Michele Caporale is part of the third generation of restaurateurs who opened what is now Restaurante La Bottega di Michele on Calle Fabrica in Santa Catalina just over 27 years ago. The family story began in 1918, when Michele’s grandmother, Nonna Graziela, opened her first restaurant in Pescara (Abruzzo). His grandfather followed in her footsteps, as did his mother Antonieta, and now Michele has his son Manuel and daughter Valentina who are following in his footsteps - which he shares with his wife Marcela.
With Valentine’s Day looming, Michele says that he and his staff will welcome everyone with open arms. “We always do, that is one of our secrets. We have repeat clients who have been coming to the restaurant ever since we opened while we continue to make new friends, be they residents or visitors.
“The kitchen is open all day, but front of house is extremely important. I am here every day that we are open along with my wife Marcela, without whom none of this would be possible, making sure that all of our customers are being well looked after, that they are content, comfortable, being pampered, enjoying the food and the service, and that all my staff have a smile on their faces and are doing all they can to ensure that the clients get maximum value for money.
“None of this is easy. I don’t want people simply handing out plates of food. I want them to live, feel and love what they do. I want my staff to be happy, motivated, proud and honest. Transparency is key, people aren’t stupid and they can see through a strained smile straight away. If there is any tension, they feel it and I don’t want that.
It’s an experience
“Money is not everything, to run a successful business, whether it’s here in Mallorca or anywhere in the world, you need to be humble. Show some love, humility and care,” he said. “It’s like being the captain of a ship, I like to keep it tight and on the right course and that means I need a good crew who I can rely on. I like to think that coming to my restaurant is like going to theatre. It’s an experience, but a lot goes on behind the scenes and, unlike a film when things go wrong and you can shout ‘cut’ and start all over again, in theatre there’s no second chance on the night; it’s got to be right first time.
“Everyone has to know their places and their lines, that’s what I’ve learnt from the family business and what I think I’ve passed on to my son so he can take the next generation forward. And of course, we only use the very best ingredients and produce. From our pastas to the meat, fish and seafood, it’s the very best, and we source it from all around the world, not just Mallorca and Italy. When all this dedication comes together, people enjoy coming to be part of the family and eat at the restaurant,” he said.
Finding staff
“It’s a labour of love and we aim to share that with our customers,” Michele added. However, the captain of this ship has seen many changes over the best part of three decades in Mallorca - some for the better and some for the worse. “I hate to say it, finding good staff these days is not easy. Young people don’t want to work, well not hard in the hostelry sector, so I do my best to look after my team. If it costs me a few euros more, so be it. That’s the way the industry goes and, like I said, we have high standards to maintain.
Mallorca has to be careful
“And with rents now being so high, it’s even more challenging to find new, professional and loyal staff; there is not the high level of education there was when I started out. The world has changed and opening a new restaurant today in Mallorca would be extremely tough. I would not advise it if you don’t know what you are doing and have a good client base,” he said.
“Apart from the costs of staff and quality produce having risen sharply, attitudes have changed - especially when it comes to tourists - and this is where Mallorca has to be careful. Last summer was unusual. This winter - the weather has not helped - has been unpredictable and this coming summer will be challenging.
“With most parts of Europe and the world in general struggling economically, people are nervous to spend. It’s all very well the airport figures being championed and published time and time again in the media but they don’t automatically mean that they are all going to be eating out and spending money.
“Many on tight budgets or families will be going to all-inclusive resorts and therefore will not be venturing out,” he said.
“Mallorca is not a cheap destination anymore. I started off in this business in London, I lived on the King’s Road in Chelsea - how many people do you think could afford that today? The housing problem, which is a serious one and needs to be addressed, is not unique to Mallorca. Prices and the overall cost of living are rocketing across Europe and in the UK, and this makes it very tough, especially for young people. In this current troubled and uncertain world we live in, people are watching what they spend and they want value for money.
“But to offer that, it requires investment in your staff, your products and your services and that costs money and it can’t always be passed on to the customer - whatever business you are in,” he said.
“In an ideal world Mallorca, with its airport and ports which have excellent connections, we should be attracting more mid to high-end visitors.
Take a step back
“I don’t think the anti-tourism movements and protests have helped, not when it comes to the high end of the market. At the end of the day properties are commodities which are bought and sold, just like hotel beds, for example. This island has been built on tourism and we need to make sure we make everyone who comes here feel welcome because they can quite easily go somewhere else. Looking forward, we maybe need to take a step back and get the basics right.”