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New Opening: Groundbreaking A.I. Technology at RATIO

Sophie Steiner ShanghaiWOWeng 2018-11-29


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As if it had been pulled straight out of Westworld, the white metallic arm steadily placed a perfectly-poured cocktail in front of me. I had to double take. Did that machine actually make a cocktail based on the preferences I entered in their WeChat App just three minutes prior? Nowadays cars can drive themselves, my glasses can browse the internet for me using voice commands, and a Roomba can keep my floors cleaner than a real ayi, so why would robots not be able to pour a cocktail or a freshly brewed cappuccino just as well as their mixologist and barista counterparts? Taking a long sip of my Tokyo Gin Fizz (RMB 78), I realized that they actually can.

 


Although RATIO may seem like just another café by day and cocktail bar by night, I guarantee you’ve never seen anything like this before; there are no baristas, no bartenders, and no vending machines. Instead of waiting in line, you order by scanning a QR code on the nearby tables which brings you to their ordering system on the WeChat platform. There, you have the ability to customize every single aspect of your drink which is ultimately made by a robotic arm using artificial intelligence. The app keeps you updated in real time on the number of drinks that are being made ahead of yours as well as the estimated wait time.


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But can the art of cocktail-making really be broken down into a mathematical equation? What about the relationship aspect of sitting down on a bar stool and chatting up the bartender, asking for recommendations based on personal preferences and mood? “Robots and A.I. are not here to replace humans,” states RATIO’s founder Gavin Pathross. “They are just better than humans in performing repetitive work.” The goal of using the robots is not to replace human power, but rather to unburden the “bartenders” so they can focus on what they do best: communicating with customers.


 

RATIO is still fully-staffed with their own RATIO-logists who know the menu inside-out. They garnish all drinks by hand and help patrons with suggestions on flavor combinations involving any of the 100+ available ingredients. Ask any one of them for a suggestion like you would with your bartender at any normal establishment, and you will receive the same, if not more, attention and dedication.

 


Would you like a 1.2 shot of espresso in your cappuccino? Done. Two and half ice cubes and 2.3 shots of Prosecco in your Aperol Spritz? Also done. The menu lets you choose from a number of classic coffee beverages (which use coffee beans that are roasted fresh daily at the café), teas, and refreshing drinks as well as cocktails ranging from fruity and dessert cocktails to reinvented classics.



If you want to get really creative, feel free to make your own drink from scratch by choosing ingredients and quantities within the app. Every aspect of the entire experience is customizable to give patrons full control and endless options. I’m all for customization, but it’s good to note that the number of choices can be a bit daunting if you don’t know exactly what you want. That being said, there’s no harm in playing mixologist for the day by taking a crack at combining various ingredients to create something unique.  



In terms of the actual drinks, the recipes used in the suggested cocktails have been curated by the RATIO team which has over 50 years’ worth of combined Food and Beverage industry experience. Starting with coffee for daytime visitors, the Pandan Latte (RMB 29) is sweet and creamy with a hint of vanilla and the smell of a Thai island. The Nitro Black Coffee (RMB 29) is quite rich and aromatic with a creamy head like an expertly-poured pint of Guinness. For those interested in some strongly-brewed pour-over coffee, choose between roasted beans from Yunnan, Ethiopia, or Guatemala.

 


You can transition easily from daytime to their evening experience with coffee-inspired cocktails such as the Bailey’s Irish Cream Latte (RMB 48) or the Spicy Pumpkin Whisky Latte (RMB 48) If you're feeling adventurous, work your way around the continent with the Asian-inspired cocktail menu that boasts a fiery Tom Yum Martini (RMB 78) which uses Tom Yum-infused vodka, Malibu, pineapple, lime, chili, and a rose sea salt rim.  For those interested in the classics, the Old School cocktail menu is where you’ll find your Manhattan, White Russian, G&T and Moscow Mule. Prices range between RMB 68-88.

 


Finally, for an after-dinner sweet treat, RATIO has an entire Dessert cocktail menu to satisfy any level of sweet tooth. If you’re aiming for a sugar high, choose the Cheesecake (RMB 78) made of dark rum, white cacao, full cream, an actual blend of cheesecake, and topped with a gold dusted blueberry. For something sweet but not quite as sinful, the Mango Pudding (RMB 78) is a luscious mix of fresh mango, white rum and coconut milk served up in a martini glass. RATIO also has a number of pastries, cakes, breads, and sandwiches available for a quick snack on the go.




After enjoying your beverage of choice, the app allows you to rate and review each drink you've had. This gives the team behind RATIO the ability to continue to improve based on users’ suggestions, and it also allows customers to save and store their preferences on the cloud so they can easily figure out what type of drink they want for their next visit. Was that Matcha Coco (RMB 88) too sweet last time? Don’t make the same mistake again by storing your preferences in the app.

 

 

The entire concept is overtly novel; from ordering through an app rather than at a counter to engaging with bartenders and baristas that don’t actually make the beverages themselves, and watching a robotic arm mechanically shake and pour a martini with a level of precision that can only be achieved by, well, a robot, it’s no wonder why this “taste the future” café and bar will be bustling for months to come. RATIO just launched its first store inside the K11 building this past weekend, and it will be opening a second location at Raffles City in July.

 

Address: Level B2, K11 Building, 300 Huaihai Middle Road

Hours: Daily, 10am-10pm



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