Hotel de Rome is unveiling an entirely new restaurant and bar concept with a unique combination of indulgence, art and design in a relaxing atmosphere.
The new restaurant has been renamed LA BANCA, an allusion to the historic location of the current hotel on Bebelplatz, where the Dresdner Bank once had its headquarters from 1889 to 1945. The restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine paired with cosmopolitan design including a revolving modern art exhibition reflecting the zeitgeist of Berlin.
The open restaurant layout, with space for 120 diners, creates a relaxed atmosphere. The pretty hotel courtyard offers additional terrace space with 40 seats – a picturesque ambience in which to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner during the summer months.
The transformation is characterised by high-quality wooden chairs and benches with fabric and leather covers in green, brown and grey earth tones which are in harmony with the natural stone floor. The customised lighting system adds a stylish emphasis. Alternating reflections provide a sense of dynamism, while striking wall and floor lamps complement this with a hint of retro flair.
Berlin’s history is reflected in a lighting focal point that has been positioned in the middle of the restaurant: two caryatids are lit from behind and visually represent the unification of old and new Berlin. The LA BANCA Bar offers a contrast within the timelessly elegant colour scheme of grey, black and white in the form of an attention-grabbing curtain illuminated with neon colours. When the light starts to fade, both outside and inside, LA BANCA is transformed into a spacious and lively lounge with music from DJ Michael Adam or a live performance.
“Berlin is not formal and rigid, but rather relaxed and authentic,” says Lydia Forte, bar and restaurant development manager at Rocco Forte Hotels and daughter of Sir Rocco Forte. “That’s exactly the message we want to give our guests at LA BANCA. Even though the restaurant is in a five-star hotel, you needn’t be afraid of dropping by. LA BANCA is a new place to meet in the city with strong influences from the art scene where guests can relax and casually meet up and enjoy the new concept.”
In order to continue inspiring its art-loving guests, the five-star superior hotel used the renovation of the restaurant as an opportunity to place an even greater emphasis on art. The American artist Olivia Steel, who is represented by the Circle Culture Gallery, launches the new concept with her distinctive neon light works which can be seen in both the restaurant and the bar.
Modern art is key to the new design concept and there are already plans to hold various temporary exhibitions from galleries in Berlin at the newly renovated LA BANCA. Works from national and international contemporary artists will be presented here in a perfect setting, thereby underlining the capital’s importance as a metropolis of the fine arts.
Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels and sister of Sir Rocco Forte, has created a new, exclusive and contemporary interior for LA BANCA. The new restaurant and bar concept is full of exciting and creative contrasts, and as such pays homage to the special charm of the capital city. “Berlin is my favorite city, and, just like the city itself, Hotel de Rome continues to develop,” says Olga Polizzi of her design concept.
