Dubai
With all those F&B concepts vying for attention, the last thing anyone needs is a standard-issue look and feel for a restaurant or counter, however small the space may be. For specialist consultancies, that means more opportunities to come up with customised designs.
“F&B designers are more in demand in Dubai,” said Isabel Pintado, Managing Director, Dubai, Wilson Associates. “Many clients are becoming aware of the fact that this specialist talent — ranging from interior design to branding, to kitchen consultancy — is available right here.”
And each new community and retail/entertainment cluster Dubai develops brings forth a fresh canvas for these designers. “Recreating street life has been one of the driving forces in projects such as City Walk, Boxpark and D3,” said Pintado. “The secret is to find the perfect variety of offerings so developments don’t end up looking like food halls.
“In the past, speciality restaurants were limited to a few key locations and specific hotels within the city. [Now], developers have identified the need to incorporate a strong F&B component within their projects. And F&B operators have always been willing to experiment and place their venues within design driven projects.
“One thing that is important to bear in mind is the licensing laws in Dubai, which in the past limited locations enormously in the UAE. But are now changing to allow a wider range of locations. Activating areas such as D3 with a wide variety of F&B outlets, licensed or not, is fundamental to creating an active nightlife.
“Clientele in the UAE are exposed to a variety of F&B experiences, which requires our clients to create something unique. In my experience fine dining as such has not seen the degree of success it used to enjoy.
“People go out frequently and seem to prefer speciality restaurants with a flair — dynamic venues with the right balance between lounge and dining. Gone are the days of white table cloths and silverware.”
