F & B : TABLETOP
OUT
IN
Located directly on the beach , Bella Beach at Trump International Beach Resort in Florida must utilize durable stainless-steel flatware , acrylic glassware and melamine plates as part of its fresh and fun turquoise-and-white décor .
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WHETHER OCEANFRONT , ROOFTOP OR POOLSIDE , OUTDOOR DINING IS HOT , BUT OUTFITTING SPACES WITH THE BEST TABLETOP ITEMS CAN BE A CHALLENGE .
By Ann Bagel Storck , managing editor
This past summer Trump International Beach Resort just north of Miami Beach , Florida , wanted to offer a taste of Miami ’ s famous South Beach with a new outdoor , oceanfront restaurant and lounge . Bella Beach boasts a menu of Mediterranean-style bites , fun drinks and a bright turquoise-and-white décor , but given the venue ’ s location directly on the beach , the hotel had to think about much more than just style in designing the space . “ There ’ s a theme in everything we did regarding our design and selection of materials : that it would stand up to the elements ,” says Mark Young , director of catering and conference services at Trump International Beach Resort .
Young explains Bella Beach uses polished stainless-steel flatware , acrylic glassware and melamine plates because of their durability but also because of what local ordinances allow for beachfront restaurants . Tables themselves feature tempered glass on top of wicker , while lanterns act as accent pieces during the day and are more functional at night . Perhaps most important , the space is designed so everything can be picked up and moved indoors quickly in the event of a storm .
Young emphasizes , however , that just because outdoor F & B space presents design challenges doesn ’ t mean it can ’ t look fabulous . “ Everything we picked out is really fun ,” he says of Bella Beach . “ It ’ s very expressive and contemporary in style .”
That Bella Beach and outlets like it can create the style they want even in limiting outdoor spaces is hardly surprising , however . In F & B today , what ’ s in is out . “ Outdoor is king ,” says Jason Lapin , president at Las Vegas-based consultancy Blau and Associates . “ People love the outdoors , so al fresco dining has taken on a new popularity .”
www . hotelsmag . com November 2012 HOTELS 51