Cover Matthew Richardson at Terracotta Lamma (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
Matthew Richardson at Terracotta Lamma (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
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Terracotta Lamma’s co-founder Matthew Richardson tells Tatler why the space is his home away from home
What was the inspiration behind Terracotta Lamma?
Terracotta Lamma came from a desire to explore [an area] outside of Central and Kennedy Town [where Richardson’s team operates Honky Tonks Tavern, Shady Acres, Quality Goods Club and Mendel’s Delicatessen]. What we’ve endeavoured to do with our current venues was to create a sense of belonging, as well as respite from the everyday grind. Storytelling is the fundamental underpinning of everything we build, and Lamma Island is such a special place—steeped with a wealth of history and natural beauty.
How did you decide on Lamma Island and what attracted you to this location?
Our love for Lamma Island inspired us to create a fresh story with an interesting concept while at the same time paying tribute to its resident community. It is a melting point of cultures and cuisines. You meet people from all walks of life. Opening a space on Lamma Island was an extension of what we already do and have built in Soho and Kennedy Town. We bring a lot of people together from all walks of life at our existing venues, and that’s always been an important part of all our culture. Lamma Island already has this charm of being a community-driven island.
How have you incorporated the island’s natural surroundings into the overall design of the space?
We worked closely with Lamma interior design company Studio Amal to design three distinct levels of hospitality, along with a cosy bar front and seaside dining terrace. Interior spaces were kept minimalistic to feature the natural light, and highlight the building’s historic elements, such as washed brick and terrazzo patterned tiling. Natural earth tones with textured elements of terracotta, wood, brick, bamboo and granite add a soothing touch.
Above Matthew Richardson at Terracotta Lamma (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
Matthew Richardson at Terracotta Lamma (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
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What’s on the menu?
Our head chef Richard Solnik cooks dishes that celebrate the simplicity of fresh ingredients. His menu reflects that through quality products, bright flavours and signature mains torched by flames on the charcoal grill.
Our drinks, created by mixology veteran and beverage director Adam Schmidt, include a wide range of beers and wines from various Mediterranean regions. The cocktail menu has deceptively easy-to-drink drinks based on familiar classics, which highlight some of the finest boutique spirits and ingredients from Mediterranean regions— these include gins from the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and Menorca and [the rest of] Spain; and Caribbean rums. It invokes the relaxed feelings of long, golden summer vacations along the coastline.
What efforts have you made to create a sense of exclusivity and privacy for your guests?
We built Terracotta Lamma as a multipurpose space with distinct areas: the front bar, sunset pier, sunset deck, seaview terrace and a Captain’s Lounge. The Captain’s Lounge is our private dining space located on the first floor, perfect for a cosy candle-lit lunch or dinner and set across a large, wooden communal table. All the tables have Instagramable ocean and sunset views.
The top floor of Terracotta is a private home that we plan to offer as a space for guests to rent, which is set to open early this year. The tagline for Terracotta Lamma is “your seaside home away from home”, with an aspiration to create a beachside experience that effortlessly blends daytime lounging and an intimate golden hour cocktail and sunset feast—with the added option to rest and stay.
Above Matthew Richardson at Terracotta Lamma (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
Matthew Richardson at Terracotta Lamma (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
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What recreational activities can guests experience?
We know there’s a big, local live music scene on Lamma Island, and we’d love to offer them a stage to perform on with stunning sunset backdrops. We want to work with more Lamma Island businesses, since our team are natives to Lamma. Right now, we serve the Lammaproduced Alchemy Kitchen hot sauce.
Other things we’re working on is a “grab and go” offering with towels, bags and food made for the beach; and Terracotta Lamma-branded merchandise. We’re also speaking to some boat and yacht businesses to bring the Terracotta Lamma experience off and on the shore, with the option to pick up guests from the Central piers, and bring them back to Lamma Island to continue the Terracotta experience.
What are your aspirations for the future of your bar and restaurant?
We would love for Terracotta Lamma to be part of the Lamma Island community and that local watering hole for residents and tourists, [whether it be] for an afternoon coffee, sunset drink, family dinner—or even [as a space for] those who need a little quiet spot to work remotely.
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print, and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs, curating star-studded events and building the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
