Xin Rong Ji (Xinyuan South Road), Beijing

*** Three MICHELIN Stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey!

This branch of the chain restaurant opened in 2019 and features an elegant but relaxed dining room decorated in a modern Chinese style. Counter seats affording views of the open kitchen are good for couples or solo diners. The menu is essentially the same as other branches, focusing on Taizhou and Cantonese cooking, and fish from the East China Sea. 

REEF & BEEF – DOWNTOWN DUBAI BY DBM

 The Reef & Beef restaurant in Dubai is a project that represents a fusion of tradition and innovation, taking inspiration from the classic New York steakhouse while incorporating Arabesque influences. Designed by DBM, this fine dining establishment beautifully combines the heritage of New York steakhouses with Middle Eastern influences and the success of the existing Reef & Beef restaurants in Cologne and Dusseldorf.

The design aims to create a warm, cosy, and connected atmosphere, inviting guests to socialize and feel a sense of community. It captures the essence of a bygone era while catering to contemporary tastes, offering a classical iconic destination.

The restaurant features five distinct dining and bar experiences: The Grand Dining Gallery, The Reef Bar, The Manhattan, The Terrace, and The R&B Lounge. Seamlessly connected, these venues provide a cohesive and diverse space where customers can explore different atmospheres.

Upon entering, a 7-meter high space divides the room, leading to an arabesque archway on the left that opens into a 7-meter high wine cellar, while the right side boasts over 900 wine bottles. The quarter booth seating exudes a 1920s ambiance, guiding guests towards the magnificent chandeliers and the iconic New York wall of fame.

The design incorporates varying ceiling heights, ranging from 2.4 meters to an impressive 7 meters, creating a unique experience in each area. Meticulously chosen decorations and materials blend influences from New York, Germany, and the Middle East, harmonizing regional tones, designs, and materials. Stunning Persian-inspired tile works and Arabesque archways marries the design successfully with Eastern and Western influences.

DBM have been shortlisted for Restaurant – Global in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2023.

The Reef & Beef restaurant in Dubai is a project that represents a fusion of tradition and innovation, taking inspiration from the classic New York steakhouse while incorporating Arabesque influences. Designed by DBM, this fine dining establishment beautifully combines the heritage of New York steakhouses with Middle Eastern influences and the success of the existing Reef & Beef restaurants in Cologne and Dusseldorf.

The design aims to create a warm, cosy, and connected atmosphere, inviting guests to socialize and feel a sense of community. It captures the essence of a bygone era while catering to contemporary tastes, offering a classical iconic destination.

The restaurant features five distinct dining and bar experiences: The Grand Dining Gallery, The Reef Bar, The Manhattan, The Terrace, and The R&B Lounge. Seamlessly connected, these venues provide a cohesive and diverse space where customers can explore different atmospheres.

Upon entering, a 7-meter high space divides the room, leading to an arabesque archway on the left that opens into a 7-meter high wine cellar, while the right side boasts over 900 wine bottles. The quarter booth seating exudes a 1920s ambiance, guiding guests towards the magnificent chandeliers and the iconic New York wall of fame.

The design incorporates varying ceiling heights, ranging from 2.4 meters to an impressive 7 meters, creating a unique experience in each area. Meticulously chosen decorations and materials blend influences from New York, Germany, and the Middle East, harmonizing regional tones, designs, and materials. Stunning Persian-inspired tile works and Arabesque archways marries the design successfully with Eastern and Western influences.

Throughout the ground floor, display rooms showcase selected wines, a seafood raw bar, a dry-aged meat display, a cocktail presentation, and a live open grill cooking station. These features enhance the overall customer experience without overpowering the space.

Every seat in the restaurant is desirable, thanks to visual corridors that expose multiple design elements. Operational and back-of-house features are cleverly concealed within the design, allowing customers to focus solely on the culinary experience and the beauty of their surroundings.

Situated in the heart of Downtown Dubai, surrounded by skyscrapers and vibrant energy, the restaurant stands out with its dark facade, moody interiors, and historic elegance. Amidst a city known for ultramodern architecture, Reef & Beef offers a captivating divergence, enticing residents, tourists, and UAE nationals to savour a culinary journey that celebrates cultural blending and community.

Location: Manzil Downtown By Vida, Dubai

Interior Designer: Mahsa Gholizadeh (DBM)

Hotel Group/Developer: Abu Dhabi National Hotels

Photography: Alex Jeffries Photography Group

Sens Dine & Wine

Sens Dine & Wine is a high-end restaurant located on the 50th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The restaurant features contemporary decor with a focus on elegant simplicity, and offers panoramic views of the city skyline through its floor-to-ceiling windows.

The restaurant's menu combines Vietnamese and international cuisine, with a focus on seafood dishes and beef. Sens Dine & Wine is known for its premium cuts of meat, which are selected from some of the best farms in Australia, Japan, and the United States, and aged to perfection. The restaurant's wine list is also extensive, featuring more than 300 labels from around the world. 

