A moveable feast
MOHAMED ALKASSAR • FEAL Hospitality
WORK • Thursday Routine
MOHAMED ALKASSAR • founder/CEO • FEAL Hospitality
Neighborhood you live in: South Beach
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I’m at my desk at home drinking Earl Grey tea with six scrambled eggs and avocado topped with chino, a condiment of spicy dried mango shreds gifted to me by the family of my business partner, chef Niven Patel, on our trip to India.
We currently own five restaurants across South Florida and I start my morning focused on recently opened projects, as well as the critical path for upcoming openings. Today, I’m closing out construction for Ghee Wynwood, which opened in December, then reviewing the lease for Ghee Atlanta, our first step towards national expansion.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I’ll meet with Niven at our South Beach restaurant Paya for morning cafecito. He’s filleting fish in the early morning, so once I shut my laptop, I head over there. We’ll walk over to Rosetta Bakery on Lincoln Road for two cappuccinos; it’s definitely my favorite coffee on South Beach. I can’t help but order something sweet, so I go for their apple strudel. After that, I’ll head to Ghee Wynwood for a manager meeting. I try to visit at least two of our restaurants a day whenever possible.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I’m going to swing by Macchialina — get the polenta. I also like Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery for a late-night drink; it’s a hidden gem of a bar, dark, cozy, with a great playlist and good drinks.
How about a little leisure or culture?
Sunday mornings, I go to Under the Mango Tree for the best matcha latte with homemade almond milk. I usually take my bike and ride to South Pointe Park. Cruising the boardwalk is the best way to start your day — the view is breathtaking. Smith & Wollensky has an outdoor bar that’s totally worth grabbing a glass of wine for sunset. Soho Beach House on a Monday is fantastic — you avoid the crowds and get to enjoy the beautiful water. At least once in your life, make time for an airboat tour in the Everglades and see some alligators.
What was your last great vacation?
Madrid. The city has unmatched energy; it’s invigorating on so many levels and the culture is deeply rooted in dining out. Visit Bodega de la Ardosa for the best tortilla in town. It’s a bar that’s open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. Casa Dani is your casual spot for the best baby lamb chops, a cut that I just can’t seem to find in the United States; their salmorejo, morcilla (blood sausage), and pulpo gallego are also top-notch. Walk over to Parque de El Retiro for a leisurely walk; it’s beautiful and located by my favorite neighborhood, barrio Salamanca. In between lunch and dinner, Mercado San Miguel is a great spot to snack on some Jamon Iberico de Bellota and a few croquetas while enjoying a glass of wine.
All this food is just priming you for the main event, dinner at El Pescador, my favorite restaurant in Madrid. It’s old-school Madrid, no music, no entertainment, simple food executed to perfection. Order the carabineros (scarlet prawns), razor clam escabeche, and their signature uni shells stuffed with European spider crabs.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
My GIANT bike FastRoad AR2 is perfect for city errands and fitness.