Discretely perched on a sloping corner in Hong Kong’s famous antiques district, Sheung Wan, Mrs. Pound by NCDA is a small 45 seat(150 m2) speakeasy restaurant & bar that offers a modern and playfulspin on an Asian fusion cuisine.
The restaurant’s disguised façade is informed by the fictionalnarrative of two star crossed lovers who secretly reunite in midlife.As the legend suggests, the restaurant’s namesake character Mrs. Poundwas a renowned burlesque dancer in 1950’s Shanghai. Weary of thelimelight, the glamorous femme fatale retires in 1960’sHong Kong to seek refuge with her childhood love, the married Mr.Ming. An avid stamp collector, Mr. Ming sets up a neighborhood stamp shop asthe perfect front to disguise Mrs. Pound’s speakeasy, theirclandestine meeting spot.
To gain entry to Mrs. Pound, initiated guests activate a concealeddoor by pressing a secret stamp hidden within the massiveilluminated vitrine. The shop façade slides open to reveal a vibrantpink and green dining space filled with vintage photos and intimate memorabiliathat tell the story of Mrs. Pound’s mysterious and extravagant life.
NCDA drew inspiration from the cult film classics of Wong KarWai to achieve a hybrid environment that fuses East and West,mixing elements of traditional Hong Kong with a bold vision of thefuture. The restaurant is divided into two main spaces: the lower dining area conveys a feminine glamour through the use pink leather banquettes, mirrored marquee lights, pink patterned Chinese tile and delicate gold accents. The upper dining area conveys a rugged masculine counterpoint through the use of diagonal concrete panels, green floor tile, green barstoolsand colorful atmospheric neon artwork.
The two spaces meet at the bar, where tiles slowly change in color from pink to green highlighted by iconic gymnastic ring lights that add a layer of visual complexity to the space. This complexity extends throughout the bar, where butterflies and other artefacts take the visitor on journey through the lives of Mrs. Pound and Mr. Ming.
At Mrs. Pound, the seamless integration of interior design, furniture,lighting fixtures, graphics, staffuniforms and menu result in a multi-layered sensory and gastronomicexperience. Through the synthesis of the vintage references and moderndetails, NCDA has set a compelling stage for the theater of dining.
