In Verona, Italy, customers at Al Condominio restaurant can enjoy a unique dining experience by handing over their phones upon arrival. The owner, Angelo Lella, opened the restaurant with the goal of creating a space where customers could focus on socializing without being distracted by technology. Lella believes that smartphones have become an addiction for many people and wanted to create a phone-free environment.
Upon entering the restaurant, customers will be given a key to securely lock away their phones in a designated area. Once they are seated, they will receive a complimentary bottle of wine, such as Prosecco or rosé. This concept has been popular among customers, with 90% choosing to participate in the phone-free dining experience. Lella is pleased to see customers engaging in conversations and enjoying each other’s company without distractions from technology.
Lella hopes to inspire his customers to disconnect from their phones and connect with one another over a shared meal and wine. He believes that this innovative approach to dining has been successful in creating a unique and enjoyable experience for patrons. By offering a free bottle of wine in exchange for their phones, Lella encourages customers to savor the moment and engage in meaningful interactions with one another.
The response to the initiative at Al Condominio has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers appreciating the opportunity to disconnect from their phones while dining. Lella is pleased to see his vision come to life and hopes that his restaurant continues to inspire others to prioritize socializing over technology.
