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Guests Dine in the Round at Desa Potato Head Restaurant Dome

10.24.24 | By
Guests Dine in the Round at Desa Potato Head Restaurant Dome

Named for its defining architectural element, Dome is a new restaurant within Bali’s ever-popular Desa Potato Head resort. Joining its rich offering of hospitality and cultural amenities, which includes a beach club, 225-room hotel, and spa, the OMA-designed haunt reflects the sprawling destination’s earthy aesthetic and embodies its eco-conscious mandate all while introducing a tinge of urbane refinement.

A dimly lit restaurant features blue padded seating with wooden tables set with wine glasses, plates, cutlery, and candles, surrounded by plants and modern blue columns.

“We wanted the space to be inviting, a place for connecting with like-minded individuals, and to be inspired by all the reference material around you,” says Isaac Larose, Desa Potato Head creative director. “The architecture is so futuristic, so we wanted to break it down with natural elements. If you look closely, you can see the imperfections in the shades of the reclaimed furniture. We decided to celebrate these imperfections rather than hide them, just like we do with our wines and produce.”

A dining table set elegantly with glassware, candles, and plates in a dimly lit restaurant, surrounded by green plants and wooden decor.

A modern, circular bar with stools surrounding it is in the middle of a restaurant featuring blue flooring, plants, and an open kitchen in the background.

A modern bar with wooden stools and a circular counter is set in a spacious room, reminiscent of Desa Potato Head, with lush plants and a kitchen area in the background.

Upcycled wood and antique rugs delineate different dining and communal areas, such as a well-stocked library and lounge, with ample seating that includes custom OMA-designed sofas. But it’s the aquamarine blue epoxy floor and light fixture-anchoring columns that add the aforementioned sophisticated touch. This contrasting colorway reflects the ocean outside especially when illuminated by large organically-shaped skylights.

The modern interior of Desa Potato Head features a warm color scheme, with round tables set for dining, tall blue columns, and lush green plants.

A dimly lit restaurant interior at Desa Potato Head features tribal statues, blue seating, wooden tables set with wine glasses, and lush greenery.

A modern interior with large windows, a futuristic DJ booth, lush green plants, and a wooden bench. Sunlight streams in, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

Evoking the underlying but not overtly kitsch retro-futuristic theme that carries throughout are a series of cistern-like spaces, the kind one might imagine finding on the set of a Mad Max film. Cylindrical forms aren’t just present in the Buckminster Fuller Dome Home-inspired enclosure – housing a more intimate dining area – but also in the open-plan, fully in the round and slightly sunken-in, bar.

A Desa vintage speaker complements the sunlit room's ambiance, where a cozy sofa set invites relaxation among large windows and lush potted plants.

A dimly lit modern restaurant interior with set tables, chairs, and a lit candle on each table at Desa Potato Head. A reflective surface creates light streaks and a blurred figure is visible in the background.

Integrated into this seamless staging is top-notch technology. Vintage JBL speaker stacks and vinyl DJ sets perfectly blend-in and accentuate the overall contrasted yet cohesive design scheme. Across the eclectic assemblage of finishes, sleek and live edged elements, a certain textured tactility and neotenic geometry comes together harmoniously; rendering what could very well be an austere environment into one that is inviting and appetizing.

A curved concrete structure with a lattice roof stands outside the building. A sign reading "dome" is visible on the wall, and through the glass windows of Desa Potato Head, shelves filled with various bottles and decor can be seen.

Tying everything together is award-winning chef Diego Recarte’s menu, which is also a mix of refined and rugged. Fusion South American and European dishes are created strictly using locally sourced organic produce and other staples. The dynamic menu highlights ingredients from organic farmers and local producers, while the wine bar focuses on consciously produced natural and biodynamic wines.

A hand holds a raw fish with vibrant red scales and large eyes against a plain background.

A hand uses a spoon to drizzle dark sauce onto a dish containing grilled food and yellow vegetables on a white plate. A bottle and glass with yellow liquid are in the background on the stainless steel surface.

For more information on the Dome Restaurant at the Desa Potato Head Resort, click here. To see more projects from OMA, visit oma.com.

Photography courtesy of Desa Potato Head Bali.

Adrian Madlener is a Brussels-born, New York-based writer specializing in collectible and sustainable design. With a particular focus on topics that exemplify the best in craft-led experimentation, he's committed to supporting talents that push the envelope in various disciplines.