Latin American restaurant Poco Loco by chef Neil Witney is one of the latest additions to the sea-facing strip of The Beach opposite JBR. The two-storey 880m2 venture, including a terraced area with sea view, has playful and vibrant interiors designed by UK hospitality design consultancy Harrison. The firm has recently established an office in Dubai with several food and beverage projects already under its belt.
Inspired by ancient Aztec and Incan art, bold prints and graffiti artworks exclusively designed for Poco Loco reflect both fun and modern Latin sensibility. With rustic wooden tables and benches, comfortable booths and chairs and brightly coloured ceramic tiles that cover the walls, the interior combines traditional crafts with a contemporary industrial aesthetic.
Jon Bentley, director at Harrison, explains that the client’s brief was to create a concept that would complement the broad range of offers along The Beach.
“The site is split across a ground and first-floor level and the premise was to drive dining on both levels but on the upper level introduce a cigar lounge feel,” says Bentley. “The result of which meant that the ground floor had a more family-friendly personality and the upper-level caters for the more serious, grown-up crowd. Following early collaboration we were asked to pitch the proposal at the mid to higher end of the market and we did this through careful consideration of materials, lighting and layout.”
The venue serves Latin American-inspired dishes and drinks, from its founder and head chef Witney’s travels across South America. Witney has worked on various London concepts including E&O, Eight Over Eight and Bodega Negra.
Read the full story in Design MENA Magazine here.