These days, dining out in Chengdu allows you to pick a cool new restaurant almost every night of the week. The city’s economic boom has yet to end, but meanwhile spawned a buzzing hospitality and retail scene that’s on a par with what’s going on in Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen. The newly opened 5:59 restaurant is part of local hospitality group Burano, and reflects a trend to accommodate a clientele of movers and shakers with modern, tantalising concepts. Situated at Vanke Tianhui City Plaza, a shopping mall on the outskirts of town, the diner measures 245 sqm. (2,637 sq.ft.) spread over a ground floor and mezzanine. The interior design has been created by iZ, a local practice led by a quirky trio with a combined background in retail and hospitality in both China and Taiwan, and which also concepted Sunset Café, a popular hangout of the city’s fast-growing creative community. The name 5:59 refers to a specific point of time, indicating the transition between night and morning, and the fact that it’s an all-day and almost all-night venue.
The interior design is inspired by airport terminals, featuring an arched entrance door captured in white glass, and flanked on both sides by a orange-tinted glass which fully shields the mezzanine floor from daylight. On the ground floor, a large bar with stools on one side takes centre stage amidst various comfy seating arrangements. Interestingly, there’s also a curved back corridor with additional seating which looks out onto a faux patio – mind you, you’re in a mall – with desert plants through backlit arches. On the mezzanine floor, the atmosphere shifts to cozy, intimate and secluded, thanks to the specific filtering of daylight which casts a warm orange glow on a setting which comprises of an elongated sofa upholstered in leather and paired with tables and chairs. Situated right above the ground floor entrance, an arched smoking room with leather seats. Also situated on the mezzanine are private rooms and a restroom. As said, 5:59 is an all-day restaurant, but certainly also a place where to meet up just for coffee or drinks. The menu predominantly lists European bites, such as a hamburger, spaghetti, french fries, and salads, but also accommodates with a variety of popular Chinese dishes.
5:59
Vanke Tianhui City Plaza, 369 Shanbanqiao Lu, Unit 1F-031 (Guanjiayan)
610000 Chengdu
Telephone: +86 28 83271199
Daily 10AM-2AM
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