There’s no dearth of eclectic restaurants in Dubai, from cool steampunk lounges with half an airplane hanging over the bar to a magic cafe. Unusual eateries are usual to Dubai but that doesn’t mean we’ve lost the ability to be blown away by phenomenal new concepts. Especially when they’re as refreshingly artistic as Gallery 7/40.
‘Like stepping inside a painting’ doesn’t really do justice to the art attack you’ll experience inside this Spanish-Greek restaurant. Palm West Beach, where Gallery 7/40 is located, has no dearth of head-turning restaurants. But can any other boast curved ceilings and floors inspired by renowned Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi? Yeah, him of the Sagrada Familia fame, Barcelona’s pride and joy.
Gallery 7/40 has state-of-the-art interiors
Those are just broad brushstrokes of what this part art gallery, part restaurant-and-beach club offers. But as with any good work of art, it’s all in the details. Take, for example, the staircase handrail – a fluid, twisty design dream in gold meant to resemble braided branches of trees. Murano glass chandeliers in vivid colours dangle from the ceilings. Chairs double up as stained glass sculptures. And then there are the striking custom-made mosaics that coat the bar and swirl the floor with pretty patterns.
Each tabletop is a kaleidoscope of colours and resembles resin art furniture that flood our Instafeeds. Even plates and cutlery are more than blank canvases holding food; they’re inspired by Japanese kintsugi – the art of mending and fusing broken pottery pieces with gold.
Now coming to the food on those plates: Spanish tapas and Greek coastal cuisine are this restaurant’s speciality. Gallery 7/40’s demonstration kitchen plates up playful pinchos (Spanish snacks) and xtapodi psito (Greek-style octopus). But the beverages are the objet d’art here. Cleverly creative cocktails such as ‘Refresca de Frida’, ‘Camille’ and ‘The Kiss’ pay homage to maestros like Frida Kahlo, Camille Pissarro and Gustav Klimt.
It’s an actual art gallery
With a private beach offering picturesque views of the ocean and a photogenic outdoor dining area by the pool, Gallery 7/40 is visually captivating enough to count as a gallery. However, it is a true art showroom. Actual art by different regional and international artists will be displayed around the restaurant on a rotational basis. For now, limited edition works of Spanish photographer Daniel Rueda grace the walls. And as sure as Van Gogh had a single ear, some glorious smartphone snaps of this place will grace your social media.