A revamp of the Germany chicken fast-food restaurant Wienerwald was carried out by architect firm Ippolito Fleitz Group. This project was a rebranding exercise for the restaurant chain with the aim of conveying a more contemporary style, yet reinforcing the brand value of fresh and natural food. The vivid green colour, combined with graphics of trees brings a freshness and energy whilst the open large space allows customers to easily move through, essential for a fast-food restaurant. What we really like is the chicken leg tables, bringing a touch of charm and personality.
Electrolux is best known for its household appliances but now it has also ventured into the arena of fine dining with their totally radical restaurant idea. The Cube is a transparent structure which is set atop monuments and buildings to offer diners a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A single 'table d'hote' serves 18 guests at any one sitting, who will get to enjoy a 3-course meal from tops chefs as well as spectacular views. The Cube is travelling around countries in Europe including Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Russia and Switzerland, with a 3-month residency in each location. The Cube is currently found in Brussels' Arc de Triomphe, overlooking the stunning Parc du Cinquantenaire.
The owners of London restaurant Buona Sera have been very creative with the use of space, taking the problem of limited table area and turning it into a unique design concept. With their wooden tables designed with two on top of each other, customers can feel like they are dining inside a treehouse, which is a pretty unique and cool experience.
Pizza Express Living Lab in the Richmond area of London introduces a few cool concepts in dining. Designed by Ab Rogers the restaurant features conversational booths with state-of-the art acoustics. Diners can plug their own ipods into their booth's docking station and adjust audio settings to suit. Customers can also control the lighting on the futuristic domes and if service is needed then simply press a button and the dome glows.
FEATURE: LONDON TOP 7
#4 The Troubadour is steeped in history and just oozes charm. Established in 1954 as a coffee house the Troubadour grew to become a place for live music and entertainment. This was the first place Bob Dylan performed in London. Other musicians who have graced the stage over the years include Jimi Hendrix and Joni Mitchell. Today the Troubadour is a place to have coffee, food, drink and be entertained. It has a relaxed vibe, bohemian decor and there is even an idyllic garden too, so rare to find in London. It was also recently voted 2nd in the Daily Mail's best restaurants in London for its authentic menu and genuine service. This is definitely a place to return to.
263-267 Old Brompton Road, London. SW5 9J
www.troubadour.co.uk
Stopping for lunch after a few hours of furniture shopping is a little bit different in Amsterdam's Villa ArenA shopping mall. Designed by British architects Virgile and Stone this futuristics capsule sits perched on top of a series of concrete columns. Two large end glass panels as well as elongated side panels allow diners to people watch from above... not your typical sandwich stop!
Table Envy is a new online reverse auction site that has joined forces with some of the hottest restaurants in NYC to offer diners the opportunity to participant in a bidding auction where visitors can watch and wait to see the reservation prices drop. Participating restaurants will offer a table booking starting with its highest price, after 24hrs the price will drop and continue to drop allowing diners to either purchase the table at the current price, place an offer bid or take a chance and wait for further reductions. Table Envy also donates proceeds to Food Bank NYC, which distributes food supplies through its network of community partners to 1.5million people in need in the city each year.
www.tableenvy.org
Photo: Public Restaurant, NYC
De Kas (The Greenhouse) based in Amsterdam is a very cool restaurant. When an old greenhouse was due to be demolished top Michelin star chef Gert Jan Hageman decided to act on his vision to create a restaurant on the site along with a nursery to offer customers both an enchanting experience as well as a menu of locally grown produce. Celebrating its 10 year anniversary on the 17th January 2011, the restaurant receives 50,000 guests every year. Those who want to witness first hand the kitchen in full action can reserve the Chef's table for a truly unforgettable meal.
www.restaurantdekas.nl
According to www.nymag.com the best chocolate chip cookies in New York come from Momofuku. Momofuku has a chain of eateries including a noodle bar, ko bar, milk bar (bakery) and restaurant called Má Pêche, which serves a good choice of french-vietnamese food. Christina Tosi, creator of the fabulous cookies believes it is the combination of good butter, "bad vanilla" and lots of chocolate chip cookies thats the secret. Momofuku is found at 207 Second Avenue, near 13th Street. For more information check out www.momofuku.com
