Thai pad

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Seating booth in the Mango Trees ‘living room’.

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The welcoming glass mural in the corridor/lounge gives the feeling of increased space.

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Simple, yet stylish tableware adds the perfect finishing touch.

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Family dining’ table hand-made from solid wood and marble.

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Dubai's latest Thai restaurant combines contemporary style with tradition.

Mango Tree, an old Thai name recognised in major cities across the globe, such as Tokyo and London, recently had its soft opening at the Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Burj Dubai - its first outlet in the region.

Operated by the Landmark Group, Mango Tree restaurant has a history going back 20 years, and so incorporates themes found in traditional Thai ethnic designs, touched with its own contemporary spin.

The interior design, done in collaboration with designer Steve Leung, and lighting consultant Tino Kwan, Mango Tree is the first project the pair have completed in Dubai. "They always partner together to do restaurants," said Paul Kwok, general manager, food division, Landmark Group.

"Because they were aware that all eyes are on this part of the world, and with the Mango Tree being a big name in Asia, they both put a lot of effort into this restaurant.

The key theme running throughout the restaurant is the concept of nature, evident through the continuous use of natural materials such as wood, granite, marble and travertine. Glass and leather are also used - a combination of materials all meshed together in one space.

Following themes of a traditional Thai home, the restaurant is divided into four areas - each with its own name - and each with its own unique atmosphere, and focal point. Starting from the outside, in, the customers are faced with a glass mural corridor, running right the way through the entrance of the restaurant, and lounge/bar area.

"Here the designer really looked at the alignment of the restaurant. Etched using acid to create a checkered effect, the lines on the glass run all the way across to the bar area, but ultimately a corridor feature consisting of a mirror, covered with two pieces of glass," said Steven James Swindells, operations and training manager, food division of the Landmark group.

As Swindells went on to explain, this concept of alignment is consistent throughout the entire restaurant.

"When you go to Thailand, everything is done intentionally - there's always some kind of consistency there," he said. "One thing that was very, very good, and at times challenging was making the coordination work. Every piece of work came with a different drawing, but each one was made to fit with the other, right the way through to the Travertine floors.

"If you go to an old Thai house for example, they will also have patterns on the walls - and weaving to make partitions and/or stop the rain from coming in. We have even incorporated this theme onto one of our walls - the wall looks like Thai silk; Steve interlocked the Italian material, and used them as a panel to section the living room area of the restaurant."

Following the corridor is the main restaurant area. Referred to as the ‘living room', the space encompasses three seating booths topped with golden silk pillows to create elements of luxury, individual dining tables, and a large communal table.

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