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BUSINESS
GEORGIA TODAY
OCTOBER 22 - 24, 2019
Prospero’s Books Turns 20
An Unmissable Two Day Only ‘Dinner in the Sky’ Event in Mtskheta
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mong the most extraordinary dining experiences in the world, successfully operating in 71 countries all over the globe over 13 years, Dinner in the Sky was launched in Georgia this May, offering an unforgettable fine dining experience in the sky, 50m off the ground, in an exclusive atmosphere together with a breathtaking view of the city and cuisine prepared by a top chef. 270 success events and over 5000 fully satisfied guests later, the Tbilisi Dinner in the Sky, a unique “flying restaurant” is going to offer guests something special in one of the oldest areas of Georgia and its former capital, Mtskheta on October 26-27. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its ancient culture and historical monuments, this fine dining experience in Mtskheta is a great opportunity for guests to enjoy a panoramic fourdimensional view of the area and its fancy surroundings; to soak up the exciting scenes of Jvari Monastery and the mountains embracing it; the confluence of two famous lovers, the rivers Argavi and Mtkvari; and the renowned Svetitkhoveli Cathedral, Bebris Tsikhe and Samtavro Monastery, all in one frame. If you haven’t yet tried a Dinner in the Sky event, check out their online videos to get a taste of this exceptional experience. The event will be located in Marani Hall where the artful chef of Marani will join guests at a height of 50 meters to prepare and serve dishes in the pop-up kitchen, and have a friendly chat with you about the characteristics of the exclusive menu, which consists of a cooking show in the Sky in
front of the guests, a master class of Pelamushi making, a four-course fancy menu, and unlimited wine and beverages for each guest. In a word, all Georgian pleasures- Georgian dishes, Georgian wines, and Georgian landscapes and ambiance, are now intertwined into this once-ina-lifetime, extraordinary event that is not to be missed! Booking is available on the following link: www.dinnerinthesky.ge/mtskheta
BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES
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ast Thursday, Prospero’s Books, a combined book-and-stationery store and café tucked in a sunny courtyard just off Rustaveli Avenue, invited long-term friends and customers to celebrate the 20th year since it first opened its doors. The idea, and recognition of a need for a book store selling English books, was identified by author, trekker and guide, Peter Nasmyth and Irakli Topuria. While it started out as a casual discussion following the opening of the International House bookshop, and a toast to a wish coming true, Topuria was quick to find just the right place: an unloved courtyard at Rustaveli 34. The funds were raised to buy the property, with Nasmyth putting in almost all he had, and the renovation work began. Finding investors was hard, Nasmyth reports, but along came current General Manager of Hotel Betsy’s, Steven Johnson and his brother, and Steve’s wife Tamara (Tako).
“Tamara has worked extremely hard to make this work,” Nasmyth said, thanking the Manager in particular for her energy and dedication. GEORGIA TODAY spoke to manager Tako Johnson about the Prospero’s journey. “The highlights have been that I personally enjoyed giving some benefit to society, meeting wonderful people and customers from all over the world and making them feel at home. The challenges have been many over these 20 years: among them was feeling the gaps between the Western standards and local established practices, maintaining the professionalism and quality of service.” Many praise Prospero’s for being an island of western calm in the Tbilisi urban sprawl, offering numerous works of fiction, non-fiction and educational material to Georgia’s English-speaking community. It also plays host to book launches, meetthe-author signings and a variety of educational events. Already boasting three branches in Tbilisi, Prospero’s future goals include opening another store on Abashidze Street and expanding to other cities of Georgia.