4i-Bar in Cham to re-open

Following the change of management at the "Rössli" in Cham, new life is returning to the bar located beneath it - despite some initial reservations.
 

Cristina Mori and Donato Toscano are taking over the 4i-Bar in Cham as the new management duo. The bar is part of the "Rössli" complex, and will continue operations following the change of management at the upstairs restaurant. While the venue is sticking to a proven formula, it is also introducing some new touches, such as live music and a more understated atmosphere.

The plan had actually been shelved once. Donato Toscano had considered taking over the 4i-Bar - a convenient option, given that he lives right in the neighbourhood. Something held him back, however: "I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to reconcile it with being in a relationship." But he had reckoned without his partner, Tanja Eberle. She was in Cologne with her close friend Cristina Mori, where the two of them developed the idea further.

Eventually, the three met at the Rialto restaurant near Zythus to discuss the matter. "It took less than ten minutes for us to reach an agreement," says Cristina Mori. They immediately informed Flamur Shahini - part of the family that runs the "Rialto" and, for the past few weeks, also the "Rössli" in Cham (which includes the 4i-Bar). It was decided that Cristina Mori and Donato Toscano would be the bar's new management team. Tanja Eberle and her daughter are also helping out, together with Cristina Mori's daughter.

Donato Toscano and Cristina Mori will be running the bar alongside their other professional commitments. He continues to work in IT, but is training to become a bartender, while she is currently looking for a job in the financial sector. But the hospitality industry is not entirely new to them: Donato Toscano’s brother once ran the "Ferni" on the Kirchplatz in Cham, while Cristina Mori’s father was a founding member of the Avis blood donor association, which operates a restaurant in the Cham industrial zone. Her mother used to cook there.

This place is needed
The duo running the establishment has Italian roots, and both admit that social connection is important to them. They view continuing the "4i-Bar" - named after its address at Sinserstrasse 4 - as a service to the community. "This place is needed for the people of Cham," says Cristina Mori. She and Donato Toscano grew up in the town, and have known each other since their school days. People around them encouraged them to realise this idea.

Cristina Mori and Donato Toscano will welcome guests from Saturday, 3rd October
Simple and elegant: the redesigned bar
The dart machine has stayed
Tanja Eberle (center) got the ball rolling
The selection is small but refined.                              Photos: Matthias Jurt
 

The venue has a fresh look - more understated and elegant than before. But much remains familiar: live sports broadcasts on the screens, the dart machine, and the opening hours. These remain almost the same as under the long-time proprietor Wanda Andres: from 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm on Tuesdays to Thursdays, from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am on Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am.

Cristina Mori and Donato Toscano are also planning live music events - and they are upholding a cherished Cham Christmas tradition: the bar will be open on Christmas Eve, starting at 10:00 pm.

Moretti, cocktail of the month, and schnitzel sandwich
The menu features the standard range of bar offerings. The beer selection is concise, featuring Moretti, Baarer Bügelspez, their non-alcoholic counterparts, and Erdinger Weissbier. This is complemented by three rotating red and white wines, two rosés, and a "cocktail of the month." There are still classic cravings-busters like the ‘Schnitzelbrot’ (schnitzel sandwich) - but also the option to order dishes from the upstairs restaurant. The new "Rössli" leaseholders are glad that the will be operating again, says Cristina Mori:

The two new restaurateurs have signed a one-year contract to see how this adventure unfolds. Regarding the financial outlook, Donato Toscano says: "We aren't doing this to get rich." That may be true financially - but they will certainly become rich in experiences and stories.

Information:
The re-opening takes place at 6 pm on Saturday, 3rd October.
Further information (in German) can be found on:
www.4i-bar.com