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WORK • Wednesday Routine
Boundary pushing
FRANCESCO SARDELLI • general manager • The Hari
Neighbourhood you work in: Belgravia
Neighbourhood you live in: Wandsworth
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I start with a walk around The Hari, the hotel where I work. It’s my way of taking the temperature of the place, checking in with the team and noticing the details you can’t spot from behind a desk. Then it’s the morning meeting and catch-ups. After lunch, I meet with my heads of department to map out the next seven days and make sure we’re on the same page.
What’s on the agenda for today?
More guests are embracing spontaneous stays, which means the week is full of unexpected arrivals and last-minute plans. We’re constantly adapting, thinking on our feet and making sure every detail is in place. The pace is dynamic and unpredictable, which makes midweek feel alive.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I have a soft spot for Scott’s in Mayfair. It’s a real institution, and the fish is always impeccable. Closer to home, I’m biased but I love what our chef, Marco Quarta, is doing at il Pampero. We’re both from Puglia, and he recreates some of my favourite childhood dishes.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’m all about the outdoors. I train in the gym four times a week, pushing beyond my comfort zone. Last year, I took on one of the greatest challenges of my life: the Lost City trek in Colombia. Websites warn you need to be fit, but they don’t mention climbing mountains in 35-degree heat over four intense days. It was tough but unforgettable. I lost 3kg and discovered one of the most breathtaking places on earth. That kind of adventure reminds me why I love testing my limits.
Any weekend getaways?
I recently went to Valencia for the famous Las Fallas festival. It’s one of the most vibrant, loud celebrations you can imagine – I packed earplugs for the booming explosions. It started with local carpenters celebrating spring by burning the wooden supports they used for their lamps in winter. Over time, they added old belongings and rags, giving the bonfires a human-like character. These eventually evolved into the ninots we know today: satirical, humorous figures that poke fun at politics, culture and everyday life. It’s noisy, chaotic and unforgettable.
What was your last great holiday?
Sri Lanka. It felt like a different world, from breathtaking sunsets to warm, joyful hospitality. I stayed in tiny boutique hotels that felt straight out of a storybook. One, in Kandy, had just four rooms, each with a royal title. Mine was The Prince, and for a while, I felt like royalty. The highlight was Sama Retreat, surrounded by nature and a nearby turtle hatchery. Watching baby turtles make their way to the ocean was magical. Their survival rate jumps dramatically thanks to the hatchery, so it felt like a tiny victory.
Where are you donating your time or money?
Hospitality Action and Macmillan.
ASK FOUND
Three PROMPTS for which we request your attention:
Where’s your favourite Sunday roast?
Where are you booking for your summer holiday?
Oyster Week is in the books. What should FOUND’s next theme week be?
Got answers or more questions? Hit reply or email found@foundldn.com.
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Revolving doors
The Skinny: Carousel founders Ed and Ollie Templeton debuted Cometa, a Mexican seafood restaurant, in their former bar space in February. Unlike Carousel’s revolving residencies, Cometa and its duo of chefs from Mexico City are very much here to stay.