Bucharest's newest attraction as regards relaxation areas comes from Athénée Palace Hilton, where the restaurant Cafe Athénée was opened on Monday, in the space that hosted Le Bistrot until recently. The event coincided with the presentation of the hostel's new director, Canadian Linda Griffin, who recently replaced Friederich W. Niemann on this job.
To connoisseurs, Café Athenee reminds one of the Bucharest's past, keeping a connection with the renowned Romanian Athenaeum and the hotel's history. The restaurant was designed as a trendy and contemporary bistro-café, which however has its roots deep in the past, and presenting a menu inspired by European cuisine.
"I look forward to introducing the Café Athenee to the Bucharest social and dining scene, a contemporary, elegant and chic café which will undergo a metamorphoses from day to evening. From café to lounge giving the city an exciting new venue and concept," said Linda Griffin, the hotel's new General Manager.
"Renovation works on the hotel's ground floor scheduled for 2010 were completed by the Café Athénée opening. Also, the reception desk was renewed and the Collonades were reinvented. For 2010, investments into these works amount to two million Euro," Griffin said.
The last stage of works will follow at the beginning of 2011 and consists of renovating the hotel's main restaurant, Roberto's.
Before coming to Romania, Griffin was Cluster General Manager in Turkey for Adana & Mersin Hilton Hotels. The first job of the new Hilton Bucharest general manager was with Hilton Toronto. Fifteen years ago, Griffin accepted her first international level job in Arupa and then, until 1999, she worked in Puerto Rico, Turkey, Japan, Australia, Caribbean and Egypt.
Hilton Worldwide's brand portfolio includes over 3,500 hotels and brands, such as Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton si Hilton Grand Vacations.
Restaurantul Cafe Athenee cea mai noua atractie a Bucurestiului
Cea mai noua atractie a bucurestiului in ceea ce priveste zona de relaxare vine de la Athénée Palace Hilton, acolo unde luni a fost deschis restaurantul Cafe Athénée, în spaţiul în care s-a aflat pana nu de mult restaurantul Le Bistrot. Evenimentul a coincis si cu prezentarea noului director general al hotelului, canadianca Linda Griffin, cea care l-a inlocuit, de curand, in aceasta functie pe Friedrich W. Niemann.
Pentru cunoscatori, Café Athenee aminteste de trecutul Bucurestului pastrand legatura cu renumitul Atheneu Roman si cu istoria hotelului. Restaurantul a fost conceput ca un bistro-café trendy si contemporan insa cu radacinile bine ancorate in trecut, prezentand un meniu inspirat din bucataria europeana.
“Astept cu nerabdare sa prezint noul Café Athenee atat Bucurestenilor cat si oaspetilor din strainatate. Ne vom bucura impreuna de un café chic si elegant, ce se va transforma la sfarsitul zilei in lounge, oferind orasului un concept si un loc de intalnire nou si interesant" a spus Linda Griffin, noul Director General al hotelului.
'Lucrările de renovare de la parterul hotelului programate pentru anul 2010 au fost completate de deschiderea restaurantului Cafe Athenee. De asemenea, recepţia a fost reînnoită, precum şi Collonadele reinventate. Pentru anul 2010, investiţia pentru aceste lucrări se ridică la două milioane euro', a declarat Linda Griffin.
Ultima etapă a lucrărilor va urma la începutul anului 2011 şi constă în renovarea restaurantului principal al hotelului, Roberto's.
Înainte de a veni în România, Linda Griffin a ocupat poziţia de Cluster General Manager în Turcia pentru Adana & Mersin Hilton Hotels. Primul job al noului director general al Hilton Bucureşti a fost ocupat însă în cadrul Hilton Toronto. În urmă cu 15 ani, Griffin a acceptat primul post la nivel internaţional în Aruba, iar mai apoi până în 1999 a lucrat în Puerto Rico, Turcia, Japonia, Australia, Caraibe şi Egipt.
Portofoliul de branduri al Hilton Worldwide conţine peste 3.500 de hoteluri şi branduri, printre care Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton şi Hilton Grand Vacations.
