Jolie Restaurant The Dubai Edition

Jolie is the 200 cover, round-the-clock, signature French brasserie restaurant of the Dubai Edition hotel.  LW Design was tasked with creating an identity for Jolie with a unique narrative significant to the brand. The brief was to create a flexible space that seamlessly transitions from day to night; a space that can provide unique offerings that distinguish it above the plethora of local competition in the immediate area.

A little taste of Paris in Downtown Dubai, Jolie is one of the brand new restaurants opened.

Jolie is located on the mezzanine floor with direct access to the iconic spiral staircase to the hotel lobby. Jolie offers an extraordinary French brasserie experience injected with unexpected moments of provocation. The restaurant is filled with natural, earthy tones from the bronze finishes, tan hide chairs, and raised olive green chairs lining the ‘U’ shaped bar. The bar is beautifully detailed with curved brass strips, so it feels like it’s growing out of the floor like a palm. The Metal back bar is a prominent design feature that glows with green liquid filled votives and decanters. Rustic succulents are interspersed between to enhance the de-cluttered aesthetic. A residential or communal approach was taken to designing the bar, free of an overbearing gantry or stacked back bar. The idea was for it to feel like a residential kitchen counter by day but a fully activated bar by night.

The expansive semi-enclosed balcony-inspired terrace is covered and overlooks the old town and further along to the Burj Khalifa. The restaurant has a distinct ‘orangery’ feel with rattan and teak chairs interspersed with olive-green banquettes. Parlour palms and other tropical plants give a sense of individuality and privacy, whilst the seamless Terrazzo flooring is the statement design element throughout the restaurant. The bar area has a distinct high energy vibe that differentiates it from the rest of the restaurant, at night the lights are dimmed significantly to elevate the dining experience to that of a stand a lone bar. Vivid photographs of people in social gatherings by Landen Nordmann adorn the walls depicting provocative urban living with a Parisian twist. The artwork has been carefully placed to dominate the bar area that gives guests something fun, suggestive or curious to look at and talk about.

White Calacatta stone terrazzo flooring is detailed with a grey resin background that covers the entire expanse of the restaurant. Artisans have meticulously laid and finished the flooring to perfection, and it forms a flawless base for the restaurant. Limed timber beams line the ceiling giving the space and an illusion of an elevated detached roof, adding another dimension and layer to the design. Walnut clad walls stand proud of the ceiling detail with a discreet lighting reveal that makes the whole ceiling feel like it’s floating.

There is a central banquette feature with large palms that grounds the middle area of the restaurant and subsequently creates a visual divide to the space. The deliberate open planning of the resto-bar allows guests to see and be seen.