Meat and wine has an interpretation of a Boma enclosure with an envelope surrounded by glass on 3 sides. The Boma interpretation is suspended in the middle of the space and is formed by the inward facing bench seat that is rolled up around the entire base of the Boma. We refer to this as the “Shongololo” a Zulu word for Centipede and literally meaning “to roll up”. The golden Boma crown is formed by a series of individual handmade cloths by African artisans. These clothes are dipped, sculptured and layered in various shades of gold, bronze, copper, silver and other metallic paints to reflect both the richness of the African soil and the abundance of minerals which comes from the land.

Each Meat & Wine has its own unique interpretation of the Boma, Lapa or homestead enclosure which ties back to the brand. This particular setting in Canberra has a grand Boma suspended in the centre of the tenancy. The individual facets which make up the Boma are individually dipped, sculptured and layered in various shades of gold, bronze, copper and silver and metallic paints. Uniquely, this Meat & Wine provides a sense of African nostalgia and belonging brought forth by the golden Boma and the Centipede like seating arrangement. Every golden fabric piece is unique, individually handmade by African artisans to create a “tapestry” and convey a fully rich, and personal story with many layers and facets. This is our unique and personal interpretation for Meat and Wine Canberra.

The Meat and Wine Co. restaurant is a cosey 371m² and seats 109 people within the envelope and an additional 68 people in the front courtyard. A typical Meat and Wine Co. Restaurant is slightly bigger than this.

Meat &Wine has an African heritage and thus each design concept takes its inspiration from those roots where story telling through the ages formed a core part of the African legacy. Stories, made it possible for cultures to pass knowledge, history, and significant events from father to son and from one generation to the next.
What is storytelling exactly? Storytelling is not the same as reading a story. It is retelling a tale to an audience of one or many through voice, movement and expressive gestures. It creates a series of mental images associated with spoken words. It takes you on a journey. It reflects social values. It inspires you and maybe even motivates you in the pursuit of a more meaningful life. In African cultures, these shared events were used as a way for the elders to teach important life lessons, entertain and invite people to participate in a significant moment. Every successful restaurant, similarly, are spaces used to socialise, tell fascinating stories and entertain the people that come to them.

The hero of the of the project is the golden suspended boma installation which sits in the middle of the interior envelope and is supported by the rolled up “Shongololo” booth seat. The presence of the installation can be seen by everyone even from the exterior of the courtyard.

The initial feeling people will feel in the restaurant is a sense of, warmth, comfort and an sense of considered calmness within in the interior. The longer they sit in the space instils the unconscious feeling of nostalgia and being at home.

Welcome to Canberra