Song Qi restaurant review - Monte Carlo, Monaco

Spearheaded by London restaurateur Alan Yau, the Song Qi restaurant was conceived by Monaco-based design duo Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet - the pair behind the incipient Beefbar chain rolled out across Monaco, Mexico and Berlin. The interior was inspired by Shanghai art deco detailing, and features sumptuous olive-green banquettes and a geometric pattern that fills the room to its four corners, leaving a large black-and-white star imprint on the floor. Sophisticated fabrics and furniture with dark lacquered panels are arranged like artworks in between brass-coloured mirrors, creating a contemporary setting. As for its name, it evokes not only the famous Chinese dynasty but also refers to the philosophical meaning of 'qi', a notion that translates as 'breath', 'spirituality' and 'power'.