Senior Seminor - Restaurant: Employees Only

 

Spring 2015

 

The goal of this design is to create distinct spaces that flow seamlessly together. This is achieved through an open and flowing configuration of defined spaces; with the use of modern deco pieces paired with the already present exposed and slightly industrial contemporary setting, that transports you to a romanticized period of American history. The restaurant plays on the notion that the staff has more fun, and the clientele gets off on an insider’s feel without the labor. The three distinct spaces are the liquor bar, elevated dining area with a curving sit down bar and the intimate dinning with window views.

 

Once passing through the archway into the liquor bar, you notice the soft glow of modern hand blown glass pendent lighting above the wood top bar, looking like they are floating in midair. The bar itself looks like it was plucked from a probation speak easy with an abundance of  hard liquors and mixers gleaming from the bar shelves, bartenders with anachronistic parted hair and handlebar mustaches, suited in white chef’s jackets, preparing golden age renditions of the Manhattan, bloody Mary and pisco sour. As you continue rounding the corner there is standing room only in front of a steel-faced fireplace. Opposite the bar are three semi-intimate bistro tables for old friends to catchup and for new lovers to sneak a kiss while waiting for their table to be ready. Seating is scarce on the weekends, when a polished crowd with flickers of downtown style fills the room, and a pat eighties soundtrack throws the general conceit to the wind.

The second space is a little more formal while still flowing easily from the liquor bar. After entering the hostess area and taking a left immediately see the elevated dining area with art deco metal railing. The space is also defined with terraced lighting around the pressed-tin ceiling and overhead luggage racks on the back wall are at piece with the dapper service and drinks. This space is perfect for a large party or celebration with a large table including commanding captain chairs. It is also a great place for an intimate couple’s anniversary lite by candle light. Opposite the elevated dining area are ambient lite semi-private table with a curing bench seat. The deco-ish backlit décor of the entire restaurant is truly felt in the sensuously curing bar with an abundance of tequilas, single malts and even ryes gleaming from the bar shelves drawing you into the insider’s feel of the bartenders and staff. The modern blown glass pendent lighting from the liquor bar is repeated here mixing perfectly with the vintage mismatching chrome rod lighting with opal gloss glass that led you from the entrance.

 

The final space is the most intimate even with its full length window looking over Dickson Street covered only by a sun shade. As you walk to your table, the noise level is softer than expected from such a crowded place with staff rushing around from the sound reducing product under the hand scraped manarola colored maple flooring running through the restaurant. The pressed-tin ceiling continuous with back light high wall shelf where antique colored probation glass bottle are displayed. The wooden top tables are vandalized with past patrons initials and names enticing the current dinner to continue the tradition. Each table is lite by an ambient amount of light from the same mismatching rod lighting united in their art deco styling which gives you a deeper speak easy feel.