of Nano Crespo as executive chef, Gimena Pereyra as restaurant manager, and Sonia Martínez as head waiter.
Bodegas Garzón, the Fernando-based venture of the Bulgheroni couple, also landed in Quinto La Huella, with several of its wines.
Source: elpais.com.uy
