Tatyana Peschanskaya, doctor, candidate of medical sciences, passionate traveler and our regular author
For 12 years, this unique institution near Concorde Square in Paris has been collecting celebrities, fashionistas and gourmets in its walls. And, contrary to popular belief, Buddha Bar attracts not only with its magical atmosphere and music from DJ RAVIN. One of the main advantages of this place is its exquisite nouvelle cuisine, harmoniously combining the traditions of Asian and California gastronomy.
Every night, noisy jet-setters hiding behind the glasses of celebrity sunglasses and rich and beautiful people from all over the world make a pilgrimage to the institution located in the building of the De Crillon hotel in the center of the 8th arrondissement. Here, on a narrow street, behind a high wrought-iron gate, the Parisian temple of glamor is hidden from prying eyes in its most secular guise - radiant and luxurious. This is the Buddha Bar, combining the best of a restaurant and a nightclub and revolutionizing the nightlife of Paris. The opening of this institution marked the beginning of the appearance of other DJ-bars, which later became incredibly fashionable. The music CDs bearing the Buddha Bar logo are found in the player of every second music lover - from Berlin to Buenos Aires. The same music sounds in the walls of the bar itself.
Perhaps it all began in 1981, when the future "father" of the Buddha Bar lounge restaurant chain, Raymond Vizan organized the Printemps exhibition in Paris, the thematic basis of which was the first Chinese emperor Qin. The exposition presented seven ancient Chinese art objects of the First Dynasty. Raymond’s talent as an organizer and creative director did not go unnoticed - then the exhibition was visited by more than half a million guests.
In 1995, in Los Angeles, Vizan opened the iconic B-Fly restaurant in the spirit of America in the mid-twentieth century, the music of which was tastefully selected by a professional DJ. Actually, it was already a prototype of the Buddha Bar, created exactly a year later.
In 1999, Raymond opened the Barrio Latino restaurant in Paris, famous for its sophisticated atmosphere. In 2001, the opening of the Little Buddha Cafe in Las Vegas followed. A year later - the Italian restaurant Barlotti ... The highlight of each of these institutions was the DJ, who carefully selected beautiful, enveloping music performed by talented artists working in the style of "lounge" and "new age". And in the case of the Buddha Bar, the series of CDs with high-quality music has also become an attractive moment.
A huge Buddha statue, mandatory for all institutions of the Buddha Bar, is located in the center of the restaurant and watches the tranquility of visitors. In all restaurants of the Buddha Bar chain, Buddha statues (except the one in Dubai) were installed by French architects Tankerei Bruno and Nail Fibien with five apprentices. They made Buddha statues by hand in their own workshop.
If traditionally in nightclubs and bars the cuisine fades into the background, then Buddha Bar is a categorical exception to this rule. The kitchen of the fusion restaurant, as well as its interior, connected West and East. Dinner here, according to many, saves from the bustle of the city and as if plunges into a rejuvenating bath. At the Parisian Buddha Bar, a Japanese chef and two French partners skillfully combine Asian delicacies with Californian and French cuisine to create works of art such as Thai salad with duck, Korean-style grilled green asparagus and fried Vietnamese spring rolls. Among the main dishes, the most popular are light tuna with sesame seeds and shiitake vinaigrette, melting crab in the mouth, baked in pastry with avocado and green apple, and sea bream, steamed with coconut milk and gambava.
They say that a visit to the Buddha Bar can be compared to a visit to the Spa, the positive energy of this place is so strong. Full immersion in a serene atmosphere and a world of relaxation is just one of the reasons to at least once see the Buddha Bar and come back again. Today, the brilliant twins of the legendary Parisian Buddha Bar are in the largest cities in the world: London, Prague, Sao Paulo, Jakarta, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev.
Dubai Buddha Bar, associated with the luxury, splendor and nightlife of the city, has an excellent restaurant in the spirit of the times. The cuisine of Fusion Asia is the style that the local chef creates. Raymond Wizan says that "the cuisine of the Dubai Buddha Bar features the best of Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Malaysian culinary traditions." The emphasis is on the Gulf region. From the first days of the work of the Dubai restaurant, Chefpovar's favorite dish, a juicy Chinese duck with fruit confiture made from spicy pear, has been incredibly popular. Thai red curry with shrimps will allow guests to feel like they are on a paradise island, not only due to their delicate taste, but also because of their unusual design - the dish is served in a coconut bowl.
The cuisine of all restaurants in the chain, regardless of country, has common strict rules and traditions. That is why the entire team of chefs undergoes an obligatory internship at the Buddha Bar in Paris, where they learn the secrets and technologies of making the restaurant’s “crown” dishes.
By evening, people begin to dance around the tables at ease, the music becomes louder and more rhythmic, and the melodies sounding from the DJ console seem so familiar and caress the hearing so much that I want to carry them away, preserving the memory of this evening. The leading DJ of the Buddha Bar Ravin has already released ten albums of wonderful music permeated with oriental spices, which have been distributed around the world in huge circulations.
The Parisian Buddha Bar has seen all the celebrities within its walls - from Rod Stewart and Madonna to Johnny Depp, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez. Today, in the most beautiful place in Dubai, Buddha Bar opens its doors every evening to its guests. Rejoice and enjoy.
