Four Seasons Hong Kong – Noi Restaurant

In 2021, sixteen years after it first opened its doors, the hotel revealed a new welcome experience designed by international interior design studio AB Concept. As part of an extensive refurbishment, AB Concept designed the hotel’s arrival porte cochere and entrance facade, lobby and the Lobby Lounge Gallery, as well as the new award-winning destination cocktail bar, ARGO. This autumn, AB Concept unveils its design for Noi, the new restaurant lounge led by Argentinian-born Michelin-starred chef, Paulo Airaudo.

Following a design brief set by Airaudo himself, AB Concept has divided the new restaurant into two key zones: an Italian style dining room named Italian Silhouette with a capacity of 22 covers, and Doodle Garden which is a more casual breakout lounge featuring a wine bar kiosk and panoramic views over Hong Kong.

The overall design concept is a representation of an Italian silhouette with Japanese infill – as a reference to the food served – and pays homage to Chef Airaudo’s Italian-Argentinian heritage by intertwining Italian architecture and contemporary furniture, as well as a statement wine cellar. ​ Noi, which means “we” or “us” in Italian, offers guests a fun and authentic fine-dining experience and portrayal of Chef Airaudo’s life – from the food he grew up eating, a curated playlist of his favourite 80s and 90s hits, to playful decor inspired by his travels, best-loved films and video games, as well as his many tattoos.

Noi offers a bespoke experience in each area. It is a fusion of art and cuisine with pattern playing a key part throughout the restaurant as artistic elements adorn the carpets, walls and ceilings, and pop art motifs make their way into the two private dining rooms. Although inspired by pop art elements through the use of colour, the private dining areas are entwined with contemporary interpretation of Italian renaissance moulding and guests can find comfort in AB Concept’s Viola chairs, a collaboration with renowned Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau. A VIP experience is also offered through concealed door access to the second private dining suite and both rooms have access to the curated wine cellar which separates the two.

Diners are welcomed to Noi through a foyer which features a navy colour scheme complemented by seasonal lighting and graphic projections on the carpet. These illustrative elements resemble Chef Airaudo’s vintage tattoos and continue through to the ceiling of the Doodle Garden lounge – which is where its name derives – via integrated LEDs. Here, guests can enjoy a glass of wine from the wine kiosk whilst waiting to be seated in the restaurant area.

Italian Silhouette is the main dining room inspired by traditional Italian motifs and boasting a rich materials and colour palette of deep blues, bronze, dark timbers, leather, rippled glass, and silver travertine. Guests can find comfort in the curved banquette seating which overlooks an open kitchen backed with Japanese tiles, and bamboo screens create layers of atmosphere, separating this space from the Doodle Garden beyond. The level of details throughout Noi shapes the overall experience with the intention of leaving guests feeling inspired.

Design: AB Concept
Photography: courtesy of AB Concept