Paris-based restaurant group Daroco has ventured into London, bringing its signature style to the vibrant Soho district. Designed by French architect Olivier Delannoy, the new outpost boasts mesmerizing mirrored interiors that add a touch of enchantment to the dining experience. Drawing inspiration from the group’s Parisian establishments, Delannoy has masterfully crafted a space that marries elegance with whimsy.
An Anarchic Dimension: The Mirrored Ceiling
At the heart of Daroco Soho lies its pièce de résistance: a mirrored ceiling that spans the entirety of the restaurant. Replicating the iconic feature from its Paris siblings, the mirrored expanse creates an illusion of boundless space while infusing the venue with an anarchic charm. Delannoy’s meticulous design ensures that despite the orderly layout, the mirrored reflections impart an enchanting aura to the space.
Illuminating Ambiance: Designer Lighting
To complement the mirrored ceiling, a carefully curated selection of designer lighting fixtures adorns the restaurant. From wall-mounted lights by Penta to flower-shaped fixtures by Leucos, each element contributes to a softly lit ambiance reminiscent of an English garden. Drawing inspiration from natural motifs like flowers and water plant stems, Delannoy seamlessly integrates the lighting scheme with the restaurant’s overarching theme.
Nature-Inspired Design Elements
The English garden concept extends beyond lighting, influencing various design elements throughout the space. A large pizza oven adorned with blue butterflies adds a whimsical touch, while the flooring mimics the undulating patterns of raindrops on a pond. Marble and wooden table tops paired with crushed-velvet seats evoke the flora and fauna of a tranquil water’s edge, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Renaissance Elegance: Italian Inspirations
Rooted in Italian culinary traditions, Daroco Soho pays homage to the Italian Renaissance in its design elements. The mirrored ceiling, reminiscent of a grand Renaissance hall, amplifies the sense of space and grandeur. Brass arches, inspired by Florence’s basilicas, greet visitors, while a prominent counter draws inspiration from the Baldachin of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. These subtle nods to Renaissance aesthetics add a layer of sophistication to the dining space.
A Culinary Journey Through Design
Delannoy’s design for Daroco Soho transcends mere aesthetics, offering patrons a multisensory journey through Italian cuisine and architectural marvels. By seamlessly blending whimsical mirrored interiors with natural and Renaissance-inspired elements, the restaurant creates an immersive dining experience that delights the senses and captivates the imagination.
Conclusion
Daroco’s London outpost stands as a testament to the power of design in elevating the dining experience. Olivier Delannoy’s masterful use of mirrored surfaces, designer lighting, and nature-inspired motifs creates a space that is both visually stunning and conceptually rich. As patrons step into this enchanting realm, they embark on a culinary journey infused with elegance, whimsy, and a touch of Renaissance grandeur. With its mirrored marvels and Italian inspirations, Daroco Soho invites guests to indulge in the magic of dining amidst reflections and reveries.
Photography: Julie Spicy
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