Two new restaurants have opened at the Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou, with stunning interiors by architecture and design studio AB Concept.
The first, Jin Jing Ge, takes inspiration from traditional Chinese gardens. Subtle nods to Chinese culture are integrated into the design of the space, imbuing a tasteful charm that hints at the restaurant’s menu of Jiangzhe delicacies.
Greeting guests at the entrance is a “courtyard” area, much like one would find in an ancient Chinese home. A stunning embroidery display on panelled walls forms the backdrop of the maitre’d podium, itself rendered in luxe blue and grey tones.
Those same hues carry over into the a la carte dining room, this time in the form of blue glass panel screens and a massive bespoke chandelier hanging overhead. Large windows bathe the space in natural light.
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Over at the veranda, floor-to-ceiling windows offer uninterrupted views of the Chinese-style garden outside.
Seven private dining rooms allow for a more intimate dining experience in Jin Jing Ge. But perhaps “room” is an understatement — each comes with a fully furnished lounge area, featuring plush carpets and Suzhou-inspired window motifs.
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For the second restaurant, Yun He, AB Concept drew from the idea of “a village in nature”, with a focus on Suzhou craftsmanship. Clay, wood, stone and glass — four “elemental cornerstones” of the region — are infused throughout the design.
The integration of natural materials, such as lava stone flooring, wooden walls, glass bricks, and ceramic countertops, create a warm and inviting environment that balances classic aesthetics with modern cleanness.
An open-plan dining area allows the restaurant to seat some 200 guests; further emphasising this feeling of spaciousness are wooden screens that offer views of the outside terrace. To reincorporate some nuance of intimacy, pockets of communal seating and rounded alcoves are set throughout the area.
The sense of modern Chinese luxury is amplified in the private dining rooms, which feature a display of ceramics and pebble stones, framed by rich wood finishes. Adding to the Suzhou inspiration is a hand-printed and embroidered wall covering, which provides a beautiful backdrop to the bespoke furnishings.
