STARTER
Bull & Bear Waldorf Astoria DIFC DUBAI
Words: Devina Divecha
IN A BITE Covers: 167 Operator: Waldorf Astoria DIFC Interior Design: LW Design Group Executive Chef: Luigi Vespero Head Chef: Giovanni Paolo Pintore F&B Director: Gonzalo Bueno Beverage Manager: Raven Rudolph Restaurant Manager: Orsolya Klenoczky www.waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
L
ocated in Dubai’s financial district, Waldorf
create interesting shadows and patterns on the
Astoria DIFC occupies the 18th to 55th floors
ceiling,” says Shah-Mulani.
of mixed-use scheme Burj Daman; the
Guests can choose from breakfast items
property’s lead interior design company was
such as smashed avo and eggs, and an açaí
SRSS, while LW Design Group oversaw the two
bowl with coconut flakes, seasonal fruits, chia
main dining venues, Bull & Bear and St Trop.
seeds and cacao nibs. For lunch and dinner,
LW Design Group Associate Pooja Shah-Mulani
signature dishes include a reinvented prawn
and Senior Designer Jenni Wellings worked on
cocktail using locally caught tiger prawns
the project, with the former revealing that Bull
infused with subtle eastern flavours, followed
& Bear’s brief was to create a high-end concept
by main courses built around tender meats, as
that could transition smoothly from day to
well as vegan and seafood alternatives. Sweet
night. The restaurant’s interiors use a rich blue,
endings are delivered by the likes of The Big
gold and black colour palette, and incorporate
Apple, combining refreshing apple notes with
timber, metal and leather materials.
nutty sweet crumble.
Based on the iconic namesake restaurant
The second signature outlet is rooftop lounge
at Waldorf Astoria New York, the stylish F&B
St Trop, designed with foliage screens and
venue has life-sized bull and bear sculptures at
columns alongside contemporary furniture.
the entrance made entirely out of metal mesh,
Influenced by the French resort of Saint-
which took several rounds of prototyping to
Tropez, timber decking reminiscent of luxury
achieve. At first, designers considered creating
yachts offers a natural colour palette with
these in solid brass, much like the Charging
aquatic accents. The Peacock Alley Lounge and
Bull and Fearless Girl sculptures on Wall
Bar completes the trio of dining options, and
Street, but the concept gradually evolved over
boasts a Smiths of Derby custom-made clock
time. “At night, the sculptures are lit up and
featuring stylised peacock feathers.
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