The George asked us to refurbish their premier restaurant, Pescatore, in mid 2008. The new design had to complement and provide an appropriate dining environment for chef Andrew Brown’s exciting new menu.

The brief included a welcome space for guests where they could be served a palate-cleanser, a 50 seat restaurant with the facility for a large table setting, and a private dining space that could double as a meeting room during the day.

We developed the idea of a palate-cleanser in the guest welcoming area which we call the ante-room, to an all of the senses cleanser. In order to experience the new cuisine, we believed that people should enter the restaurant cleansed of their troubles, prior thoughts and preconceptions of what food is.

We have produced a white on white scheme of texture, subtle pattern, high quality, and a few surprises.

I overheard someone say that this space looks like what heaven might be. I wonder if it’s more like heaven’s ante-room – St Peter’s gates – a place to pause, reflect, and wonder which way you will go!

The restaurant is more subdued so that diners can concentrate on the food and their company, as well as the view across to the park. The timber and glass walls provide detail and interest.

The white tables ‘float’ above the thick, plush, black carpet, and provide a deliberate blank canvas for Andrew’s creations.

The glass wall has silk laminated between a clear front glass, and a mirror rear glass. This provides a soft reflective surface that is broken up by the faceting of the panels.

A new cavity sliding door closes this space off from the main restaurant so it can be used as a separate meeting room during the day, or a private dining space at night.

Prior to the Pescatore project, Dalman Architecture refurbished the function rooms, ground floor reception, bar and 50 on Park restaurant at The George.

Dalman Architecture are architects and interior designers that specialise in hotel, restaurant and bar projects throughout New Zealand.