Following a recent trip to Lijiashan, a cave village in rural Shanxi, our client wanted to share a very different sort of China; one with tastes and experiences rarely seen by people outside of this region. Giant was engaged to create a contemporary interpretation of a place left in time.

Entering the restaurant through the concrete and besser block portal, one has a sense of place and theatre. Oversize archways with rendered frames and vibrant magenta painted Chinese decorative screens line the perimeter walls set within a sepia tone brick graphic print backdrop. Dim sim is prepared in the prep kitchen in the rear archway and mirrors give the illusion of a space much bigger than in reality. The ‘courtyard’ seating area is lit by festoon lighting and hung with bunting and paved in stone, crazy-paving. The show kitchen has the appearance of a temporary structure made with found and recycled materials such as oil drums, milk crates and bamboo. It is completely open to all, and displays the shaved noodles and dim sim specialities.

The character ‘Mrs Mi’ is based on the client’s mother who travelled far and wide to experience food not available elsewhere. ‘Mrs Mi’ will be appearing in other locations soon.

Design Team @ Giant Design:
Lead Designer – Danny Long
Designer – Sophie Dunbier
Associate – Trish Lopez
Design Director – Ed Kenny