At the bar, and throughout the bistro, color-changing RGB LED lighting can respond to the pace of the music.

The Hilton Anatole near downtown Dallas, Texas, recently opened Media Grill + Bar – an interactive restaurant experience featuring customized visual, audio, and lighting capabilities. The new $5 million venue is the beginning of an extensive $25 million transformation of the Hilton Anatole’s Atrium II area.

Inside the 7,500-square-foot bistro, guests are offered free Wi-Fi, Bluetooth file exchange capabilities, and 26 HD displays, including a 103-inch plasma screen, the largest commercial flat screen available in the U.S. In addition, a multi-touch “Moovit” Displax interactive floor projects images to the floor and reacts to motion when guests walk over it, which can use custom graphics and has the ability to play interactive games.

Another key feature, the Interactive Bar, or “I-Bar” for short, is one of two in the country. Created and developed by Mindstorm Interactive, the flat surface features touch-sensitive lighting via eight interchangeable effects, such as bubbles, lasers, flowers, graphs and more. Customized logos and messaging can be programmed into the system for private groups and events as well, while six electric outlets serve as a charging station for laptops, smart phones and other mobile devices.

The restaurant is a contemporary American bistro with a high-tech twist.

Adding to the “wired” atmosphere, videos from a nearby Blu-Ray Disc™ player are projected onto frosted glass, which can be viewed as a mirror image by guests seated on opposite sides of a dividing wall. A digital signage unit also displays hotel events and information, but can be changed for specific groups or meetings.

A contemporary American bistro, Media Grill + Bar offers a selection of flatbreads, gourmet salads, sandwiches, entrées and desserts. In addition to its handcrafted signature cocktails, the restaurant features 12 American craft draught beers (including five Media Grill + Bar exclusives), wines, specialty cocktails and a bar menu. Lunch, dinner, and a late night menu are served seven days a week.

Lighting and sound also play a key role throughout the restaurant. Creating a surround sound experience, Media Grill + Bar features 44 speakers and 11 subwoofers divided into six zones. Color-changing RGB LED lighting can respond to the pace of the music, and can also be programmed to one of six “scenes:” day, dusk, night, late night, DJ, and cleaning mode. The DJ mixing gear is provided by Rane.

The I-Bar at Hilton Anatole is one of two in the country.

All systems, including music selection, volume, television channels and video playback, are administered through six DirecTV cable feeds. An easy-to-use, touch-screen selection display located in back of house monitors and controls each function.

“With the Media Grill + Bar, we wanted to incorporate the kind of technology that not only engages each individual guest, but also creates the opportunity for them to connect and interact with each other,” says Ed Dorman, director of food and beverage, Hilton Anatole. “It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that embodies the new look and feel coming to the Hilton Anatole.”

ROI:
“The new $5 million venue is the beginning of an extensive $25 million transformation of the Hilton Anatole’s Atrium II area. It embodies the new look and feel.”

EASE-OF-USE:
“The managers were trained on setting and changing lighting moods in the restaurant by lighting design team Scott Oldner Lighting Design, LLC. For A/V systems, an easy to use touch screen in back-of-house allows them to control volume, video playback, music selection and more. R2W, who installed those programs, trained the managers on the entire system.”

RELIABILITY: WILL THE AV FLOOD THE HELP DESK WITH CALLS?
“No. But the Hilton Anatole’s IT team is also available for support, should troubleshooting arise.”

—Walter Maloy, restaurant manager, Hilton Anatole

BELDEN: belden.com
BK LIGHTING: bklighting.com
BOSE: bose.com
COLORGLO: colorgloledlighting.com
CRESTRON: crestron.com
FOCAL POINT: focalpointlights.com
INSIGHT LIGHTING: insightlighting.com
IOLIGHTING: iolighting.com
LUTRON: Lutron.com
MARSHALL: MarshallElectronics.com
MIDDLE ATLANTIC: middleatlantic.com
NEOTEK: neoteklighting.com
R2W: r2west.com
RANE CORPORATION: rane.com
SCOTT OLDNER LIGHTING DESIGN: solighting.net