Song Qi Restaurant by Humbert & Poyet

Avenue Princesse Grace is home to Monaco's first fine Chinese gastronomic experience.

The Song dynasty was the strongest dynasty to rule over China from 960 to 1279. Qi is a notion in the Chinese culture that is essential to life—it moves and forms materials in the universe and thus Song Qi was created. Restaurant entrepreneurs Alan Yau, Riccardo Giraudi, and Samual Treves conceived this cultural dining masterpiece with the help of Monaco-based design duo Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet - the pair behind the highly acclaimed Beefbar chain rolled out across Monaco, Mexico and Berlin.

The 1,000 sq. ft. eatery reflects the golden age of Shanghai in the 1930s. From floor to the ceiling, every inch of the décor is opulent, grandiose, and every bit visual exciting. From the black and white geometric star-tiled floor, to the martini-olive green velvet chairs and booths, to the brass finishing on the bar, no detail was spared in order to provide the diner with an over-the-top eating experience.

The menu is a traditional blend of Chinese foods with ingredients from France and spices from China. Menu items include Jasmine Tea Smoked Pork Ribs, King Crab Sweet Corn Soup, and Stir-fry Asparagus Lotus Root. Song Qi also offers a wine list from different countries around the world.

Yau, from Hong Kong, is no stranger to the restaurant world with two other Michelin-starred establishments, Hakkasan and Yauatcha. Treves and Giraudi, from The Giraudi Group, specialize in restoration, restaurant accessories, and meat export-import services. They manage the Monaco Restaurant Group, which owns six other restaurant addresses in the Monaco area. Together, the threesome, are proving to be a dynamic group ready to expose Monaco to delightful Chinese cuisine.

And in order to enjoy any meal, the atmosphere must complement the dishes rushing through the kitchen. Humbert & Poyet have accomplished that ambiance. Their design philosophy—to emphasize pure and thoughtful lines and create timeless, simple, and luxurious spaces—elevates this restaurant design to the next level. Customers will admire the stone, wood, and metal details while the balance between modern décor and traditional Chinese elements intertwine with perfect precision.

The crowds will be seduced by the tastes and mesmerized by the fashionable interior design. The only question left is … when will they deliver a dining experience a little closer to home?

Photography courtesy of Song Qi

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