You may recall that earlier in the year I went to Oslo on a memorable family weekend break. Memorable for unexpected sunshine, the fun sightseeing and some great family moments like climbing the Opera House. Oslo ranked as one of the most expensive places I’ve ever visited but I still thoroughly enjoyed my visit and am so glad we went. In my earlier post, I mentioned that we went for a spectacular dinner on Aker Brygge Wharf at the newly opened Ling Ling. If you are a design tourist like me, then this will take you to design heaven and is a must visit destination to add to your itinerary. Who doesn’t love a beautifully designed restaurant?
Ling Ling Oslo, Hakkasan’s sister restaurant, sits on the recently renovated Aker Brygge Marina on the Oslo Fjord waterfront and is the first restaurant from the Hakkasan Group in Scandinavia. The location itself is enough to bring you through the doors, situated directly at the water’s edge with views of the marina and across the fjord to Akershus Fortress. The hardwood clad roof is shaped to resemble a wave and has a glazed facade that wraps around the building giving guests multiple views of the marina. Ling Ling had opened just three weeks before our visit, so parts of the cladding were still “settling” in.
Once inside the full effect of the interior design created by Norwegian design studio Radius was a colourful surprise. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining, a stunning bar, a rooftop terrace, as well as a hidden lounge. Radius working with Nulty lighting were keen to make sure that the lighting complimented the architecture and enhanced the nightime ambience. One of the standout elements is the feature light installation made from galvanised metal conduit that radiates across the ceiling around the bar and the trees. As a device it is also used in the hallway creeping down the walls. It’s a very effective play on light and shadow, as the LED inserts form rods of diffused light.
The colour palette is warm and inviting and I was rather smitten with the deep tan leather banquettes, as they had a very comfortable recline to them that supported my back. Lighting levels are deliberately kept low and intimate, with just a simple pendant hung over each table. The peachy blush toned ones were my favourites – I’ve been trying to recall where I have seen them but can’t quite put my finger on it. They are vaguely similiar to the Pitch Pendant by Vitamin Living that I used in the House that Bloggers Built styling (here).
I asked where the dining chairs were from but none of the staff knew. If there had been people around I would have turned one upside down, as there may have been a makers mark. I particularly liked the leather “binding” that appeared to join the back to the A-frame legs.
In the bar I did recognise Fogia’s Bollo armchair by designer Andreas Engesvik as I’d included it in my Stockholm Furniture Fair round up in 2016 and possibly Fredericia’s Barbry barstool. Also around the table in the private dining room were Gubi’s upholstered Masculo dining chairs. But I’m still none the wiser on that beautiful chair above – if anyone knows please drop me a line!
The staff were wonderfully attentive and the food delicious, I particularly enjoyed the reindeer puffs and the cocktails. If you have travel to Oslo planned I highly recommend you swing by Ling Ling for dinner or drinks and take a look. To read more about my visit to Oslo visit here and here.
This is not a sponsored post. Images by Mary Middleton for Hellopeagreen and Dag Randen for Radius.