Trade in Bernay: a new concept and a new team for Bodega

Conduct an interview with Layla Errifi by sitting down in rue Gaston Folloppeit means taking the risk of being regularly interrupted, as a new leader The bodega know people in Bernay (Eure).

“Takes over from Brin d’Zinc”

Created in March 2022 by partners who love gastronomythe restaurant has just reopened after several months of disruption due to a lack of staff and the need to carry out work to bring it up to standard.

“I proposed a concept: try to take over from Brin d’Zinc by adding the improved bar side,” says Layla Errifi, confiding her connection to the Bernay regionwhere she has lived for thirteen years, and especially on this rue Gaston Folloppe, whose atypical character she appreciates.

Closed since last year and the death of manager Hervé Pinot, Brin d’Zinc was an important venue for music lovers. Layla Errifi herself came there regularly. She wants to do Bodega today a new benchmark for artistsin musical registers as diverse as blues, jazz, rock, percussion, oriental or gypsy tones… The Guitar-Voice-Drums concert, this Saturday 20 April with the singer Acantah, was a first glimpse of it.

“The aim is to let people find another place for socializing here,” he explains the founder of the association Connexion libre, with a thick address book. When it comes to organizing cultural events, Layla Errifi knows how to do it, like the show in the 1930s, during the sixtieth anniversary of Edith Piaf’s death in June 2023.

Tapas, dishes, wine and cocktails

The manager of Bodega is surrounded by two employees, Cassy and Angèle. The latter is also a veteran of Brin d’Zinc.

We form a complementary team that works in synergy and creativity, each of us bringing our knowledge.

The chef is also busy in the kitchen. Dinner and evening, she says tapas in the spotlight and insist on varying their composition regularly. “We work a lot with olive oil, it’s part of our identity,” she points out.

Customers will also find Pentecost, whose dough is lighter than a classic pizza, or traditional dishes made with fresh products, the restaurant trusts a network of local producers. Cold cuts and cheeses, served in the form of tasting boards, are also an integral part of the menu.

When it comes to drinks, Bodega (“wine bar” in Spanish) intends to live up to its name. “Our cellar is absolutely exceptional and we’re going to introduce people to new products,” promises Layla Errifi, who is also a banker at smoothies and cocktails with or without alcohol.

Work together

With almost 40 seats indoors and around twenty on the terrace, Bodega offers a warm setting where you can drink coffee in the morning or enjoy a drink at the end of the day. In addition to the concerts, the idea is to broadcast sporting events major on the big screen, welcome exhibitions in collaboration with the neighboring gallery, to offer artistic performances.

Layla Errifi evokes her desire to work together with the other actors in rue Gaston Folloppe, to seek an agreement with the town hall regarding the dates of closure to trafficto create links with the associative substance.

“Solidarity and mutual aid are not just talk, they are a real philosophy,” this former dancer and choreographer, with a busy career, always confirms at the crossroads between commerce and entertainment, never far from culture, art and public and social education. “I like connecting with people,” she confirms.

Making the Bodega flourish is a new and stimulating adventure that she approaches with full of enthusiasm.

La Bodega, bar and restaurant, 26 rue Folloppe, 27300 Bernay. Wednesday 10:30 – 01:00; Thursday and Friday 10.30 – 15.00 and 17.00. Saturday 8.00 – 15.00 and 17.00 – 01.00 Facebook: La Bodega Bernay Contact: 07 83 48 14 48.

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