Today we’d like to introduce you to Francois Patanchon.
Francois, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I moved from France to California in 2000 to run an industrial company that manufactures heavy high-tech machinery for the aviation industry. I bought the company out of bankruptcy and under his leadership, the business grew dramatically, opened a new facility near Mexico City and an office in China. The company increased from 18 employees when I assumed management, to more than 200 when I left it in 2012.
I also owned for twelve years “Le Papagayo Leucadia” (2003-2015). The restaurant became one of the most successful restaurants in North County. I started the business with a breakfast place with no alcohol license and 12 years later, the restaurant was opening for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a full alcohol & entertainment license.
Then I started to run and operate since 2016 an industrial bakery located on Miramar road. “Gourmet Artisan Bakery”. The Bakery supplies multiples restaurants in North County and downtown San Diego as well as my last creation: Tapas & Beers located on Broadway circle in the Spreckels Building.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There is never a smooth road for anything. Life is a succession of challenges and obstacles. Sometimes small ones, sometimes bigger ones. That’s also what makes the path interesting. I was lucky enough to overcome each of them and keep moving on. Opening restaurants is not an easy road but with a lot of motivation anyone can accomplish so much.
Tapas & Beers – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The idea behind Tapas & Beers is to enhance 20 locally craft beers from San Diego with a wide variety of appetizers & smaller plates to share between friends and family. By combining tapas & beers, I wanted to create a style of eating with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to enjoy with Friends and Family. We are offering a variety of savory sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, homemade soups and entrees.
Tapas & Beers is also proposing catering for luncheon, special events (weddings, birthdays…) or corporate events (meetings, seminars…) and a Happy Hour everyday from 4 to 7 with $2 off on each item of the food & drink menu.
The restaurant is an inviting bi-level space boasting an urban-industrial design, complete with soaring ceilings, reclaimed wood paneling, high top tables, flat-screen TVs and a polished concrete bar. We are also known for our Unique Frozen Beer Tower which features 20 local draft beers.
I am proud to propose to our customers a different and memorable experience with our Mediterranean cuisine flavors and this one of a kind iced tower.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is something very relative. Everyone decides about his own goals and his own successes. For me, every day my guests in the restaurant tell me they had a delicious meal or a lovely night thanks to my team and myself it’s a huge success for me and this makes me very satisfied.
Pricing:
- Seafood paella from Spain for only $22
- Lunch combo everyday from 11 to 5 for $10 (Pick 2 half items out of 4 – soups, salads, flatbreads, sandwiches
- Cured meat platter (Prosciutto/Salami/Chorizo/Creminelli) for only $14
- Cheese board (4 different cheeses) for only $16
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tapasbeers.com
- Phone: (619) 564-7255
- Email: tapasbeers@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tapasbeers
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tapas-and-beers-san-diego
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