I first met German bar and restaurant Brotzeit Managing Director Malvin Ang in May last year, during the European Union’s Viva Europa 2015 launch.
Understandably, it was a quick “hi and hello” on our part, due to the event that was happening in his Glorietta branch. But I promised him at that time that I would come back and have a longer conversation with him.
Well, it took all of nine months, and a couple of dinners with friends in Brotzeit along the way, before I finally got the chance to sit down at length with Malvin and discuss Brotzeit and the country’s restaurant business as a whole.
It almost did not happen again early last week, as I had to meet some old, long-lost friends on the evening of Tuesday, a time when Malvin was available. Last week was busy for him, as they were preparing to open their third branch in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
Anyway, it was hastily rescheduled late afternoon the following day, and with me crossing my fingers that traffic would not be bad from Makati City to the Ortigas Central Business District.
You see, the bar and restaurant had me so much interested because of the mixed crowd that goes there day in and day out—or if you would prefer, night in and night out.
Malvin told me they have a good share of Germans, French, Americans and, of course, the local crowd that goes to their bar and restaurant, which closes at 2 a.m.
Their market is usually the successful young professionals with good fashion sense and have their own families.
Before I continue, I just have to segue a bit and tell this side story because it was so interesting. The cab driver I rode with on my way to Brotzeit in Ortigas was discussing with me several things, including traffic discipline, stakeout on his uncle’s office and, of course, politics.
Now traffic, I would not discuss anymore because, honestly, I am sick and tired of it already. Daily, four hours of our lives are lost because of it.
Anyway, with the stakeout, the taxi driver said his uncle suspected that one of his managers has set up his own company that deals in the same business, while, at the same time, pirating the clients they already have.
So, for a week, they did a video surveillance and, true enough, found enough evidence to pin the manager. The fun part on all of it was, every afternoon, they were listening to Deo Macalma on dzRH, as his program blurts out sexy innuendoes.
Well, that afternoon I got the chance to listen to that program on his taxi. And you know what they were discussing? The top 11 signs that a girlfriend or wife should know if her man is enjoying their intimate moment. Did what I just heard have the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board’s approval?
Oh, and on the political side, apparently, one of his relatives was involved in the senatorial campaign of Sen. Grace Poe. In his story, the relative told Poe she could win the vice presidency without sweat, but warned her not to run for president. His relative, the taxi driver said, had already long predicted what is happening in the Supreme Court now.
Now I do not know how credible the taxi driver was; but according to him, he was a former executive in a beverage company, lives in BF Homes, had cars used in movies before and used to party in high-end places, like Faces and Euphoria.
Going back to Malvin, he told me that he got the idea for Brotzeit in Singapore, as he was a regular visitor in that country.
Malvin told me that he liked the ambiance and feel of the restaurant, and he believed in its food selection. And, on top of it all, the bar and restaurant in Singapore also had lots of Filipino service crews.
One day, he met Brotzeit’s vice president for franchise development and had discussions on opening a franchise here in the country.
True enough, Brotzeit Edsa Shangri-La was born. This was followed by the Makati City branch, the soon-to-open in BGC and a new one being planned in Alabang.
Malvin said their bars and restaurants here are the exact duplicate of Brotzeit in other countries, with its distinct materials and design, including the presence of beer bottles, draft machines and the furniture they use.
He described it to me as modern Germany that stirs away from any impression of the place being stiff and cold.
They serve only German beers, while their dishes are Bavaria in nature, and are served in big portions.
Malvin, a graduate of De La Salle University, with a degree in manufacturing engineering and management, said Brotzeit represents the first time for him to enter the restaurant business. His family is into the trading business, dealing in electronics and hardware.
Malvin said he does not want to term his foray into the restaurant business as a leap of faith because he studied the numbers before getting the franchise. He said there is already a return on investment on their Edsa Shangri-La branch.
It is the same advice he wants to share with all other entrepreneurs out there. Before entering into a new business, they have to review the numbers and the business model. There must be proper margins to survive.
He said it is not true that if you build a restaurant, people will come. There must be an effort to “wow” them and make them come back. There must be good food and sincere service.
Malvin explained that it is very tough now in the restaurant business, where he said that in order to survive the owner must have a good brand and direction. He also said you must own the market.
Well, Brotzeit is probably the only German bar and restaurant in the country. It is a situation so much different from Japanese restaurants, which you can find in every corner.
And just in case you are wondering what Brotzeit means, according to Malvin brot means bread and zeit means time. In short, it means mealtime.
Oh, and better come to Brotzeit this month, as Malvin said they are revamping their menu. There are surprises waiting.
For comments, suggestions and reactions, I can be reached at raalzona@yahoo.com.