Overall, Sens Dine & Wine offers a stylish and sophisticated dining experience in a breathtaking setting, making it a must-visit destination for food and wine enthusiasts visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

Sens Dine & Wine is owned and operated by the Bitexco Group, a Vietnamese property developer and investment company. The Bitexco Group is responsible for the construction and development of the Bitexco Financial Tower, which is the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City. 

The design of Sens Dine & Wine, located in the Bitexco Financial Tower in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was created by an architectural firm called Gensler.

Gensler is a globally renowned architecture and design firm known for their expertise in creating cutting-edge and innovative designs for various types of projects, including commercial, hospitality, and retail spaces. They aim to create dynamic and functional environments that enhance the overall user experience.

In the specific case of Sens Dine & Wine, Gensler likely focused on creating a stylish and contemporary design that complements the iconic architecture of the Bitexco Financial Tower while providing a captivating dining and wine experience for visitors.

The development of the Sens Dine and Wine restaurant would have likely been overseen by a team from the Bitexco Group, which would have worked closely with architects, interior designers, and other contractors to ensure that the restaurant's design and construction met the company's high standards and reflected its vision for a world-class dining experience at the top of the iconic Bitexco Financial Tower.

Bates Smart raises the creative bar at Teahouse Crown Sydney

Step into the opulent Teahouse Crown Sydney, and you feel as if you’re worlds away from Barangaroo.

The venue’s interior design refers to the Chinese Imperial style of the 19th century, and features embroidered silk fabrics, gilded and embossed wallpapers, bespoke carpets, and plush velvets on soft furnishings, as well as custom-designed lighting.

“It shows an absolute attention to detail resolution and meticulous crafting to understand the materiality and, in this instance, a theatrical interior. It transports you to another place, it’s an escapist experience,” said Bates Smart Director, Jeff Copolov.

 Bates Smart is an architectural firm based in Australia that has been involved in a number of high-profile projects, including the Teahouse at Crown Sydney. The Teahouse is a key component of the Crown Sydney development, which is a mixed-use project that includes a casino, luxury hotel, and residential apartments.

The Teahouse was designed to be a modern interpretation of traditional Chinese teahouses, with a focus on creating a calm and tranquil atmosphere. Bates Smart's design for the Teahouse incorporates a number of unique features, including a sculptural timber ceiling that was inspired by the shape of a Chinese lantern.

In addition to its unique design, the Teahouse also features a range of high-quality materials and finishes, including custom-made timber furniture and elegant lighting fixtures. The overall effect is a space that feels both luxurious and peaceful, with a strong connection to Chinese culture and tradition.

Bates Smart's work on the Teahouse at Crown Sydney demonstrates the firm's commitment to raising the creative bar and pushing the boundaries of architectural design. Their attention to detail and ability to blend traditional and modern elements make their work stand out in the industry.

Gerbermühle Hotel & Restaurant Frankfurt, Hesse Germany

Gerbermuhle's design respects the property's history but also takes a leap into modernity with the latest design and technology.

The lobby features exposed beams and mezzanines that suggest a stylized version of the innards of a massive skyscraper, while the bar features old stone walls and riveted leather furniture. The Gerbermuhle’s old postbeam construction is never hidden, but is painted to match various rooms’ colour schemes, in a nod to sleek contemporaneity. The 13 rooms and 5 suites of Gerbermuhle all feature parquet floors and flat-screen TVs.  Gerbermühle Restaurant is a renowned dining establishment located in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany. Situated on the banks of the Main River, the restaurant is housed in a historic building that dates back to the 16th century, adding to its charm and character. Gerbermühle has established a reputation for offering exquisite cuisine, blending traditional German flavors with modern techniques. The menu showcases a wide range of dishes, featuring locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce. From succulent meats to fresh seafood and vegetarian options, the restaurant caters to diverse palates. The restaurant's interior combines contemporary elements with a touch of rustic elegance, creating a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. Guests can dine in the stylishly decorated dining rooms or enjoy the scenic river views from the outdoor terrace during warmer months. In addition to its culinary delights, Gerbermühle is also recognized for its extensive wine list. The restaurant boasts an impressive selection of local and international wines, carefully curated to complement the flavors of the dishes. Beyond its gastronomic offerings, Gerbermühle is also known for its commitment to sustainability. The restaurant emphasizes responsible sourcing and eco-friendly practices, supporting local suppliers and reducing its environmental footprint.

Whether you are seeking a memorable dining experience, a romantic dinner, or a special celebration, Gerbermühle Restaurant in Frankfurt provides a delightful setting and culinary delights that will satisfy even the most discerning food enthusiasts.

Architect: Mr. Jochem Jourdan
Interior Design: Mrs. Oana Rosen