A fixture of Cairo’s social scene, prominent party planner Ahmed Beltagy has made a name for himself both in event planning and in creating amazing restaurants. Recently, Beltagy celebrated a new milestone in his impressive repertoire with the opening of Lucida Restaurant, a much-acclaimed addition to Cairo’s culinary landscape. In an exclusive interview with eniGma’s Farida Elserty, Beltagy shares his journey to success, the challenges he’s faced along the way and his vision of what makes for an exceptional dining experience.
Ahmed Beltagy started out with a passion for entertainment that evolved into a passion for the culinary industry over the years. After building an impressive career in the entertainment scene, his interest in that scene began to wane and he developed a passion for the culinary arts, especially when he saw significant establishments offering higher-quality food take off in Egypt. “The idea for this culinary venture emerged around 2018-2019, a time when the market was maturing in terms of dining experiences. The culinary scene significantly evolved thanks to greater access to quality ingredients and a growing demand for elevated dining experiences. New establishments began to emerge offering notably higher-quality food,” he recounts.
Beltagy quietly harboured his new passion for some time, waiting for the right circumstances to emerge to take his next step. Things began to materialise when he found the right location for his first restaurant project. “Its spectacular setting, added to its proximity to where I was relocating at the time, made it ideal,” he recalls. Furthermore, the venue’s rooftop, a rarity in the area, added to its appeal and served as a source of inspiration.
Among the many challenges Betlagy has had to overcome in his career, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenge it posed to his restaurant venture, stands out as one of the biggest he’s had to face. “We finalised the contract for Lucida, in January 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world a month later. The location of the main project was in Arkan, and we were also going to open on the North Coast, “ Beltagy explains. Even as curfews and quarantines disrupted his ability to manage the project effectively, Beltagy decided to proceed with his plans. The agreement he had made with the Hacienda Beach Resort to launch Lucida North Coast in the summer of 2020 added an additional dimension to the challenge he was facing.
“We had to redirect our finances towards Lucida North Coast to ensure its timely opening. This caused delays in the original project,” he asserts. To complicate matters, successive devaluations of the Egyptian pound adversely affected the project’s budget, especially as related to imported components. To address these obstacles, Beltagy postponed the opening of Lucida Cairo for nearly a year, which allowed for better budget management and ensured a successful launch.
Beltagy’s top priority has always been to create a loyal customer base and to foster a sense of community with his clients. “A loyal customer base is built when individuals thoroughly enjoy the experience and find consistency in terms of quality and service,” he explains. This philosophy has been the foundation of Beltagy’s business since he started his first project, Tamarai, with Ayman Baky, his partner at the time, Tamarai revolutionised the nightlife scene in Egypt and Beltagy and Baky successfully built a base of loyal clients who believed in their commitment to delivering exceptional quality consistently, with passion and love.
“When your clients thoroughly enjoy the ambiance, the quality of the service, the cuisine, the beverages, and the overall experience, and see that it is always consistent, they are more inclined to become loyal customers. That’s how we created a loyal customer base,” Beltagy asserts.
While Beltagy was previously focused on nightspots, bars, lounges, and clubs, Lucida, is a restaurant/lounge with a strong emphasis on the back-end kitchen operation. The restaurant boasts top-of-the-line equipment and a spacious, state-of-the-art kitchen that rivals those found in hotels. The expansive 300 m² kitchen is fully equipped to meet the demands of international cuisine.
Lucida offers a range of unique signature dishes that are a must-try. “We take pride in offering a range of unique dishes at Lucida,” Beltagy asserts. The delectable menu is as wide-ranging as it is unique. Intriguing items include an amazing seabass dish which delights the taste buds and comes in a captivating presentation. Also exceptional are the beef tenderloin and beef schnitzel, and the variety of unconventional soups that cannot be found anywhere else. Lucida also offers sumptuous, carefully crafted salads that are truly refreshing. Not to be missed as well, are their delicious risottos, especially the exquisite mushroom risotto and the saffron and shrimp risotto. Their pastries and desserts are also to die for.
Beltagy does not take Lucida’s success to date for granted. He welcomes criticism that is well-intentioned. “Positively handling feedback and criticism is essential for improvement,” he asserts, acknowledging that constructive and respectful criticism is healthy and is an incentive to work hard to make changes and improvements as needed. “Not all criticism is honest and constructive, however,” he adds, pointing out that sometimes it is toxic and rooted in jealousy. “Sometimes people just like to criticise. I take criticism positively if it is within the frame of respect, given without offence, and with no hidden agenda or ulterior motives,” he explains.
Beltagy cautions aspiring restaurant owners looking to enter the restaurant industry that genuine love and passion for the craft are essential for success. “This can’t be merely a side venture, or a pursuit driven by the search for prestige, or a desire to join influential social circles, or to seek fame,” he says. He emphasises that success in the restaurant industry requires a substantial investment of time and financial resources, as well as a commitment to nurturing the business, staying updated with industry developments, fostering creativity, and building a top-tier team.
Looking ahead, Lucida has exciting events for its customers to look forward to. The restaurant in Cairo, not only offers a vibrant dining experience but also hosts live performances and guest DJs. Exciting plans are also being prepared for summer at Lucida Sahel, with its own completely different concept focusing on food and entertainment. Get ready for live performances and a variety of local and international DJs, for unforgettable experiences at Lucida Sahel.
Lucida Cairo is rapidly gaining a reputation as Cairo’s new hot spot, becoming the go-to destination for food and entertainment enthusiasts alike. Its next special event is planned for Valentine’s Day. Get ready to enjoy an amazing Valentine’s brunch and dinner with a romantic setup and live singer. Beltagy’s passion for delivering experienes will surely shine through!
