A diner’s first impression of a restaurant begins the moment they enter. The surroundings—be it the colour tone or the lighting—immediately sets the pace. We study the room, and allow the set-up to impress and inspire us during the stroll from the entrance to our table. The overall design of a restaurant, like its cuisine, should tell the story of the establishment, or carry a message that transcends shapes and textures.
Here are five restaurants of 2016 with mesmerizing designs we cannot get enough of.
Yung Kee
How did Yung Kee become a new restaurant, you may ask? The Cantonese stalwart symbolises a rich culinary heritage that has transcended through decades, and has had its first major décor revamp since its opening in 1942. With respect to the restaurant’s heritage, locally based architecture firm CL3 Architects, helmed by William Lim, incorporated contemporary elements such as a communal table in the main dining area, while retaining the grand staircase, the charcuterie display area, as well as the fountain, focusing on enhancing a piece of history. The vintage look is enhanced by custom-made leather seating, specially cast bronze door handles as well as tables, reception backdrops and floorings made from exclusively curated marble slabs from China.
Belon
Arguably the most impressively designed restaurant of the Elgin Street strip, chef James Henry’s debut with Black Sheep Restaurants is a neo-Parisian bistro, with a nod to Alsatian beer halls and Parisian brasseries. The square dining space of Belon, designed by Dix Design + Architecture, begins with an American oak façade and beveled windows, introduces guests to a clean space bejeweled with mirror-lined walls and spherical lamps for an elegant touch.
China Tang Harbour City
Like its Central counterpart, China Tang Harbour City is a restaurant that awes, starting from the moment you arrive at the entrance, where a European-style interpretation of Chinese floral patterns lead up to the main dining room with a panoramic view of the Victoria Harbour. Floral patterns are seen not only at the main dining area, but also throughout the establishment’s five private rooms, each with its unique colour tones from canary yellow to blue and chartreuse; yet, the space manages to maintain a coherently sophisticated Chinoiserie style created by none other than David Tang himself.
Buenos Aires Polo Club
It takes extra effort to create a period design, one that is frozen in history. Buenos Aires Polo Club is one of these spaces. A collaboration between Zanghellini & Holt Associates and Black Sheep’s own restaurant design, the handsome steakhouse captures the spirit of the lost 1900s members’ only polo club with an abundance of equestrian antiques sourced from around the world, including rich and colorful oil paintings hung throughout the dining establishment, complete with glass cabinets filled with aged rosettas, tarnished trophies as well as a rich collection of steak-knives on display from the personal collection of Black Sheep Restaurant’s co-founder, Chris Mark.
Maison Eight
An all-in-one venue rolling cocktail bar, restaurant (Esme), and event space together, the 8,000 square foot space that is Maison Eight is designed by British designer Tim Shepherd. The establishment enhanced the concept of space, by installing design elements without crowding the room. The grand chandeliers hung from intricately detailed palm-court ceilings, match with playful light fixtures and furniture that bring a sense of playfulness to fit the purpose of the venue.
This post originally appeared on the website of our sister publication, Hong Kong Tatler.
The post Top designs of five new Hong Kong restaurants you cannot miss appeared first on Home Journal.
