How to create an awesome Restaurant Menu: The Kelong Nightclub, Cathay Hotel.

The Kelong was The Cathay Hotel's nightclub inspired by the picturesque fishing traps staked off the island's coast where fish and other sea creatures are directed by a series if palisades driven into the seabed to a holding enclosure under a gigantic platform at the deep end of the structure. Periodically a huge net beneath the waves is drawn up with hand-operated capstans to harvesting the catch of the day. 

For the menu design we took the cue from the straw mats and jute ropes used in the operation of the kelong to create something unique with tactile feel and a rustic seaside look. The menu pages would be illustrated with pictures of fish, molluscs and crustaceans, and drawings of fishing paraphernalia such as woven baskets, drying trays, nets and hurricane lamps.

Kelongs often hosted night stays for visitors attracted by gourmet dining on live seafood. What could be fresher than the catch swimming right under your feet? A truly delectable delight which The Kelong Nightclub served in aircon comfort rivalling the balmy sea breeze of a night under the stars on a kelong.

Cover concept.

Inside pages.

The concept was approved and finished artworks were done for the menu pages and sent for printing. The menu covers were hand crafted using straw mats glued on cardboard with silkscreened colours. Holes were punched along the edges and jute strings looped through with the ends knotted and frayed into tassels. The result is a truly stunning menu that wowed the dinners with expectations of a sumptuous seafood feast to come.

The printed menu deviated very little from the concept sketches
and received many positive reactions from the diners.

Artist's impression of The Kelong, located at The Cathay Hotel. The decor captured
 the rustic look of a kelong fishing stake complete with accents of weathered plank walls,
mangrove tree poles, fishing nets and traps, woven baskets and drying trays, and hurricane lamps,
all conjuring up the atmosphere of a night under the stars out at sea.
International and local artistes perform nightly backed by a resident band.