New construction of a gourmet restaurant — Marktplatz 28, 94065 Waldkirchen, Germany — 250m² — 2013 — Modehaus Garhammer GmbH
Pleasure with a View
„Cooking well is not about immediately standing out; it's about lingering in the memory of people." This is a statement by top chef Michael Simon Reis on Facebook. With the restaurant Johanns, which combines cuisine with a minimalistic but warm atmosphere, the designers from blocher partners have fully fulfilled this credo. It starts with the striking location: On the upper floor of the new Garhammer, the beloved Lower Bavarian Fashion House. The Johanns is located high above on the fifth floor of the new building with 2,000 square metres – as an epicurean attraction including a separate access. A restaurant that merges metropolitan flair with local colour on 250 square metres – due to Michael Simon Reis who is as skilled at a simple goulash for lunchtime as much as at an exclusive dinner. The spatial design is in no way inferior – here, high-tech materials meets natural textures and clear lines meet playful details. Wood in dialog with seamless micro concrete flooring, leather and fabrics in touch with unpretentious furniture. Since 1997, blocher partners has been collaborating with Garhammer. Its accomplishments include the new construction and renovation of a fashion house.
Nothing to hide
At the entrance, a glazed wine vault with around 1,500 bottles welcomes the guests. The restaurant presents itself with two ambiances. The anterior dining area adjoins the lounge, stylistically connected by a style-defining ceiling panel consisting of wooden lamellas. Above the chairs and tables: A back-lit white sail as an eyecatcher which also works as a sound-absorber.
The fabric curtains and hidden installations also add to the discreet acoustics. A further dining area is framed by an illuminated leather wall and an anthrazite-coloured service desk. Due to the disposition of the lights, all tables can be flexibly arranged at any time. But no matter where you sit, the view is superb. On the one side the look over the lower Bavarian surroundings, on the other side straight into the heart of the restaurant: The kitchen. Culinary-wise the cook doesn't need to hide anything; however, the comfort installations are skilfully integrated into the design. Like the grazing lights at the windows which create a comfortable sense of space.
The Johanns is another highlight in Michael Simon Reis' career. Other milestones in the career of the cook, who was born in 1984 in Büchlberg, were the St Regis Mardavall in Mallorca as well as the Austrian gourmet temple Steirereck.
