MASU Asian Bistro | Jaana Ekman

Restamax Plc. and Mr. Hans Välimäki, Finland's only 2-star chef, have launched a joint venture called Gastromax Inc. MASU Asian Bistro is the very first project for the new joint venture. MASU is a modern asian cuisine restaurant in Tampere Finland opened in March 2014. Visionary Design Partners Helsinki was in charge of the interior design, planning, procurement and project management. The lounge and bar area in front of the restaurant welcomes the guests to enjoy the cosy atmosphere and spectacular cocktails before moving on to the dining area. The dinner guests are able to watch the chefs cooking in the open plan kitchen as well as enjoy of all the fascinating decorative details around in the space. There is also a teppanyaki table in front of the kitchen with a private chef to prepare the dishes for up to 8 guests to enjoy. In the dining room the original brick wall was aged with care. On the opposite wall we used dark horizontally installed oak panel. The short piece of wall next to the kitchen was covered with sheets of copper. In the lounge area we used Brooklyn Tins wallpaper by Merci. Chairs are from HAY and the copper pendants from Jo Hammerborg, Orient collection. We used several different upholstery fabrics in the lounge area, leather, suede and linen in different colors. The big mirrors all around the restaurant were framed with rusty metal. Read the verdict from Mr. Välimäki himself how we were able to achieve his expectations.

MASU Asian Bistro a restaurant that Jaana Ekman designed for me and Gastromax Inc. succeeded beyond our expectations. A matching interior, budget and schedule worked as planned, and the result was strikingly handsome. I can honestly say that I am more than proud and happy that for once, the designer was able to get the job done. We got to experience this first weekend of practice, since only two days after the opening of MASU Asian Bistro, restaurant was really crowded and everything seemed to be working. At the same time, we noticed the most important, which is that our customers really enjoyed the restaurant very well. Therefore, I would highly recommend Visionary Design Partners Helsinki Inc. services of all of you who are currently planning to reform the existing premises of your business or perhaps starting a completely new business. You will not be disappointed!

- HANS VÄLIMAKI, THE ONLY CHEF WITH TWO MICHELIN-STARS IN FINLAND -