Guided by top French haute-cuisine chefs Pierre Gagnaire and Nicole Rubi, the shared theme of the two restaurants is a celebration of Mediterranean culture and the world of cinema.
From the Croisettes’s gourmet, glamourous and sun-drenched world to the shores of Yas Bay. Architects Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino have successfully translated the creative philosophy of chefs Pierre Gagnaire and Nicole Rubi —and their cuisine, inspired by Mediterranean specialties from Nice and Italy— into a setting with a welcoming, chic and relaxed ambience, through an interior design shared by the “Paradiso” restaurants in Cannes and Abu Dhabi.
The Paradiso Nicole & Pierre restaurant in Cannes is part of the exclusive Hotel Barrière Le Majestic, in a seafront location across from the renowned Palais des Festivals. The same relaxed atmosphere that permeates the indoor lounge and the large three-level terrace overlooking the pool is also present in the Paradiso Abu Dhabi, a recently opened gourmet destination. The interiors by Vudafieri-Saverino Partners are a celebration of the Mediterranean spirit, Italian craftsmanship, and the world of cinema, and inspired by the talent and creativity of two stars of French cuisine: top multi-Michelin star chef Pierre Gagnaire and Nicole Rubi, founder of Nice institution and A-lister hot-spot La Petite Maison.
The Hotel Majestic, an iconic Art Deco building on the Côte d’Azur built in 1926, provides a stunning backdrop for the Paradiso chefs to enchant their guests by reinventing local flavours through seasonal dishes that draw on the traditions of Mediterranean cuisine. This provided the key to the approach taken by Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino, who created a concept that skilfully blends a joyful Mediterranean feel with the spirit of the Côte d’Azur and its special connection with the world of cinema, suggested in part by the Hotel’s unique location opposite the steps of the Palais des Festivals.
The two restaurants in Cannes and Abu Dhabi express the Mediterranean spirit through space, colour and texture, exploring its history through the lens of nature and tradition. Shades of green reminiscent of olive and sage leaves and the citrus hues of yellow and orange feature throughout the bright and welcoming interiors. The natural textures and finishes of ceramic, rattan panels and seating, and Modica limestone flooring mingle with more refined materials such as marble, brass, velvet and silk. The beige backdrop of the walls is decorated with a wallpaper reproducing a vintage map of the Mediterranean, scattered with images from iconic films shot in that area. The orange pendant lights made from recycled plastic were designed and produced exclusively for the two restaurants, while rechargeable table lamps provide more intimate light.
The tradition of Mediterranean craftsmanship is represented by the ceramics decorating the rooms. The Sicilian pieces by Giacomo Alessi in particular are one-off pieces made and decorated entirely by hand. These include baskets of fruit, a symbol of nature, abundance and life; pinecones, for health, hospitality and luck; anthropomorphic vases expressing the wealth of history and tradition of Sicily, that eternal crossroads of people and cultures; and plates, a tribute to the diversity of flavours and a symbol of the table, a place of warm conviviality, sharing and joy. Continuity between indoors and out is maintained by the terraces, furnished with rattan chairs with soft yellow cushions and terracotta vases planted with evergreens, and is emphasised by the stone flooring.
ABOUT VUDAFIERI – SAVERINO PARTNERS
Faithful to the Milan tradition of the creative atelier, the firm’s work is led by Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino and encompasses architecture, interior design, fashion retail, hotels and food design, tackling both the key themes of city, landscape and society, and the architecture of residential, commercial and industrial spaces. Vudafieri-Saverino Partners is based in Milan and Shanghai and has developed projects in almost every country and continent. www.vudafierisaverino.it
Photocredits: Jean-Michel Sordello, Paolo Valentini, Paradiso