5 questions for: Doug Hines

The accomplished commercial designer clues us in on his culinary magnum opusβ€”Midtown’s chicest secret gemβ€”The Consulate.

Being here feels a bit like strolling a spy movie set.
We wanted it to be a place James Bond would have lunch or dinner. There is even a cocktail named Dr. No. We want guests to feel they’re not just having dinner, that they’re part of a mise-en-scΓ¨ne. Everything is precisely orchestrated.

How does the design scheme reinforce this theme?
My wife and partner, Mei Lin, and I envisioned The Consulate as international, luxurious and decadent, but not pretentious. We have an original Eames recliner, brass Z tables by Karl Springer, a Milo Baughman Γ©tagΓ¨re, ceiling pendants by Verner Panton. The bar lamps are by Louis Poulsen, and I designed the channeled banquettes. Being an interior designerβ€”I was on the sixth season of HGTV’s Design Starβ€”I wanted a return to glamour: The Consulate is midcentury modern meets Hollywood Regency; very chic.

The art is equally impressive.
I’m a former gallery owner; in 2001, I ran Gallery Domo in Buckhead, where Restaurant Eugene is now located. I’ve always been passionate about fine and contemporary art, and I made sure to include works by noted artistsβ€”Atlantan Radcliffe Bailey, midcentury Russian artist Ilya Bolotowsky. We have pieces by Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons, a 1953 lithograph by Matisse.

We can see why you’d want to keep such treasures incognito. Is that why you chose such a clandestine location?
We spent months seeking this location. It’s in the heart of Midtownβ€”right next to the Federal Reserveβ€”but tucked away, so you have to know where to find us. That was intentional. Being New Yorkers, my wife and I like the idea of a place that’s hard to find.Β And that extends to the food and drink, as well. Beverage director Michael Jones compiled a globally influenced wine, beer and cocktail program based on scarcity and quality. Our chef, Tara Mayfieldβ€”previously of Buckhead Lifeβ€”rotates the menu each quarter to a new country of inspiration. We also plan to do a dim sum–style lunch and brunch that will be unique to us.

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