London-based architectural studio Michaelis Boyd has realised their first project in Dubai: Pots Pans & Boards - a new restaurant concept from British Michelin Star chef Tom Aikens.

This marks the sixth restaurant that Michaelis Boyd has worked on with Tom Aikens, following designs over the last 10 years for Tom Aikens’ eponymous restaurants in London and Istanbul. Michaelis Boyd are additionally working on the design for another exciting new Tom Aikens’ restaurant, which is set to open in Hong Kong later this month.

The concept for Pots Pans & Boards in Dubai focuses on shared dishes that are served straight to tables in the ‘pots pans and boards’ they have been prepared in. This relaxed family-style dining approach creates a vibrant and warm atmosphere and had a strong influence on the interior design of the restaurant. “When I was looking at doing a concept for Dubai,” says Aikens, “I really wanted to do something that was casual and laid-back. The trend is definitely going away from fine dining. People want to come out and have relaxed, informal, all-day dining.”

The restaurant interior includes reclaimed furniture, rustic finishes, curved vibrant blue leather banquettes and statement lighting. The walls and floor are covered in a combination of different types of reclaimed wood and terracotta and glazed tiles. Vintage objects sourced from flea markets are on display throughout the restaurant on walls and shelves, including antique kitchen knives, cleavers, utensils and glass storage jars. The colourful, rustic but united characters of the objects contribute to creating a much-loved kitchen charm, which the food concept was based on.

The banquette seating allows diners to see the theatre kitchen or the views of the Arabian Gulf in this dramatic beachside location. The full preparation kitchen, theatre kitchen and bar wrap around the centre of the restaurant giving every customer the feeling of eating in a homely environment.

The warmth of the restaurant has been enhanced through a selection of different lighting and the use and choice of materials including reclaimed chevron timber, beautiful oak flooring, warm terracotta tiles and a wide variety of kitchenalia. This includes dramatic chrome pot lid walls encased in glass, as well as many displays of cooking utensils, delicious ingredients and bright packaging.

Waiter stations made from reclaimed butcher blocks and an eclectic mix of tables and chairs has been chosen to reinforce the feeling of a relaxed and homely kitchen setting.

The restaurant is broken down into three areas and customers can choose from a wide variety of dining experiences within the restaurant, including the bar area that looks onto the theatre kitchen, luxurious banquettes, various tables looking out to the sea shore views and the new Dubai eye under construction, as well as outdoor dining options for the cooler days in the sun and the evenings.