Hospitality veterans Tim Petrillo of The Restaurant People (therestaurantpeople.com) and Alan Roth (@alanroth.mia) boast a long history of bringing premier hospitality concepts to South Florida. Most recently, they’ve launched rooftop gem Giselle (gisellemiami.com) on top of the famous E11EVEN Miami nightclub. We chat with the power duo to learn more about their dynamic partnership and what they have coming up next.
Hospitality veterans Tim Petrillo and Alan Roth PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RESTAURANT PEOPLE
Tell us about the growth of The Restaurant People in Miami. What does that plan look like for you both?
TP: We are excited about the opportunity Miami provides. It is a very dynamic market that is getting stronger by the day.
AR: Tim and I are very excited about the initial 14 months since we opened Rosa Sky Rooftop. Miami truly welcomed us with open arms, and we have some exciting plans for more places we hope our community will love.
A dish from Casablanca cafe. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RESTAURANT PEOPLE
How do you divide your responsibilities within the business?
TP: Alan is primarily focused on the crowd, music and vibe, while I focus mostly on operations.
AR: Tim Petrillo is CEO of The Restaurant People and we are partners here in Miami. Tim is one of the smartest people I know and is teaching me so much. He has built an amazing team. They allow me to play my strengths—on the ground making sure our vision comes to life. Tim is running the company from the top, which allows me to sleep at night (when I finally get to bed these days!).
The dining area at Boatyard PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE RESTAURANT PEOPLE
What feedback have you received from the opening of Giselle Miami?
AR: We are so grateful for all the love and positive feedback we’ve received, especially on the food and service. We’ve already had many return customers. It’s fun to watch people experience the place and feel transported.
Sushi and other dishes from S3, all owned by The Restaurant People. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE RESTAURANT PEOPLE
I understand you have more concepts coming. Can you give us a sneak peek on that?
TP: We are excited about the Miami market, and we actually have three new concepts that will be launching. I’m a bit superstitious, so I can’t reveal too much right now.
AR: All I can say at this time is we’ll be launching our third rooftop in Miami, which will be totally different from the others.
What elements are most important to you when opening up a new concept?
TP: I think it’s important to make sure every guest connects to the concept in a meaningful way, but it’s also most important to assemble the right team to execute!
AR: Personally, I work off my senses—the visual design, tastes, sounds, textures, even the scent is important. But honestly, the most important part of every concept is trying to make sure each and every guest feels welcome and has a beautiful experience.
The order counter at Java & Jam PHOTO: BY J YOUNG FILMS
What differences do you notice between the market in Fort Lauderdale versus Miami?
TP: The markets are only 30 minutes away but they are drastically different. Fort Lauderdale is a bit more relaxed and approachable, while Miami feels much more international and glitzier.
What do you want guests to feel when they leave one of your concepts?
TP: We want them to feel energized, fulfilled and yearning for more. AR: Magic. I want them to feel the magic.
Photography by: Photo Courtesy: The Restaurant People
