Managing partner of Eclectic Hospitality Aleix Garcia dishes on stepping away from convention
Dubai’s dining scene is abuzz with activity – new openings, collaborations, one-night dinners and new menus designed to welcome a new era, a rebirth of sorts. Part of this crop of fresh faces is Rocambolesco – a playful take on Italian dining with a deep sense of appreciation for the finer things in life.
The concept takes its name from Rocambole, a character associated with daring, imagination and adventure, which is reflected in the restaurant’s anything-but-ordinary approach. Built around convivialità – the pleasure of being together around the table, this addition to the Uptown District’s collection of restaurants is designed to be enjoyed from day to night, as you please.
Step inside and you will be greeted by an explosion of colours. Think quirky, abstract art, cutlery with characters to accompany you and a lightness of experience. My meal here was marked by an ease, and wholesome interactions by Chef Alessandro Mirabelli, whose passion for flavour and feeding his guests is infectious. He explains to us the process of bread-making at the restaurant, inquires about my spice tolerance with great interest, and flourishes dessert recommendations – and I immediately feel taken care of.
While the food is remarkable, and worth going back for, the design of the space plays a huge role in how the experience imprints on you. This is what we sat down to talk about with Aleix Garcia, Managing Partner of Eclectic Hospitality, to go behind the scenes of how Rocambole was born.
Tell us about the inspiration behind the space for Rocambolesco? How did you come upon this design language?
We envisioned Rocambolesco as a reflection of the creative mind — much like Rocambole himself. Eclectic, vivid and richly layered, it is a world of intricate detail, bold colour and expressive intensity, where every element contributes to a sense of imagination and character.
How have colour and whimsical art been used to set the tone of the experience you’re hoping diners have?
With a name such as Rocambolesco, it was essential to create a restaurant that would go beyond extraordinary food. The ambition was to shape a complete experience — one defined by artistic expression, distinctive details and the same creative spirit of the concepts we bring to life.
This particular project has always been especially close to our hearts. The idea had been waiting for the right setting, the right moment and, most importantly, the right partnership to bring it to life in the way we had always envisioned.
We believe that the right atmosphere has the power to shape the way people feel, connect and engage with one another. It can inspire conversation, heighten emotion and define the experience itself. That understanding became central to every decision we made — from the lighting and seating layout to the colour palette, the visual details and, of course, the music.
Tell us a little bit about Rocambole – what does his presence mean for the concept?
It is the character that ultimately gave meaning to the word itself — the drama, the unexpected turns, the extravagance and unpredictability of the outcome. In Latin languages, Rocambole became the very origin of the term, carrying with it a sense of theatricality, intrigue, and the extraordinary.
The paintings throughout the space draw directly from this universe. Some portray what a contemporary Rocambole might look like today; others offer a glimpse into how he might perceive the world and the people around him — through a lens that is heightened, eccentric, expressive, and slightly surreal.
Restaurant design in Dubai tends to swing between very understated and very opulent. Why did you choose a third direction, and how does it reflect the ethos of Rocambolesco?
I’m glad you see it as something that sits outside the conventional as well. Some of Italy’s most remarkable restaurants are not defined by opulence, yet they deliver extraordinary experiences that extend beyond the culinary craft itself.
Italy is, unquestionably, one of the world’s richest and most expressive artistic cultures, and it was important for to have it reflected in Rocambolesco. Not through obvious references or excess, but through a coherent creative narrative — one that gives meaning to the space, its details, and the experience as a whole.
How do the space’s design and the menu complement each other?
Our menu reflects the same creative approach that defines Rocambolesco as a whole. It brings together familiar Italian favourites with unexpected interpretations and contemporary twists, mirroring the sense of surprise, character and imagination found throughout the artistic direction and overall concept.
The design of Rocambolesco is equally rooted in the Italian idea of convivialità — the pleasure of gathering, sharing and experiencing food together. This philosophy determined the layout of the space, from the prevalence of round tables to flexible seating arrangements that can be effortlessly connected, allowing for an almost infinite variety of dining configurations, from intimate gatherings to larger groups.
This is how we envision dining at Rocambolesco: not simply as a meal, but as a social experience — one that extends well beyond extraordinary food.
Image credit: Supplied
Deeply passionate about food, culture and community, Manaal loves telling extraordinary stories of ordinary people. Besides sniffing out a tale to tell, her favourite things to do include binging true crime documentaries, chasing cats on the streets and curating a good outfit.
