Eric M and Bagatelle

 

Eric Mastantuono: a high-flying, international man of mystery and the director of customer development  behind the exclusive and prestigious brand Bagatelle – one of the world’s most dynamic dining club experiences. Known amongst celebrities and VIPs for providing a one-of-a-kind experience with his high-end service with a smile, Eric M has shared the secrets behind the self-made success of his career:

Born and raised in Marseille, the son of a bus driver, Eric M. studied hospitality before conscription in the French army. His original plan of becoming a teacher, as suggested by the director of his school, rapidly dissolved as he experienced the nightlife industry in Marseille when serving his year as a chef in the army. His dream since then was to become one of the people behind the booming nightlife industry. Taking his chances in St. Tropez, and following his dreams of exactly what he envisioned his future to be, he started his high-flying career as a waiter in VIP Room – one of the world’s finest and most exclusive clubs, the scene where anyone who wanted to be someone would be. There, he worked hard to build his career, often working from 1pm to 6.30am, seven days a week, proving how hard work can pay off.

Whilst today, St Barths, Dubai and Miami are at the peak of the celebrity and VIP scene, 22 years ago, in 1998, St Tropez provided the niche of where celebrities would lounge in the luxe and glamour. Working there for 17 years, first as a waiter, then a manager, and finally the director of the opulent and extravagant club, which had locations in Cannes and Monaco alongside St Tropez, Eric M. finally quit VIP Room to expand his career in the luxury entertainment industry, perhaps a risk, but one that paid off as his career change created his success.

Between quitting VIP Room in 2014 and joining Bagatelle six months later, Eric M. had a multitude of propositions of which path to follow. As his career progressed and he became the go-to guy for VIPs and celebrities, Eric M. opened his own restaurant, BO, whose reputation grew and became one of the best in Marseille, before he moved to Miami and worked as the Executive Director of another nightclub. His experiences with celebrities in Europe allowed him to lead the marketing and PR side of the nightclub, forming relationships with celebrities like Paris Hilton, amongst others.

Looking back on his experiences, Eric M. claims that it’s not about the events that he organised themselves, which were repetitive, day after day and night after night, but rather about the experiences he gained meeting celebrities and the elite clientele, including his child-hood superstars and world-wide names like Tom Cruise and Rihanna. From meeting them as part of his career, to actually becoming friends with some of them was truly a dream come true for him.

Today, as the director of customer development for Bagatelle, Eric M. travels between the 12 destinations, including New York, Buenos Aires, St Barths, London and Dubai, networking with global brands and legendary names, and ensuring they gain the ultimate VIP experience when they visit one of his restaurants-come-clubs. As a manager, he claims that the most important aspect of working in this industry is the smile he keeps on his face, and whilst he can be demanding for those who work for him, he is focused on providing an incredibly extraordinary service for his high profile clients. Those clients and celebrities often refer him to other big names, impacting the network of people who know him for his lavish service.

However, the entertainment and dining scene is completely saturated, especially for this type of clientele. The jetsetters and high-end clients of the world are constantly seeking new hotspots, resulting in many restaurants and clubs opening and closing within the same year. Bagatelle, on the other hand, has created a unique experience that remains prevalent in the industry, always attracting big names. Eric M. argues that the numerous night clubs that are stuffed into the big city nightlife scenes are obsolete. The clients no longer want to blindly spend $3000 at the door before benefitting from the experiences inside, where they don’t even know what the atmosphere will be like, so instead, brands like Bagatelle create experiences preventing this.

Bagatelle isn’t a night club. In fact, it’s probably unfair to label it as just a restaurant. It’s an experience in itself. The sustainable model of a dinner club where guests come for the dining experience, yet stay for the party scene available. As Eric M. himself claims, Bagatelle boasts of the right concept with impeccable recipes, a glamorous atmosphere, and polished service, transforming the future of the VIP nightlife scene.

With 12 restaurants open around the world, and collaborations with brands including Don Perignon, Bagatelle is now extending its partnerships to different levels, like fashion brands and jewellery lines. Alongside its brand expansion, Bagatelle also faces a global expansion, as they have recently signed a spot in Mykonos, which will be opening later this year, as well as recently opening a venue in the most exclusive French resort, Courchevel. Instead of a beach party, guests experience a party on the snow, accessed by ski-lift, with the most incredible views of Mont-Blanc.

For those who know him, Eric has a cheeky side as well. Eric M.’s signature pose is often featured alongside the likes of Simon Cowell and Will Smith, consisting of folded arms, a sultry look, without the smile he’s known for working with. Wanting to not come across as fake, with the same smile so many others put on in front of the camera, Eric M.’s signature pose has been imitated by celebrities and fans alike, all of whom admire him for his hard-work that created the career he only once dreamt of having.