Nov 11, 2011 | blog, Interiors, Restaurants
MisuraEmme is a leading Italian brand specialized in cabinetry, walk-in closets, and furniture. For this project in particular and which they are partners in, MisuraEmme designed Noir Club using changing LED lighting, modern seating, beautiful wall units, and mellow partitions, leaving the area open and subtle. Looking at the space, you could feel its more of a living area than a restaurant, which was the purpose in the beginning. Clubbing in a comforting environment happens to be the trend now. Tables, sofas, and wall units are all part of the MisuraEmme collection.
Noir Club
Nov 10, 2011 | blog, Interiors, Restaurants
Monocle Magazine has just opened its second store in Tokyo, which also houses its first ever café.Located in a department store targeting the male shopper, the café is just what you’d imagine from the brand: clean, understated and stylish in a contemporary yet classic way.
Furniture is designed by the Japanese brand Maruni in collaboration with Naoto Fukasawa. Coffee and sweets by Omotesando Koffee and are available to buy. The entire experience matches the needs of the discerning local male customer.
The café also follows the launch of the magazine’s new 24-hour internet radio station (which will broadcast a mix of current affairs, culture and music), which will also no doubt be a hit amongst the young male professionals that frequent the Ginza area.
It would be cool if style oriented magazines do the same, I think this is a creative idea.
Nov 5, 2011 | Architecture, blog, Interiors, Restaurants, Travel
Emirates Palace is an iconic landmark managed by Kempinski in Abu Dhabi representing luxury at its best. It is located on sandy beach spanning 1.3 km along the shores of Abu Dhabi. The architecture and design is inspired by the Emirates culture, bragging luxurious rooms, spa, restaurants, and services. Oriental elements mark every single area of this luxury destinations.
The 394 luxury rooms and suites are nestled within traditional domes which span 85 hectares of lush landscaped gardens. In addition to the Anantara Spa, there are16 internationally renowned restaurants including Haakasan and Mezlai, the UAE’s first traditional Emirati restaurant. Emirates Palace regularly welcomes celebrities, staging world class events including the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the Laureus World Sports Awards and concerts from the likes of Andrea Bocelli and Elton John.
The Palace continually strives to set new standards for luxury and hospitality excellence, further enhanced by the resort’s Kempinski management, “As Europe’s oldest luxury hoteliers, Kempinski understands luxury. We are known for our stunning properties, and the luxury of our signature personalized service that anticipates the needs of our guests and exceeds their expectations.”
Via: Adelto
For more images check the Hotel’s website.
Sep 19, 2011 | blog, Restaurants
At 6 million Euro, and three year construction time, The Opera Garnier’s first ever restaurant has opened in July 2011 becoming one of Paris’ hottest spots.The design of the project was assigned to Odile DECQ Benoit CORNETTE – Architectes Urbanistes after a contest. The Phantom restaurant is located at the Opéra Garnier, more commonly known as the Paris Opéra, a 1,600-seat opera house on the Place de l’Opéra in Paris, France, which was the primary home of the Paris Opera from 1875 until 1989. The condition of processing the designs was a bit limiting since they were not allowed to make any irreversible alterations, no visible structures were allowed, and no alterations whatsoever were allowed on structure, pillars, walls or ceilings.
One of the most interesting features is the undulating glass curtain on the restaurant’s façade, sliding between the pillars.Their chairs are all from Poltrona Frau, when combined with the bench and floors, they produce a theatrical character reminiscent of the phantom of the opera which was once performed within the auditorium.
Project Info by ODBC
Project name: Phantom – Restaurant of the Garnier Opera
Client: GUMERY
Author: Odile Decq // Odile DECQ Benoit CORNETTE – Architectes Urbanistes
Structure engineering: BATISERF Ingénierie
Facade consultants: Odile Decq – Odile DECQ Benoit CORNETTE – Architectes Urbanistes / HDA – Hugh Dutton Associates
Building services engineering: MS Consulting
Acoustics engineering: Studio DAP
Fire security engineering: SETEC
Kitchen consultants: C2A Architectes
Project responsables: Peter Baalman, Giuseppe Savarese, Amélie Marchiset
Site : Garnier Opera, Paris, France
Program: Implement of a restaurant in the Garnier Opera
Surface: 1100 M2
Budget: 6 M€ excl. VAT
Dates: 2008 – 2011
Opening: July 2011
Digital views: Odile Decq
Realization pictures: Roland Halbe – ODBC
The Cool Hunter
Sep 17, 2011 | blog, Restaurants, Travel
I can’t believe it took me this long to finally visit the restaurant and vineyards at Massaya in Taanayel, Lebanon. The funny part, is that I am originally from an area very near by and my parents live 5 minutes away, yet this summer was the first time I visit this lovely place. Upon arrival I was surprised by the number of tourists who have discovered this gem, many of which were from the GCC.
