I have advice for anyone thinking of opening a restaurant. Don’t. And for anyone thinking of opening a restaurant in Russia, you may as well run full speed into a brick wall. It will be less painful and you’ll have a greater sense of accomplishment. I’ve been involved in dozens of restaurant projects. But this will be my first in Moscow. Inspired by the original Hemingway watering hole and eatery in Havana, Cuba where the Daiquiri was invented, Floridita is already successful in London, Dublin and Madrid. It is true that the idea to open one in the Russian capital was mine. But I plead temporary insanity, your honor. This little restaurant/bar/night club/cigar shop with live music and kick-ass cocktails has so far survived inane Russian bureaucracy, corrupt and incompetent local partners, fire, flood and all manner of bribery, thievery and shenanigans (yes, it’s ok for an Italian/Portuguese American to say shenanigans) and death (our wonderful 29-year old chef had a heart attack, may he rest in peace). As I write this, my partners and I are just days away from opening Floridita on Arbat, Russia’s oldest and most visited pedestrian street. So please cross your fingers, say a prayer, rub the left hind foot of a graveyard rabbit killed in the dark of the moon, or anything else you think may send a little luck our way. And if you find yourself in Moscow anywhere near 36 Arbat, please look me up and say hello. In fact, if you mention that you read about Floridita at Vodka.Com…the staff will give you a quizzical look and pretend they don’t know what you are talking about.