Cooking up a storm

zoom

Okku features a catwalk and wall-length jellyfish aquarium.

"We planned to launch Okku in London, but the venue did not work out. From our point of view, we looked at the GCC as a whole East meets West scenario."

Theslaff likens the restaurant here to an airline hub and hopes that it will serve as the launching point for a successful new brand.

He says that he and Abdul-Majeed are hoping to create a "defining lifestyle choice" with Okku - a destination restaurant and bar." Conceptually, some venues aim to create lifestyle brands but are essentailly ego trips for the owners, very few end up becoming brands.

Theslaff clearly feels that his experience in creating high-end lifestyle brands will pay dividends in Dubai.

He admits that he and Abdul-Majeed have spent around AED 36 million (US $10 million) in opening the restaurant, but says that locations in Las Vegas and elsewhere have already been lined up for additional venues.

Both Theslaff and Abdul-Majeed feel that the opening of Okku signals a new phase in Dubai's growth and maturity as a dining and club destination.

"Markus and I have known each other for 12 years," says Abdul-Majeed.

"For years, people here were trying to pitch him to open Pangea in Dubai, but the market was not ready so we kept waiting. Dubai is now in a position to use as a launch pad, the time is right.

Theslaff adds that he and Abdul-Majeed believe Dubai now has enough corporate culture to sustain such an expensive, high concept venue.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM