Expert remix
ANGELO FORTE • Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris
WORK • Friday Routine
ANGELO FORTE • head bartender • Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris
Neighborhood you live in: 20th arr
Neighborhood you work in: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th arr
It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Friday afternoons are always different depending on the time of year (and especially, the pace of the hotel). During "normal" periods, once I arrive at work, I spend the first part of the afternoon in the office catching up on emails. Then, I move on to the lab where I’m experimenting with new drink ideas. Finally, I check in with my team to ensure the bar mise en place is on track before the shift starts.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I love trying new restaurants, but there are a couple of places I always return to because they feel like home. I highly recommend Vinello in the 17th for contemporary Italian cuisine, and Adraba by my friend Davide, which offers Israeli dishes just a stone's throw from Montmartre.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’m a big fan of music, especially rock. Paris has so many great concert opportunities, especially during the summer, like Rock en Seine. If you’re into a more underground scene, I’d recommend checking out Supersonic — it’s open every day. When the weather’s nice, I love visiting the Seine or spending time in parks like Buttes-Chaumont or Bois de Vincennes.
Any weekend getaways?
For weekend getaways, my favorite cities are London and Amsterdam. In London, I’m all about exploring new mixology trends, so a bar tour is a must. And I can’t miss a visit to my favorite jewelry store, The Great Frog. Amsterdam, on the other hand, is perfect for just relaxing and wandering along the canals but some of my favorite addresses are the speakeasy Door 74, Flying Dutchman Cocktails, Bar The Tailor, Bourbon Street for live music, and the restaurant Kaagman & Kortekass.
What was your last great vacation?
My last big vacation was back in 2018 when I visited Los Angeles. It feels like a lifetime ago now, but it was an unforgettable trip. Some of my favorite places were Echo Park, Venice Beach, and Malibu and for bars and restaurants The Slipper Clutch, Bar Jackalope, and Sugarfish.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
A plane ticket to visit my dream country — Japan. I can’t wait to experience the culture and take in the amazing food and mixology scene. Some places on my list to visit are Tapas Molécular Bar, Yama, Zoetrope, and BenFiddich.
What store or service do you always recommend?
I love visiting Curiositas, a cabinet of curiosities in Montmartre. They have the most unique finds. I’m also a fan of T-BIRD for vintage clothing. For vinyl lovers, I always go to Rock’n Roll Voltage in the 4th.