David Laris Creates announces that Laris, the namesake restaurant
of Chef David Laris, has closed as of Sunday,14th November 2010.
This restaurant was located at Three on the Bund.
Designed by Michael Graves, Laris quickly became a landmark
restaurant in Shanghai's growing fine dining scene after it
launched in 2003. Known for its imaginative menu design, flawless
execution, and attention to personal service, the restaurant became
one of the most well-received venues in the city. From regular VIP
patrons, to international and local media, to connoisseurs of food
and drink, Laris was loved as much for the special ambience it
generated as for the innovative menu, wine and cocktail list. As
David Laris says, "Laris and Three on the Bund in its heyday was an
establishment to behold...from the hospitality to the guests to the
overall experience. There was an energy to the operation and the
people who worked there that was exciting to be a part of. I am
very proud to have been a member of that team and part of the
opening of Three on the Bund."
The restaurant received numerous accolades over the years,
including "Best Restaurant in China" and "Top 20 Restaurants in
Asia" in the 2009/2010 Miele Guide (among such culinary legends as
Robuchon and Nobu);"Restaurant of the Year" in 2004, 2005, 2006 and
2008 by That's Shanghai; "Top 80 Great New Restaurants" in 2005 by
Condé Nast Traveler (US); "Best Restaurant of the Year" in
2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 by Shanghai Tatler; among other awards.
From the beginning, Laris was at the forefront of the premium
concept dining scene, and its success helped to define quality
hospitality in Shanghai.
As of 2008, the restaurant structure and the working relationship
between David Laris and Three on the Bund changed. David took on
the role of consultant in the areas of food and beverage. The
management team of Three on the Bund assumed the overall
responsibility for supervision, management, quality control and
standards, and daily operations of the restaurant.
In the past two years, this structure led to a challenging struggle
between David's high standards and Three on the Bund's difficulty
in meeting them on a regular and consistent basis. While Laris
continued to perform well and receive accolades during this period,
David realized that he needed to re-focus his energy into working
with partners who share the same expectations and standards of
excellence.
"The relationship between Three on the Bund and myself became
difficult. I felt there was a breakdown in the way that Laris was
managed, which was not in line with the original vision and was not
representative of my philosophy and standards as a Chef. We should
never compromise on quality, service and creativity. Which is why
it saddens me to see the end of Laris and Three on the Bund. But I
remain optimistic about the future of fine dining in Shanghai. I
believe the large-scale fine dining restaurants perhaps have seen
their day. Now the approach will be about intimate, small, fine
dining spaces where we can connect directly with the guests. This
will be my focus moving forward and I have already begun work on
related concepts."
With the closing of his namesake restaurant, David Laris and his
team are now looking towards the future and new projects to come.
First on the list will be the new development at Sinan Mansions,
where four original David Laris concepts will launch by the end of
2010.
Tucked inside will be the smallest fine dining restaurant in
Shanghai, aptly named 12 Chairs for its exclusive seating capacity.
This new concept brings together a menu reflecting old world
indulgence with one of Shanghai's most premium wine lists, all
within a luxurious, private space. A highlight of the intimate
dining room
will be the open kitchen, which will feature David Laris and his
senior chefs cooking and presenting new creations, as well as
reinterpreting some signature Laris dishes.
In looking at the future of fine dining in Shanghai, David
consulted with his partners and advisors regarding the direction to
take DLC's businesses. According to Managing Director, Aaron
Griffiths, "12 Chairs represents a return to the pleasure of food,
creation and dining... all with a focus on personal attention and
preferences that provide an overall experience to our
guests."
In the beginning of 2011, David Laris Creates will announce another
new concept that is currently under development. This major new
restaurant will reflect David's love of Asian culture and cuisine,
taking influence and inspiration from the cities where he has lived
and cooked. This new venue is slated to open in 2011.
Finally, David will be spending more of his energy and creativity
on further developing the high-end David Laris Catering business.
Focused on bringing unique food and drink concepts through a
premium event catering
format, David Laris Catering will look to partner with luxury and
large-scale brands to develop tailored menu creations.
David Laris and his team at DLC are excited about the new concepts
that will soon be introduced to Shanghai. Through these evolutions
in creativity and taste, these new ventures represent David's
continued role in defining and shaping the food and beverage
industry of the city and beyond.
For restaurant or media enquiries, please contact Christina Kao,
Director of Business Development at David Laris Creates (DLC):
ckao@davidlariscreates.com.
David Laris Creates is a development and consultation company
focused on the Food & Beverage world. DLC has created and
developed numerous award-winning concepts including high-level fine
dining, bar and club operations, mid-tier dining, cafés,
delicatessens, lifestyle concepts and more. Restaurants and Clients
in the Greater China area include The Opposite House and East
Hotels for Swire Group, House of Barbie for Mattel, Downstairs for
the Urbn Hotel, Baccarat, 12 Chairs, The Fat Olive, The Purple
Onion, Yucca Lounge, The Pie Hole, The Funky Chicken, Urban 18, as
well as work with the Australian, USA, Netherlands and New Zealand
Pavilions for Shanghai World Expo 2010.
DLC recently received the award for Business Excellence in the
Small Business category at the 2010 Australia-China Business
Awards. The ACBA Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in
Australian businesses operating in China.
www.davidlariscreates.com