Located in the heart of the Bekaa valley, Massaya has one of the most popular vineyards in Lebanon. The name “Massaya” means Twilight in Lebanese, and due to the royal blue color of the sky when the sun sets behind Mount Lebanon, they decided to create their signature “Arak” bottle which is a beautiful elongated and very elegantly designed blue bottle. Arak, by the way, is a popular alcoholic drink in Lebanon and specially in the Bekaa Valley where anis seeds are added after the grapes are fermented and distilled; in Massaya’s case the anis seeds used are organic. The area where Massaya’s Arak is fermented is magical, you will see the photos below.
We arrived at the restaurant “Le Relais” which is located in the middle of the vineyard, you have to walk a bit to reach this charming place where all the food is cooked and prepared by housewives of neighboring villages. The menus are set seasonally, and the food was simple and amazing, it was a “back to basics” buffet specific to the Lebanese country side, with dishes like roasted chicken, kibbeh, freekeh, saj goodies,different types of salads, hommus and mtabbal, and many more. Even the sweets were very simple, all Lebanese themed.
Mr. Ramzi Ghosn, one of the owners and winemakers, was an amazing host who accompanied us throughout our visit making sure we had a great meal and a comprehensive tour of the vineyards, the wine reserves, and the boutique, he even explained to us how the Arak is made and how transparent and proud of their products they are. Massaya is one of the very few places where people have access to the entire place, because they have nothing to hide. Everything is of utmost quality. The barrels where the wine is stored is even imported from France from designated suppliers known for the best finishing.
Massaya export 85% of their production to the USA and Europe, their Rosé wine has been listed as one of the top 10 according to The Independent which was one of the reasons I wanted to try it during my visit. To my bad luck they were out of stock everywhere (due to high demand). I ended up trying their white wine which was lovely and appropriate with the meal and the warm weather.
These are the clay jars where the Arak is stored, such a lovely sight, the aroma of the anis seeds was overwhelming.
Massaya’s signature blue Arak bottles.
I wasn’t planning on writing much, I’s rather allow you to enjoy the photos accompanied with bits and pieces of information. I really hope you liked them.
Ramzi Ghosn is very well into social media, you can find Massaya on Facebook and Twitter. In addition to that, their blog and website are updated regularly with images, events, and historical information on wine and the Bekaa Valley. You can spend hours on the website learning about the art of wine making and its history.
I HIGHLY recommend you visit Massaya and enjoy the experience, you will be glad you did.
Thank you Ramzi for an unforgettable day, I will be visiting again very soon, that’s for sure!
Sep 16, 2011 | Architecture, blog, Interiors, Restaurants
In Miami, specifically Wynwood Walls Park, Tony Goldman offered the exterior of the buildings owned by Goldman Properties to international artists selected by New York gallery Deitch Projects. What was once just a warehouse, is now plastered inside out with street art of different styles and themes. Goldman’s daughter, Jessica, came up with the idea of turning one of the warehouses into a restaurant, Wynwood Kitchen & Bar. The restaurant finishes were mediocre, but the installations and transformation of the space was beautiful and well done. The restaurant is an attraction for hundreds of artists especially that Miami is popular for the Art Basel Miami Beach that takes place annually.
The difficulty in the transformation was not harming the murals specially when they were deciding where the location of the door and other major elements would be. When that happened, the artists would help out and incorporate the functional elements within the mural.
“Wynwood Walls will be getting six more murals before Art Basel 2011. But the park itself, which consists of a few repurposed tractor tires, some blacktop, and some grass, will never get any fancy landscaping. "This is Wynwood," Samson says. "We’re not going to Disneyland it up." That means no birds-of-paradise and no palm trees.”
Designed by : James Samson
Interior Design Magazine
