David Artingstall interview

David Artingstall – Owner of…

Va Bene Italian Restaurant (Interview by Michael Murphy)

Michael: Hi David, how’re you finding the restaurant business? Is it easy to run?

David: The restaurant business is hugely enjoyable. It’s very sociable and it’s great when you receive positive feedback from clients about the food, service etc. I’v emade some great friends through the restaurant. It’s also very challenging. There are so many variables which affect the business, from the weather, to major sporting events on TV, to other restaurants opening in competition, to the general economic climate let alone staff issues, supplier quality control etc. It’s vital to keep costs under control as contrary to popular belief it’s very hard to make a profit on such relatively small margins.

Michael: What influenced you to set up the restaurant initially?

David: I am a solicitor and am still on the roll of solicitors. A client introduced me to an Italian chef who wanted someone to start a restaurant with. I looked for a location all over the region for 12 months before finding the old Bruckshaws bakery in Glossop which I bought and completely rebuilt.

Michael: What does “Va Bene” translate to and why that name?

David: Va Bene literally means “It’s going Good”. If you were to ask an Italian “How are you” they’d probably say “Va Bene” in return. Why Va Bene (pronounced “Bay Nay”)? It’s a good ring to it and it lends itself to a marketable logo.

Michael: What sets you apart from the rest of the restaurants in Glossop?

David: When we opened, with no disrespect to anyone else, we were the only smart restaurant in Glossop. Since then some restaurants have closed and new ones opened with a more contemporary feel but I believe we still stand out. We have great decor, themed on 1960’s and 1970’s Italian movies and a wonderful chandelier imported from Florence. We also have a unique stone baked rotating pizza oven which again came straight in from Italy and makes lovely crispy thin crust pizza just like in Naples.

Our food is cooked from fresh ingredients bought locally wherever possible. We buy only Mettricks meat, which ensures top quality and reduces the carbon footprint. We cater to all tastes. With Italian food you can eat as cheaply (pizza /pasta) or as expensively (meats and fish) as you like. We love kids and families eating together. Sundays are great family days especially around tea time where kids eat free (conditions apply). We have colouring competitions to win our giant 24 inch pizzas (biggest in UK – we had to bring the plates in especially from a friend in america) and kids can make their own pizzas. We have great chefs who prepare fresh food to the highest standards and established floor staff who are professional,welcoming and friendly.

Michael: Whats the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?

David: Personally I think sheeps brain in the Middle East (without knowing what it was) but a client sent me a photo of a “Thrush kebab” he was presented with on holiday in Italy. Rather him than me.

Michael: Have you ever had any weird requests in the restaurant?

David:We have lots of requests for different dishes and , given notice, we try to accomodate. Recently we were asked to serve American Buffalo (given a little more notice Mettricks could have supplied!) and we’ve served crocodile before now.

Michael: Do you currently offer any promotions in the restaurant?

David: We offer kids eat free all day Sunday (we open 4.00 until 10.00pm). This is for children upto age 12 and each child participating has to be accompanied by an adult dining with us. We did have one man telephone to ask if he brought his 4 children in could they all eat free. Him and his wife didn’t want to eat themselves but would probably have a couple of beers. Regretably we couldn’t accomodate that.

We offer the VA Bene BLACK CARD which is fantastic value for money. It looks like a stylish black credit card and is personalised to the owner. For a whole YEAR from the date of purchase the owner gets a 15% discount off ALL HIS TABLES’ food and drink when he comes in in the evenings, he gets a complimentary bottle of wine on is birthday, a bottle of champagne in December when he comes in with a party of 8 and 15% off cocktails in the wine bar. At the moment it only costs £30 as an introductory offer but as it’s proving so popular we’re thinking of increasing the price in the New Year. Makes a great Christmas present. We have a fantastic themed Neapolitan Night coming up on Friday 7th November. Complimentary drink on arrival, lovely 3 course and coffee regional dinner, and a wonderful lady singer (easy listening/ jazz )all at £24.95.

On New Years Eve we have a fantastic party with an amazing RAT PACK singer (he did Harvey Nicks Xmas Party) and terrific gala dinner at just £47.50.

Michael: Whats the plan for the restaurant in 2009?

David: 2009. We hope to offer more of the same. We’re already planning a great St Patricks Day Italian/Irish Night!!! with a very interesting menu, Guiness with the Chianti and some great musicians. We hope to repeat our very successful cookery class at some time in the New Year

Michael: Could you give us any simple recipes for us to try at home?

David:I’d love to give you some of our menus such as for our wonderful meatballs, great sauces, mouth watering pork and beef ribs and the like. But they are very closely guarded and I’m afraid you’ll have to come to Va Bene to sample them.

Michael: Thanks for the interview David!

David: It was a pleasure.

You can meet David at www.va-bene.co.uk