Reef and Beef Restaurant, Dubai

The Reef and Beef Restaurant, Dubai is envisioned by Design by Mahsa and fitted out by  A&T Group. The design required the need to form efficient operational zones and multiple dining experiences over 12,550ft2 of space with various vertical and indoor/outdoor spatial challenges. With such a large footprint the design needed to create a classical iconic destination that was warm, cosy and created the desire for customers to stay, socialize and feel part of a community.

The design successfully integrates the operational vision of restaurateur, Mansour Bassam while infusing the design elements and local characteristics one needs, to create a successful lifestyle dinning destination in the competitive landscape of Dubai. The design embraces the 20’s and Dubai’s regional influences, combined creating a historic feeling bringing together a mix of cultures, communities and people into one space. This acceptance of history, especially in restaurants, is often hard to encounter, however this design embraces it and uses it to its advantage to emphasize the culinary connection.

Another key element in the design specifically focused on ensuring that every seat was desirable and that there was a visual experience for all customers. The design provides for visual corridors exposing multiple design elements. All operational and BOH features are out of sight or veiled within the design, leaving customer to focus on the culinary experience and the beauty of the design.

So all of this leads to the finishes, tones and overall design theme, therefore by Combining the inspirations from New York, Germany and the Middle East has been achieved in a subtle execution. When we first enter the space, our imagination races to the New York 20’s, however as we start to absorb the details, we appreciate the regional tones, designs and materials. With stunning Persian inspired tile works through to the arabesque arch ways, we appreciate the fusion of east and west in the design.

The design has used the space to create 5 different offerings for its customers, to provide a taste of those areas, here are 2 zones that capture the traditions while accommodating the new:

Grand Dinning Gallery –

As you enter the main doors you enter a 7m high elongated space centrally dividing the room. To the left multiple arabesque archways draw you to the 7m high wine cellar, while to the right you are greeted with over 900 wine bottles, floor to ceiling, individually supported with leather straps. As you move your way thru, “quarter” booth seating arrangements reflect the 1920’s tones, and classic white tablecloths guide you to under the impressive array of chandeliers to the iconic New York wall of fame.

The Night Lounge –

As you move thru the ground floor restaurant you transition upstairs through the dark vertical space with illuminating red tones providing glimpses of black & white images reminding guests of the classic New York history and personalities. You are welcomed with a classic cocktail bar and DJ booth with the reflection of light through vertical glass pipes surrounding the entire bar counter, while contradicting horizontal irradiating shelves showcase the bottles on offer. You then walk to the lounge with a blending of seating arrangements in deep red tones with over 20 convex mirrors creating a new spin on a traditional lounge vibe.

The design story and journey continues … there is more to come and experience once you visit !

To define the experiences, ceiling heights all vary from 2.4m to a huge 7m. The final ceiling heights play a huge role in physically ensuring the desired user experience of each space is created.

Vertical challenges and physical segregations was overcome not just thru the careful continuous flow of material selection and design elements, however the lighting design was critical to ensure the warm experience desired was achieved. This was a significant challenge in the 7m heigh Grand Dinning Gallery.

There are 7 key display features throughout the ground floor show casing over 2,000 bottles of selected wines, seafood raw bar, dry agreed meat display, cocktail display, live open grill cooking station. Each of these enhance the experience of the customer without being too dominant.