There’s a lot that goes on pre-opening in hospitality, whether it be a hotel, a club, or a restaurant. That’s where Jensen Moonien comes in. He is the Founder and Managing Director of La Rencontre, a consulting firm specializing in the F&B space of hospitality. Jensen discusses the importance of hospitality, sharing enduring memories without expecting anything in return, and highlights his entrepreneurial journey, including his move from Mauritius to Dubai. The conversation covers the complexities and strategies of opening a successful restaurant in Dubai, including market adaptation, the significance of the pre-opening phase, and the vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene in the UAE. Jensen also sheds light on the influx of investments in Dubai and the evolving trends in creating immersive and festive dining experiences.

Takeaways: 

• Bring global brands or concepts, but adapt them to fit the local market requirements. Understanding the local customer psyche is essential.
• Focus on getting the pre-opening phase right. Ensure all aspects, from design to marketing, are flawlessly executed to make a strong first impression.
• Engage with local consultants who understand the market dynamics, regulatory framework, and customer preferences to navigate the challenges more effectively.
• Location is crucial. Evaluate whether the concept is better suited for a hotel environment or an independent setup based on the target clientele and business goals.
• Establish connections with local PR firms, promoters, and concierge services that can drive customer footfall and enhance visibility.
• Consider innovative business models like dinner shows or hybrid concepts (restaurant + nightclub) that cater to local trends and customer behaviors.
• Identify and capitalize on the unique aspects of the business, whether it's the design, the culinary experience, or exclusive entertainment offerings.

Quote of the Show:

“I think everybody is kind of sold on the dream of coming to Dubai, of having the platform to create things, and it's true.” - Jensen Moonien

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensen-a-moonien-121388b3/ 
• Website: https://larencontre.ae/ 

Shout Outs:

• 0:44 - Four Seasons https://www.fourseasons.com/ 
• 0:45 - St Regis https://st-regis.marriott.com/ 
• 0:46 - Ritz-Carlton https://www.ritzcarlton.com/ 
• 4:33 - Vatel Mauritius https://www.vatel.mu/ 
• 7:21 - Titanic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic 
• 29:17 - Bagatelle https://bagatelle.com/ 
• 29:21 - Zuma https://www.zumarestaurant.com/en/dubai 
• 34:04 - RECA Hospitality https://www.linkedin.com/company/recahospitality/ 
• 34:05 - Sunset Hospitality https://www.sunsethospitality.com/ 
• 35:21 - Gaia https://www.gaiarealty.ae/services 
• 40:57 - Sheikh Mohammed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_bin_Rashid_Al_Maktoum 

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ 

Ways to Tune In: 

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• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386
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