We made it into House Beautiful. You may wonder why restaurants are making headlines in a magazine designed to showcase home design, outdoor spaces, and decorating trends.
In a March addition, the headline reads, “All of the Best Interior Design Is Happening in Restaurants Right Now. It’s even better than the food.”
I’m not so sure about the subtitle, but we have to applaud our industry for being recognized for its determination to create the best experience possible for our guests, and that all starts with the design.
According to Ben Krone, founder of Gradient Architecture, “The best spaces in this regard are the ones that subtly enhance the experience but do not attempt to compete with it.”
So, which restaurants caught the eye of one of the oldest and most influential interior design magazines? Let’s find out.
Capital City Diner in Albany, New York
If one were to look just at Capital City Diner’s menu, one would envision a diner as the name suggests. Self-proclaimed as “A family-run American comfort food joint offering classic fare in deco-style diner digs,” it doesn’t quite do it justice.
While the family stayed true to the authentic recreation of a diner, they did it with a modern twist and lighting that transcends and elevates the experience. Soft, warm lighting engulfs the interior, highlighting the surrounding wood and metal counter stools.
The design team restored the façade’s original glass block, letting the sun’s diffuse light continue streaming through the windows. This is the place to go if you want comfort food like baked meatloaf, parmigiana classics, and N.Y. steak with beer-battered onion rings in a beautiful setting. Of course, dinners here come with the classic sides diners are known for.
888 in Nashville, Tennessee
This invitation pops up on 888’s website: “Experience an extraordinary fusion of tradition, flavor, and music during Nashville Cherry Blossom Week with our ceremonial tuna-cutting omakase dinner.”
Now, that’s an experience that entices.
888 is a Japanese restaurant and listening room. Unlike many Japanese restaurants, it’s not the Asian design elements that draw your attention, but the wall of vinyl and the tiled DJ stand that stands out in cobalt-blue brilliance.
Inspired by Japan’s Kissa bars, these cafes or listening bars focus on high-quality sound systems that deliver music at its finest, often in the form of jazz. Warm lighting and wood make you want to nestle in and enjoy donabe fried rice, chicken karaage, maki, and nigiri while listening, really listening, to high-fidelity music.
Lola’s in New York City
According to House Beautiful, the inspiration for Lola’s design comes from chef Suzanne Cupp’s grandmother’s heirloom necklace. The green tiles, including those found in the kitchen bar and workspace, resemble the jade stone. The golden, ash wood and structure of the ceiling carry the gold accents.
Cupps was the first female Executive Chef in Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. Her wealth of experience led her to Lola’s, her first independent venture. Here, the vegetable-forward and seasonal focus comes out in Housemade Naan with carrot masala yogurt and cilantro chutney. Roasted oysters with scallion kimchi and apple mignonette are among her many interesting creations. Needless to say, it’s a very unique restaurant offering an exceptional experience.
Entre Nous in Brooklyn, New York
Entre Nous is a French-inspired wine bar whose name means “between us” or “amongst friends.” With a menu focused on natural wines and classic French small plates, here you can find Fromage + Charcuterie and petite plates like Wagyu Beef Tartare and Choux Farel.
The interesting fare is found in a space defined by classic, subtle elegance reminiscent of Old World European bistros. It’s designed to be part of the neighborhood with a wraparound copper bar and warm undertones.
Two additional restaurants made the design callout by House Beautiful: Va Bene Cicchetti in Poland and Parconido Bakery Café in South Korea.
So, what made these restaurants stand out among a crowded field where design no longer takes a backdrop but is an essential part of the experience? These establishments focused on authenticity, whether taking you to a Kissa bar or a European bistro. And that’s what today’s diners are looking for.
