Restaurants housed in malls have a clear advantage over standalone establishments, people visiting the place for shopping, games, or hanging out often make impromptu plans to step into an eatery for a quick bite or drink. It is no wonder that malls are more than happy to lease out spaces to a plethora of food and beverage brands, especially those that offer novelty amidst luxury.
At the same time, these establishments have to innovate constantly to encourage people to cross their threshold and then retain their loyalty. While there is no denying that food plays a vital role in this endeavour, the design also acts as an exciting lucre.
When Allora started operations at Phoenix Marketcity, Pune, Prashant Issar, Founder and Director of Allora knew he had to up the bar, literally, with inspired design. Hence, this upscale Italian restaurant drew its plans to reflect the stones and styles of lush Italian decor to provide a contemporary interpretation of rich Mediterranean themes.
Issar wanted the sprawling 3500 square feet of space to be a balanced amalgam of sophisticated and simple, warm wooden textures exuding a dolomite-meets-alpine feel. “The design and the ambiance have to be in harmony so that it is perfect for a sumptuous-authentic Italian meal,” he stated.
The design of Allora is done by the Retail Excellence Team (RET), an in-house team of Phoenix Marketcity, Pune. The team worked closely with Issar to in deciding and plan the design details, especially the colour tone, layout and spaces.
Allora’s interiors sport a neutral colour palette coupled with ambient lighting and plenty of greenery. “We wanted its ambiance to play a dual role in making it the talk of the town, a place to see and be seen. Modern design creates a warm and friendly environment,” Issar added.
CASUAL CHIC
While the evident focus for Allora was on the food and service, Issar wanted to give equal importance to the restaurant’s layout since this plays a crucial part in the overall experience of the customer. It took him close to three months of planning and finalizing the colour palette, seating options, lighting, and architecture.
Throughout the planning stage, he ensured that Allora’s interior design and the layout were in sync with the brand’s overarching concept and theme.
A lot of attention was given to warrant proper circulation and movement of the restaurant staff and the customers allowing them to find their way inside the restaurant easily and then to the dining area. The seating is mixed with highchair, normal, and sofa placements, which allows for moving tables around easily to accommodate larger gatherings.
The wooden skin across the restaurant, bar, kitchen display, and even the hydroponic plant system exude a luxe cabin in the woods feel. The latter has also given the culinary team access to the fresh herbs, which they use to garnish pizzas and pasta. “It has been so effective that the chef uses these very fresh herbs in all the marinades and sauces cooked fresh every day,” Issar pointed out.
DINNER WITH A SHOW
To give an elevated sense of culinary theatre, the on-display kitchen provides patrons a chance to peek into the process of making fresh pasta and pizza. This immersive experience is further highlighted with the use of cutlery in the shades of the authentic Sicilian styles.
The extensive use of wooden, whether with the furniture or the wall panels and bar, coupled with bright colors creates a vibrant and colorful opulence at Allora. The massive chandelier in the center of the restaurant alongside smaller cut glass candelabra evokes the feeling of relaxed luxury which is exactly what Issar was aiming for. The refined interiors, golden shades, and chic accessories at Allora extend an invitation to guests walking around on the third floor of Phoenix Marketcity, Pune to step in for a quick dekko and settle for an indulgent meal.
