Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVII

6 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Kassar explains, “The design of the venue combines Mauresque traditional architecture and vintage Moroccan furniture with something of a flair inspired by Sowwah Square. The false ceiling, as in the traditional Moroccan markets, is formed of wooden blades. Painted in a range of brown hues, oranges and soft pinks, the ceiling blades span the restaurant all the way to the covered terraces, creating a strong visual perspective.” The style of the venue is decorative, vibrant and intricate, an aesthetic that proved difficult to achieve within the building’s original 740 square metre rectangular shape. “One of the design challenges was to create an interesting space and subspaces, diver se areas that cater to different types of seating,” Kassar explains. “Therefore we have built different floor levels within the venue, applying various floor finishing – hexagonal wood parquet, carpet, cement tiles, etc. These marked different territories within the large space.” The restaurant opens onto a shisha café, which is housed in a covered terrace. This is accessed through large glass bays, which let in natural light and provide views of the Abu Dhabi cityscape. “The design creates a new story for the venue, nonetheless keeping key elements of Almaz, such as the zellige wall. This resulted in an interesting project, exploring the metamorphosis of Almaz as the venue moves from place to place. As each venue is a unique creation, yet based on an original concept, this allows us to maintain the spirit of Almaz and remain within a style of design while nevertheless constantly improving, innovating and evolving in our end result.” The overall effect is stunning, creating at Almaz an all-around sensory experience enhanced by the inspiring food, beautiful views and an eclectic blend of music. ALMAZ by MOMO is located on Level 1, at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi www.momoresto.com Tel: 02 6767702 Open Sunday to Saturday 10am to 1am Grilled Tiger Prawns