N PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNIE BARNETT Bruno Ugur RESTAURANTEUR Bruno Ugur Porterhouse 164 South B Street, San Mateo 650.579.5911 porterhousesanmateo.com What inspired your career journey? When I moved from a small village in Kurdistan to England at 16, my first job was as a dishwasher. I fell in love with the restaurant business. It makes me happy to make the people who dine at Porterhouse happy! I came from nothing, but looking back, I’ve created a lot. What’s the recipe for success when it comes to the restaurant business? When customers come into my restaurant, I treat them like they are coming into my home. Hospitality is very important to me! I also think it’s important to create community here. And our historic location here in San Mateo is not to be missed. It’s spectacular. What sets Porterhouse apart from other steakhouses? I like to create a positive atmosphere in my restaurant. We do all our own butchering and dry age our steaks. It really makes a difference in the quality of our meat. I do tableside cooking and flambe crepe suzette and bananas foster. It’s great fun and the guests love it! I also have original posters from old movies on the walls. Many of your posters feature Humphrey Bogart…Is he your favorite film star? My earlier restaurant was a French restaurant named Bogie’s and I used to show the film Casablanca there. I’ve probably seen it a thousand times! It’s very romantic and classy. NOTA B L E MEN [ PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULETTE PHLIPOT
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==