Lawrence Huggler has invested in a new look for Bohemia Bar & Restaurant on Jersey
It is 12 years since Lawrence Huggler opened Bohemia Bar & Restaurant within the Club Hotel & Spa in St Helier on Jersey. The investment paid off and the business continues to thrive, with a Michelin star and a string of awards under head chef Steve Smith who took over from Shaun Rankin in 2013. To complement the quality of the cuisine, Lawrence has invested in a refurbishment of Bohemia, unveiling a sophisticated and elegant new design. He worked with designer Jane Goff, who is renowned for creating glamorous interiors and transforming hotels and restaurants in the UK and overseas.
The luxurious design features a bold carpet in a rich, dark palate, enhanced by dove-grey banquette seating along the back wall and dark walnut panelled walls. Alongside a specially commissioned panel of illuminated kiln-fired art-glass, the soft lighting scheme includes new bespoke gold-lined, low-hanging pendant lights suspended over the dining tables.
Bohemia’s private dining area also has a lavish new look. One wall has been clad in statement black matt wallpaper, with an intricate gold design, while another wall of panelled frosted glass allows natural light to flood in. A statement chandelier (pictured below) is made from 200 champagne glasses, with each glass individually illuminated with an effervescent glow to give the illusion that it has just been filled.
The new-look bar is furnished with artwork, buttoned oxblood-red leather chairs and contemporary-patterned banquette sofas in burnt orange and rich blue. Glass panels divide the seating areas, creating discrete areas for guests. The bar, with a large brown granite-topped counter, stocks a broad selection of spirits including Lawrence’s own Lanique – the pink-coloured liqueur made from rose petal oil that he acquired and relaunched last year with UK distributor Love Drinks.
Under manager Tim Phillips, the list features several drinks made with Lanique, such as the Cosmique, mixing the liqueur with Cointreau, lime, cranberry juice and sugar syrup with a pink grapefruit twist. There are also plenty of classics from a Sazerac and Boulevardier to a Champagne Mojito as well as a vintage Negroni made with gin, red vermouth and Campari from the 1970s.
Alongside an extensive selection of wines and champagnes and its own food menu, the bar offers local and international beers. Bottles range from the big brands to German pilsener Krombacher and Jersey’s own Mary Ann Best Bitter, complemented by draught brews including Liberation Ale, also from Jersey’s Liberation brewery. While the restaurant continues to win accolades thanks to Steve’s dishes using high-quality Jersey produce, the 60-seater bar is itself a destination, providing a haven for coffee, light lunches and cocktails.
Bohemia Bar & Restaurant, Green Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4UH
Tel: 01534 880588
www.bohemiajersey.com
Behind the scenes
Design: Jane Goff
Joinery: Whittinghams Interiors
Carpets: Tower Carpets and Flooring
Glass screens: Daedalion Glass Studios
Seating: PTT Design
Electrical: Smail & Richards
