Things to do in Monaco and Monte Carlo

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July 9th Newsletter

I am not a product of privilege. I am a product of opportunity. (1)

What's new

On a wander around Condamine this week we had a nosy into the windows of some of the shuttered restaurants. Mr Val (previously Address) was empty of furniture, Chez Edgar's lease has been taken on by a different company, and Itagliani (see 14 Feb 2019 newsletter) remains closed.

There was plenty of activity in the premises on the corner of boulevard Albert 1er and rue Grimaldi tho'. This place has been empty for some time, but now the sign above the terrace reads Steak'n Shake by Biglari. A google search revealed that it's an American "premium" fast food chain, established in 1934. It was taken over by Sardar Biglari in 2008, who transported the brand to France in 2018, with a first restaurant in Cannes. There are now around 26 franchises, mostly in the south, and the Monaco outpost has certainly been in the pipeline since May last year, when its facebook page posted a job application for assistant manager. PR stories emphasise their eco-awareness (recycling bins and corn-starch drinking straws), French-sourced steak, bread and salad. Should Grubers be worried?

In other news, Larvotto Beach opened last weekend and there's an interesting interview with Miami Plage's manager on MonacoInfo's youtube channel. Although the Hermitage Hotel is now open, its Vistamar restaurant remains closed until 17 July. Elsa is open for lunch and dinner, under new chef Benoit Witz, and Joel Robuchon is also also welcoming diners. Enjoy!

What's in the diary ....