Four exceptional chapters at Levitate
On the afternoon of March 1, they were still cleaning up so they could open to their first guests that evening. Christian Chu, one of our first ambassadors, co-owner, and head chef of the Prague experience restaurant Levitate, had only 28 days to renovate the new space, the former Techtle mechtle club, to make it look exactly the way he wanted.
The basement space on Vinohradská Street is quite complex, and Christian decided to take advantage of that. He divided it into four chapters, each of which offers visitors different experiences that they can perceive with all their senses. "Right at the beginning, when the guest arrives, rings the bell, and the staff comes to open the door, they find themselves in a Japanese garden and are given a shot of broth. This is their first introduction to the space," Christian describes, adding that the philosophy of the five elements from China is incorporated here.
Then they go through the cloakroom down to the cellar, where the second chapter begins. This is also where the private dining room is located, designed for private groups of 5 or more people, dominated by a cubist-inspired painting and tiles in the same design.
"I really enjoy looking at glass and porcelain, and I want to show their beauty to our guests. So, in the second chapter, visitors choose their own plate, glass, chopsticks, and napkins, which we will use to serve them the menu," Christian revealed. There is only one piece of each item here, so each set is always original. The space in the narrow corridor is complemented by a chess corner.
We then move on to the cozy lounge, where guests can settle comfortably into armchairs, which are also individual pieces, yet sensitively coordinated, and enjoy champagne or an aperitif.
In the main dining area with a large bar and open kitchen used to prepare some of the dishes, visitors find themselves in the third chapter. Large-format paintings by contemporary artists, natural decorations, intimate lighting, and ample space for privacy combine to create an enjoyable experience, complemented by several courses of an original tasting menu of Nordic-Asian cuisine inspired by art and nature.
"This is the studio. I have my kitchen here, and this is the fourth chapter of the tasting. It's a smaller replica of my living room. Visitors should feel as if I've invited them to my home," says Christian, showing us the space located one floor above, though still in the basement. It's a place for conversation and relaxation, offering comfortable seating and decorated with more works of art. Visitors should spend 20 to 30 minutes here, but sometimes they linger for up to two hours.
Our B 611 combi oven, an indispensable daily helper, also helps to prepare the meticulously crafted menu. Food that smells and looks great and tastes even better is one of its advantages. Christian also appreciates the relief it provides for chefs, saving them time and work. Be inspired by the restaurant's unique concept, and if you want to indulge your senses, we highly recommend a visit to Levitate.