Tag: restaurant design

The experience of a restaurant is about much more than the menu alone. The atmosphere, the design details, and the setting are all important aspects of the experience.

Good food is an experience, an experience that good design will make complete. The worlds best restaurants consider not only the food they serve but the space they serve it in.

Together, the food, the atmosphere and the space create the experience.

One restaurant providing a world class experience is America’s top restaurant, Alinea in Chicago.

Alinea is committed to bringing a novel and exciting experience for its guests. Its owners set the restaurant up in 2005 with one clear objective: ‘to create fun and delicious food’.

Serving up to 30 courses, each one as magical, surprising and beautifully created as the last, Head Chef, Grant Achatz’s work has been labelled a culinary magic show by some of the most respected food critics across the world.

After ten incredible years in business the founders decided it was time to change it up; both the menu and the look. The owners closed Alinea for five months and spent a seven figure sum reinventing this world class restaurant.

Scrapping it all and starting again is almost unheard of in the world of Michelin star restaurants, so for Alinea, a three Michelin star restaurant this was a risky move. However both Achatz and  Owner, Nick Kokonas  agree, it is the risk that motivates them.

The magic of the dishes is what the restaurant is known for and has gained acclaim for world wide. One such dish is served on a pillow filled with lavender scented air that emits its fragrance as soon as the force of the knife and fork hit the plate.

But Achatz admits that once these magical dishes have been experienced they lose some of their intrigue and novelty. The same goes for the long entrance way, built as an optical illusion, where a surprise door opens as guests walk passed the sensor.

Both the decor and the food had to change to create a completely, new holistic experience for guests. And that is exactly what the owners have done. The new Alinea is designed to surprise aesthetically, psychically and sensually.

The design comprises of a luxurious yet clean design, creating a perfectly polished and uncomplicated backdrop, where the decorative details set the tone and contribute to the overall ambiance of the space, where the spectacular food can be the star of the show. And the show still retains all the magic of the original performance .

Everything in this space combines to create an experience.  An experience like no other.

The sun splitting the skies over the past few days has us really in the mood for some al fresco dining.

Being the interiors enthusiasts we are, restaurant design is as important an experience for us as the food itself.

Any space can impact our mood, and when the sun is out, our outdoor spaces and their design becomes paramount.

All this got us thinking about the spaces around us, and the spots we love to visit for their design as well as their culinary offerings.

Here are the 8 Dublin restaurants we’re dying to visit for some al fresco dining:

1. Drury Buildings

Fine Spanish tapas in the gorgeous courtyard to the rear of Drury Buildings is nothing short of the perfect Summer evening for us.

Plant clusters, terracotta tiles and exposed brick make for the perfect setting, especially as the night begins to darken and the flickering candlelight creates a serene yet ambient mood.

2. Balfes

Sitting outside balfes on a sunny day, watching the emerging style from The Westbury hotel, one could be forgiven for thinking they were people watching in Paris.

Offset by rich charcoal tones, marble tabletops and detailed tiling, this chic spot is one of our favorites for a summer brunch or pre-dinner drinks in the sun.

We particularly love their Loulerie Sparkler, aptly named after their super elegant neighbours, Loulerie Jewelers. Muddled raspberries, prosecco and creme de mur = a mid summers night dream (in a champagne glass).

3. Mulberry Garden

Greeted by the instant appeal of a fragrant log fire and in the surroundings of large cascading plants, you’d be hard pushed to find a nicer spot to enjoy a drink late into the summer evening.

With a seasonal menu each week, and food that is consistently stunning Mulberry Garden is a great spot for a summer’s eve.

Although, dining is generally inside, few can resist the lure of the beautiful courtyard, with comfortable seating, cosy blankets and a warm fire when the night chill sets in. The interiors are also well worth the visit!

4. Fallon & Byrne, The Peoples Park, Dun Laoghaire

This pretty little spot is an all round winner for us when the sun shines. Whether it’s for a simple coffee to enjoy in the People’s Park, or lunch in the sun, the detail, the food and the natural scenery are on point for us.

Again, the interiors are also pretty to die for!

5. House, Leeson St.

It’s understandable why this spot is usually a hive of activity. With the most gorgeous greenery, an eclectic mix of furnishings and buckets of charm, we find ourselves fixated with details in the decor each time we go there.

6. The Courtyard, Marco Pierre White

Summer cocktails in the sun? The Courtyard in Donnybrook is a sun trap with a Mediterranean edge, where olive trees, large lanterns and rustic tiling takes our minds a few thousand miles south of its actual location in Donnybrook.

7. Vintage Cocktail Club

The VCC rooftop garden is one spot we’ll definitely be this summer! With the quirky, eclectic style that even varies for floor to floor this place is a feast for our eyes!

8. Rooftop bar @ Sophie’s, The Dean

The ever cool Dean Hotel in Dublin ends on a literal high with the rooftop bar at Sophie’s. With an outdoor oven, planting and panoramic views of the city what’s not to love?

Restaurant Design, Eathos….

We were delighted to be brought in to help with the restaurant design of new Baggot Street restaurant, Eathos.

The restaurant design at Eathos is fully focused on it’s clean and healthy menu. The aesthetic within is minimal and sleek with clean lines and a neutral colour palette. The food adds drama and texture to the space. The vibrant colours of the fresh, healthy foods add strong pops of colour creating both visual and tasty delights!

The key branding colours are bright red. We sought to reflect this subtly within the restaurant and chose similar red Panton pendants to break up the white over the 3fe coffee bar.

We worked with the team on the finishing touches of the design and on the outdoor area. The hidden outdoor area provides a sheltered, calming outdoor escape great to unwind or have a private party. All sides are clad in contemporary timber panels to provide shelter as well as creating a clean and minimal backdrop.

The team at Eathos are dedicated and passionate about food, their friendly serving staff and highly trained and innovative chefs offer you a well designed menu of creative flavours and first class ingredients. Eathos is all about quality ingredients and simplicity in both design and recipes.

The team here at KLD were very excited to pop down to Eathos for some lunch when they opened, where we enjoyed a delicious array of bright, colourful, healthy foods. Our favourites on the day were the organic salmon with red pepper, hazelnut and lemon salsa and curried cauliflower and the Turkey and courgette kaftas with spring onion and cumin and the broccoli salad with garlic and chilli. As well as an amazing selection of desserts, we couldn’t possible choose our favourite!

‘From passion to plate, that’s Eathos!’

Make sure to pop in and check it out. http://www.eathosdublin.com/