© Mathilde Rietsch
To me, a la bonne heure is and always has been an expression I use when something is just right: a place, a meal, an experience, an encounter. It’s the bottle of wine from the right vintage, opened in the perfect moment, drunk at the right temperature from the correct glass, shared, of course, in great company (and that may as well be just yourself). This feeling may seem serendipitous, but behind each one of those special moments are usually a lot of people who have done a lot of things right.
This is, quite simply put, the mission of a la bonne heure : to help create those moments of pure joy and satisfaction, where guests feel as though every detail has been thoughtfully considered to deliver an exceptional and exquisite experience.
We support owners and project leaders in the hospitality and gastronomy industries with personalized consulting services tailored to their needs. Whether it’s by generating ideas, offering critical insights, or providing access to an extensive creative network for the task at hand, we’re here to ensure your project is able to reach its full potential.
© Letizia Cigliutti
Hands-On Approach
Engaging deeply in projects we believe in, offering practical and meaningful guidance regardless of their scale.
Brainstorming & Sparring Partner
Providing creative brainstorming sessions and acting as a critical thought partner to refine ideas, leveraging both guest and operator perspectives and drawing from extensive industry
Concept Development with Key Stakeholders
Partnering with owners, chefs, sommeliers, and general managers to craft unique and sustainable hospitality concepts.
Ground-Level Idea Development
Supporting the early stages of project creation by transforming visions into actionable concepts, while navigating the challenges of the hospitality market.
Brand & Concept Development
Crafting distinctive brands and concepts that connect with target audiences, aiming to create establishments with lasting value and resonance.
Workshops with Project Teams
Facilitating interactive workshops to align vision and goals among stakeholders, including owners, chefs, sommeliers, and general managers.
Operational Consulting
Collaborating with architects, engineers, kitchen planners, and interior designers during planning stages to achieve functional and innovative solutions.
FF&E and OS&E Services:
Developing, sourcing, and implementing Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) and Operating Supplies & Equipment (OS&E) that reflect the project's vision and enhance the guest experience.
Media Strategy
Partnering with PR and social media teams to craft tailored media strategies that effectively position and promote projects, ensuring alignment with the project's core values.
Moritz Estermann has spent over a decade shaping some of Berlin’s most unique and high-end hospitality destinations. After leaving his native Switzerland to build a career in Berlin, he immersed himself in the city’s vibrant art and cultural scene while gaining invaluable professional experience at Sleek Magazine, Peres Projects Gallery, Philips de Pury Auction House, and Bureau N PR, after which he moved into the German capital’s fast-changing hospitality industry.
In 2011, Moritz joined the management team of the renowned Grill Royal Group, where he contributed to the development of standout projects, including the Michelin-starred Pauly Saal and French dining institution Le Petit Royal. As a creative force and part-owner, he oversaw every stage of the creation and operations of the Nordic Restaurant Dóttir, the wine bar Freundschaft and the Michelin-starred Thai restaurant Kin Dee.
From 2018 to 2023, Moritz led the creation of the boutique Château Royal Hotel in Berlin. As project lead, he managed the entire process—from initial concept to post-opening operations—including interior planning and architecture in collaboration with design teams, brand and hotel concept development, corporate identity creation, and implementation of all F&B outlets. He also spearheaded procurement and execution for FF&E and OS&E and devised the hotel’s media strategy alongside the PR team.
In 2023, Moritz returned to Zurich, where he founded his own consulting company, leveraging his extensive expertise in creating and developing world-class hospitality concepts. (He is currently focused on developing a Swiss alpine lifestyle hotel with approximately 200 hotel rooms and real estate units as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including renowned architects, interior designers, and experienced hotel operators. In parallel, he is actively involved in the continuous growth and refinement of a prestigious year-round holiday destination by the Red Sea, guiding the evolution of its diverse portfolio of hotels, restaurants, and brands.)