Jitka Klementová: Taste of Success

Ristorante Amici Miei

The possibility of taking over Amici Miei naturally was a great challenge to me. This opportunity occurred 3 years ago, at  the time of my return from Italy. I’d never thought of working in gastronomy… Nevertheless, I took over this restaurant and have achieved tremendous success.

And do you know why? I am not a trained chef and competing with well established and famous chefs who had already established their own restaurants was quite hazardous-but it was successful! However, I’d like to rebut the opinion of some that I have no experience in Italian cuisine.

I spent 15 years of my life in Italy. Bologna was the city which particularly enchanted me and captivated me for more than 10 years. I have traveled throughout Italy several times. Italian restaurants are amazing! Not only those Michelin-awarded ones, but also the ordinary trattoria, osteria and pizzeria. Every region offers its own specific, delicious meals. And the  best are then cooked all over the world.

One of my favorite restaurants is definitely Cipriani in Venice. Their rognoncino (kidney) alla Veneziana with rice is simply heavenly. Another restaurant that enraptured me is Bolognan Diana. Even in 40-degree heat I always had passatelli in brodo (in broth) and their bollito misto con salsa verde (boiled meat with green sauce). One can not find better anywhere!
The owners, too, are just amazing. Eros, who also takes cares of the hall, is the greatest flatterer in the world.

I have mentioned two very famous restaurants and those who have ever visited them would suppose that I like only expensive, exclusive places. But this is not so. I only thought of these two venues because the most beautiful moments of my life are connected with them and because they became the model for my business here in Prague.

Amici Miei has first-class food, a cozy elegant environment and professional staff attitude in common with these simply  exemplary restaurants. A large part of our clientele consists of successful businessmen and top managers, politicians and diplomats. And why do they all only choose Amici Miei? Perhaps, because in our restaurant they are treated with always fresh, quality meals, absolute privacy and above-standard service.

Although I have to confess that, during the first two or three months of my work in Amici Miei, I had no idea who my clients were. At first sight, almost all of them were very attractive, impeccable ladies and gentlemen with distinguished behavior, elegant bearing and appearance. However, due to the fact that I had lived out of the Czech Republic for many years, I could not tell who was who. But after I found out what significant personalities visit our enterprise, I kind of boast about our guests.

I rejoice when occasional visits to our enterprise become absolutely regular. This is the greatest success to me. It is certainly not only to my merit that Amici Miei is one of the most sought-after restaurants. My team of course is “the best in the world”. They cope with it when I sometimes tell them, in a bad mood, that I don’t need them and that they are fired. The contrary is true. Without them, the smooth running simply would not be possible. I trust them so much that I can go on
vacation without any fear, knowing that everything will run like clockwork.

I would therefore like to introduce at least some of the personalities in my team:
Chef Michal Jeřicha is the “backbone” of Amici Miei. I think there is nothing to add to this.

Manager Patrik Steiner is amazing Manager and my friend. He has been in our restaurant from the very beginning. Patrik is definitely among my employees with the best knowledge. He has an aristocratic aura – his etiquette is impeccable. But one day I will find some fault in him anyway! Martin Šťastný. Imagine a chef with the figure of a body-builder serving your delicious fat foie gras with a smile – that’s Martin. An indispensable part of Amici Miei.

Svetlana Lyashko is the only female in the kitchen. An excellent chef and confectioner and a sweet person.

I decided to write the above few lines about these people, because they all have years of experience with Amici and do above-standard work. My gratitude goes mainly to them.

Who do you rely on in your life?
Gradually I learnt to rely on myself, rather than to count on any support. If assistance arrives in a time of need, I am grateful for it and I always try to pay back the favor several fold. But still I see support rather as something exceptional and precious, not something automatic. And so, please let me express my gratitude to the person, thanks to whom I was born one more time (I am not exaggerating at all) and thanks to whom I also had the opportunity of gaining her friendship, which is so valuable to me. Therefore I express my thanks to the Head Physician of Motol University Hospital, MUDr. Marie Mikulecká, CSc.

Are you engaged in charity work?
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Amici Miei, I chose the “On Bike for Children” foundation, with which our excellent presenter, Martin Severa, collaborates. I have already had the opportunity of meeting him in the past and he also presented the special evening. It was the very first time that my guests also participated in my charity event and I thank them for this once more. However, I have to come up with another way of collecting contributions in future, because even successful people sometimes are loath to give donations. Some people donated 500 dollars, while others gave nothing. I thought that perhaps everybody would assist those less fortunate, but unfortunately this does not seem to be the case.

Who is your inspiration?
And who is my inspiration? At present, it is certainly those people who know what they are speaking about and who can advocate and enforce their opinions. These definitely include our President, Václav Klaus. I would like to mention one more person, a friend who was my inspiration for organizing the charity collection in Amici Miei – the world renowned philanthropist, art collector, economist and very successful businessman, Shafik Gabr. Perhaps you expected that I, as a restaurant owner, would name some famous chef. Fine then, for example, Michal Jeřicha. My chef. Is there any better way of seeking inspiration to change the world than with a bellyful of delicacies prepared by his magic hands?

How do you spend your free time?
My greatest hobby is definitely travel. But since the time that I have owned the restaurant, I have been travelling differently. Before, I wanted to see everything – every tourist attraction, every gallery and museum, famous restaurants, get to know how people really live in various countries. And today? Today I need to travel every 2 or 3 months to get away  and rest (this is really necessary with a job commitment of 14-15 hours per day, seven days a week). I will happily share my favorite destinations with you.

When I really need to “recharge my batteries” and detox my organism, I go to the Buchinger Clinic in Spanish Marbella. If miracles exist, they happen right there. In the Summer, I cannot miss the South of France – Monte Carlo, Cannes, St. Tropez. And in the last two years, Turkey as well. I fell in love with the Mardan Palace Hotel where, besides having one of the biggest swimming pools in the world, they are really able to fulfill your every desire. But when I am not too exhausted by the restaurant, I definitely visit London where one of my best friends lives. I really do not rest there. London never
makes me tired. Quite the contrary.

I also like reading. Any genre. I reject no author – which does not mean that I have to get to the end of the book. My love of reading already began in childhood. My mother gave me a book on any occasion. Today, a book as a gift still gives me the greatest joy. My employees also know about this hobby of mine. That is why they have also pleasantly surprised me several times. For example, my Manager, Patrik Steiner, gave me a beautiful collection of poems by Zeyer. The value of these books is also enhanced by the fact that he carefully searches for them in various antiquarian bookstores.

Your secret of success?
You have to perform the work in a restaurant with your whole heart. It is a time-consuming and mentally demanding job. But if you persist and do not slack off, you will achieve good results. Like any other employment, this job also has its pros and cons. The positive aspects certainly include working continuously with people which is often enriching. There is no better feeling than when a client is totally satisfied and you know that it is not just superficial praise and you will quickly discover this, as he or she will soon return to the restaurant. The negative side is that a restaurateur virtually can never go to other restaurants, because he will criticize things incessantly and will never enjoy the lunch or dinner as before. Indeed, one’s own restaurant is simply the best! :-)