Neighbors: Rami Nehme

Rami Nehme is the friendly face at Blasé Café who shakes up a killer martini and makes comprehensive dance playlists. He spends most of his days — and nights — at the café pouring drinks and entertaining guests with music from his iPhone.

“I play the best music from the ‘70s and ‘80s … move smoothly from The Temptations to hip-hop by midnight,” he says. “People really go wild.”

But patrons take note: There’s more to man behind the bar.

Nehme was born in Kuwait and grew up in Amman, Jordan. Nehme developed he interest in human relations as a teen working with Teen Amnesty and UNICEF. He attended college in Jordan, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and later took a job with a multinational corporation. He worked there for four years before deciding to come to the United States.

Neheme had been on a trip to Orlando for a trade show in December 2001.

“I was going to be in Florida for four days, and I finished up my purchasing in two,” he says. “People told me about Siesta Key, and because I had two more days, I rented a car and drove over to Siesta Key. I spent two days and fell in love with the area. I mean, who could not? Are you kidding me?”

But it would be a few more years before he would be able to call Siesta his home. Nehme’s first stop was Virginia Beach, Va., but a year later, he relocated to Sarasota making his way back to Siesta Key. With no job, no green card, no work permit and no specific plans, Nehme’s move could have proved unsuccessful. Luckily, his new neighbor was Cindy Breslin, founder of Blasé Café, and she happened to need some help at the restaurant. From hosting to bartending to helping with the books – Nehme was ready and willing to help.

“It all just happened to fall into place — like puzzle pieces fitting together somehow,” he says.
Nehme found his love of the restaurant business and quickly acquired cultural education from behind the bar.

“I needed to learn about the country, and there is no better position than being a bartender,” Nehme says. “People are really unique depending on what region of the country they come from.”

Despite a decade in the U.S., Nehme remains fascinated by the diversity among Americans.

Last September, Nehme became a part owner of Blasé Café and has taken on more responsibility within the establishment.

“You don’t own a restaurant, the restaurant owns you,” Nehme says.

He doesn’t mind the hard work. For Nehme the best part of the restaurant business — particularly Blasé Café — is the people. A self-proclaimed “shy guy,” Nehme lights up every time he enters the cafe. The patron’s experience is the most important part to him. He loves it when people shake his hand, thanking him for a great evening.

“You need to love what you do — that’s what I think,” he says. “Once you love what you do, you do it well and you do it right.”

For Nehme — a man far from his roots — the Blasé staff and regulars are his second family.

“I had no family here, so I created a new family,” he says. “I needed that community, and I created it for myself.”