Eric Lozachmeur (right) with Baba's chef Wang Huan. Photos Provided to China Daily

Ten months ago Eric Lozachmeur quit his job as an engineer and was ready to enjoy retirement in the southern city of Zhongshan, Guangdong province. But then a drink with Luigi Castagnanova changed his plans and his life. After two hours, the pair decided to open a restaurant together, and Baba was born.

Both Lozachmeur and Castagnanova are food lovers.

"Wine and food is a pretty big part of French culture," says Lozachmeur, 57, from Brest, northwestern France.

Castagnanova, 52, from southern Italy, adds, "For me, food is the most important thing in my life. Enjoying food at the day's end is one of the most pleasant things to do after work. It is the only time when family can talk, without a computer or TV.

"But for us, at our age, there are not many places in Zhongshan that are quiet enough and can provide very wonderful food and a nice lounge, where people can have an enjoyable wine or whiskey after work."

With this in mind the pair aimed Baba at the quieter end of the market and for all budgets, Lozachmeur says.

Previously a noisy expat bar, Baba is now a place where customers "can enjoy mild and clean soft music where they can talk with friends, without shouting to each other", Castagnanova says.

Lozachmeur and Castagnanova consulted many local people before opening the venue and opted for three cuisines - Western, Japanese and Chinese. They also used some typical Chinese decorative features, including a fish tank.

"If we do not bring Chinese people to it, the place would not work," Castagnanova says.

Besides a large collection of wines, Baba features three cuisines: Western, Japanese and Chinese.

Besides serving wine, they also want to educate customers about the drink.

Baba stocks a collection of 200 wines from Italy, France, Chile and Argentina. It will run wine classes to help customers appreciate the range, covering how the wine is made, how to taste and what the differences in grape are between regions.

The owners use an iPad as their menu, which can be changed quickly and provide information about their food and the culture behind it.

Both business partners have known Zhongshan for a long time. Castagnanova has been in Asia since 1988 and in Zhongshan for seven years. He owns a factory in the city, producing shock absorbers for automobiles and industrial shock-absorbing equipment.

Lozachmeur has been in Zhongshan for five years and previously worked for a company manufacturing equipment for water treatment in Tianjin.

"I have been to many different cities in China and there is not another beauty like Zhongshan," says Castagnanova.

"Even if it is quiet, you can see energy and people are very happy. You can feel that everybody is trying to give something for the city.

"Despite fast development, it is able to maintain it to an acceptable level, by leaving much space for parks. You can wake up in the morning and realize that you are in the middle of nature."

The restaurant's name came from Lozachmeur's two parrots that call him baba, meaning father in Chinese.

Castagnanova hopes Baba will be a place to relax and for family gatherings.

"I have spent some Spring Festivals in China with my friends, when there is a big table and various foods on the table." That is what keeps a family together, and it's a spirit that he hopes Baba can become known for in Zhongshan.

linjing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/03/2013 page5)