Howard's Gourmet: A Modern Chinese Restaurant with Classic Charm

Combining Classical Chinese Elements with Contemporary Design

The inspiration for Howard's Gourmet comes from the culinary philosophy of its founder, Mr. Howard Cai. The restaurant aims to reconstruct and create contemporary tastes based on essential Chinese flavors, combining classical Chinese ingredients with Western chemistry. Situated overlooking the Forbidden City, the design embraces a Modern Chinese style, presenting essential Chinese elements in a contemporary way.

What sets Howard's Gourmet apart is its ability to seamlessly blend antique Chinese culture with modern aesthetics. The entrance features a classic lattice pattern made of steel, while the interior exudes a palatial grandeur with its generous use of gold. The layout of the dining rooms follows the old Siheyuan concept, surrounding a wine cellar. Each room is adorned with Circle and Square motifs, symbolizing the Sky and Earth. The decorations combine ancient Cosmology's 5 elements of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth with cheerful matte fabrics in floral and geometric patterns.

Technologically, the design of Howard's Gourmet focuses on privacy and adaptability. The Siheyuan layout ensures a high level of privacy for celebrity guests, while flexible panels allow for the partitioning of rooms for smaller gatherings. To withstand Beijing's extreme seasonal temperature differences, the design minimizes the use of wooden materials and instead incorporates stainless steel, fabric, and marble stones. The careful arrangement of colors and shapes creates a vivid visual gradient throughout the restaurant.

The project, led by Monique Lee as the Design Director, was completed in October 2017 after months of meticulous planning and construction. The design team faced challenges in realizing the high privacy VIP rooms, particularly in installing individual washroom facilities. The extensive reconstruction of the drainage system required lengthy approval processes from both the mall management and relevant governmental departments. Additionally, progress was further delayed by drastic weather conditions.

Howard's Gourmet has received recognition for its exceptional design. In 2019, it was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category. This prestigious award acknowledges the restaurant's creative ingenuity and its incorporation of best practices in art, science, design, and technology. Howard's Gourmet contributes to quality of life improvements, making it a truly remarkable dining destination.

Experience the harmonious blend of classical Chinese elements and contemporary design at Howard's Gourmet, where every detail is crafted to provide a unique and unforgettable dining experience.