Happy Holidays from Savona
Savona is proud to welcome our new bartender, Pablo Hurtado! Pablo joined us recently after having just moved from Europe, where he worked at some of London's top venues the last ten years. Though Pablo has only been with us at Savona a short time, he has won over our loyal patrons as well as Savona first-timers.

Pablo was born and raised in Colombia where he was a Marine. When he first moved to London, he did not speak any English. His first jobs were as dishwasher and busboy. He picked up some English, worked his way up to barback and quickly became very interested in what the bartenders were doing. He learned quickly and soon became the respected mixologist he is today.

Pablo is well seasoned and is very passionate about what he does, which is evident by his big smile when he is shaking a cocktail. Pablo is well versed in all the classic cocktails, but specializes particularly in Latin spirits and is a Tequila Master. Pablo has entered many cocktail competitions with some of the UK's top mixologists and has always placed in the top five, and has even won several.

Pablo will often rummage through his wife's cookbooks for inspiration and new ideas for cocktails. He does not drink cocktails himself but holds the record time for taking a shot of tequila.

Want to have the perfect aperitif before your meal? Or perhaps finish an exquisite dinner with an after dinner cocktail? Let Pablo create something special for you and you will not be disappointed! He is happy to know what you are drinking and just how you like it!

Dré Masso, Worldwide Cocktail Club

"I first saw Pablo in action in 1999. It was at Cafe Pacifico in Covent Garden.
The bar was crowded and I could hardly hear the voice of the person standing next to me. The noise was a cocktail of loud sizzling hot food, the joyful Mariachi music and lots of laughter.

One voice cut through all of this. It was Pablo's. He was charmingly screaming with his comical Latin accent at the crowd, in search of the owner of a seafood platter. After not finding the rightful owner he threw the platter at me and introduced himself as 'Papi'.

I returned the favour with a shot of my favourite and the rest is history………… "

 

 

El Pacifico, Ken Smith

It seems I’ve gone grey in here, ageing into these mirrors, these lights, the chatter the length of the long varnished bar, among the tequilas muttering una mas.

It seems you’re far away again. At home the bed’s a mess and I forget to eat so I’m here again, drinking to health and good fortune, the long roads you’re out on.

The heart beats be safe, be safe, be safe, my love. It’s that time, the mood calling Missing you eating down into the bones. Una mas, Pablito por favour. Una mas, una mas.

Tom Estes, Pacifico Group and Ambassador of Tequila for Europe

Behind the bar, in front of the bar, Pablo has made his name. He has brought with him his giant Latin heart and love of people and life,a true requisite for a true ,great bartender.

In the years that Pablo worked with us at Cafe Pacifico we all progressed a great deal. The bar went up to new levels of quality and especially fun. Pablo made himself an Ambassador in the field of tequila. He has always been curious to learn new things about tequila and has been a permanent fixture at tequila classes and tastings.

Beyond his technical skills as a fine bartender and ambassador of tequila he has brought a lot of playful joy to his work and world, something that is priceless in our profession and in our world. Gracias Pablito , una mas , por favor.