One of Lithuania’s most famous restaurants in the capital has ceased its activities, but everything has moved better to the Vilnius residents’ resort.

“Even when we were located in Nida only on a boat, we did not work in Vilnius during the summers. As only last year we assembled a new team on the banks of the Curonian Lagoon, we did not close the restaurant in Vilnius.

But this is not the worst situation. The worst is a pandemic when we don’t know what will happen next. Our restaurant is located in the old town of Vilnius, where the facilities are closed, they are very small and according to all requirements, instead of those six tables, we only have two or three.

So such a situation made me think, perhaps it is worth suspending its activities in those places, “said Rimvydas.

Dreamed of new facilities

In September, restaurant owners had a plan to move to new, more spacious and comfortable venues. However, the global outbreak of coronavirus and quarantine in Lithuania has forced a change of ambition.

“Those eight years of working in the old facilities are very important. It seems that we are saving them, our clients have also grown. There were also employees who had been working for eight years, so for them too, the new space would have been more motivated and more adapted to the restaurant. But the current times are such that it is difficult to plan what will be a month, two or three. So we are waiting, observing and hoping to return in the future “, R. Bartkus shared his thoughts.

However, when this happens, according to Rimvydas, it will become clear at the end of this season, when the month of August will end and more life plans will be considered, whether to discover a new place in Vilnius or to take a year-long break and rest. “We have been working in Vilnius for eight years and we did not even have such a serious vacation,” admitted the owner of the restaurant.

Identification and better location searches.

According to R. Bartkus, the owner of the restaurant identifies himself with the restaurant. “We have been living in Nida for four years. That distance from the capital already affects the restaurant system itself. Physical absence does not allow you to enjoy your own product; after all, in the restaurant business, the owner is a part the restaurant. And in Nida, we live physically and become more and more people from the coast. So the trip to Vilnius becomes a job, which is no longer gratifying. We have decided to suspend our activities in the capital and, maybe open in Palanga next year, ”R. Bartkus said of the plans.

The restaurant, which has been in the top 30 restaurants in Lithuania for three years in a row, did not fit the previous location.

“We had an outdoor terrace across the road, in the park. Therefore, it was not very convenient to provide quality service: cars drive there. And while the waiter brings the food, it is sold, and when the wind blows, the decorations or napkins are removed. Therefore, we transferred that terrace to the Bukowski bar. For them as a bar, this place is more suitable, “said the owner of the restaurant.

The relaxation of the quarantine allowed the door to open in Nida

On June 3, Sofa de Pancho in Nida opened its doors to visitors, easing strict restrictions on quarantine. The restaurant, which has started a new season on the banks of the Curonian Lagoon, plans to work until the end of September.

“At Nida, we had already reached such a high level last year that we had to reserve a table two weeks ago; people even did it online. Well, the clients of our restaurant are people with a second home in Nida”, Rimvydas He spoke about the habits of restaurant customers.

Of course, the restaurant is visited by tourists from all over Lithuania, as well as guests from abroad and locals. Rimvydas hopes there will be no customer shortage this year either, but no one can predict the future at such an unstable time.

The restaurant is the focus of the best chef.

Chef Martynas Praškevičius also touched the restaurant menu: his restaurants “Džiaugsmas” and “Stebuklai” have been repeatedly named as the best restaurants in Lithuania.

Together we create an updated menu. Of course, our successes will continue, but there will also be many new dishes. The news is also waiting on the wine list, created by one of the strongest sommeliers, Linas Kuklerius. Also, Martyn and I are maturing a project: our first restaurant was on board. That boat is still there, and if the wind is favorable, there will be a place for sandwiches and wine ”, R. Bartkus shared his thoughts.

Admittedly, this is not the first time that a Mexican restaurant has allowed other famous chefs to appear in its kitchen.

“Eight years ago, when we opened the restaurant, our main activity was themed dinners: we invited chefs to express themselves on the theme of Mexico. At that time, Martynas Praškevičius and Ali Gadžijev, Gidonas Šapiro-Bilas from” Žas “and chef “Amandus” Deivydas Praspaliauskas also prepared dinner for his friends. There were also chefs from Sweden, we invited the Vainiai bartender from the “Apoteka” bar, who organized a three-day series of good cocktails, “said Rimvydas, co-owner of Sofa de Pancho.

He works only five days a week.

As the restaurant owners Diana and Rimvydas are already residents of Nida, the locals’ work regime applies to them as well. Therefore, the restaurant is open only five days a week.

“On Sundays and Mondays we will rest, then we can go to the sea, go somewhere, pay attention to the children or spend those days in nature, inspire energy for next week.
After all, to maintain quality, you also need to breathe. It’s hard enough doing it if you work long hours seven days a week. So those five days a week are enough for us. Usually people come to Nida not for two days, but for a week, two or three. He manages to visit us and other places in Nida that operate on days when we are not working.

Well, this season we have put together a very strong team, as Diana and I joked that we generally don’t find those people and we don’t ask for seasonal work, ”said R. Bartkus.

He did not sit still and presented an innovation in Neringa

But even under the pressure of a quarantine difficulty, the restaurant owners did not tremble. During those days, creative entrepreneurs presented and implemented another project: “Our quarantine project is Bodega.lt. We supply unique food and drinks to Curonian Spit visitors and residents. In the past, those suppliers only supplied exclusively to restaurants, but since sales to restaurants had fallen, we established an online store.
In summer, those who want to enjoy a good cheese, a good quality wine or fruit will be able to order through our website, pick it up at our restaurant or deliver it to their home ”, R. Bartkus presented a new gastronomic project in Neringa.