Somerset Residence is an upper scale, full service hotel that is located it most primary cities and economic hub. It has an established footprint in Qatar for 12 years and is part of a refurbishment exercise to keep relevance against new hospitality establishments entrant to meet the demand of the upcoming World Cup 2022. Somerset, Qatar has a capacity of 200 rooms.
This project poses 3 sets of challenges. Firstly, can a 275m2 (indoor area) be able to cater to at least 75% (300 pax) of the residence's guest at full capacity in a comfortable and acceptable setting? Secondly, how can we be competitive against 63 other fine dining restaurants in the vicinity? Lastly, how can Daya create a complementing service to Somerset's existing facilities where the F&B (Food & Beverage) space becomes an extension of Somerset's hospitality.
Located at Qatar's mature business district, Daya set out to identify its potential competitors within a 15 minutes walking radius and found 63 other competitors under the concept type of fine dining. And the goal to ensure relevance of is thru brand experience, efficient operations, live cooking and service with empathy.
Daya proposed for a social market place approach in a fine dining setting. This allows a double relevance, to serve a busy breakfast turnover (estimated at 300 pax), and lunch, dinner and social hour, where the turnover is serene and intimate.
From a narrow space setting, a 20 meters live cooking track in carrera marble run parallels against the existing footprint of the kitchen and the service core lobby. This allows the a large exposure of space for 102 indoor seating and is in direct visual contact with the estate's outdoor pool and garden. A 2.0 meter circulation spine splits the seating and the live cooking track that allows a comfortable ergonomics for different activities within the space (guest witnessing the live preparation of food / waiters carrying prepared food / walking circulation ).
On pleasant weather (70% of the year), the tall open glass opens up for the indoors to integrate with the outdoor seating. The space is 'malleable' to allow the seasonal event occasions where the tables are rearranged to allow an event friendly space. To cater to the schedule of a busy guest, the entrance of the restaurant host a 'grab & go' (concealable during non peak turnovers). This is Somerset's hospitality to cater to guest who are in need of a quick breakfast fix.
During the dinner and social hour turnovers, the restaurant transform into an intimate atmosphere (where the estimated capacity is at 50%). Lush green sits on the existing brick walls, soft accent lights illuminate the restaurant guests for a quiet and romantic dinner.
F&B is equally as important as guest rooms for a hospitality establishment. The earnings of an F&B may take up to 50% of the overall earnings. It also serves as an opportunity for the restaurant to extend the brand experience of what may be expected if you become a room guest.
